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

The International Surfing Association would like to send out a special thanks to Reef for its 2003 Sponsorship of the ISA for US$15,000. One of the greatest pleasures we have at the International Surfing Association is acknowledging the generous support of donors like Reef. This Sponsorship is truly appreciated. Thank you.

South Africa will host the first ever Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships at Durban’s North Beach from Sunday August 17th to Saturday August 23rd 2003. Up to 15 International teams of surfers in the under 16 and under 18 boys and under 19 girls divisions are expected to attend the inaugural tournament.

-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

This is sure to be an exciting event between the neighboring islands of the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia. The ISA wishes the teams good luck.

Location: New Plymouth (Taranaki Coast), New Zealand

The Organizers have received a number of inquiries regarding the judging format for the Masters. To clarify, this event is an age event, not a board length event. Any surfer over the age of 35 can perform on the craft of their choice. With the exception of the Kneeboards, participants will be judged on stand-up surfing.

They are adhering to the new Australasian Rulebook, which details criteria to be used in judging:

"A surfer must perform committed radical maneuvers in the most critical sections of a wave with style, power and speed to maximize scoring potential. Innovative and progressive surfing will be taken into account when rewarding points for committed surfing. The surfer who executes this criteria with the highest degree of difficulty on the better waves shall be rewarded with the higher scores"

This favors shortboard maneuvers over the traditional Longboard moves. However, modern progressive longboard moves will be rewarded if done in the critical part of the wave.

At the end of the day, progressive surfing will be the winner. Any surfer that can demonstrate this on the waves of the day will succeed.

Because the Event is after the better surfers, not the better paddlers, they will be enforcing a wave count. The surfers’ best 2 waves will determine their placing. In the event of a tie, the best wave will count. To minimize hassling and possible paddle interference, there will be a limit of 5 waves per surfer in each heat.

For the event participants that have not yet secured accommodations, it is suggested they do so as soon as possible. Below are some emails of places where beds are still available:

Such a large, symbolic Eco-weekend enables people to alert political representatives, the media and the public on the interest which people have regarding coastal pollution problems and to raise discussions about the latest environmental events. Many actions, concerning children and adults, will take place on European shores during the INITIATIVES OCÉANES weekend.

March 16 – 23, 2003 in Salinas, Ecuador

The Pan-American Surfing Games is currently underway at the Beaches of the FAE in Salinas, Ecuador. This is the first time the Pan-American Surfing Games has taken place on the Pacific Coast. National Teams from Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guadeloupe, Jamaica, Panama, Peru, USA and Venezuela are present to compete for the Championship titles. The ISA wishes all the teams the best of luck in these final days.

At the PASA General Meeting on Thursday, March 20th, the current PASA Executive Committee was re-elected for another term. Congratulations to the PASA EC and best of luck in the coming years.

PASA Executive Committee:

Antonio Sotillo, President (Venezuela)

Maile H. Aguerre, Vice-President (Hawaii)

Paul West, Secretary (USA)

Saturday, March 15 Seminars of PASA

Sunday, March 16 Seminars of PASA, Delegations arrive

Monday, March 17 Delegations arrive, Media Accreditation, Team check-in

Wednesday, March 19 Flag Ceremony on the Beach

Competition begins at 3h30 to 16h00

Thursday, March 20 Competition

Saturday, March 22 Competition

Sunday, March 23 Finals

Awards

Monday, March 24 Return of Delegations

PASA JUDGING, COACHING, SURF SCHOOL AND TECHNICAL DIRECTION SEMINARS

March 15 – 17, Salinas, Ecuador

Surfing Australia Receives Commendation in National Sporting Awards 2003.
2003 AUSPORT AWARDS recognizes Surfing Australia’s contribution to community projects.
Monday, 17 March 2003

Before an assembled group of 300 sports administrators, government representatives, Australian Sports Commission executive officers and the Federal Minister for Sport, Surfing Australia reached the final 3 nominees in the category of National Sporting Association Community Sport Award together with Athletics Australia and Gymnastics Australia. 120 National Sport Organizations (NSOs) were invited to submit programs for the Awards.

Whilst not being the overall winner [Gymnastics Australia with its club 10 development program took the category], Surfing Australia’s programs were certainly recognized as best practice and relevant to our youth.

Over the last 10 years Surfing Australia [including ASP Australasia] programs, officials, surfers and teams have been constantly reaching final nomination level in major sporting awards in this country. 2003 was no exception with Layne Beachley reaching final 3 in the Female Sportswoman of the Year award by Sport Industry Australia and now Surfing Australia with its community award final spot.

Surfing Australia’s programs, which caught the attention of the judging panel for the awards were conducted in 2002. Our submission centered around three areas.

1) Our club community input by designing and implementing surfingaustralia.com [in alliance with coastalwatch.com], which is the national media publishing website together with its background extranet membership and event database package.
2) Women’s surfing programs running nationally provided for individual development for special interest groups. The RipCurl Girls Go Surfing Day program which provided entry level activity for 3500 girls in 40 locations and the Quiksilver / Roxy Surf Jam which ran through 26 locations in Australia and New Zealand covering the needs of intermediate surfers in safety and surfing skills were recognized as outstanding.
3) Coca Cola Surfing Australia Surfschools network which is delivering surf safety, entry level coaching and advanced competition development packages to over 150,000 unique participants each year over 350,000 class enrolments.

Surfing Australia CEO Alan Atkins said, "The fact that Surfing Australia was recognized in this national forum for sport indicates that we are recognized amongst the top NSO’s in the country, most of which are Olympic sports with many more resources." With all programs growing over the 2002 year, Surfing Australia is enthusiastic about its prospects for 2003.

The ISA congratulates Surfing Australia for this incredible nomination and national recognition.

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

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

BUD LIGHT PIPELINE BODYSURFING EXPERIENCE and the BUD LIGHT 14^th ANNUAL WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP OF WOMEN’S BODYBOARDING

Starting March 13^th through 28^th, 2003, the world’s best female bodyboarders and the world’s best waterman will be on waiting for perfect Pipeline to compete in these events. The events will take place at the world famous Banzai Pipeline, on the North Shore of Oahu. Athletes from Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Hawaii, Japan, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, United States, Venezuela, West Indies are expected to compete.

Competition will be broadcasted live on the Internet thanks to the people at SurfingLive.com.

Report submitted by Carol Philips, Association of Women Bodyboarders

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.

Over 80 of New Zealand's elite and up and coming women's surfers converged on the east coast city of Gisborne to compete in the Smokefree/Arnette Women's Surfing Championships. Surfers traveled from as far south as Invercargill and as far north as Whangarei to contest the 8 Women's National Titles and SNZ rated points that were on offer.

Smokefree Sport representative Marija Vidovich said "It was great to see a large number of competitors in attendance and that they were in high spirits, having a lot of fun and were not phased by the drizzle or rain that persisted during the majority of the event. I was very impressed with the standard of surfing that was on display and the solid base of women surfers within New Zealand. The endurance by some competitors who were surfing in multiple divisions was amazing and a true reflection of the commitment amongst the women and the fitness levels that surfers possess."

Next year will see women surfing develop even further as more women take to the water.

Results:

OPEN WOMEN Grand Final

1. Lisa Hurunui

2. Kim Mayer

3. Holly Quinn

4. Michelle Langdon

JUNIOR WOMEN Grand Final

1. Angie Koops
2. Jess Santorik
3. Jessica Welch
4. Pipi Sopp

LONGBOARD Grand Final

1. Nan Baker
2. Nicky Murden
3. Pauline Pullman
4. Michelle Langdon

U16 GIRLS Grand Final

1. Jess Santorik
2. Pipi Sopp
3. Jessica Welch
4. Airini Mason

U14 GIRLS Grand Final

1. Paige Hareb
2. Jessica Welch
3. Arini Mason
4. Wini Paul

U12 GIRLS Grand Final

1. Renee Pearson
2. Ella Williams
3. Sarah Mason
4. Honey Lee Blakeney

ALL COMERS Grand Final

1. Claire Thomson
2. Diana Korach
3. Emily Stevenson
4. Kirsty Thomsen

SENIORS Grand Final

1. Pauline Pullman
2. Diana Korach
3. Jane Pitkethley
4. Kathy Steed

Daniel Kereopa (Raglan) won the Open Men's division of the Tairawhiti Polytechnic/Bodyline Wetsuits/Blitz SNZ PRO. Although Kereopa walked away with the 1400 points, West Coast surfer Jai Earnshaw after finishing in 5th place has shot to the lead on SNZ points table.

"Whales," a beach break located at the northern end of Wainui Beach provided persistent 3ft waves allowing surfers the opportunity to demonstrate their contest proficiency during the 2-day contest schedule. With an abundance of talent in attendance the majority of heats were very tight which saw some heats tied and progress through to the next round going to a count back.

However it was the Open Men's division where the waves became inconsistent due to the change of tide and a slight wind shift. With a stacked final that consisted of New Zealand's finest it would have been a game prediction for someone to put a finger on who would emerge as the victor.

OPEN MEN Grand final
Daniel Kereopa 1

Maz Quinn 2
Bobby Hansen 3
Leon Santorik 4

JUNIOR MEN Grand Final
Bobby Hansen 1

Nathan Welch 2

Owen McMillan 3
Morehu Roberts 4

CADETS Grand Final
Alexandre Chacon 1
Morehu Roberts 2

Dean Amess 3

Richard Christie 4

WOMEN Grand Final
Kim Mayer 1

Jessica Terrill 2

Jessica Santorik 3

Mischa Davis 4

BILLABONG SUNSET 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

March 29 – 30, New Brighton Beach, Christchurch

The Rip Curl GromSearch kicks off in Chistchurch at the end of the month. The series will consist of 4 events with the winner being determined by the total accumulated points from each of the 4 events. A good turn out of South Island surfers were in attendance at last years 3 events that were hosted in the North Island and no doubt there will be a crew of North Island surfers who will be making the trip down South to chase the points.

SURFING NEW ZEALAND (SNZ) – 2003 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

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 Longboard Cup, Mt. Maunganui

Mar. 29, Blaketown Bodyboard Challenge, Greymouth

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

Apr. 5 – 6, Dion Wells Memorial, Dunedin

Apr. 12 – 13, Surfing New Zealand Women’s Training Camp, Gisborne

Apr. 19 – 20, Tony Wester Memorial, Taranaki

Apr. 19 – 20, Lion Red South Island Surfing Champs / SNZ Pro, Dunedin

Apr. 15 – 20, ISA / Fosters World Masters Surf Titles, New Plymouth

Apr. 19 – 20, Billabong / Sunset Point Bar & Bistro / SNZ Pro, Mahia

Apr. 19 – 26, Oceania Surfing Cup, Tonga

Apr. 22 – 26, SNZ Scholastic Championships, Raglan

Apr. 22 – 26, NZ / USA Junior Surfing Cultural Exchange, Raglan

Calendar submitted by Steve Ria, SNZ

The Eastern Cape Quiksilver Selection Trial in Port Alfred produces 10 strong qualifiers for final Regional Trail, scheduled for Durban on May 245h and 25th. The final trial in Durban will determine the South African Junior Team for the 2003 Quiksilver ISA World Juniors Surfing Championships.

After a series of grueling heats, Keegan Nel of East London came out on top of the under 18 boys division with Shaun Payne of St Francis Bay finishing second ahead of Paul Love (East London). Kyle Jacobs of Jeffreys Bay was the fourth qualifier in this group. In the under 16 boys division, Craig Anderson of Port Elizabeth and Clinton Gravett of East London finished in that order. Faisel Smith and Greg Hayseldon (both Port Elizabeth) were third and fourth respectively and also qualify.

Rosanne Hodge dominated the under 19 girls section and will travel to the final trial as one of the favorites to make the South African Junior Team which will compete in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships at North Beach, Durban in August. A plucky performance by Telana Flannagan gave her the second qualifying spot alongside her East London teammate. The 2^nd Selection Trial results are below.

Light offshore winds and highly contestable 3-4 foot surf were the order of the day at the second Quiksilver regional selection trial. Thirty three surfers from the Kwazulu Natal (KZN) region participated in the event which was held to identify qualifiers for the National Trial scheduled for May 24th and 25th at New Pier, Durban. Eight under 18 boys and eight under 16 boys as well as five under 19 girls qualified for the National Trial through this event.

Not surprisingly, current SA Champion and ISA World Surfing Games Junior runner up, Ricky Basnett, topped the under 18 group. Newcomer Scott Venter came in second and pushed 2002 SA Junior Team member Andrew Groenewald into third spot while Cordell Venter, a member of the SA Academy Team in Namibia at the end of 2001 was ranked fourth. Rory Beach, Ricahrd Jeeves, Chris Schnitzer and Wesley O' Driscoll were the other under 18 qualifiers.

The brilliant Jordan Smith dominated the under 16 group, underlining his reputation as the best surfer in this division in KZN and must be an odds on favorite to be the top seed in the SA Junior Team. Josh Schmeltzer, another consistent under 16 competitor was second just ahead of the talented Brandon Jackson. Rudy Palmboom finished fourth, Rory Gibson was fifth and Josh Redman was sixth. Kyle Beach and newcomer Daniel Chapman were the other two under 16 qualifiers.

Three of the five under 19 girls who went through from this trial to the Quiksilver National Trial in May are sisters. Jessica Matthews finished first ahead of fellow 2002 SA Junior Team member Tammy Lee Smith. Sarah while Jessica's sister Sarah was third and Kate was fourth. Nicile Annells was the fifth surfer to qualify.

The final Quiksilver Regional selection Trial will be held in Cape Town on March 29th and will feature surfers from Western Province, Boland and Southern Cape. Four under 18 boys, four under 16 boys and two under 19 girls will join the 23 surfers who have already qualified from the first Regional Trial at Port Alfred and the Trial held at Bay of Plenty on the 15th.

The South African Junior Team to compete in the 2003 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships in Durban from August17th to August 23rd will be chosen after the National Junior Trial has been completed on May 24 and 25.

The SA tour is divided into three regions, KZN, Eastern Cape and Western Cape, with the finals being held in Durban. Through the local events, each area will send their top four surfers, in each age group, to the finals, in Durban. The top four finalists in Durban will then qualify for the VQS Championships held in Newport Beach every year. The winner of the open division will also receive a free air ticket to the championship finals.

"This is a grass roots effort to infiltrate local areas with free surfing contests. We would like to express the purpose of Volcomstones Totally Crustaceous tour. It is to create a unique surfing environment, not a typical contest, but more like a gathering. It is for people of all ages, race and background to come together surf and hang out. These events are about giving back to the local surf communities."

DATES:

Kwazulu Natal – Rhinofish series- North Beach on June 21^st

Eastern Cape – Elephantfish series- Port Alfred on October 11^th

Western Cape – Baboonfish series- Long Beach (alt Big Bay), November 15^th

VQS qualifier – Durban on January 10^th 2004

VQS final – Newport beach May 2004

Press release submitted by Robin de Kock, SSA on behalf of VOLCOM

Calendar submitted by Robin de Kock, SSA

Nick Reid of Bristol University A team defeated reigning champion Alistair Mennie (Plymouth A), Tom Anderson (Glamorgan) and Gyles Collier (Plymouth B) in a very close final. Plymouth University retained the men’s team title with an increased margin of victory from last year.

In the Women’s final, Renee Godfrey 2002 Champion was forced into second place by an inform Eleanor Hastings (Exeter A), finishing third was Rachel Bell (Swansea) and fourth Celine Gehret (Plymouth). Eleanor’s result helped Exeter University win the Women’s team title.

The 400 Surfers who competed over the weekend were treated to a large swell that forced the venue to become the most sheltered beach in the Newquay area, Towan Beach. The good surfing conditions allowed the surfers to perform to the best of their ability.

UK Surf Promotions and the British Surfing Association who organized the event on behalf of the British Universities Students Association were pleased with the success of the competition. Karen Walton Marketing Director of the BSA said ‘I would like to thank all the students who competed making the contest one of the biggest in Europe with regard to entries.’

Voodoo Dolls Sponsor BPSA Womens UK Surf Tour

UK Surf Promotions are pleased to announce Voodoo Dolls will be sponsoring the British Professional Surfing Association (BPSA) Womens UK Tour 2003. The UK’s first ever Womens Pro Surf Tour will take place this year running alongside the Headworx BPSA Mens Tour. Five events have been planned.

With the rapid growth of surfing, a womens surf tour has been highly anticipated for a number of years. With the support of its sponsors ‘Voodoo Dolls,’ womens surfing in Great Briton will raise its profile and allow female surfers to be rewarded for success in an expanding competitive sport.

The tour will attract many of the top female surfers from Europe and beyond, highlighting some of the best surf locations in the country. It will give the local girls at each venue a chance to test their skills at the highest level. Dave Reed, Chairman of the BPSA and director of UK Surf Promotions said, "Surfing is not a single sex sport," adding "With the increasing numbers of female surfers, the events will be a platform to improve their skills and introduce more women to the sport."

TOUR:

- Voodoo Dolls Newquay Open Newquay May 25^th 26th

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

- Voodoo Dolls Jersey Open St Ouens Jersey Sept 19^th 20^th 21^st

- Voodoo Dolls Welsh Open Langland Wales Oct 11^th 12^th

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

Report by Dave Reed, BSA

The United States Surfing Federation has fielded an elite team of 15 amateur athletes from all regions of the country to compete in a five-day competition. Events and games will be held for the first time on the Pacific Coast at the Salinas Modern Beach Resort in the Republic of Ecuador from March 16-23, 2003.

The President of the United States Surfing Federation, Paul West, stated, "This is a team event and everyone’s points will count. We need everyone of the 15-person team to do well or we cannot win, simple." He adds, "We have a serious and talented team put together and there is a GOLD medal waiting for us, but we have to act, be, and remain a team if we are to win!"

June 28 – July 6, 2003 in Oceanside, California

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