ISA Announces 2006 World Surfing Games Judging Panel

The judging panel for the ISA World Surfing Games, October 14-22, 2006 in Huntington Beach, Calif., has been selected.  The 2006 ISA World Surfing Games, organized by Surfing America will bring the best surfers from around the globe to compete on behalf of their countries.  ISA member nations were asked to nominate judges for international, team and ISA invited judge positions. The ISA Technical Committee reviewed all of the applications and selected the panel based on team's placement at the 2004 ISA World Surfing Games, judge's previous ISA contest experience, judging certifications and overall judging experience.

The panel represents 14 different ISA member nations and is lead by Head Judges Glen Elliott (Australia), Craig Hoshide (USA) and bodyboard Head Judge Francisco Garritano (Brazil). International, team and ISA invited judges are Duane Avenell (Australia), Jordao Bailo (Brazil), Jonothan Channing (South Africa), Nino Lauro (Peru), Stanley Sham Koua (Tahiti), Antonio Fernandez (Spain), Bruno Truch (France), Miguel Yecerra (Venezuela), Yeffrey Rojas (Costa Rica), Joanne Hillman (UK), Cirilo Yagual Ramirez (Ecuador), Fernando Arca (Argentina), Shogo Takenaka (Japan) and Chip Hall (USA).

The WSG tradition started in 1964 at Manly Beach in Sydney, Australia where surfers from around the world representing their home nation competed for men's and women's surfing titles. 

The event became progressively larger over the years and has been acknowledged as the "Olympics of Surfing."  Cultural identity, team spirit and moments of great personal triumph are hallmarks of the event. The top National Surfing Teams, including their top professional surfers compete for the honor of representing their countries. The top four finalists will be awarded gold, silver, bronze and copper medals. The ISA World Surfing Games was staged in Durban, South Africa in 2002 where South Africa won the Team Championship. At the 2004 ISA World Surfing Games in Salinas, Ecuador, Australia won the honor of Team Champion.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries in six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio and re-elected five times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are from South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and the USA.

Source: International Surfing Association

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