Team USA Prepares to Defend VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship Title

San Clemente, Calif. (October 23, 2018)– Team USA is preparing to defend their International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Surfing Championship title in front of a home crowd at Huntington Beach. In the days leading up to competition Team USA will take part in events that prepare for and celebrate the 2018 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship’s record-breaking 362 surfers from 44 nations. As the largest junior surfing competition in the world, the event provides an exciting preview of Olympic surfing.
 
“This event is such an exciting experience for athletes to represent their country and forge friendships that can last a lifetime,” USA Surfing CEO Greg Cruse said. 
 
The ISA World Junior Surfing Championships are a proving ground for surfer’s who have spent months training and practicing to perform at their best. USA Surfing’s team won team gold in 2017 in Hyuga, Japan. 
 
A Thursday, Oct. 25 scrimmage with Team Japan at 9th Street will provide an opportunity to warm up with one of the world’s best teams and celebrate surfing’s 2020 Olympic debut in Japan. 
 
USA Surfing head coach Joey Buran said his team is extremely talented, experienced and ready to take on the world’s best. “Each athlete has worked very hard to prepare for this event and knows they are part of a truly special experience. They are ready to give their all to fulfill the goal of repeating a team gold medal.”
 
2018 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship team members

Boys 
*Team Captain - Cole Houshmand
Under 18
Cole Houshmand, San Clemente, Calif.
Taro Watanabe, Malibu, Calif.
Taj Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif.
Under 16
Kade Matson, San Clemente, Calif.
Jett Schilling, San Clemente, Calif.
Levi Slawson, Encinitas, Calif.
*1st alternate Owen Moss, Wilmington, N.C.
*2nd alternate Ryan Huckabee, Flagler Beach, Fla.
 
Girls
*Team Captain - Kirra Pinkerton
Under 18 
Kirra Pinkerton, San Clemente, Calif. 
Alyssa Spencer, Carlsbad, Calif.
Makena Burke, Ventura, Calif.
Under 16
Samantha Sibley, San Clemente, Calif.
Caitlin Simmers, Oceanside, Calif.
Sawyer Lindblad, San Clemente, Calif.
*1st alternate Zoe Benedetto, Palm City, Fla.
​*2nd alternate Olivia Pessanha, San Diego, Calif.

The at-glance-schedule includes:
 
October 25 -  Scrimmage with Team Japan at Huntington Beach's 9th Street - a cultural exchange and celebration of surfing's 2020 Olympic debut in Japan
 
October 27 - 10:00 am Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations down Main Street Huntington Beach; Event starts at 3:00 p.m.  
 
October 27 – November 4 -  ISA World Junior Surfing Championship competition. Event starts on the 27th at 3:00 pm following the Opening Ceremony and Parade of Nations. Finals day and closing ceremonies are on Nov. 4.  Schedule updates and heat draws can be found here.
 
Contact: Becky Fleischauer, 302-588-0671, becky (at) usasurfing (dot) org
USA Surfing is the National Governing Body for surfing in the United States, recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USA Surfing’s mission is to promote and grow the sport of surfing and support United States athletes of all backgrounds to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic, Paralympic, Pan American and Parapan American competition. USA Surfing will oversee and support America’s Olympic team as surfing makes its debut in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, and surfing and stand-up paddleboarding athletes compete in the 2019 Pan American Games.
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