Record-breaking edition of the ISA World Longboard Championship inaugurated in Surf City El Salvador

A record-breaking 129 athletes from 39 countries celebrated the opening of the 2024 Surf City El Salvador ISA World Longboard Championship on the shores of the iconic right-hand point break El Sunzal.

Never before have more athletes and nations participated in the event, surpassing the previous record participation numbers of 118 athletes from 33 nations set at the 2023 edition, also in El Salvador.

Representatives from each nation took to the Opening Ceremony stage, each flying their nation’s flag for the Sands of the World Ceremony. Sand from each nation was poured into a container to symbolize the peaceful gathering of nations of the world through surfing.

Among the athletes at the celebration was the defending women’s Gold Medalists from France, Alice Le Moigne, as well as eight athletes from nations who are participating for the first time in the event. South Korea, Nicaragua, and Wales will all make their debuts in the event when action commences at El Sunzal tomorrow.

Dignitaries present on the ceremony stage included El Salvador Tourism Minister Morena Valdez and ISA Executive Director Robert Fasulo.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre addressed the athletes via a video message:

“I love Sunzal. I’ve longboarded every time I’ve been there for all the different competitions. I am sure you guys are going to be doing wonderful things on that wave.

“We’re hoping that one year from now longboarding is going to be part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. We’ve been working hard to have the oldest discipline of surfing – longboard – to be part of the competition.

“You guys are already a part of this amazing United Nations of surfing, with a record number of athletes coming from a record number of countries.”

El Salvador Tourism Minister Morena Valdez said:

“I am excited to receive 129 of the best longboarders in the world from 39 different countries across five continents. Welcome to El Salvador, this is your home, a place where you will find more than 70 spots to surf along 300 kilometers of coast. And most importantly, we want to share them with you all.

“This would not be possible without the vision of the President of El Salvador, Nayib Bukele. His vision for Surf City has shown, once again, that when we can achieve our biggest dreams with determination, discipline, transparency, and, overall, a desire to live in a better country. We want to be an example for the entire world.”