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Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Officially Opens |
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Written by Ben Kennings
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Thursday, 21 January 2010 |
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Team New Zealand - Image CPL / ISA
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The 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships opened with a colorful display of New Zealand culture in Auckland today. More than 200 representatives from 21 countries from around the world marched behind their national flag bearer through the city’s Mission Bay in a tremendous display of surfing unity.
The Sands of the World ceremony kicked off proceedings with team captains from each country pouring sand from their local beaches into the ISA clear box, symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre officially declared the championships open.
“Welcome everybody,” said Aguerre. “I know this is the most emotional opening ceremony I have ever attended. I have been doing this for many years. Kia Ora is a very important word that we should all learn. It means thank you in Maori, it also means welcome, it means from the heart. So, Kia Ora New Zealand, Kia Ora Auckland!”
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Haka - Image CPL / ISA
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Fernando was joined on stage by Quiksilver International CEO Bob McKnight, Mayor of Auckland John Banks, Mayor of Waitakere Bob Harvey and Surfing New Zealand CEO Greg Townsend to welcome the teams to the prestigious tournament.
The National team of New Zealand officially welcomed the other nations by performing their traditional Haka dance to cheers from the large crowd that gathered for the opening ceremony.
The prestigious, eight-day competition gets underway tomorrow and continues until Thursday 28th January 2010.
Gold medals will be decided in three divisions – Under 18 and 16 Boys, and Under 18 Girls, plus in the National Team Event.
The surf is forecast to build in the next few days, with waves in the overhead range. Contest organizers are confident of completing the opening round of the Under 18 and 16 Boys tomorrow.
Pictures and video highlights of the Press Conference are available in www.isaworldjuniors.com and Editorial rights free videos and images in high resolution are available in the following ftp:
FTP Server: ftp.isasurf.org
FTP Username: isasurf_media
Password: download1
MEDIA CONTACTS
Contact us, we´re here to serve you
Pablo Zanocchi
Media Manager
International Surfing Association
+64211780097
pablo@isasurf.org
Jake White
Media
Quiksilver Australia
Jake@surfingaustralia.com
Ben Kennings
Media Manager
Surfing New Zealand
+64212278732
benkennings@surfingnz.co.nz
About the ISA
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing and all Surfriding activities, including Short Board, Longboard, Bodyboard, Kneeboard, Skimboard, Tow In and Stand Up Paddle surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA), and Karin Sierralta (Peru).
About Quiksilver (www.quiksilver.com)
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style. Our aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement - the stoke that is the essence of boardriding*. We're also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.
* Boardriding is about timing and style. It's youthful, active, casual, and free flowing. There is no wrong way to ride a board. The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own.
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