Five individual medals cap a 15-athlete effort across six classifications; France takes Gold, Brazil Bronze, and Australia Copper

Oceanside, Calif. — Powered by a 15-athletes quad across six classifications, and led by Sarah Bettencourt’s fifth world title, USA Surfing’s para surfers captured the team’s third straight team silver at the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship, with individual podiums from Alana Nichols, José Martinez, Jeff Munson, and Chris Oberle.

France won team Gold; Brazil earned Bronze and Australia, Copper.

Individual Medalists

Gold

• Sarah Bettencourt (Women’s Prone 1) — Team co-captain and retired U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot captured her fifth career world title, continuing her dominance of the division.

Bettencourt’s surfing goals go far beyond the podium. Captain Bettencourt used the biggest stage in para surfing to pave the way for futuregenerations and secure the sport's destiny: a spot in the Paralympics.

Her dedication is fueled by a belief in the power of the ocean and the future of the sport:

"I do this for the generations coming behind me,"Bettencourt said. "I know we are going to make Paralympics. It's going to happen at some point. So I want to pave the way and teach everyone coming behind me that they too can get out there and show the world how amazing surfing is and that truly anyone can surf."

Bettencourt embraces adaptation as part of an incredible ride: "You might have to do it a little differently. You might kneel, you might stand, you might prone, you might be visually impaired, whatever, but anyone can surf. I'm doing it to show everyone who's watching, get in the water, paddle out, and catch some waves because it is life-changing. It is healing. It's magical. It's super fun, but also you can compete and represent your country because it will be in the Paralympics one day."

Silver

• José Martinez (Men’s Prone 2) — Triple-amputee and Purple Heart recipient delivered a courageous, all-out performance to clinch Silver.
• Alana Nichols (Women’s Sit/Waveski) — Three-time world champion and the first woman to win Paralympic gold in both Winter and Summer Games added Silver to Team USA’s tally.
• Jeff Munson (Men’s Sit/Waveski) — Opened finals day with dramatic pier-bowl rides, threading rights through the pier en route to Silver.

Bronze

• Chris Oberle (Men’s Sit/Waveski) —     Longtime Oceanside local drew clean, powerful lines on the pier’s open faces to claim Bronze.

“Every single person on this team put in extraordinary time and effort to improve this year —from mental performance and strength work to equipment tuning, video review, and heat strategy,” said Head Coach RyanSimmons. “I’m incredibly proud of the progress and the way our athletes competed for each other. Every heat surfed contributed critical points to the team silver.””

“This team put in so much work and heart this year,” said CEOBecky Fleischauer. “They surf for something bigger than themselves—service, community, and the healing power of the ocean.  It is such an honor and privilege to have this team of awesome athletes and humans representing our country on the ISA world stage.  Thank you for competing with such power, passion, and purpose!”

Beyond the podium, Team USA showcased the unifying spirit of para surfing. Athletes from New Mexico to Florida, Portland to Nevada, and across California reunited to compete and cheer each other on—a family forged in the waves. It was also the first ISA Worlds for Emily Purry (Vision Impaired) of Oregon, who is already rallying new athletes to join next year.

To support the team's travel and expenses, the team welcomes your donations at https://secure.qgiv.com/event/usasurfinginc_para25

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2025 Team USA Roster (Classifications)

• Sarah Bettencourt — San Diego, CA — Prone 1
• Katherine Beattie — Los Angeles, CA — Prone 1
• José Martinez — Apple Valley, CA — Prone     2
• Jesse Billauer — Pacific Palisades, CA —     Prone 2
• Quinn Waitley — San Diego, CA — Prone 2
• Ashley Bunting — Deming, NM — Prone 2
• Emily Purry — Portland, OR — Vision Impaired
• Joshua Loya — Santa Cruz, CA — Vision Impaired
• Forrest Weinberg — Los Angeles, CA — Stand 2
• Carter Hess — Panama City Beach, FL — Stand 2
• Jeff Munson — Corona del Mar, CA — Sit Waveski
• Chris Oberle — Oceanside, CA — Sit     Waveski
• Alana Nichols — Reno, NV — Sit Waveski
• Parker Olenick — San Diego, CA — Prone 1
• Jacob Pacheco — Los Angeles, CA — Prone 1

Team standings: 
1^st France
2^nd United States
3^rd  Brazil
4^th  Australia
5^th  Italy

In a time of sharp divisions, this ISA World Championship event demonstrated what’s possible when diverse countries unite through surfing—athletes who once might have faced each other in conflict, now share peace and friendship in Oceanside’s waves.

The team was led by co-captains Jose Martinez and Sarah Bettencourt and vice co-captains Katherine Beattie and Forrest Weinberg.

USA Surfing is enormously grateful for the ISA water safety teams, pushers, catchers, and guides whose expertise keeps athletes safe and stoked.

The team behind the team high-performance staff includes:

·     Head Coach Ryan Simmons

·     Assistant Coach John White

·     High Performance Director Tracy Axel

·     Physical Therapist Richie Robert

·     Sports Medicine Hoag Health partner ProSportSP practitioners

·     Team Manager Kevin Olenick

·     Water Safety, Pusher/Catchers, and Guides: Jeff Easter, Jesse Baxter, Darren Klassen, Evan Locke, Mario Menze, JakeMcNulty, David Waitley, Jimmy Le Beau, Timothy Reed Murphy, CiCi Sullivan

 Without USA Surfing's generous sponsors, these events, preparation and trainings, and support staffing would not be possible. Oceans of thanks to: Jersey Mikes, Resin Services, Hoag Health, Dryrobe, Coach's Oats, Yeti, Visit Oceanside, High Five Foundation, Wet Chute, Senor Grubby's, Buccaneer Cafe, Khombu.

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