Association of Amputee Surfers (AmpSurf) steps up as New Title Partner of the event

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased to announce that the 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship will take place in La Jolla, California from March 11-15. The fifth edition of the world championship event, previously named the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship, will gather the world’s best Para Surfers to compete and display their talents in a Paralympic-style, World Championship competition.

AmpSurf, the title partner of the event for the first time, is an Adaptive Surfing organization established to Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate all people with disabilities and their families though Adaptive Surfing and other outdoor activities.

AmpSurf has been providing Adaptive Surfing therapy programs for the past 16 years impacting countless veterans, adults, and children and positioning itself as an excellent title partner to deliver the ISA World Para Surfing Championship. In addition, the ISA is collaborating with AmpSurf and several organizations, on the development of an international standard adaptive surf instructor certification program for surf instructors, surf schools, Adaptive Surfing organizations, and Surf Therapy programs set to be released in 2020 around the World Para Surfing Championship.

Recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) as the International Federation for Para Surfing, the ISA has taken an active role in the development of Para Surfing to create a global platform for universal access to the sport and enable Para Surfers to achieve sporting excellence and inspire others.

The ISA is proud of its efforts to unify international Para Surfing efforts to continue to foster the growth of the sport and reach new nations. The ISA has encouraged each of its 108 Member Federations to adopt the discipline of Para Surfing on a national level as part of its regular programs and activities. This has been evidenced by the increased global participation and popularity of Para Surfing in the ISA World Championship, regional and international Para Surfing events, and grassroots Para Surfing development programs.

History was made at the 2018 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship when a record 120 athletes from 24 nations, including 37 women, competed for Gold in La Jolla, California. The AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship will build on this success and feature an updated Para Surfing Classification system as well as separate Men’s and Women’s Divisions to continue the ISA’s push for gender equality in Para Surfing.

The ISA looks forward to continuing to take Para Surfing to new heights and has applied for the sport to be included in the Sport Programme of the 2023 Parapan American Games. The AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship will be a front-line display of the sport’s high-performance qualities and youth appeal, which the ISA hopes will one day bring a new audience and wave of energy to the Paralympic Games.

The ISA wishes to put on record its gratitude to Stance for this history of invaluable support of the event and para surfing.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

“The ISA is proud to host this World Para Surfing Championship for the fifth time. The growth and visibility of this event has inspired a global movement for Para Surfing, creating new opportunities and access for para surfers.

“This event is especially dear to our hearts as part of our goal to create a global platform for universal access to the sport and promote A Better World Through Surfing.

“Surfing and Para Surfing have a proven therapeutic power that impacts people deep in their core and we strongly believe in the sport’s power to heal and positively impact people’s lives. We would like to thank our friends at AmpSurf for stepping up as the Title Partner for this event and supporting the global growth and development of the Para Surfing movement.”

Founder and President of AmpSurf, Dana Cummings, said:

“AmpSurf is excited to be partnering with the ISA for the World Para Surfing Championships! AmpSurf’s Mission is to Promote, Inspire, Educate and Rehabilitate those living with disabilities through Adaptive Surf Therapy. We believe it is essential to showcase these amazing athletes at the pinnacle of the sport. These athletes show what anyone can do if they focus on their abilities!”

About AmpSurf

AmpSurf™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate (PIER) all people with disabilities and their families through adaptive surfing and other outdoor activities.