Azores, Portugal. Will it be here that the next ‘CT hopeful makes their mark? Photo: Miguel Rezendes
Competitive surfing is wrapped up in the idea of progression, pushing the limits, the future. Young prodigies burst onto the scene and take the world by storm. Like the Brazilian Storm that nobody saw coming. That’s only half true.
As it turns out, beyond keeping an eye on rankings on the men’s and women’s World Qualifying Series, there is a contest that may provide early indications of who might be the next ‘CT hopeful, or even go on to win a world title.
For 37 years, the ISA has organized an event that brings together the best juniors in the world (that is, 18 and under athletes) to compete on behalf of their country – the ISA World Juniors.
Of the 10 Brazilians in the top 32 of the ‘CT, three have taken home gold at the ISA World Juniors: Alejo Muniz in 2008; Gabriel Medina in 2010; and Filipe Toledo in 2011.
Before Medina was a world champ, he was winning gold at the 2010 ISA World Juniors. Photo: ISA
And that’s just Brazil. Jordy Smith, Matt Wilkinson, Owen Wright, and Julian Wilson are all former gold medalists of the event, and continue to dominate on the ‘CT (save Owen who’s currently recovering from an injury, but will likely be back in fighting form next year). In fact, Tom Curren won the inaugural event in 1980, a mark of an incredible career to come. And last year’s champ, Leonardo Fioravanti, is making a case for himself to join the dream tour next year as he currently sits atop the ‘QS Men’s rankings.
Filipe Toledo won gold for Brazil in 2011. Photo: ISA/Rommel Gonzales
And that’s just the boys (er, men). Among the women, Tatiana Weston-Webb, Tyler Wright, Laura Enever, Sally Fitzgibbons, and Stephanie Gilmore were all gold medalists in their own right.
All this to say, if you’re wondering where surfing is headed, there may be a better alternative to a tarot card reader. This year’s gold medalist may be a world champ in 5 or so years – à la Gabby Medina.
Not to mention, the ISA World Juniors may be headwinds of major shifts in the competitive field. With Leo Fioravanti likely to be the first Italian to make the ‘CT, the number of countries represented at surfing’s highest level is broadening. And with a record breaking nearly 40 participating nations comprised of 330 surfers registered to compete at this year’s ISA World Juniors, it seems incredibly likely that future world tour hotshots will soon emerge from unforeseen locales.
This year’s event presented by Vissla is slated to take place September 17-25 in Azores, Portugal at the powerful sand bottom beachbreak of Praia do Monte Verde.
Be sure to check out the live webcast here during the waiting period or follow ISA on Instagram for live updates on all the action.
