The 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) is currently underway in Huntington Beach, California. On Sunday, November 5, a Parade of Nations and Opening Ceremony took place in Downtown Huntington Beach to kick off the event.
This year, a record 184 surfers will be representing 27 national teams. Athletes are grouped into one of nine classifications, depending on their individual physical conditions. Each classification will have both a men’s and women’s champion. Full details on the classifications can be found here.
This will mark the eighth edition of the competition, which has seen continual growth over the years. The ISA is also seeking to further expand the sport by having Para Surfing included in the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles.
So far Round 1 of Men’s Kneel, Stand 1, Prone 1, and Prone 2 have been completed. In the Stand 1 category, 2020 Stand 2 World Champion Roberto Pino (BRA) earned both the highest single wave score (9.0) and highest heat total of the day (16.83). “I started out a little nervous, but I knew that I would be able to get the scores,” said Pino in an interview with the ISA. “Last year I lost for myself. I made mistakes, but we learn so much more from our mistakes. I’m here in 2023 focused and I’m going to win the gold for sure.”
The event is taking place on the south side of the Huntington Beach Pier and will continue until November 11. The live webcast of the events can be found here.
