Fiji: With the 2016 Fiji ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship due in November this year, many iconic names of the sport have already confirmed their appearances.
Numerous ISA Gold Medalists and world-renowned SUP surfer and racer will compete for their National Teams in the event which is set to take place from November 12-20 in Fiji’s world-renowned Cloudbreak.
Famous Cloudbreak Surfer Kai Lenny will be a part of the 2016 Fiji ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship. (Image Credit: ISA)
Kai Lenny will participate for Team Hawaii for the first time in the event’s history, bolstering a strong squad that co-features the 2015 SUP Technical Race Gold Medalist, Connor Baxter, Mo Freitas, Leane Darling, Zane Schweitzer and Kai Hall.
Jordan Mercer is all set to lead Team Australia in the Technical and Distance Paddleboard races with Lachie Lansdown (Paddleboard), Jackson Close (SUP Surfing), Lincoln Dews (SUP Racing), Terrene Black (SUP Racing) and Shakira Westdorp (SUP Surfing) being the other team members.
Team USA, who stood atop the podium for the first time, in 2015 version of the event is still to come up with their squad.
Speaking about the event, ISA President Fernando Aguerre said, “The 2016 Fiji ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship is shaping up to feature all the top athletes in the sports of SUP Surfing, SUP Racing and Paddleboard. This is an exciting confirmation of the growth and development of these key ISA disciplines. The world class waves and pristine lagoons of Fiji are an amazing stage for the cream of the crop to represent their nations for national pride and the coveted Gold Medals, in true Olympic Sports.”
Speaking further about the development of surfing as a sport, he added, “The ISA’s leadership in the development of the sport has proven to be one of the key game changers for this fast growing watersport.”
The November version is the fifth edition of the event after previous editions which were held in Peru (2013, 2013), Nicaragua (2014) and Mexico (2015).