San Diego, Calif. – September 5, 2007 – The International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Governing Authority for surfing, has chosen France as the location for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.  The event will be organized by the ISA’s National Governing Body for surfriding in France, Federation Francaise de Surf (FFS).  New Zealand will be sending a twelve strong team of surfers who will look to improve on their fourth placing they acheived in 2007.

France last hosted an ISA event in 1992 with the World Surfing Games in Lacanau.  “The ISA is very happy to go back to the great waves of France. By having the event in late May, we will be able to have great waves. I would like to thank Quiksilver Europe President Pierre Agnes for his leadership in bringing this event back to France,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

The Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship has become the premier annual junior surfing event.  Past competitors include WCT, WQS and other notable surfers such as Jordy Smith, Stephanie Gilmore, Tonino Benson, Julian Wilson, Jeremy Flores, Sally Fitzgibbons and Bethany Hamilton. 

The 2008 event is sure to have more standout performances as surfers compete in Under 16 and Under 18 categories.

Since 2003, this yearly event has been in Africa (Durban), in the South Pacific (Tahiti), North America (Huntington Beach) and Europe (Portugal). In 2008, the event will return to Europe in Hossegor, France.  With over 30 National Delegations forecasted to compete in France, the diversity of races, languages, religions and cultures, have turned the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship into Surfing's Junior Olympic-style event.  The exposure of young surfers to other peoples and cultures is part of an unmatched experience for all participants. 

The event will be broadcast live on the internet and will feature commentary from former World Champion Martin Potter and live scoring.  Webcasting details will be available as the event nears.