Following an incredible Final Day of great waves and tremendous surfing performances, the 2013 ISA World Surfing Games officially closed. Team South Africa is the new 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games Team Champion.  South Africans is the winner of the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, named and donated by the long-time ISA President who was first elected in 1994 and has been diligently working on fulfilling the ISA’s mission of developing the sport of surfing around the world. Additionally, the Team Champion received the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean. South Africa’s Shaun Joubert is the new Men’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. With powerful turns and aerial tactics, Joubert earned the Gold Medal. Australia’s Dimity Stoyle is the new Women’s Reef ISA World Surfing Games Champion. Stoyle earned the Gold Medal with a high scoring wave in the last minutes of her heat. “This has been a very intense week of waves and hot weather in Panama along with the warmth from the Panamanian people who have welcomed us during this whole time,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “I know that at times we didn’t have the waves that we wanted, but being patient with the waves is part of being a good surfer understanding that waves come and go just like in life we have to take the time so we can find the best.” “To all of you that have come to Panama for this event, I give my warmest congratulations,” continued Aguerre. “Some of you are going to take home medals, most of you won’t, but all of you are champions for having made it to Panama as members of your National Surfing Teams. I hope that all of you will go home as friends of Santa Catalina, Soná and Panama and whenever you think of a surfing vacation in a good destination with warm water and good waves, you think of Panama.” The swell predicted by Surfline, the official forecasters of the event, arrived with clean surf in the chest to head-high range. An onshore breeze picked up in the afternoon, but the waves remained consistent and pumping all day. The perfect reef break of Santa Catalina allowed the world’s best surfers to compete at their highest potential and fight for the Team Championship and individual Gold Medals. The Final Day started with a long way for the surfers in the Repechage who had to surf up to 3 different heats to make it to the Grand Final. In the Women’s Repechage, Australia’s Codie Klein had a great start to the day earning 15.27 defeating Dominic Barona (ECU, 9.16) and Kelly Ann Laide (PUR, 5.24). Klein continued to the Grand Final were she got second place earning the Silver Medal. The Women’s Final featured Australia’s Dimity Stoyle, teammate Klein, New Zealand’s Ella Williams and Brazil’s Suelen Naraisa. Stoyle was in third place until in the last few minutes of the heat, when she posted the heat’s highest single wave score of 9.50, to take the lead and the Gold Medal. In second place, earning the Silver Medal was Klein (AUS, 12.63), followed by Suelen Naraisa (BRA, 12.47) earning the Bronze Medal, and Ella Williams (NZL, 10.83) with the Copper Medal. “It is a such an honor to be on the Australian Team; it means everything to all of us,” said the Gold Medalist, Stolye. “We came here and we just wanted to do it for the team more than for ourselves.” The Men’s Repechage Final had a nerve-wracking fight for the final two spots in the Grand Final. Australia’s Russell Molony won with 13.37 points and in the last minute the local favorite Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzalez managed to get a place in the Final earning 10.80 tying Chile’s Guillermo Satt (10.80) and defeating Argentina’s Leandro Usuna (9.97). Oli advanced to the final because he had the highest single wave score. To finish the event, the Men’s Final featured Shaun Joubert (RSA), Cristobal de Col (PER), Russell Moloney (AUS) and the local hero, Gonzales. The South African, in the first minutes of the heat took the lead earning an impressive 9.33 points. He then backed it up 8.33 solidifying his lead. The Panamanian was the only one within reach, but was unable to find the right wave to get the necessary score to move up to first place. In the end, Joubert (RSA, 17.66) earned the Gold Medal, Gonzalez (PAN, 14.90) earned the Silver Medal, Cristobal de Col (PER, 12.93) earned the Bronze Medal and Russell Molony (AUS, 6.93) earned the Copper Medal. “I really enjoyed the waves in Panama, we had amazing waves all the event,” said the Gold Medalist Shaun Joubert. “It’s nice to come as a team and actually be at the beach cheering the other guys and you want your team to do well. It’s fun to see all the flags and people from other countries; it’s a special event.” The local, “Oli,” made history by being the first Panamanian to win a medal in the ISA World Surfing Games. When the surfing competition concluded, the Closing Ceremony took place to officially close the 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games and award the team trophies and individual medals. Official Results: Overall Team Results: 1. South Africa- 11,102 points and Winner of the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, The IOC President’s Trophy, the 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean and the Gold Medal 2. Australia- 10,332 points, Silver Medal 3. Peru- 9,636 points, Bronze Medal 4. Brazil- 9,146 points, Copper Medal 5. Panama- 7,946 points 6. Costa Rica- 7,678 points 7. Argentina- 7,422 points 8. Chile- 7,286 points 9. Venezuela- 7,000 points 10. Mexico- 6,752 points 11. Ecuador- 6,630 points 12. New Zealand- 6,620 points 13. Puerto Rico- 6,520 points 14. Japan- 6,116 points 15. Italy- 6,060 points 16. El Salvador- 5,400 points 17. Guatemala- 4,866 points 18. Switzerland- 4,504 points 19. Uruguay- 3,732 points 20. Jamaica- 3,096 points 21. Turkey- 1,152 points 22. Canada- 720 points 23. Sweden- 720 points 24. Russia- 576 points The top 7 placing teams will qualify for the ISA China Cup, the ISA’s signature event that is held annually in January on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

The second to last day of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games saw big changes in the overall team standings. The door is now wide open for Brazil, which is now in the lead, and for Peru and Australia, which are close behind and are making a charge for the stash of trophies – the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean, and the individual Gold Medals. Sunday is the final day of competition, when the Team Champion and Gold Medalists will be decided. “Competition is getting down to the wire with the exciting Final Day on Sunday,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “Surfing conditions are expected to improve with waves in the head high range. I wish all the National Teams and their surfers the best of luck! You won’t want to miss any of the amazing action on the live webcast.” Today featured high performance surfing from all competitors in both the Men’s and Women’s Repechage rounds. Surf conditions improved from the previous days, but remained challenging with a strong onshore wind. The highest scoring waves saw a mix of powerful turns and critical airs. The Men’s Qualifying round during the morning saw some of the day’s best action. The in-form local Panamanian surfer, Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzales, who’s been on fire all contest long, was in last place in the final minute of his heat, but he managed to pull a huge air that awarded him 7.60 sending him to first place. The local crowd on the beach erupted with loud cheers in support of their fellow countryman. Gonzales defeated Leandro Usuna (ARG, 12.93), Francisco Bellorin (VEN, 12.46) and Thomas Woods (AUS, 11.07). In the Men’s Repechage, Brazil’s Alan Jhones, was the best surfer of the Round, earning 13.00, defeating his team-mate Jose Francisco (BRA, 8.67), Mikey February (RSA, 7.90) and Thomas Woods (AUS, 6.77). In the Women’s Repechage, the best surfer was Ecuador’s Dominic Barona, earning 12.00, easily defeating Kelly Ann Laide (PUR, 8.27), Faye Zoetmulder (RSA, 5.80) and Barbara Segatto (BRA, 4.07). Following the Repechage, the finalists of the Men’s and Women’s Qualifying Round were decided. These competitors are just one more heat away from the Grand Final. In the Men’s Qualifying, South Africa’s Shaun Joubert was again a standout of the day posting 12.60 points, defeating Jean Carlos Gonzales (PAN, 11.77) and Noe Mar McGonagle (CRC, 8.67). The Men’s Qualifying Final will feature Shaun Joubert (RSA), Cristobal de Col (PER), Guillermo Satt (CHI), and Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzalez (PAN). In theWomen’s Repechage Peru’s Anali Gomez posted an amazing 16.04, one of the highest scores of the day. Gomez defeated Suelen Naraisa (BRA, 11.67) and Rachel Mead (SWI, 4.37). The Women’s Qualifying Final will feature Anali Gomez (PER), Dimity Stoyle (AUS), Ella Williams (NZL) and Suelen Naraisa (BRA). Nao Omura from Japan and Ecuador’s Dominic Barona are still competing and keeping the hopes alive for their teams. Omura posted a 13.66 against Kelly Ann Laide (PUR, 9.34) and Tanika Hoffman (RSA, 6.53), who is now out of the event. Barona scored 15.43 points against Nataly Bernold (SWI, 9.17) and Maria Lucia Cosoleto (ARG, 3.73), who’s also out of the Medal Race. For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawsg.com/results/ At this point in the contest, Team Brazil is leading followed by Australia, Peru and South Africa. Here’s a full list of team standings after day 6 of competition: Brazil Australia Peru South Africa Costa Rica Argentina Chile Panama Italy Ecuador Puerto Rico New Zealand Venezuela Japan Mexico Switzerland El Salvador Guatemala Uruguay Jamaica Turkey Canada Sweden Russia The top 7 placing teams will qualify for the ISA China Cup, the ISA’s signature event that is held annually in January on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

Day 6 of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games reached the critical stage as the competition field was reduced and more surfers are out of the event. The race for the Fernando Aguerre World Team Champion Trophy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) President’s Trophy and the “Copa V Centenario Del Descubrimiento Del Oceano Pacifico,” or 5th Century Cup of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean, and the individual Gold Medals intensified with only 2 more days of competition. The surf conditions were challenging again today with lack of swell and strong onshore winds.  The contest had a delayed start after a holding pattern to wait for conditions to improve. The first heat kicked off at 1:45pm and features the Men’s and Women’s Repechage. At this point, the competition has narrowed to less than half of the original competitors, making every heat exciting. “With waving flags and loud cheers, team spirit is at its highest as we approach the final days of competition,” said an excited ISA President, Fernando Aguerre. “The National Teams are fighting for their spots on the podium, the trophies and the Gold Medals. I wish the best to all surfers. Watch all the action unfold on the live webcast over the weekend!” Today began with the last heat of Men’s Repechage 4, where Alvaro Malpartida from Peru won with 12.23 points defeating Puerto Rico’s Alejandro Moreda (9.37), his team mate Tommy Brusian (9.27) and Costa Rica’s Jair Perez (8.67). Unfortunately for Brusian and Perez, they were eliminated after finishing in third and fourth respectively. The action continued with Women’s Repechage, in which the two South African athletes Tanika Hoffman and Faye Zoetmulder, who were in the same heat and had the best scores, advanced to the next round. Hoffman earned a notable 15.27, defeating Zoetmulder’s 12.73, Pamela Verboonen (MEX, 5.33) and Malena Toral (PAN, 3.16), who are now out of the contest. Hoffman landed an impressive floater on one of the biggest waves of the day, earning 8.00 points and finished with another great wave of 7.27, for a total score of 15.27. Other standouts that advanced to the next round where Nao Omura (JPN), Lisbeth Vindas (CRC), Barbara Segatto (BRA) and Pomare Tempano (CHI). To finish the day, Mikey February (RSA), in the Open Men’s Repechage 5, gave a great performance posting 15.17 points, the highest total points of the Round, defeating Russell Molony (AUS, 11.17), Alejandro Moreda (PUR, 6.30) and David Diaz (VEN, 5.47). The other competitors that survived another day of competition were David Van Zyl (RSA), Ruda Carvalho (BRA), Miguel Tudela (PER) and Jose Francisco (BRA). For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawsg.com/results/ At this point in the contest, Team South Africa is leading followed by Brazil, Australia and Peru. Here’s a full list of team standings after day 6 of competition: South Africa Brazil Australia Peru Costa Rica Argentina Chile Venezuela Mexico Panama Italy Ecuador Puerto Rico New Zealand Japan Switzerland El Salvador Guatemala Uruguay Jamaica Turkey Canada Sweden Russia The top 7 placing teams will qualify for the ISA China Cup, the ISA’s signature event that is held annually in January on Hainan Island in the South China Sea.

Have you ever rescued someone while you were surfing? Many surfers probably have, and in doing so may have saved many lives. Two such instances were highlighted recently, one at Canoe Beach, north of Dunedin (http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/247912/surfers-hailed-heroes) and the other in Whangamata, on the Coromandel (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/8416817/Fellow-surfers-rescue-drowning-man), where surfers went to the aid of swimmers and other surfers, and saved their lives!

In New Zealand over 1,400 people are rescued by surf lifeguards every year, but we have no idea how many people surfers save. The University of New South Wales is doing an international study on surfer rescues and would like to know if you've ever rescued someone while you were surfing. So please help by spending a few minutes doing this anonymous survey. Please send the link to your friends as well https://www.research.net/s/SurferSurvey. This information will help Surf Life Saving New Zealand get a clearer picture of the role surfers play in surf safety, and help inform future surf safety programmes.

Day 5 of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games showed positive signs of the coming swell. As the event approaches the final days of competition, the National Teams face critical rounds that will determine the final positions in the chase for the Gold Medals. Once again, competition had a delayed start, due to the extreme low tide, to allow for optimal conditions for the world’s best surfers. Today featured a mix of Men’s and Women’s surfing action in both Qualifying and Repechage. The Repechage is a do-or-die round in the ISA’s patented double elimination format. If an athlete places 3rd or 4th in a Repechage heat, they are out of the competition. At this point, the competition had narrowed to about half of the original competitors, making every heat exciting. “Competitors are not holding back as we approach the final days of the Reef ISA World Surfing Games,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “Every heat counts and the National Teams cannot afford to lose too many surfers if they hope to be World Champions. The surf and the competition are heating up so don’t miss any of the live webcast all the way from beautiful Santa Catalina, Panama.” The action began with the Men’s, where local Jean Carlos “Oli” Gonzales had one of the best performances of the round. Gonzales, with a big air reverse and critical turns, posted an impressive 15.83 heat score, handily defeating Davey Brand (RSA, 11.37), Gabriel Villaran (PER, 10.20) and Nahuel Amalfitano (ARG, 9.93). The Panamanian also scored one of the highest single waves of the day, with a 9.00 for an amazing air reverse, landing perfectly right before the rocks at the point in Santa Catalina. Brazil’s Alan Jhones had the highest total heat score of the round earning 17.83, defeating Leandro Usuna (ARG, 10.07), Adrian Rodriguez (MEX, 9.17) and Alejandro Moreda (PUR,4.60). Jhones only rode two waves in the heat to seal his win, with individual scores of 9.50 and 8.33 points each. The Woman’s heat of the day featured South Africa’s Tanika Hoffman, who with an 11.53 narrowly defeated, by only .03, Japan’s Nao Omura 11.50 and sending home Thandi Tipene (NZL, 5.77) and Evelin Centeno (SAL, 4.33). Other Woman’s standouts of the day included Valeria Sole (PER), Faye Zoetmulder, Enilda Alonso (PAN), Maria Rojas (VEN) and Barbara Segatto (BRA), all winning their respective heats and advancing to the next round. To wrap up the day, Men’s Repechage took place as a storm was approaching. The wind calmed down making conditions great to close out the day. Peru’s Miguel Tudela had the best score of this Round, posting 15.83, defeating David Van Zyl (RSA, 8.67), his teammate Gabriel Villarán (PER, 8.17) and Sean Peggs (NZL, 7.97). The elimination of Villaran along with the 13-times National Panamanian Champion, Gary Saavedra, were the upsets of the day. Saavedra, in a close, low scoring heat was defeated by Maximilliano Cross (CHI, 5.46) and Israel Barona (ECU, 5.27). For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://isawsg.com/results/ The 2013 Reef ISA World Surfing Games resumes tomorrow with The Morning Show at 11:10am (Panama time) hosted by Chris Ernst, featuring Costa Rica’s Leilani McGonagle and Mexico’s Dylan Southworth. Following that, the competition will feature:
Open Men’s Repechage Round 4
Open Women’s Repechage Round 3
Open Men’s Qualifying Round 4
Open Women’s Qualifying 3
Open Men’s Repechage 5
Open Women’s Repechage Round 4
Open Men’s Repechage 6 The live webcast of the entire championship is available on http://isawsg.com/

The 2013 Sitka Auckland Scholastic Tri Series commences in little over a week with the first event taking place at Piha on Sunday 26th of May.  The series will then take in an event on the East Coast of Auckland (venue to be confirmed) before heading back to the West Coast and the final event to be held at Maori Bay.  If you are a keen young surfers from the region then get your name in the game by filling out the attached entry form and sending it in.

The series has proved highly popular over the last two years.  The series also helps select the Auckland Regional Scholastic Team which will attend the 2013 National Scholastic Championships at Piha in September/October later this year.

Download the 2013 Sitka Auckland Scholastic Tri Series entry form.