The 2011 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship will be held in the impressive waves of Punta Roca, in El Salvador’s town of La Libertad, from October 16 to 23.

The best master surfers from all over the world will be competing as members of their National Surfing Team, for the honor to win the Gold Medal for their country. They will also be competing for individual gold, silver and bronze medals in the different age divisions.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said, “It is great to have another ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in warm Central America. We will hold the tournament in the perfect waves of Punta Roca. The ISA Masters is a great event, where camaraderie and fair play allow the best over-35 year old surfers in the world to perform and enjoy spending time with their peers from around the world.”

This will be a turning point for surfing in the country, as it will be the first time in history that El Salvador hosts a World Championship of surfing.

El Salvador Minister of Tourism, José Napoleón Duarte Durán, commented regarding the upcoming event, “I am pleased that El Salvador was chosen to host the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. This event will help make El Salvador an even more attractive surf tourism destination. Our wave-rich coast includes the great surf spots of El Sunzal, Punta Mango, Las Flores and the epic Punta Roca, where the event will take place.”

The Minister of Tourism continued, “El Salvador is getting ready to welcome the best surfers in the world from over 30 countries to a surfing tournament that will reach more than 240 million television viewers worldwide. With the coverage of respected sports channels such as ESPN, Sports News and CBS Sports, among others, the ISA World Masters will deliver a global promotion for our Nation."

El Salvador offers surfers a 300-mile coastline packed with perfect waves. It is a dependable surfing destination with consistent swells all year long.

Carlos Ortiz, representative of Gray Line El Salvador, Avitours DMC and Olas Permanentes, companies in charge of organizing the event, said, “Ever since we started working with the government to promote surfing five years ago, we have had the goal of organizing a World Championship. We are happy that we have finally accomplished this goal.”

Regarding the famous wave of Punta Roca, Ortiz added: "It is an epic point break that has attracted locals and foreigners for over 40 years. If you’re lucky to surf it in the 7 to 10 foot range, I can guarantee that it is going to be one of the best sessions of your life. The 2011 ISA WMSC will see a lot of friendship and unity in one of the top surfing spots in the world."

It is most likely that perfect waves will show up at the 2011 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. In order to ensure favorable conditions, the ISA hired surfing forecast guru, Sean Collins of Surfline.com, who studied the swell, weather and wind patterns at Punta Roca in October for the last 15 years, concluding that the period with most consistent waves was 16 to 23.

Located at the coastal town of La Libertad, Punta Roca is considered by many as one of the best waves in the world. With the ideal swell, waves can reach up to 12-to-15 feet, extending for over 500 yards. Often called the “Jeffrey’s Bay of Central America,” it is a perfect right point-break.