Three of the scholarship winners. Photos: ISA
The International Surfing Association just gave a bunch of kids $20,000. Most of you will remember the ISA from such films as “Put Surfing in the Olympics” and the sequel “Holy Shit, Surfing is in the Olympics!” But they do much better things that fight for surfing to be in the Olympics (which, depending on your point of view, might not be all that great). They also give money to people who need it and who “provide a positive influence on their peers as a committed youth in both the sport of surfing and school.” A surfing scholarship! This year, they gave $20,000 to 35 young surfers from 21 countries.
As you may have read a while back, there are currently no surfers on tour with a college education. Nearly every other major professional sport has programs to help up-coming-athletes get through college. Surfing, though, doesn’t–mostly because surfing’s not a sport that attracts a lot of attention from the masses, but still. No college isn’t helping the Spicoli stereotype.
The ISA, though, has been giving cash to surfers who are “under 18 years old to further their education, pay for travel to surf contests, pay for contest fees and upgrade their surfing equipment. Athletes are considered based on their needs as well as their dedication to surfing and academic performance.”
They’ve been doing it since 2007, and so far they’ve given just over 300 scholarships worth a staggering $248,500. “The ISA is proud to foster the development of young surfers around the globe and provide them with financial support to make their education and surfing dreams come true,” said Fernando Aguerre, ISA President. “Supporting the youth of surfing is crucial to ensure a bright future for the sport, as these surfers could potentially be the athletes who will be competing four years from now at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.”
Here are three stories from a few of this year’s recipients, courtesy of the ISA:
Frank Ayaa, Ghana
Frank Ayaa is a 17-year-old surfer from Ghana who is always interested in learning new things. Last year, Frank tried Surfing for the first time and was hooked. He competed in his first contest this year and placed fourth in his division, outperforming surfers with many more years of experience than him.
Frank will put his scholarship award towards his education, which is one step towards achieving his dream of attending college.
Samukelisiswe Cele, South Africa
Samukelisiswe Cele started surfing when she was 14. Now 17 years old, she has gone on to become one of the top female surfers in Durban. Sam is part of a small group called ‘Zulu Girls’, who act as role models to younger girls in their community. In Sam’s case, she encourages other girls to start surfing.
Sam’s dream is to represent her nation of South Africa in the VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship among the world’s best surfers and will use her scholarship to compete, train and improve her surfing equipment.
Raju Silvadasan, India
Raju Silvadasan is a 19-year-old passionate surfer from a small fishing village near Kovalam, India. While many boys his age don’t stay in school, Raju has made it a goal to keep studying and receive an education. Raju will apply his scholarship award to studying for and taking a standard state exam that will allow him to enroll in a university to study engineering.
