Last year´s Opening Ceremony featured 8 National Surfing Delegations that competed in the ISA China Cup plus representatives from the Chinese surfing community during the ISA’s Sands of the World Ceremony. Photo: ISA/Muñoz
City of Wanning Will Host The Opening Ceremony For The Second Annual ISA China Cup
Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China
Wanning, Hainan, China, January 25, 2013- The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased to announce the Opening Ceremony will officially mark the start of the ISA China Cup, which is the first event of the ISA’s 2nd annual Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival. The Opening Ceremony gives the hosts of the event, the City of Wanning, the opportunity to welcome the National Surfing Delegations and supporters to a truly global event. All eight National Teams will be introduced showcasing each team’s colorful flags as they witness a unique presentation of the local and traditional Chinese culture.
The Opening Ceremony will include the ISA’s traditional “Sands of the World.” This ceremony allows each participating nation to come to the stage and bring with them their flag and sand from their local beach. The sand is poured into a glass container on stage symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing.
“The Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival is just around the corner,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “All eight National Teams have arrived and settled in at the Official Hotel in beautiful Wanning. With the Opening Ceremony tonight, followed by the ISA China Cup beginning on Saturday, all the athletes are excited and ready to compete for the Individual and Team Gold Medals. Official Surf Forecaster, Surfline, predicts an increase in swell right on time for the first day of competition. Our hosts, the City of Wanning, will be delivering an amazing Opening Ceremony to welcome all the National Delegations from around the world. I wish all the surfers the best of luck.”
Hawaii´s Kaoli Kahokuloa flying high at Wanning´s Riyue Bay in preparation for the start of the ISA China Cup. Photo: ISA/Gonzalez
The following day, on Saturday January 26th, the first day of the ISA China Cup will kick-off the competition at Riyue Bay and on Sunday, the individual and team champions will be crowned for the second year in a row.
The ISA’s Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP with a prize purse of $95,000 US, will take place from Monday, January 28 to Wednesday, January 30, and will feature the best surfers in the world, including defending Champion and 2013 ASP World Tour surfer Glenn Hall (IRE). Results from the Hainan Classic will be used by surfers competing for a berth on the ASP World Tour.
The Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival will be available to view on the live webcast at www.hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com
Here is the schedule for the ISA China Cup Opening Ceremony live webcast:
Friday, 8pm-9pm China
Friday, 4am-5am West Coast USA
Friday, 1pm-2pm Western Europe
Friday, 11pm-midnight Sydney, Australia
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China, and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship, and will launch the World Longboard Championship in 2013. ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 72 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).
More on www.isasurf.org
