Kaoli Kahokuloa from Team Hawaii makes the most of the conditions. Photo: ISA/Gonzales
The final teams have arrived in Wanning, China in preparation for the 2013 Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival. Drawing the world’s top surfers to Hainan Island, the ISA China Cup kicks off the festival on January 25 followed by the Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP. In the pursuit of a Gold Medal, teams from Australia, USA, Japan, Portugal, Peru, France, Brazil, and Hawaii converge on the small coastal community in the Southern China Sea. Some of the surfers are returning and some making their first trip to China for this truly international affair.
Currently, the left point break is only showing glimpses of itself as a new swell is trickling in. The surfers are not discouraged though, taking to the small conditions surfing hours on end trying to get a feel for the foreign surf break. The surf forecast is promising with 3 to 4 foot plus waves filling in from the East North East for the first day of the ISA China Cup. A promising head high plus swell is due to fill in for the Hainan Classic in the beginning of the week.
Team Australia has returned to defend their 2012 ISA China Cup Gold Medal by bringing with them a group of young progressive surfers who placed 2nd in the 2012 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Panama. Their return to gold will not be easy. All of the teams are skilled and experienced enough to meet their match.
Team Hawaii was one of the first to arrive bringing with them ISA World Grand Master’s Champion Sunny Garcia and Triple Crown Champion Kaipo Jaquias, leading their team of young up and comers.
Team USA brought 2 former world tour competitors, Cory Lopez and Gabe Kling with tons of ISA experience. They are definite contenders in the Team and Open divisions.
Brazil’s team consists of a 2012 ISA World Junior Champion, Matheus Navaro among other young talented surfers.
The 2012 ISA China Cup Silver Medalists, Team France, are more than capable of taking the gold this year, especially with the raw talent of Maxim Huscenot.
The next team comes from the land of the lefts, Peru. They took the copper medal last year and with an all-new team, expect them to try and better that result.
This is a whole new experience for Team Portugal, making their first trip to China they could be the dark horse who sneaks through to surprise everyone.
Team Japan is making the most of their time in China. Photo: Tweddle
Also making their way to Riyue Bay, China is Team Japan. They have been tearing up the beach break when its small, imagine when the swell hits.
The event kicks off with an Opening Ceremony second to the Olympics. The teams enter the auditorium waving their countries flags high brimming with confidence and excitement. Each team brings with them sand from their countries’ coast, combining them in the Sands of the World Ceremony, signifying our unity as surfers. Race, nationality, and gender are all put to the wayside for the ISA China Cup, all that matters is the performance of the surfers and the wave.
