The most decorated female surfer of all time, Australia`s Layne Beachley won an ISA Gold Medal last year to add to her seven ASP world titles, and has the chance to go back-to-back in Nicaragua. Photo: ISA/Watts
Event Will Be the Country’s First Time Hosting a Surfing World Championship
Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship
July 14 to 22, 2012
Somewhere, Nicaragua
After months of searching and considering bids, the ISA has announced that the fifth edition of the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship will take place in the land of constant offshore winds: Nicaragua. The event will run from July 14-22, which is during the country’s Veranillo, or “little summer,” a time known for favorable winds and great waves.
“We’re very excited to be bringing an ISA event to Nicaragua for the first time,” said Fernando Aguerre, the President of the ISA. “The country has many quality waves that have been attracting surfers for years, but in small amounts. Hopefully this event will help spread the word to surfers around the world, so that they can learn and come to appreciate the nice waves, the nice weather and the warmth of the Nicaraguan people.”
The event is supported at the highest level of government in Nicaragua. Negotiations were held with the Minister of Tourism, Mario Salinas, who has confirmed the full support of the President of Nicaragua, Daniel Ortega.
“We, the people of Nicaragua, are very excited and proud to have won the bid to host the 2012 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. Such a prestigious event is a wonderful opportunity for our country, where tourism has become one of the most viable economic sectors with great potential for investment and employment,” Minister Salinas said. “It gives us the chance to show not only our beautiful natural landscapes, beaches and waves, but also our culture and warm hospitality. This event will be a historical landmark in Nicaraguan beach culture. This event will also contribute to the growth of Nicaragua and to its positioning in the world of surfing and tourism.”
Though the host country and the dates are selected, the site venue is still being finalized. Three waves on the Pacific Ocean side of the country are being considered, all of which are exposed to the Lago de Nicaragua effect. Due to the lake’s large expanse of water, winds blow offshore on the Pacific side of the country more than 300 days out of the year.
The Masters event brings together the top over-35 surfers in the world. Many of the competitors are former professional surfers and some are even former world champions – and those particular surfers are continuing to prove themselves of championship caliber. Past Masters division champions include three-time ASP World Champion Tom Curren (USA) and seven-time women’s ASP World Champion Layne Beachley (AUS).
Other Masters standout competitors include four-time ISA Gold Medalist Juan Ashton (PUR), two-time Gold Medalist Heather Clark (RSA), and two-time Gold Medalist Chris Knutsen (RSA), along with former ASP World Tour standouts Ross Williams (HAW), Rob Page (AUS) and Fabio Gouveia (BRA).
Be sure to check in to www.isasurf.org for further updates about the event as they are released.
The Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship is made possible with the backing of the following sponsors: Nicaragua Tourism Institute, Gray Line, AmericanAirlines, Canal 13, Amnet, Hacienda Iguana, Taca, VOS TV, Municipalidad de Tola, Flor de Caña, INISER; the following cosponsors: Movistar, Dollar, Alamo, Comité Olimpico Nicaragüense, Hilton, Nuevo Diario, Guacalito, Condor, Servipro, Aqua Spa, CDNN canal 23, Nicasurfing; and the following supporters: Surfari Charters, Corona, Paso Pacifico, Renisa, Parmalat, Credomatic, Cruz Roja, Pantaleon, Canatur. The media partners are Pasión Xtrema, SurfersVillage and Surfos. The Official Forecaster for the event is Surfline.The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, and the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 71 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA´s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).
More on www.isasurf.org
About Gray Line Tours Nicaragua
Gray Line Tours is a leading tour operator in Nicaragua, and is affiliated with Gray Line Worldwide, which provides tourism services around the world. The company offers complete services in accommodation, transportation, tours, as well as the organization of congress and incentive travels (DMC). It offers quality and professional services, as well as personalized attention to its clients 24 hours a day.
Gray Line offers competitive rates and a wide range of products from nature and cultural packages to surfing and adventure programs. International surfing competitions in Nicaragua have been possible since 2010 thanks to Gray Line Nicaragua efforts.
