2023 ISA World Para Surfing Championship Ready to Launch at Surf City USA

The 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) is drawing the world’s best Para Surfing athletes in California’s “Surf City” Huntington Beach. The largest recorded number of 184 registered athletes will represent 27 national teams. The Opening Ceremony of Nations will kick off at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, November 5th. Athletes will compete on November 6th through the 11th, followed by a Closing Ceremony. 

 World Champions Return, Looking to Set More Records

16 men and 12 women who have won World Titles will return to seek the gold again, including multiple gold medalists Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS), Felipe Kizu Lima (BRA) and Matt Formston (AUS).

The biggest gold medal athlete in Women’s Para Surfing, Victoria Feige (CAN), will look to continue her streak and become the first woman to earn five gold medals. USA’s Liv Stone and England’s Melissa Reid will strive to earn their fourth gold medals respectively.  

 Women’s Para Surfing Continues to Grow

A record 62 women will compete and represent over one-third of the total competitors. Gender equity is a key priority for the ISA. The extensive growth in women’s participation in recent years proves the ongoing efforts to create more opportunities for women in all surfing disciplines. 

Para Surf Classification

The goal of classification in Para Surfing is to accurately assign the athletes into their best surf category to ensure a high level of competition and a more leveled playing field. This ensures minimal impact of impairment on the sport performance.

Athletes are grouped into one of 9 classifications depending on their particular physical conditions. The nine categories are Stand 1, Stand 2, Stand 3, Kneel, Sit (Wave ski), Prone 1, Prone 2 (Assist), Vision Impairment 1 and Vision Impairment 2. 

Push for Paralympic Inclusion

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board confirmed that Para Surfing demonstrates the competitive viability and integrity of the sport. LA28 will lead a process of evaluation of the impact of including Para Surfing to the Olympic lineup. Consequently, the process is expected to conclude, and the final program confirmed before the end of this year.

Surfing is the official sport of the state of California. Indeed, its strong surf culture makes Huntington Beach or “Surf City” the perfect arena for the World Para Surfing Games. Para Surfing’s priority mission to be included at the LA 2028 Paralympic Games is timely. Furthermore, it follows last year’s confirmation that Shortboard Surfing will be part of the Initial Sport Program at the LA Olympic Games. Shortboard Surfing debuted at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020 and will be featured again at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Continuing Development of the Sport

 The ISA Para Surfing Symposium will provide key information regarding Para Surfing classification, equipment, and global development to push the growth of the sport. The symposium is open to all participants in the WPSC and streamed online for ISA Member Nations to tune in.

 The Para Surfing Clinic hosted by AmpSurf will take place on Sunday, November 5th from 8am-12pm at Huntington Beach Pier. The purpose of the clinic is to provide an opportunity for new athletes with physical challenges to experience the healing power and joy of surfing, receiving instruction from top athletes and instructors.

How to Watch

If you are unable to watch the forecast in person you can still watch it live online. Tune in to the webcast live here.  You can also follow the 2023 World Para Surfing Championship on ISA’s social media.

The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Don’t forget to use the official hashtag #ISAworlds.

Facebook: International Surfing Association

Instagram: @ISAsurfing

Twitter: @ISAsurfing

YouTube: @ISAsurfing

Tiktok: @isasurfing

Don’t miss this year’s ISA World Para Surfing Championship. The stoke and performances of the world class athletes representing will be enough to get your adrenaline pumping – to surf or to take the next step toward one of your dreams.