ATTENTION: ISA Members, please forward this Newsletter to all of your members, circulate also in any surf related website of your organization, and/or any entity affiliated with your organization. Thank you.

1. ISA News

3. ISA Events

4. Contact Updates

5. Environmental News

6. Regional Surf Association News

7. International News

Message from the ISA President, Fernando Aguerre and Surfing South Africa General Manager / ISA Vice-President, Robin de Kock

In 2002, Surfing South Africa did an outstanding job in organizing the ISA World Surfing Games. Based on this success, SSA has been granted the rights to host the first ever Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships from August 17 – 23, 2003 in Durban.

As we all know, Junior surfing has been an integral part of National Governing Bodies’ (NGBs) development programs for many years. Junior surfers are the future of the sport, which is one of the reasons why they now have their own event, independent from the WSG.

The attendance of your nation’s Junior Team at this inaugural and significant event is encouraged, not only to represent your country, but also to truly demonstrate how highly your NGB regards your young athletes. Your team’s attendance and your active support of the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships are vital for the future of our sport and a strong ISA. For young surfers, the opportunity of competing in this event will be an experience that they will remember throughout their personal and professional life.

The ISA and SSA request that your NGB looks seriously at the benefits of sending a Junior Team to Durban for the WJSC 2003. The ISA and SSA urge you to return your completed Entry Form to confirm your attendance as soon as possible.

While the ISA and SSA understand that the costs and sacrifices are great, we are also confident that the experience gained from participating in this event will be justified. If the financial cost is a problem for your NGB, the ISA and SSA suggest that at least you send a smaller team of between 1 and 5 competitors, plus 1 manager/coach instead of not sending a team at all. Sending a team, even a smaller one, would be a great motivation for your nation’s best juniors and provide your organization with a tool with which to gain government and industry support.

We look forward to welcoming you to "South Africa’s playground!"

-12 surfers (4 Under 18 boys, 4 Under 16 boys and 4 Under 19 girls). Ages for each of these divisions are as per the ISA Rulebook. (Example: an Under 16 surfer is any surfer who has not reached the age of 16 years old on January 1^st of 2003; he must not turn 17 in the year of this competition).

-1 Manager / Coach

-1 Team Judge*

Questions? Please contact Robin de Kock (SSA) or Lindsay Nelson (ISA) via email.

March 22 - 23, 2003

Location: Piha Beach, New Zealand

Unfortunately, a Team from South Africa are unable to participate at this year’s Lion Red Tri-Nation Surfing Series that was scheduled for March 19 – 24 at Piha Beach, New Zealand. This has now been replaced by the "Lion Red Trans-Tasman Surfing Challenge" between New Zealand and Australia. This is sure to be an exciting event between the neighboring islands of the South Pacific.

Location: New Plymouth (Taranaki Coast), New Zealand

Event 1: February 8 - 9, Playa Punta Rocas, Peru

The ALAS Latinamerican Pro Circuit of 2003 started off in Playa Punta Rocas, Peru. This event had great attendance and showed off some of the best surfers of Latin America. The event’s chosen zone for the competition showed all its potential, with waves that averaged 6 to 8 feet. Competitors came from Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Peru.

The contested categories for the entire Circuit are Open and Ladies Surf, Junior Surf, Bodyboard Open and Ladies and Longboard.

Magoo de la Rosa placed 1^st in the Open category as he showed characteristically solid maneuvers. Sebastian Alarcon, Gilbert Brown and Matias Mulanovich placed 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th respectively. In the Ladies category, Anali Gomez placed 1^st, Dew Larranaga came in 2^nd with Romina Ahnozovki and Andrea Vinuesa following up in 3^rd and 4^th.

Event 2: February 15 – 16, Playa Mar Azul, Peru

The second date of the ALAS Latinamercian Pro Circuit carried out in Peru had the participation of several countries (Perú, Panamá, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, among others). In the Open Mens category, Javier Swayne placed first, followed by Maki Block, Amed Perez and Matias Mulanovich placing 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th respectively. In the Ladies category, Anali Gomez took first with Natacha Rodriguez, Jaira Bernardini and Karen Gamarra taking 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th.

Event 3: March 1 – 4, Playa de Montanita, Ecuador

The third date for the ALAS 2003 ranking is a 3-Star event. After having the first two events in Peru, the beaches of Ecuador will be the one that reunites the best sportsmen of Latin America. The Organizers of this event are ALAS and the Federacion Ecuatoriana de Surf. A super North swell for the days of carnival is expected, which guarantees good conditions for the match.

For a full list of results from the ALAS Pro Circuit, please go to the ALAS website: alas.tripod.com.ar (without the "www")

March 16 – 23, 2003 in Salinas, Ecuador.

The 6^th Panamerican Surfing Games are right around the corner. National Teams from Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Jamaica, Panama, USA and Venezuela have all confirmed attendance at the PASA Games. This is going to be an exciting and competitive event for the three Americas and another historical moment in the history of surfing in Latin America.

Good luck and safe travels to all the participating nations!

The PASA General Meetings will be held on March 20^th and 21^st at Hotel Calypsso in Salinas, Ecuador.

REMINDER: Entry fees ($100 US per team member) and Accommodation Fees ($25US per night, per person) are due to PASA Headquarters immediately.

March 14, 15 and 16, 2003 at Hotel Calypsso in Salinas, Ecuador

The Panamerican Surf Association (PASA), with the support, collaboration and financial assistance of the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the Federacion Ecuatoriana de Surfing (FESURF) will run a Seminar (‘Work Shops’) during the days prior to the Panamerican Surfing Games. These courses are necessary in order to adequately and appropriately assure the further development of surfing in Latin American countries. The objective is to qualify a group of people of each country, so that in turn, these people will train residents of their respective countries to carry out professional management techniques under the designated National Governing Body (NGB) associated with PASA.

This is a great opportunity that PASA, next to the ISA and FES, is providing for all Pan American NGBs. These courses will be good for the development of the sport and will allow PASA and its NGBs to continue to advance in professionalism, international recognition and for entrance into the Pan Am Games.

March 16 – 23, 6^th Panamerican Surfing Games, Salinas, Ecuador

April 15 – 20, ISA/Fosters World Master Surf Titles, New Plymouth, New Zealand

April 19, CBS General Assembly

April 18 – 20, 1^st Phase of the Brazilian Circuit of Surf, Icaraí, CE

April 25 – 27, 2^st Phase of the Brazilian Circuit of Surfing, Maracaípe, Porto de Galinhas

Open: 1. Marcos Goncalvez, 2. Carlos Borbor, 3. Antonio González 4. Sebastián Santos

Junior: 1. Carlos Goncalvez, 2. Sebastián Santos 3. José A. Ruiz, 4. Carlos de los Santos

Bodyboard: 1. Jorge Maldonado, 2. Darwin Montesdeoca, 3. Pascual Rosales, 4. Michel Duque

Ladies: 1. Cinthia Layana, 2. Andrea Vinuesa, 3. Carolina Sánchez, 4. Mariuxi Silva

6 dates of the National Circuit are confirmed for this year in Manta (February), Salinas (April), Playas (July), Montanita, Esmeraldas and Salinas, concluding in December. 2 Masters Championships (over 35 years) and 3 Intercollegiate Championships are also scheduled for this year. The International Events in Ecuador are the Latinamerican Championship of Surf in Montanita and the Panamerican Surfing Championships in March.

Report submitted by Alcides Guerrero, FESURF

Date: March 1-2, 2003

Location: Suva, Fiji

Mar. 8 – First Open: Boston Surfing Beach, Portland

Mar. 16 – 23 – Panamerican Surfing Games – Salinas, Ecuador

Apr. 12 – Second Open: Lighthouse Surfing Beach, Kingston

May 17 – Third Open: Zoo Surfing Beach, Kingston

The number of Japanese surfers who go abroad to enjoy surfing is increasing. In order to provide such surfers with accurate information on overseas countries and facilitate international exchanges for surfing, they would like to publish information concerning NGBs in various overseas countries and the state of surfing affairs in their nation.

Surfing New Zealand's National Selectors have named an extended 22-person squad to attend a training camp in order for a team of 12 to be selected to attend the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships 2003 being held 17 - 23 August in Durban, South Africa. Also included in the squad are a number of surfers who will be selected for the New Zealand Gromfest team to attend the Australian Gromfest event in Byron Bay, Australia during July.
The three-day training camp scheduled for the 14 - 16 March in Opunake on the South Taranaki coast will see members participate in water-based and land-based fitness sessions as well as mock heats to help develop mental toughness and competition strategies. At the end of each day, members’ performances will be analyzed through video footage to help individuals identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Selection for the squad was based on an athlete's results during the 2002 Surfing New Zealand competitive season as well as previous performances at International events. The squad is also made up of athletes who performed well in events contested during the early part of the 2003 season.

Gisbourne’s Maz Quinn smashes the Hot Buttered / Dragon SNZ Pro. With the sun shining and a 3 foot swell on hand Quinn stepped up to the plate and knocked the ball out of the park. He was up against Blair Stewart, Daniel Kereopa and Jai Earnshaw in the final and although all three surfers pulled out the goods, the judges gave Quinn the nod.
In the womens Kim Meyer, originally from the USA put on a smooth display of polished surfing. Finishing in 2nd place was current WQS competitor Lisa Hurunui, in 3rd place was ex-national champ Holly Quinn and in 4th Raglan's Kelly Clarekson.
The Junior mens was also an impressive final. Owen Mcmillan took out line honors, also making the semi finals of the open mens. In second place was Nick White, in third Mike Banks and Morehu Roberts in fourth.

Report and Results by Steve Ria, SNZ

The Golden Breed series continued with the Blue Revolution Longboard Classic at Sandy Bay, North of Whangarei. With all 6 divisions being full and a pristine .5m -1m northeast swell, the judging panel was kept busy as competitors reveled in the conditions and put on an enthralling display of classic and modern Longboarding.

The women's final was a closely fought contest with local surfer Pauline Pullman taking 1st place honors ahead of Nicky Murden. Anna Jolly managed 3rd place and Current National SNZ champion Cheryl Lowe had to settle for 4th. Next up was the new generation of longboarders and it was Matt Cockayne who turned the tables on rival Daniel Proctor to win the junior division. Proctor settled for 2nd place, Anthony McColl 3rd, Jared Parker 4th.

The main event, the Open final consisted of the current national champion Kelly Ryan and 3 past champions -Michael Fitzharris, Craig Anderson and Darn McBride. It was McBride whose exceptional nose riding and wave selection that impressed the judges and saw him take the title. The other 3 places were closely contested with Craig Anderson taking 2^nd, Michael Fitzharris 3rd and Kelly Ryan 4th place. So the battle continues in a fortnight with the next leg of the circuit, which is discussed below, the Te Arai Longboard Classic.

The junior final saw a fine battle between the young guns Daniel Proctor and Matt Cockayne. This time Daniel emerging the victor, Matt Cockayne 2^nd, 11 year old Liam Creavey 3^rd and Nick Fielden 4^th.

Next up the women’s final saw Nicky Murden from the Mount snatch victory in the last 20seconds with the highest scoring wave of the final. Anna Jolly surfed her way into 2^nd, while Cheryl Lowe and Belinda Anderson finished 3rd and 4^th respectively.

The Open Final saw the SNZ National champion Kelly Ryan pick off the right-handers from the beginning and race away to an invincible lead and victory. Trent Lillis ‘s nose riding antics allowed him the honor of second spot. Craig Anderson settled for 3^rd and Ian King 4th.

Next event is the all-important South Island Longboard Classic in Kaikoura on March 14^h, 15th, and 16^th.

For the full list results, please email Nicky Murden of SZN

Get ready Gisborne! New Zealand’s largest gathering of female surfers is due to converge at Gisborne this weekend. Usually held in Mt Maunganui, event organiser Jonnie Mead was concerned about this summer’s surf predictions for a sometimes-fickle Mt Maunganui. Consulting with Jo Young, Kathy Steed and Nicky Murden, the decision was made to prospect for assistance in delivering the event in Gisborne. "We approached Steve Ria with the idea, and thankfully both he and Rees Morley saw the benefits of this event going to Gisborne" said Jonnie. "It is great to have the Gisborne Board Riders’ Club helping run the event and we know the contest will be well run, with plenty of fun and socialising as well!" The eight divisions are: Arnette 5A Open, Arnette Junior, Arnette Longboard, Arnette Under 12S, Arnette Under 14S, Arnette U16S, Arnette All Comers Open and the Arnette Seniors.

Report submitted by Steve Ria, SNZ

BILLABONG MAHIA EASTER CLASSIC SNZ 3A
April 19 – 20, Mahia Peninsula in association with Sunset Point Tavern
The Mahia Easter Classic has been reinstated onto the Surfing New Zealand calendar of events for 2003. Following the cancellation of the Mahia Easter Classic in 2002, Billabong has worked with the Mahia Boardriders Club and Sunset Point Tavern to get the event back onto the SNZ Circuit. The event will carry a 3A rating across Open Men, Junior U18 Men and the Open Womens divisions. The Von Zipper U16 division has also been incorporated into the event. The Mahia Easter Classic has a history of providing excellent conditions and hospitality towards competitors and supporters.

Report submitted by Steve Ria, SNZ

SURFING NEW ZEALAND (SNZ) – 2003 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Feb. 28 – Mar. 2, Smokefree / Arnette / SNZ Women’s Championships, Gisbourne

Mar. 1, Quiksilver Single Fin Classic, Christchurch

Mar. 8 – 9, Tairawhiti/Bodyline/Blitz SNZ Pro, Gisboarne

Mar. 14 – 16, SNZ Grommet Squad Training Camp, Opunake

Mar. 14 – 16, South Island Longboard Classic, Kaikoura

Mar. 15 – 16, Wellington Championships, Wellington

Mar. 21 – 22, Go for Gold, Greymouth

Mar. 22 – 23, Lion Red Trans-Tasman Surfing, Auckland (An ISA Sanctioned event)

Mar. 22 – 23, Billabong / Ocean ridge Grom Surf, Auckland

Mar. 22 – 23, Sunshine Longboard Classic, Mt. Maunganui

Mar. 23, Trans-Tasman Lonboard Cup, Mt. Maunganui

Mar. 29, Blaketown Bodyboard Challenge, Greymouth

Mar. 29 – 30, Rip Curl GromSearch Series, Christchurch

Calendar submitted by Steve Ria, SNZ

March 15 – 16, Qruz Quebrada

The Judges Course will be coming up soon, the deadline for Entry is March 10^th. This course is for all persons thinking about judging in the Federacao Portuguesa de Surf (FPS) Circuit, in all categories: Bodyboarding, Surfing, Kneeboarding and Longboarding. It is open to the first 30 people who register. Upon finishing the course, participants will be given a Certificate.

The top surfer in the premier under 16 Boys division was Cuan Pritz who, although seeded 13th going into the event, managed to surf his way into the final where he beat fellow Kommetjie surfer and third seed Brett Shearer into second place. Another Kommetjie competitor and fourth seed Adam Hansen was third and top seed Brandon Roberts of Fish Hoek came fourth.

Pritz and Shearer will compete in the Grom Search Grand Final in Durban in November along with the top two under 16 surfers from the remaining six events. Another title went the way of Kommetjie when Lindsey Cotrell won the under 16 Girls final from 12 year old Tarryn Chudleigh of Bergvliet. Somerset West's Chloe Humby was third ahead of Holly Armstrong (10) of Kommetjie who came fourth. Armstrong was one of the youngest contestants in the tournament and earned one of the biggest cheers of the day for her plucky fourth place in the girls final.

Girls champion Cottrell will also compete in the Grand Final in Durban.

Muizenberg locals stole the show in the under 14 division where Klee Strachan and Aron Moore were neck and neck in the final right up to the siren. In the end the title went to Strachan who finished just ahead of Moore. Jaco Steyn and Philip Visagie, both Melkbosstrand, were third and fourth respectively.

In the under 12 division, where the two youngest contestants Max Armstrong (6) and Daniel Buitendag (7) competed, there was no shortage of talent either. Kommetjie'sl James Woods won the final beating Dale Staples from St Francis Bay into second place. SA under 12 champion Shaun Joubert of Mossel Bay was third ahead of one of the finds in this division, Matthew Bromley of Kommetjie.

The 2^nd event of the RIP CURL GROMSEARCH took place in East London, February 22 – 23 and was also a big success. East London surfers Clinton Gravett and Roseanne Hodge, Devon Mundow of Port Elizabeth and Shaun Joubert of Mossel Bay were the stars in the East London Rip Curl Gromsearch which was completed in difficult, 3ft onshore surf at Nahoon Beach. Gravett, affectionately known as " the Worm," won the under 16 boys final from Craig Anderson of Port Elizabeth. Devon McNicol of Scottburgh was third and Dane Morris of Jeffreys Bay was fourth.
In the under 16 girls final Rosie Hodge beat fellow East London surfers Nikita Robb, Nicola Johnston and Alice Mac Gregor into second, third and fourth respectively. Mac Gregor also managed an eighth place in
the under 12 section.
Gravett, Anderson, Hodge and Robb will join the Cape Town Rip Curl winners, Cuan Pritz, Brett Shearer, Linsey Cottrell and Tarryn Chudleigh and the winners of these divisions in the remaining five events, at the Grand Final in Durban in November.

In the under 14 division, Port Elizabeth's Devon Mundow won all of his heats and then had little trouble taking the under title while Hayden Mac Nicol of Scottburgh went one better than his brother Devon, when he finished second behind Mundow. Renier van Staden of Jeffreys Bay was third and Cameron Day of East London, fourth. Current SA under 12 Champion and division favorite Joubert beat Jeffrey's Bay surfer Dale Staples into second place in this division. Mossel Bay's Michael "Indi" Rooken Smith was third and Aaron Reilly of Jeffreys Bay was fourth.

Five Event National Series

Durban, Cape Town, St Michaels, Victoria Bay & Jeffreys Bay

The country’s most popular surfing series, the Billabong Polar Ice Junior Series, has received a massive boost for 2003 with prize-money hiked by 40% and the addition of substantial yearend bonuses for the top competitors in each of the five categories. The five-stop national circuit of events for surfers under the age of 20 enables SA’s emerging stars to compete with and meet their counterparts countrywide and has produced the current crop of world-beating young South African surfers during the six years of its existence. The premier U/20 boys category, (sanctioned by ASP Africa) and with the points earned also counting towards the annual PST Pro Junior title, will now pay prize-money to the top eight finishers in each event while the top four in the Surfing South Africa (SSA) sanctioned U/12, U/14 and U/16 boys and the U/20 girls will have their pay-outs increased. Each of the series events will also feature a spectacular Von Zipper Air Show in which selected competitors are given the opportunity to display their skills in performing progressive ‘aerial’ maneuvers by boosting themselves and their surfboards off the face of the wave.

The 2003 Billabong Polar Ice Junior Series starts in Durban from 14-16 February followed by Kommetjie in Cape Town (21-23 March), St. Michaels on the KZN South Coast (25-27 April) and Victoria Bay in the Southern Cape (30 May - 1 June), before the champions are crowned at the final event which will be staged in Jeffreys Bay over the weekend 8-10 August.

Report by Robin de Kock, SSA

Calendar submitted by Robin de Kock, SSA

Organized by UK Surf Promotions and the British Surfing Association (BSA) on behalf of the British Universities Students Association (BUSA), this event attracts a vast amount of competitors and spectators to Newquay at a time of year. Alistair Mennie, Plymouth University A men’s team and Rennie Godfrey, Swansea women’s team, will be defending there individual and team titles this year. 400 Surfers will be descending on Newquay this weekend to compete for this prestigious title. This event, one of the biggest for entries in Europe, will take place at Towan Beach or South Fistral Beach, subject to surf conditions.

UK Surf Promotions are pleased to announce Headworx Europe will be sponsoring the British Professional Surfing Association (BPSA) UK Tour 2003 for the second year. The tour will attract many of the top surfers from Europe and beyond, highlighting some of the best surf locations in the country. It will give the local surfers a chance to test their skills at the highest level and encourage the growth of the sport in every region.

Last years Champion Mark Harris said "Surfing and competing around the country has been great, I am looking forward to retaining my title this year". Dave Reed, Chairman of the BPSA and director of UK Surf Promotions added, "All the surfers will appreciate Headworx committing themselves to the tour for a second year and increasing the incentive by adding more prize money, which will help attract greater media coverage for the surfers, sponsors, event locations and the sport of surfing in Great Britain."

CALENDAR OF HEADWORX UK Surf Tour 2003:

- Headworx Newquay Open Newquay May 25^th 26th

- Fat Face Night Surf @ Lusty Lusty Glaze June 13^th 14^th

- Headworx Freedom SDS Jersey Open St Ouens Jersey Sept 19^th 20^th 21^st

- Headworx Scottish Open Thurso Scotland Sept 27^th 28^th

- Headworx Welsh Open Langland Wales Oct 11^th 12^th

- Surfing Life South Coast Challenge Challaborough S Devon Oct 25^th 26^th

- Headworx North East Open Cayton Yorkshire Nov 1^st 2^nd

- Headworx North Devon Open Croyde/Lynmouth Nov 8^th 9^th

Report by Dave Reed, BSA

ATTENTION: ISA Members, please forward this Newsletter to all of your members, circulate also in any surf related website of your organization, and /or any entity affiliated with your organization. Thank you.

Tel: (858) 551 – 5292, Fax: (858) 551 – 5290