USA Surfing Para Surf Team Wins Silver at 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship

​Huntington Beach, CA – USA Surfing’s Para Surf Team made waves at the 2024 International Surfing Association (ISA) World Para Surfing Championship, earning the team silver medal at the pinnacle event of elite para surfing. Held at the iconic Huntington Beach pier, “Surf City USA,” the ninth edition of the ISA World Para Surfing Championship brought together more than 150 of the world’s top para surfers from 25 countries.
 
Team USA’s exceptional performance featured two gold medals, three silver medals, and four copper medals, showcasing the depth of talent and determination across divisions.
“It was incredible to watch every person on this team have epic performances during this ISA Worlds,” said team coach Courtney Conlogue. “I loved being in their corner this year and having the opportunity to guide them in ways that maximized their performances. Thank you for trusting me as your coach. Let’s keep leveling up and making things happen!”

Team co-captain and retired navy captain Sarah Bettencourt won her fourth Gold Medal in the women's prone 1 division. After missing the 2023 ISA World Championship due to injury, Sarah was determined to come back stronger in 2024. That she did, dominating her heats from start to finish. 
 
The team benefitted from world-class support, including sports medicine expertise from the WSL US Open, Pan Am Games, Paralympic, and Olympic Games teams. On-site high-performance stations helped ensure USA Surfing’s elite para athletes were supported to deliver peak performances and recover during a grueling 8-day event. 
 
Shining Stars in Surf City
Several athletes took to the world stage for the first time and delivered standout performances. Flag bearer Parker Olenick, a second-year para surf athlete at San Diego State University, made it to the semifinals and is already gearing up for next year. Ashley Bunting of New Mexico, in her ISA Championship debut, scored career-best performances that were critical to Team USA’s second-place finish.
 
PODIUM RESULTS:
Gold Medalists

• Sarah Bettencourt – Women’s Prone 1
• Cassie Eckroth – Women’s Sit Ski

 
Silver Medalists

• Forrest Weinberg – Men’s Stand 2
• Chris Oberle – Men’s Sit Ski
• Alana Nichols – Women’s Sit Ski

 
Copper Medalists

• Erin Koffel – Women’s Kneel
• Jeff Munson – Men’s Sit Ski
• Jose Martinez – Men’s Prone 2

 
A Word from USA Surfing Leadership
“USA Surfing’s para surfers are the most inspiring, dedicated, and downright gnarly in the world,” said Becky Fleischauer, CEO of USA Surfing. “Our athletes pour countless hours into training, nutrition, and mental preparation. This year’s success shows their commitment to excellence, and we are stoked to continue building momentum for 2025.”
 
Team Roster
The full USA Surfing Para Surf Team roster, representing athletes from across the country, included:
Jesse Billauer, Pacific Palisades, CA                                   Prone 2
Jose Martinez, Apple Valley, CA                                               Prone 2
Quinn Waitley, San Diego, CA                                                   Prone 2
Ashley Bunting, Deming, NM                                                     Prone 2
Erin Koffel, Santa Cruz, CA                                                          Kneel
Josh Loya, Santa Cruz, CA                                                           Vision Impaired
Haley Houston, Imperial Beach, CA                                   Vision Impaired 2
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
Cassie Eckroth, Reno, NV                                                             Sit waveski
Parker Olenick, San Diego, CA                                                 Prone 1
Jacob Pacheco, Los Angeles, CA                                           Prone 1
Sarah Bettencourt, San Diego, CA                                        Prone 1
Katherine Beattie, Los Angeles, CA                                      Prone 1
 
Thank You to Our Sponsors
This unforgettable achievement was made possible thanks to our incredible sponsors: Jersey Mike’s, Dryrobe, Yeti, Salty Crew, and many more. Your support fuels the dreams and accomplishments of our athletes.
 
Looking Ahead
With the 2024 championship in the books, Team USA is already setting its sights on the 2025 ISA World Para Surfing Championship. Oceans of gratitude go out to the fans, sponsors, and supporters who continue to champion adaptive surfing excellence.
 
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
becky (at) usasurfing (dot) org


About USA Surfing
USA Surfing is the exclusively International Surfing Association (ISA)- recognized national governing body for the sport of surfing in the United States, dedicated to developing world-class athletes, promoting excellence, and inspiring a lifelong love for surfing at all levels.


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