ISA President Fernando Aguerre and Ecuador Vice-Minister of Sport Augusto Moran applaud Team Hawaii, which is once again the ISA World Masters Team Champions and winner of the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

During an epic day of amazing waves and tremendous surfing performances, the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship officially closed.

The waves were incredible throughout the Finals. The morning heats saw glassy surf in the 6-8 feet range at the perfect right hand point-break in Montañita, Ecuador. A gentle onshore breeze picked up mid-morning, but the waves remained consistent and pumping all day
Team Hawaii successfully defended their title of World Team Champions and winners of the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy, named after the Peruvian founder and first President of the ISA in 1964.

“Huge congratulations to all of the winners. This was an amazing competition with great waves and excellent performances from all athletes,” commented ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “Thank you to everyone that helped organize this amazing event including the President of Ecuador Rafael Correa, the Minister of Sport Francisco Cevallos and the Deputy Minister Augusto Moran, and the over 20 government organizations that helped make this World Championship a reality. Ecuador is an incredible surfing destination. We plan to come back next year with another ISA world championship.”

Grand Kahuna (over 50) Chris Knutsen was rewarded for his powerful surfing and impeccable wave selection with his fourth ISA World Championship.  The South African reached the Final via the Repechage rounds, and put on a display of powerful, clean surfing.  During the live webcast interview, the South African expressed his desire for a fourth gold medal to have one for every one of his grandchildren.

Knutsen scored 15.17, overcoming Silver Medlaist Craig Schieber (CRC, 12.10), Bronze Medalist Allen Sarlo (USA, 11.33), and Copper Medalist Eric Graciet (FRA, 9.80).

Chris Knutsen from South Africa. Credit:ISA/ Michael Tweddle

In an action-packed Grand Mastsers (over 40) Final, Sunny Garcia (HAW), defended his 2012 Gold Medal, scoring an impressive 17.08, defeating Silver Medalist Marcelo Alves (BRA, 10.66), Bronze Medalist Love Hodel (HAW, 10.50), and Copper Medalist Dean Randazzo (USA, 10.27).

Sunny Garcia from Hawaii. Credit:ISA/ Michael Tweddle

Hawaii’s Mike Latronic, who also reached the Final through the Repechage, won the Kahuna (over 45) division.

In the Final, the Hawaiian scored a heat total of 12.90, earning the Gold Medal, defeating Silver Medalist Andre Malherbe (ZAF, 11.34), Bronze Medalist Jojo de Olivenca (BRA, 10.04) and Copper Medalist Ricky Schaffer (USA, 6.43).

Mike Latronic from Hawaii. Credit:ISA/ Rommel Gonzales

Australia’s Layne Beachley continued her domination, winning the Gold and reclaiming the Women’s Masters World Champion title.

In a very close Final, Beachley came out victorious with 13.76, defeating Heather Clark (ZAF, 13.67), Andrea Lopes (BRA, 12.96) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW, 11.60).

Layne Beachley from Australia. Credit:ISA/ Rommel Gonzales

Greg Emslie from South Africa is the new ISA Masters (over 35) World Champion.  Emslie was unstoppable in the Final with a near-perfect total heat score of 19.46, the sum of two individual scores of 9.83 and 9.63. In second, Kalani Robb (HAW, 14.50) won the Silver Medal, Magnum Martinez placed third for the Bronze (VEN, 12.83), and Sunny Garcia, surfing down into the younger age group,  (HAW, 12.30) placed fourth, winning the Copper Medal.

Greg Emslie From South Africa. Credit:ISA/ Michael Tweddle

The last event of the day was the thrilling ISA Aloha Cup, a tag-team relay competition that featured the four finalists, who earned a position in the Finals by advancing through the semi- finals the day before.

Today’s Aloha Cup Final featured teams from Hawaii, Brazil, Australia and Venezuela.  Each Team is made up of 4 men and 1 woman, and each surfer is scored on the best two of a maximum of three waves. The Final was one hour long.

Team Australia won the ISA Aloha Cup showing great strategy and teamwork defeating Venezuela, in second place, Brazil in third and Hawaii in fourth.

Team Australia. Credit:ISA/ Rommel Gonzales

The Closing Ceremony took place in Concha Acustica on the beach, to officially close the 2013 ISA World Masters and award the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy and all the individual medals.

South African Greg Emslie (left) is the new ISA Masters World Champion and Australian Layne Beachley (right) reclaimed the ISA Women’s Masters World Champion. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonazales

As part of the ceremony, a special gift was awarded to all the first place finishers.

The local surf shop in Montañita that specializes in Balsa surfboards, “Balsa House,” along with its owner, Cesar “Rasty” Moreira, presented a custom hand made Balsa Wood Surfboard to each individual Gold Medalist.

In addition, a special announcement was made by ISA President Fernando Aguerre and Ecuador’s Surfing Federation President Xavier Aguirre that an ISA World Championship will return to Ecuador in 2014 with the support of the Ministry of Sport.

Official Results:

Overall Team Results:

1. Hawaii- 10,844 points and winner of the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Team Trophy
2. South Africa- 8,976 points, Silver Medal
3. USA- 8,165 points, Bronze Medal
4. Brazil- 8,087 points, Copper Medal
5. Australia- 7,882 points
6. Argentina- 6,360 points
7. Venezuela- 6,357 points
8. Peru- 6,133 points
9. Costa Rica- 6,055 points
10. France- 6,011 points
11. Japan- 5,955 points
12. Ecuador- 5,580 points
13. Puerto Rico- 5,436 points
14. Uruguay- 4,690 points
15. Chile- 4,675 points
16. Spain- 4,515 points
17. Mexico- 2,716 points
18. Dominican Republic- 1,375
19. Panama- 1,110 points
20. Great Britain- 720 points

Masters:

Greg Emslie (ZAF), Gold Medal
Kalani Robb (HAW), Silver Medal
Magnum Martinez (VEN), Bronze Medal
Sunny Garcia (HAW), Copper Medal

Women’s Masters:

Layne Beachley (AUS), Gold Medal
Heather Clark (ZAF), Silver Medal
Andrea Lopes (BRA), Bronze Medal
Rochelle Ballard (HAW), Copper Medal

Grand Masters:

Sunny Garcia (HAW), Gold Medal
Marcelo Alves (BRA), Silver Medal
Love Hodel (HAW), Bronze Medal
Dean Randazzo (USA), Copper Medal

Kahuna:

Mike Latronic (HAW), Gold Medal
Andre Malherbe (ZAF), Silver Medal
Jojo de Olivenca (BRA), Bronze Medal
Ricky Schaffer (USA), Copper Medal

Grand Kahuna:

Chris Knutsen (ZAF), Gold Medal
Craig Schieber (CRC), Silver Medal
Allen Sarlo (USA), Bronze Medal
Eric Graciet (FRA), Copper Medal

Aloha Cup:

Australia, Gold Medal and winner of the ISA Aloha Cup Trophy
Venezuela, Silver Medal
Brazil, Bronze Medal
Hawaii, Copper Medal

For a full list of results visit: www.iswmsc.com/results

For the full event coverage with daily videos and photo galleries visit- www.isawmsc.com

Defending ISA World Masters Champion Magnum Martinez (VEN) advanced to the Final and will try to make it two Gold Medals in a Row. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Exciting Day of Competition Plus The ISA Aloha Cup and a Balsa Surfboard Demonstration

The 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship confirmed all finalists on Saturday. Day 7 of the competition featured all the Repechage Finals that determined the last two athletes who would make it into the Grand Final.

Day 7 also featured a Balsa Surfboard Demonstration and the ISA Aloha Cup, a tag-team relay competition featuring the top 8 finishing teams from last year’s ISA World Masters, each with squads made up of 4 men and 1 women.

“Today was an incredible day with amazing surfing action, including the semifinals of the ISA Aloha Cup. I also had the very special experience of the Balsa Surfboard Demonstration,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “I feel very inspired and honored to have been able to share some waves with the local surfers, while riding their balsa surfboards, that have a long and deep rooted tradition and history in Ecuador.”

The first competitors confirmed for Sunday’s Finals were the Grand Kahunas.

Three-time ISA World Masters Champion and 2012 Silver Medalist, Grand Kahuna Chris Knutsen from South Africa is looking to return to the podium for Gold. Knutsen scored 12.90 in the Repechage Final, overcoming France’s Eric Graciet (12.23), who will be joining Knutsen in the Final, sending Charlie O’Sullivan (AUS, 11.90) and Jose De Tramontana (PER, 8.90) home.

Already in the Grand Kahunas Final, having come through the Qualifying round on Friday, are Allen Sarlo (USA) and Craig Schieber (CRC).

The Women’s Masters Final is now complete with the addition of Andrea Lopes (BRA, 14.10), and 2-time ISA World Champion, Heather Clark (ZAF, 11.00), who finished second. This was the end of the competition for Maria Celia Barboza (URU, 7.94) and Siri Cota (USA, 7,73).

Already in the Women’s Final, having come through the Qualifying round on Friday are Layne Beachley (AUS) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW).

The Grand Masters had a big upset with the elimination of 4-time ISA World Champion Juan Ashton (PRC, 10.17), who placed third behind Dean Randazzo (USA, 14.40), and Marcelo Alves (BRA, 12.60). Also eliminated was Rick Takahashi (USA, 10.04), who came in fourth. This is the first time Randazzo has reached an ISA Final, after placing 5th in the overall individual standings of the division in 2010 and 2011.

Already in the Grand Masters Final, having come through the Qualifying round are Hawaiians Sunny Garcia and Love Hodel.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre (in orange) explains the history of Balsa Wood Surfboards while surrounded by a group of Montañita surfers, including local surf shop Balsa House owner Cesar “Rasty” Moreira (left of Aguerre), who helped organize the successful demonstration. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Last year’s Masters Champion, Magnum Martinez put himself in position to defend his Gold Medal. Martinez was the best surfer of the day posting the highest total heat score of 17.66, defeating Kalani Robb (HAW, 11.50), who will be joining him in the Final, and sending home Martin Passeri (ARG, 11.10) and Matt Clark (AUS, 9.20).

The Masters Finals is going to be stacked as Martinez and Robb join Sunny Garcia (HAW), and Greg Emslie (ZAF).

In the Kahunas, Mike Latronic (HAW) has again reached an ISA Final. The stylish Hawaiian is now searching to improve upon last year’s Bronze Medal. With a 14.54, Latronic defeated South African Andre Malherbe (12.37), who is in the Final for the second time during his Masters career. Glen Valaire (AUS, 12.04) and Reuben Balmores (HAW, 11.47) were sent home after placing 3rd and 4th, respectively.

Jojo De Olivenca (BRA) and Ricky Schaffer (USA) will be the other two surfers who advanced to the Final through the Qualifying round.

The Semifinals of the ISA Aloha Cup took place today. Heat 1 featured Hawaii, Venezuela, Peru and Ecuador. With good strategy, speed, and execution, Team Hawaii won with Venezuela in second, Ecuador in third, and Peru in fourth.

In Heat 2, Team Australia defeated Brazil, finishing in second, USA in third and Puerto Rico in fourth.

The Final of the Aloha Cup takes place Sunday with the two top performing teams from each heat: Hawaii, Venezuela, Australia and Brazil.

For a full list of Day-7 results- http://www.isawmsc.com/results/

Ecuador is the Balsa Wood Capital of the World in surfing. Surfboard shapers around the world have been making boards from Ecuadorean Balsa since 1940. The early boards sell for tens of thousands of dollars on the surf memorabilia market today.

The local surf shop in Montañita that specializes in Balsa surfboards, “Balsa House,” hosted the Balsa Surfboard Demonstration. This special event featured seven local surfers and ISA President Fernando Aguerre riding waves. The demonstration illustrated the high performance capabilities of Balsa Wood surfboards.

Local Emilio Chong and Cesar “Rasty” Moreira, who both surfed in the demonstration, also organized the “Expo Balsa Surf,” a beautiful exhibit, which showcases the work of many Ecuadorean Balsa Wood shapers. The Expo is open to the public during the ISA World Masters.

The Expo has developed a message of sustainability and reducing the carbon footprint produced by the surfing community, in support of the “Rise Against Plastics” campaign. All the boards featured were made from sustainable balsa grown on Ecuadorean farms to help preserve the environment.

The 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship concludes on Sunday when the Team Champion and winner of the Eduardo Arena Perpetual Trophy along with all the individual Gold Medalists will be determined.

Surf conditions are expected to be epic tomorrow with 5-8 feet sets with occasional larger sets in the 10 foot range according to Surfline, the official forecaster of the event.

Competition resumes at 7:40am (local time) with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell featuring Kahunas finalists Mike Latronic (HAW) and Jojo de Olivenca (BRA), which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.isawmsc.com.

Sunday’s Schedule:

Grand Kahuna Final
Grand Masters Final
Kahuna Final
Women’s Masters Final
Masters Fina;
ISA Aloha Cup Final
Awards Presentation

The live webcast of the World Championship is available everyday during the contest period on www.isawmsc.com beginning at the following times:

Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

Demonstrating their powerful rail-to-rail surfing, South Africa’s Greg Emslie and Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia advanced to the Masters Final. Photo: ISA/ Michael Tweddle

Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia and South Africa’s Greg Emslie Advance to the Masters Final

Day 6 of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was greeted once again with a beautiful warm and sunny morning, and excellent surfing conditions with waves in the overhead range.

Due to the extreme morning low tide, the competition was put on hold for an hour and a half to allow for optimal surfing conditions and give the athletes the best chance of performing in the day’s best waves. Once the competition resumed, the surf improved throughout the day.

In a stacked heat during the Masters (under 35) Qualifying Round 5, the first two finalists in the division were confirmed. With a score of 13.53, South African Greg Emslie defeated 2012’s runner up in this division, Sunny Garcia (HAW, 11.80), sending Kalani Robb (HAW, 11.17) and Magnum Martinez (VEN, 6.53) into the Repechage.

“It was an amazing day with good sized waves and more tension in the water,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “As competition is nearing the end, all surfers are performing amazingly, but of course some people will be eliminated. Today is getting down to the wire. Montañita is going to have great waves for the last two days of competition, with Saturday being bigger and Sunday the biggest day. We couldn’t have scripted better this event.”

It was an action packed day where some surfers had to compete up to three times because they were surfing in multiple divisions. Most of the action that took place was in the Repechage as the surfers were trying to avoid another defeat, which would put them out of the contest. Every division except Grand Masters has confirmed two out of the four finalists.

The remainder of the finalist will be confirmed on Saturday during the final rounds of Repechage.

The best performance in the Grand Masters division was Glen Pringle (AUS,15.86), who defeated Wayne Monk (ZAF, 11.70), Felipe Rodriguez (ECU, 11.40) and Santiago Di Pace (ARG, 11.20). Pringle managed to earn high scores in the difficult, windy afternoon conditions, posting a 7.30 and 8.83 in his two top waves, defeating Monk and sending home the local Rodriguez and Argentina’s Di Pace.

South Africa’s Heather Clark advanced to the Women’s Repechage Final in hopes of making it to the Women’s Final on Sunday. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

In the Women Masters division, 2008 and 2010 ISA Women’s Masters World Champion Heather Clark from South Africa was the top former. Clark posted a total heat score of 15.00, advancing along with Uruguay’s Maria Celia Barboza with 9.00. Japan’s Akiko Kiyonaga placed third with 5.34 and the upset of the heat was the elimination of last year’s Copper Medalist Lucila Gil (ARG), who was fourth with 5.33.

In the Kahuna division, two more finalists of the event were confirmed. 2012 ISA World Master Silver Medalist in the Grand Masters division, Jojo de Olivenca (BRA) reached the Final, where he will be battling against Ricky Schafer (USA), the 2012 ISA World Masters Silver Medalist.

Olivenca posted the highest total score of the division with 15.67 points. Schafer placed second with 14.33. In third, Reuben Balmores (HAW, 12.70) and fourth Glen Valaire (AUS, 12.43) will have to fight through the Repechage to get to the Finals.

For a full list of Day-6 results- http://www.isawmsc.com/results/

Saturday will be an interesting day that will decide the rest of the finalists and will also feature the two semifinals of the ISA Aloha Cup, a tag-team relay competition featuring the top 8 finishing teams from last year’s Masters, each with teams made up of 4 men and 1 women.

Also, a special Balsa Wood Surfing Demonstration will take place, organized by the Balsa House in Montanita.  The 45-minute surfing exhibition will feature seven local surfers and the ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

Ecuador has a rich history as the country that has supplied balsa wood for surfboard shapers for decades.  For more than 4,000 years, people from the local Valdivia culture, were able to navigate in open seas as they made pilgrimages to a sacred island- La Isla de la Plata- located 30km from the coast. This expression session symbolizes the local culture that has been around for thousands of years along with the sustainability of using the material that is used to make these surfboards.

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes Saturday at 7:40am (Ecuador) with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell featuring Sunny Garcia and Greg Emslie, which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.isawmsc.com.

Saturday’s Schedule:

Grand Masters (over 50) Repechage 7
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Repechage 4
Masters (over 35) Repechage 7
Women’s Masters (over 35) Repechage 4
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 7
Grand Masters (over 50) Repechage 8
Masters (over 35) Repechage 8
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 8
Balsa surf Expression Session
ISA Aloha Cup

The live webcast of the World Championship is available everyday during the contest period on www.isawmsc.com beginning at the following times:

Friday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Friday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Friday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Friday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

South Africa’s Greg Emslie was on fire today posting an impressive total heat score of 18.77. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

Solid Waves Continue While the First Finalists Are Confirmed

Day 5 of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was greeted with a beautiful sunny morning and over-head waves at the perfect right hand point-break in Montañita, located in the province of Santa Elena, Ecuador.

Both the Grand Kahunas and Women’s Masters have confirmed the first finalists of the event: Layne Beachley (AUS) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW) for the Women’s Masters, and Allen Sarlo (USA) and Craig Schieber (CRC) in the Grand Kahuna’s. They will be joined by two surfers, who will advance through the Repechage.

“What an amazing day of competition,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The combination of the increase in swell and the high performance surfing by the world’s best Masters, delivered a very exciting day. The World Championship is only getting more thrilling as we reach the last days, so don’t miss any minute of the action.”

As expected, the swell filled in and delivered 6-8 feet waves. The conditions in the morning were excellent with sheet-glass ocean surface. However, the wind typical for this time of year picked up and turned onshore as the day went on. Even so, Montañita delivered great waves all day.

According to Surfline’s official forecast, similar conditions are predicted for tomorrow with waves in the 4-6 feet range with occasional 8-foot sets.  A new, and much larger swell is forecast in time for Sunday’s Finals.

The competition is reaching its final stages. The surfers are fighting for the 1^st and 2^nd places in their heats to keep advancing through the Qualifying and Repechage Rounds. Unfortunately, for the athletes who place 3^rd or 4^th in the Repechage, their hopes have come to an end.

2012 ISA Masters Gold Medalist, Hawaiian Rochelle Ballard, (left) and 2011 ISA Masters Gold Medalist, Aussie Layne Beachley, (right) have secured a Medal for their countries after solidifying their birth into the finals of the Women’s Masters to be held on Sunday. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

The Kahunas saw their best action in Heat 1 of Qualify Round 4, featuring Brazil’s Jojo de Olivenca, Reuben Balmores from Hawaii and Jim Hogan from the United States. De Olivenca had the best heat total in the division today, earning 16.23 points, defeating Balmores (11.77), who finished in second place and sending Hogan (7.77) to the Repechage with third place.

In the Masters Division, Greg Emslie from South Africa had the best performance of the day posting an impressive 18.77 total heat score in his Qualifying heat, defeating last year’s Silver Medalist Sunny Garcia (HAW, 10.00), Hiroki Wantabe (JPN, 9.43) and Ryan Simmons (USA, 9.30).

Emslie posted a 9.50 and a 9.27 on his two best individual waves in this heat, placing ahead of his rivals after only five minutes into the heat.

The Grand Kahunas division had its first two finalists in Allen Sarlo (USA, 13.33) and Craig Schieber (USA, 10.96), who are also assured a Medal after placing in 1^st and 2^nd respectively.

The stand out surfer in the Kahunas division was Mickey Hofman from Brazil, posting 14.24 against Shuji Kasuya (JPN, 11.07), Makoto Takahashi (JPN, 8.33) and Santiago Melus (CHI, 2.33).

During the Women’s Masters, Layne Beachley (AUS) and Rochelle Ballard (HAW) secured a Medal for their countries after solidifying their birth into the final.

Beachley, with the highest score of the day for the women, 17.50 points, placed first, followed by Ballard (11.20). Andrea Lopes (BRA, 10.70) and Siri Cota (USA, 5.63).  Lopes and Cota will now have to battle to the Final through the Repechage.

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes Friday at 7:40am (Ecuador) with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell, which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.isawmsc.com.

Friday’s Schedule:

Grand Masters (over 50) Repechage 4
Women’s Masters (over 35) Repechage 2
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 5
Masters (over 35) Repechage 5
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Repechage 3
Grand Masters (over 50) Repechage 5
Women’s Masters (over 35) Repechage 3
Grand Masters (over 50) Qualifying 5
Kahunas (over 45) Qualifying 5
Masters (over 35) Qualifying 5
Grand Masters (over 50) Repechage 6
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 6
Masters (over 35) Repechage 6

The live webcast of the World Championship is available everyday during the contest period on www.isawmsc.com beginning at the following times:

Friday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Friday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Friday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Friday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

France’s Regis Blanchard kept his hopes alive by scoring the wave of the day earning a 9.40 and advancing to the next round of the Masters Repechage. Photo: ISA Michael Tweddle

Critical Repechage Heats Today at the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in Ecuador

Day 4 of the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship was greeted with an increasing swell and a beautiful, sunny day. The morning had an extreme low tide and the contest was put on hold to allow for the conditions to improve and showcase the best performances from the world’s best over-35 surfers.

Once the tide was more favorable, the expected new swell began to show signs of life. Conditions improved throughout the day with 3-5 feet waves and occasional overhead sets by the afternoon. The long period South swell is expected to continue to build further with surf in the 5-7 feet range tomorrow, as predicted by Surfline, the Official Forecaster of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship.

“The competition is now reaching its critical stages where athletes can’t afford to lose or they will go home,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “It has been a pleasure sharing the beach with all the Ecuadorian locals along with the 150 Masters from around the world. With the expected swell building for the rest of the week, the World Championship is looking to finish in epic conditions.”

The fourth day of competition was primarily Repechage, rounds featuring every division: the Grand Masters (over 40), Kahunas (over 45), Masters (over 35), Grand Kahunas (over 50) and Women’s Masters (over 35). The only non-Repechage heats were the Grand Masters Qualifying 3.

The Repechage includes all the surfers that have failed to advance in the Qualifying heats. Once in this round, if a surfer places 3^rd or 4^th, they are no longer in the competition. The surfers that advance have a chance to make it to the Grand Final.

Day 3 began with the Grand Masters, where the surfers over 40 battled the rising conditions.

Brazil’s Marcelo Alves was one of the standouts of the day, winning his Grand Masters Repechage heat with powerful turns like this. Photo: ISA/ Rommel Gonzales

Marcelo Alves from Brazil had the best performance in this division, posting a total heat score of 13.46, overcoming Martin Jeri from Peru who achieved 9.86 points, placing second, both advancing to the next round. Unfortunately this meant the elimination from the competition of Masanobu Koga (JPN, 5.16) and Ricardo Carbia (PRC, 4.03).

Next were the Kahuna’s, which saw a great battle between Argentina’s Horacio Ipucha and Costa Rica’s Craig Schieber. The Costa Rican began with the lead, but in the last minute the Argentinian took the lead by earning a good score and leaving his opponents behind.

Ipucha scored 12.74 barely defeating Schieber’s 12.43. The two surfers that were eliminated in this heat were Eduardo Mendez (URU, 3.23) and Guillermo Palfy (URU, 1.77).

In Masters, Brazil’s Rogeiro Dantas was the standout earning a 15.50 total heat score defeating Alejo Martinez (ARG, 8.37) and sending home (CHI, Kriz Cabezas and the local Andres Fernandes (ECU, 4.10).

South Africa’s Chris Knutsen had a stellar performance posting a total heat score of 17.23 easily defeating his opponents Santiago Melus (CHI, 2.70) and sending home Osbaldo Chavez (MEX, 1.77).

Knutsen’s teammate in the Women’s Masters, Heather Clark, advanced in her heat earning an 11.66, defeating Lucila Gil (ARG, 4.67) and sending home the local Iliana Crow (ECU, 1.50).

To finish the day, the Grand Masters Qualifying heat hit the surf, and Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia kept his momentum with just enough points, 14.67, to defeat Dani Garcia (ESP, 13.16) and sendScott Schindler (AUS, 11.27) and Glen Pringle (AUS, 3.47) to the Repechage round.

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes tomorrow at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell, which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.isawmsc.com.

Following that, the competition will feature:

Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 3
Kahunas (over 45) Qualifying 3
Masters (over 35) Qualifying 3
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Qualifying 3
Women’s Masters (over 35) Qualifying 3
Kahunas (over 45) Qualifying 4
Grand Masters (over 50) Qualifying 4
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 4
Masters (over 35) Qualifying 4
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Repechage 4
Masters (over 35) Repechage 4

The live webcast of the entire championship is available on www.isawmsc.com

beginning at the following times:

Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

Hawaii’s Mike Latronic had the highest total heat score of the day with powerful, carving turns like this. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales

Another Beautiful Sunny Day in Montañita With Challenging Surf Conditions

The world’s best over 35 year old Men and Women surfers put on incredible performances during Day 3 of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship on the perfect right hand point-break waves in Montañita, Ecuador.

It was a beautiful sunny day in the South American country that sits right on the equator, with the gorgeous Galapagos Islands offshore. Surf conditions were challenging with a slight drop in swell to about 3-4 feet with occasional head-high sets. The tides were extreme, with an early morning low tide, which made for strategic surfing as the waves were breaking in sections, and not the long walls the surfers had become accustomed to over previous days.

The surfers had to be in the right position to stay in the most critical parts of the wave and get the best results possible.

“It was a very nice day in this paradise that is Montañita,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The top 150 surfers over 35 years old are here with over 20 World Champions, current and past. A bad day of competition here is better than the best day in most places in the world. So, if you are not watching the live webcast you are missing out.”

Today, even though it was a shorter day of competition, it was action packed. Day Three featured heats from every division, starting with the Qualifying Round 2 of the Kahunas, Grand Kahunas, and Women’s Masters, followed by Repechage Round 2 of the Grand Masters and Masters. Unfortunately, all the surfers that did not advance in the Repechage rounds are now out of the competition.

Brazil’s Andrea Lopes dominated her heat during Day 3 advancing to the Women’s Masters semifinals. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

One of the standouts of the day was Brazil’s Andrea Lopes, who successfully advanced into the Qualifying Semifinals with a total heat score of 13.50, defeating Siri Cota (USA, 7.93), Maria Celia Barboza (URU, 6.63) and Akiko Kiyonaga (JPN, 6.40).

Another notable surfer of the day was Hawaii’s Mike Latronic, who scored the day’s highest total heat score with 15.16 points, defeating Sergio Noronha (BRA, 7.30), Robert Ferrer (PRC, 5.27) and Horacio Ipucha (ARG, 3.53).

Brazil’s Saul Carvalho had the wave of the day, earning the highest single wave score of 9.53, which led him to win his Repechage Round 2 heat, defeating Kris Cabezas  (CHI, 8.63) and Paulo Viales (CRC, 7.14).

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes tomorrow at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Otto Flores, which will be broadcast live on the internet at www.isawmsc.com.

Following that, the competition will feature:

Grand Masters (over 40) Repechage 3
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 2
Masters (over 35) Repechage 3
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Repechage 1
Women’s Masters (over 35) Repechage 1
Grand Masters (over 40) Qualifying 3
Kahunas (over 45) Repechage 3

The live webcast of the entire championship is available on www.isawmsc.com

beginning at the following times:

Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

Australia’s Layne Beachley was on fire today with a near a perfect heat, scoring 19.87, the contest’s first perfect 10-point ride. Photo: ISA/ Michael Tweddle

Layne Beachley Exploded With a Perfect 10-Point Ride in the Women’s Opening Round

Amazing conditions continued during Day 2 of the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship with 4-6 feet waves in beautiful Montañita, Ecuador.

Day 2 featured the opening rounds of the Kahunas (over 45), Grand Kahunas (over 50), Women’s Masters (over 35), and Qualifying 2 of the Masters (over 35) and Grand Masters (over 40).

Australia’s Layne Beachley was on fire today scoring a near perfect heat with a 19.87, including the contest’s first perfect 10-point ride. Beachley’s back up score was a 9.87.  The 2011 ISA Women’s Masters Champion and 7x ASP World Tour Champion easily defeated Andrea Lopes (BRA, 11.27), Heather Clark (ZAF, 9.80) and Veronique Hayon (FRA, 4.16).

“The waves were amazing today and the performance level from the world’s best Masters was just as good,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The camaraderie on the beach between all the National Teams and the local Ecuadorians is putting out a great vibe. Wave conditions are expected to continue in the head-high range tomorrow, so don’t miss a minute of the live webcast.”

Defending ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist, Rochelle Ballard (HAW, 14.17) also put on a great performance beating Akiko Kiyonaga (JPN, 8.40), and Lucila Gil (ARG, 4.20).

In the Grand Kahunas, Hawaii’s Shuji Kasuya had the highest heat score in the division with a 15.27, defeating Craig “Tequila” Schieber (CRC, 7.83) and Ernesto Gutierrez (ARG, 2.06).

Team USA’s Ricky Schaffer dominated his opening heat with powerful turns on big waves in the Kahunas (over 45) Division. Photo: ISA Michael Tweddle

Of special note in the Grand Kahunas division was the lone competitor from Dominican Republic, Robert Reid, who advanced to the next round with a second place and a score of 6.94 along with Jose de Tramontana (PER, 7.27) who earned the victory. Reid was not as fortunate in his Kahunas match up, where he placed 3^rd and will be surfing in the Repechage, where he will get one last chance to advance.

In the afternoon, the Masters and Grand Masters hit the surf. It was a rematch from last year’s Masters Finals, and Venezuela’s Magnum Martinez took another big win over Sunny Garcia with a score of 14.17 over the Hawaiian’s 13.77. His Venezuelan teammate, Justin Mujica, put on a great performance when he earned the highest heat total of the round with 16.50, squeezing a close victory over former ASP World Tour competitor, Jake Spooner (AUS,15.37).

One of the most action packed heats of the day was the stacked Grand Masters Qualifying 2, heat-3.  It featured the defending ISA Grand Masters Champion Sunny Garcia who placed 1^st with a 17.10 heat score defeating Santiago Di Pace (ARG, 14.60), Juan Ashton (PRC, 12.60), and Wayne Monk (ZAF, 11.90).  For 4x ISA Gold Medalist Ashton, this was a tough defeat, however he gets another chance in the Repechage.

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://www.isawmsc.com/results/

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes tomorrow at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell.  His guest will be the standout of Day Two, 7x ASP World Tour Champion and 2011 ISA Women’s Masters Gold Medalist, Layne Beachley.

Following that, the competition will feature:
Kahunas (over 45) Qualifying 2
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Qualifying 2
Women’s Masters (over 35) Qualifying 2
Grand Masters (over 40) Repechage 2
Masters (over 35) Repechage 2

The live webcast of the entire championship is available on www.isawmsc.com

Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia

An aerial view of the contest site and the perfect waves in Montañita. Photo: Raul Guerra

The Right-Hand Point Break of Montañita Showed Its True Potential

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship kicked off with excellent waves in the 4-6 feet range in the perfect right hand point-break in the beautiful town of Montañita. Thousands of fans gathered to see the world’s best over-35 year old surfers put on spectacular performances in the surfing capital of Ecuador.

“We are here in beautiful Montañita for the first day of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The waves are over-head and the world’s best masters surfers are in the water. If you have been watching the live webcast, come back again tomorrow. If you have not, tune in and you will see the incredible waves of Montañita and amazing surfing performances.”

Day 1 of the 2013 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship kicked-off with nine heats of Qualifying 1 of the Grand Masters (over 40) division. South Africa’s Wayne Monk put on the best performance in the division, scoring the highest total heat score of 14.57, beating Roni Ronaldo Da Rosa (BRA, 11.50), and Kenneth Avila (CRC, 10.47).

The ISA World Masters is a double elimination competition, with the first two surfers always advancing to the next round.  Surfers in third and fourth place move into the Repechage round, giving them a second chance to advance.  However, another third or fourth place finish, and they will be out of the competition.

Hawaii’s Sunny Garcia, the 2012 ISA Grand Masters Champion, is hungry to defend his Gold Medal and Team Championship. Garcia scored the day’s highest wave and total heat score. Photo: ISA/Michael Tweddle

In the Men’s Masters (over 35) division, ten heats of Qualifying 1 were surfed. 2012 Grand Masters Gold Medalist and former ASP World Tour Champion Sunny Garcia (HAW) was hungry to defend his Gold Medal and the Hawaii Team Championship. Garcia carved on some overhead open faces and registered the day’s highest single wave score of 9.23 and total heat score of 17.73, while defeating Gary Saavedra (PAN, 11.60) and Ruben Andrade (ECU, 6.60).

To close the day, the Kahunas (over 45) division hit the pumping well-overhead surf with six heats of Qualifying 1. Hawaii’s Mike Latronic, also a member of the 2012 Gold Medal Hawaiian Masters Team, had the strongest performance in the division, with the highest heat score of 15.93, defeating Manolo Lozano (ECU, 7.80) and Prospero Ochoa Ruiz (MEX, 4.96)

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://www.isawmsc.com/results/

The ISA World Masters Surfing Championship resumes tomorrow at 7:40am with The Morning Show hosted by Mark Fewell.

Following that, the competition will feature:

Kahunas (over 45) Qualifying 1
Grand Kahunas (over 50) Qualifying 1
Women’s Masters (over 35) Qualifying 1
Grand Masters (over 40) Qualifying 2
Masters (over 35) Qualifying 2

The live webcast of the entire championship is available on www.isawmsc.com

Sunday, 7:40am Montañita, Ecuador
Sunday, 5:40am West Coast USA
Sunday, 2:40pm Western Europe
Sunday, 11:40pm Sydney, Australia