Caio Ibelli (BRA), dominated during the entire Hainan Classic to win $15,000 US. Photo: ISA/Gonzales

Australia’s Mitch Crews placed second at the left point break at Riyue Bay 

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China

Wanning, Hainan, China, January 30, 2013- The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2013 Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP: Brazilian Caio Ibelli placed 1^st defeating Australian Mitch Crews in the Final.

Despite smaller conditions on the last day of the competition, Ibelli was able to choose the right waves that gave him the win.  The young and super talented Brazilian earned an 8.33 on his opening ride in the final, and nearing the end of the heat, he tore apart a long left and scored a 9.17 for a heat total of 17.50. The 2011 ASP Billabong World Junior titlist easily defeated Crews’ 11.00 total for the Hainan Classic trophy and top cash prize.

“This has been an amazing event filled with lots of surprises. Congratulations to Caio Ibelli for his incredible performance in the long winding waves at the left point in Riyue Bay,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre from his home in La Jolla, California, where he was attending to the needs of a new baby girl born into his family the day before.

Ibelli was the most consistent and in-form surfer of the event since he earned the top 4 highest heat scores: 17.67 in the Quarterfinals, 17.67 in Round 3, 17.50 in the final, and 17.50 in Round 1.

Mitch Crews (AUS) had a good run during the contest in China, but came up short, finishing in 2nd place. Photo: ISA/Tweddle

“This contest has been pretty good; the waves were amazing and I had so much fun surfing the heats. There’s no better way to start the year than by winning,” said the Hainan Classic champ. “This is my first event of the year and I feel awesome.”

Second place finisher Crews struggled to find quality waves during the Final. “I started catching the first wave and it just ran off a bit quick. Caio got the one behind it, and it stood up real nice on the reef allowing him to get a few turns,” remarked Mitch Crews. “After that there were basically no waves for 10 minutes, and I held priority for as long as I could. It was hard to chose them and the conditions were deteriorating, but I’m happy with my performance and on to the next contest.”

The ISA President appreciates all the effort that went into putting on this successful event. “In the name of the ISA and the over 35 million surfers in the world, I would like to thank China’s National Water Sports Association, the Hainan Culture and Sports Department, the Wanning Sports Bureau, and especially our great partners, Womei Media. With all of their support, I am looking forward to coming back to Hainan, for the third time next year, for what will be a bigger and even better event.”

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic/results/

Caio Ibelli was the standout of the day with turns like this, earning the two highest heat scores of the day. Photo: ISA/Gonzales

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China

Wanning, Hainan, China, January 26, 2013- As expected, the swell filled in for Day 2 of the Hainan Classic, the second event in the ISA’s Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival. The surf conditions at the left point break at Riyue Bay were clean with light offshore winds and organized long-period swell all day long reminding everyone of Riyue Bay during last year’s event.

“I am super stoked to have turned on the live streaming webcast to see pumping surf at Riyue Bay this morning,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The improved conditions are allowing the surfers to perform at the highest level of competition. I’m looking forward to the final day and to the presentation of the Hainan Classic trophy to the Champion. May the best surfer win.”

Day 2 of competition also featured big upsets. 2000 ASP World Tour Champion, Sunny Garcia (HAW) placed 3rd in Round 3 forcing him out of the competition, and Hainan Classic defending champion Glenn Hall (IRL) who qualified for this year’s ASP World Tour, but lost in the last heat of the day.

Indonesia’s Made Widiarta flying high during the heat of the day. Photo: ISA/Tweddle

Caio Ibelli (BRA) was on fire today, nabbing the two highest heat scores of the day, 17.67 in his Round 3 heat and 17.50 in his Round 2 heat. Also, for the second day in a row, Peru’s Carlos Zapata was a standout tying Ibelli for the second highest heat score of the day with 17.50.

Other notable performances came from Kanoa Igarashi (USA), who earned the highest single wave score of the day with a 9.50 and Australia’s Davey Cathels and Cooper Chapman who both got 9.00-point rides.

One of the best heats of the day featured a high scoring affair and fierce competition between Indonesia’s Made Widiarta (15.10), Mitch Crews (AUS, 14.53), Davey Cathels (AUS, 14.00), and Vincent Duvignac’s (FRA, 9.57). Widiarta is Indonesia’s and one of the world’s most promising young surfers.
The second day of the Hainan Classic saw the completion through the second heat of Round 4. The event resumes on Wednesday at 7:40am with the ISA Morning Show, followed at 8am when competition starts and a new Hainan Classic Champion will be crowned.

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic/results/

Watch the live webcast of the final day of the Hainan Classic tomorrow on- http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic/live/

Here is the schedule:
Wednesday, 7:40am China
Tuesday, 3:40pm West Coast USA
Wednesday, 12:40am Western Europe
Wednesday, 10:40am Sydney Australia

Japan´s Hiroto Arai powered through his heat with turns like this and attaining one of the most impressive heat scores of the day. Photo: ISA/Tweddle

Day One of the Contest Takes Place at the Picturesque Left Point Break at Riyue Bay

After two days of the ISA China Cup held in small beach break waves, the swell finally arrived as predicted by Official Forecaster, Surfline, with waist to chest high waves that peeled down the left point break at Wanning’s Riyue Bay. Day 1 of the Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP, the second event of the ISA’s Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival, saw pumping waves that greeted the world’s best surfers for the opening day of competition.

The improving surf conditions allowed for the Opening Day of the Hainan Classic to be held at the left point break made famous in 2012 during the first edition of this event.

Today, Riyue Bay showed signs of its true potential.  Even though the wind and weather conditions were not ideal, the wave offered multiple turn sections with steep walls for airs and other critical maneuvers.

9 year old Chinese surfer, Zhuo Qui, surfed his first ever heat at an ASP event and became the youngest surfer ever in an ASP competition. Photo: ISA/Tweddle

“I’m very happy the swell has picked up and we are able to run the competition on the point at Riyue Bay,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “While the surf today is not as perfect as a year ago, the waves and the rides are long, the performance level is high, and the competition has been strong. I’m amazed at how good the young Chinese surfers have become in just one year since the ISA first came to China. Good luck to all of the competitors in the final days of the Hainan Classic.”

The standouts of the day were Carlos Zapata (PER), who had the highest combined heat score of the day totaling 17.50, Hiroto Arai (JPN) with the second highest heat score, 16.77, and Maxime Huscenot (FRA) with the third highest heat score of the day, and also the highest single wave score of the day, 9.47.

Day 1 saw the completion of Round 1 and the first 4 heats of Round 2. When competition resumes on Tuesday at 7:40am starting with the ISA Morning Show, the remaining 12 heats of Round 2 plus 8 heats of Round 3, featuring the likes of former ASP World Champion Sunny Garcia and current ASP World Tour Surfer Glenn Hall, will be surfed.

For a full list of today’s results, click here- http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic/results/

Watch the live webcast of Day 2 of the Hainan Classic tomorrow on- http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/hainan-classic/live/

Here is the schedule:
Tuesday, 7:40am China
Monday, 3:40pm West Coast USA
Tuesday, 12:40am Western Europe
Tuesday, 10:40am Sydney Australia

All 8 National Teams were welcomed and treated to an amazing Opening Ceremony for the ISA China Cup. Photo: ISA/Gonzales

The 8 Competing National Delegations are presented and welcomed to China


Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China

The Opening Ceremony of the ISA China Cup will be a night the surfers and locals in attendance will never forget. What transpired in the City of Wanning’s Theater was part rock-show, dancing spectacular, and it was entirely devoted to the growth of surfing. With the competing surfers, coaches, Chinese dignitaries, sponsors, ISA officials and special guests on hand, the Opening Ceremony for the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival officially launched the start of the 2nd annual competition.

The 8 National Teams arrived with class, showcasing their countries flags and colors in their team uniforms. The ceremony kicked-off with the presentation of each delegation as hundreds of local Chinese that were in attendance greeted them with a welcoming applause. It was followed by the “Sands of the World” ceremony, where each country carried sand from their local beach and poured it into a glass container on stage symbolizing the peaceful gathering of nations through the love of surfing.

Team Australia, the Defending Champions from last year´s inaugural event, during the ISA´s “Sands of The World” Ceremony

“I’m totally honored and excited to welcome all of you to China, land of legendary culture and wisdom, and starting last year, a surfing destination known for its great waves and beaches,” remarked ISA Vice President Alan Atkins on behalf of ISA President Fernando Aguerre. Aguerre was unable to be in China due to the expected birth of his baby daughter. “As president of the ISA, and in the name of the 35 million surfers around the world, I would like to extend our gratitude to our great partners, Womei Media, and to the governments of China, the Province of Hainan, the City of Wanning and all the people of China. It is my deepest hope that all the visitors go home as ambassadors of the great people of China and its culture.”

On hand to welcome the surfers from around the world was Mr. Ding Shinjiang, the Director of the Communist Party of China, Committee of Wanning City. He expressed his excitement as the host of the Surfing Festival and how it is helping develop the City of Wanning.

“In recent years, Wanning has been developing fast and without sacrificing the condition of the environment, aiming to become a world famous tourist city at the seaside,” remarked Mr. Ding.
The ISA China Cup begins on Saturday, January 26, the morning after the ceremony. The webcast will be broadcast live on http://hainaninternationalsurfingfestival.com/china-cup/live/
Here is the schedule for the live webcast of the ISA China Cup:
Saturday, 7:40am China
Saturday, 3:40pm West Coast USA
Saturday, 12:40am Western Europe
Saturday, 10:40am Sydney, Australia

Peru´s Carlos Mario Zapata competed in last year´s ISA China Cup and will be looking to improve on his eighth place finish in the Men´s division. Photo: ISA/ Watts

Defending Champion Australia And Powerhouse Peru Are Set To Compete In The Second Annual Competition on Hainan Island, China

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing FestivalJanuary 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China

La Jolla, California, January 14, 2013 - The International Surfing Association is pleased to announce the ISA China Cup, which is the first event of the ISA’s Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival, has confirmed two of eight teams that will be competing in China from January 26 to 27. The defending Team Champion, Australia will be looking for their second consecutive Team Gold Medal, while Peru’s talented team will strive to improve on their fourth place finish in the ISA’s inaugural event in China one year ago.

Following the ISA China Cup will be the ISA’s Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP, with a prize purse of  $ 95,000 USD and will take place from January 28 to 30, featuring the best surfers in the world competing for a berth on the ASP World Tour.

Representing the Aussies in the ISA China Cup will be an experienced young group of surfers featuring Wade Carmichael, Mitch Crews, Lincoln Taylor and Connor O’Leary. On the women’s side will be Nikki Van Dijk and Philippa Anderson.

Team Peru, which placed fourth in the groundbreaking first edition of this ISA event last January, will feature highly regarded Carlos Zapata, Sebastian Alarcon, Juninho Urcia and Joaquin del Castillo. On the women’s side will be Valeria Sole and Miluska Tello.

“I’m sure the level of surfing at the ISA China Cup will be amazing,” remarked ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “The waves, the hospitality of the local people and our hosts, plus the participation of world champions mixed with the best up-and coming surfers from around the globe, are some exciting elements that we look forward to in China.”

Showcasing the dynamic pool of talented surfers will be Aussies Wade Carmichael, who is the 2012 ASP Australasia Pro Junior Series Champion, plus teammate Connor O’Leary, who won the first ever ASP event held recently in South Korea. In addition, Nikki Van Dijk is the 2012 ASP Women’s World Junior Champion.

On the other hand are Peru’s surfers who have a number of champions on their squad including Sebastian Alarcon who was the 2010 ALAS Latin Tour Champion, Carlos Zapata, who won the 2013 Billabong Cabo Blanco event in Peru, plus Juninho Urcia, who at age 17 became Peru’s youngest winner of the Peruvian Open Championship, and has been a five-time ISA Scholarship recipient.

The eight invited National Teams that will compete in the second annual ISA China Cup include: Australia, Brazil, France, Hawaii, Japan, Peru, Portugal and USA. Each of them will field their country’s best four men and two women shortboarders, who will compete for the Team and Individual Gold Medals, and the ISA China Cup trophy for the Gold Medal Team with the highest points total combining the scores of all athletes.

The event begins on January 25 with the Opening Ceremony that includes the Parade of Nations and the Sands of the World Ceremony, which will be held in the city of Wanning, Hainan Island, in the South China Sea.

ISA China Cup- Team Australia
Men
Wade Carmichael
Mitchel Crews
Connor O’Leary
Lincoln Taylor

Women
Philippa Anderson
Nikki Van Dijk

Team Officials 
Martin Dunn
Jeremy Sheppard

ISA China Cup- Team Peru
Men
Sebastian Alarcon
Joaquin Del Castillo
Juninho Urcia
Carlos Zapata

Women
Valeria Sole
Miluksa Tello

Team Officials
Ricardo Kaufman
Oswaldo Velez

The waves at Riyue Bay await the world’s best surfers to compete in the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival. Photo: ISA/Watts

This is the second year in a row the International Surfing Association delivers the ISA China Cup and Hainan Classic

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan, China

From January 25 to 30, China will become the focus of the surfing community when the world’s top surfers will compete in the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival for the second consecutive year.

As the opening event of the International Surfing Festival, the ISA China Cup will feature the top eight surfing countries based on the results from the 2012 ISA World Junior Championship held in Panama last April.

Following the ISA China Cup will be the Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP contest, where the best professional surfers from around the world will compete for a piece of the $ 95,000 prize purse.

The ten things you need to know about the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival are:

1.     The Event

The Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival consists of two competitions:

• ISA China Cup is taking place January 25 to 27.
• Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP is taking place January 28 to 30.

2.     The Competitions

The ISA China Cup will be a team competition, where the top eight National Teams from the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship competed last April in Panama. An Open Men’s, Open Women’s and Team Gold Medals will be up for grabs.

The Hainan Classic will gather the world’s best surfers as rated by the ASP competing for a total prize purse of $ 95,000.

3.     The Participants

The eight nations that will compete in the ISA China Cup are:

• Australia
• Brazil
• France
• Hawaii
• Japan
• Peru
• Portugal
• United States

The Hainan Classic, 4-Star Men’s ASP will feature a maximum draw of 96 athletes including women. The 2012 Hainan Classic had the largest number of women in the history of a Men’s ASP event, and the ISA is expecting an increase in women surfers this year.

4.     The History

This is the second edition of the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival. The 2012 ISA China Cup was won by Team Australia, the Open Men’s winner was Heath Joske (AUS) and the Open Women’s winner was Sofia Mulanovich (PER).

Irishman Glenn Hall won the inaugural Hainan Classic in 2012, which launched his successful campaign of qualifying for the 2013 ASP World Tour.

5.     The Mission

The ISA’s mission is to develop the sport of surfing across China’s long coast, and the ISA has partnered with Beijing Womei Advertising, the China National Water Sports Association, the Hainan Culture and Sports Department and the Wanning Sports Bureau, who are all working together for a better surfing future.

6.     The Numbers

For the ISA China Cup each team will include:

• 4 Men
• 2 Women
• 2 Team Officials (coaches and team managers)

The Hainan Classic will have a maximum of 96 competitors from around the world.

7.     The Schedule

The second edition of the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival will officially open on January 25 with the ISA’s signature “Parade of Nations” and “Sands of the World Ceremony” at the Sheraton Hotel beach in the city of Wanning. The participating countries will pour sand from their favorite local beaches into a handmade glass container, representing the peaceful union of the nations through the love of the sport of surfing.

Full schedule below:

• Jan 25 – Parade of Nations, Sands of the World and Opening Ceremonies
• Jan 26 – ISA China Cup Competition Begins
• Jan 27 – ISA China Cup Finals and Closing Ceremony
• Jan 28 – Hainan Classic Competition Begins
• Jan 29 – Hainan Classic Competition Continues
• Jan 30 – Hainan Classic Finals and Awards Presentation

8.     The Facts

The event is taking place in the world’s most populous country, with over 1.3 billion people and more than 9,000 miles of coastline. Riyue Bay is located on the southeast side of Hainan Island, about 20-30 minutes from the center of Wanning City, China.

Respected surf forecaster Sean Collins, Founder and former President of Surfline.com, was responsible for identifying China’s most consistent and dependable surf spot for a major international surfing competition. After the research that took him over three months to analyze, and included a 10 day visit to China, Collins who has since passed away, recommended Riyue Bay.

9.    The Prize

ISA China Cup:

• Team- Gold (1^st), Silver (2^nd), Bronze (3^rd), Copper (4^th)
• Open Men’s- Gold (1^st), Silver (2^nd), Bronze (3^rd), Copper (4^th)
• Open Women’s- Gold (1^st), Silver (2^nd), Bronze (3^rd), Copper (4^th)

Hainan Classic:

• One Champion and a $ 15,000 check to the first place finisher.
• $ 95,000 Total Prize Purse

10.    The Expectation

Big names in surfing, including some former world champions, are expected to be part of the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, with the inaugural ISA China Cup Gold Medal Team, Australia. Eight National Teams, including the defending Team Champs, have been invited to the January 2013 event. Photo: ISA/Muñoz

For the second year in a row, the International Surfing Association will host the best surfers in the world to compete in the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival 

Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival
January 25 to 30, 2013
Wanning, Hainan Island, China

La Jolla, California, November 7, 2012 – The International Surfing Association (ISA) is proud to announce the second edition of the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival, which will take place in Wanning, Hainan Island, China.

From January 25 to 30, 2013, China will become the international surfing capital of the world.

“After the great success of the inaugural Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in 2012, which produced the largest media audience ever in the history of the ISA, I’m very excited in bringing the ISA back to China,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.

“This will now be the second consecutive year that the ISA will deliver both the World’s top eight National Surfing Teams for the ISA China Cup, and the ASP Men’s 4-Star Hainan Classic.  Our partners at Womei Advertising, led by its CEO, Mr. Yang Dunhao, have once again delivered all of the financial and political resources needed for the 2013 Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival to be the most important event on the global surfing calendar next year.  The opportunities for the development of surfing in China are endless, and this new event will continue our path in the right direction.”

As the opening event in the Festival, from January 25 to 27, the ISA China Cup will be invitation-only featuring the top eight surfing nations in the world based on the National Team results from the 2012 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship held last July in Playa Colorado, Nicaragua.

The eight invited National Teams are Hawaii, Australia, Brazil, USA, Japan, France, Peru, and Portugal. Japan, Portugal and Hawaii will be new to the event.

Glenn Hall (IRE) started the year with the right foot by winning the Hainan Classic and then went to make it into the the ASP World Tour top 32. Photo: ISA/Muñoz

Each National Team will include their country’s best four men and two women shortboarders, who will compete for Team and Individual Gold Medals and the honor of representing their nations.

Australia won the Gold in the Team Standings in the first edition of the ISA China Cup in January 2012, with Sofía Mulanovich (PER) winning the Gold in the Open Women division and Heath Joske (AUS) winning the Gold in the Open Men division.

Following the completion of the ISA China Cup, the International Surfing Festival will continue with the Hainan Classic, January 28 to 30, which the ISA has confirmed will have an ASP Men’s 4-Star rating with a total prize purse of ,000 USD.

This historic competition will be the second ASP event ever in China, both produced by the ISA, that count towards the ASP Men’s World Ranking.

Irishman Glenn Hall was crowned winner of the event last January. His victorious start to the year set him up for his best ASP season ever, which he hopes results in qualifying for a coveted spot on the 2013 ASP World Tour.

For the 2013 Hainan Classic, the ISA is expecting a field of 96 athletes, including a number of surfers of Chinese descent, including 1999 ASP World Tour Champion Sunny Garcia, who is also planning to compete for Hawaii in the ISA China Cup.

The ISA selected the left point break at Riyue Bay on Hainan Island off the coast of southeast China, after consulting with the late Sean Collins, legendary founder and President of Surfline (www.surfline.com). Collins was considered the world’s foremost surf forecaster. He conducted a historical analysis of the surf along the east coast of Hainan and, after visiting the Island in March 2011, he reported that Riyue Bay held the best opportunity for world class waves and the ISA events.

What Sean Collins said was confirmed months later, when the world’s best surfers arrived to China. They were introduced to a land with a perfect left pointbreak, which held  barreling overhead waves that broke for ten straight days during the 2012 competition.

With a global media audience of more than 78 million who followed the 2012 ISA China Cup and Hainan Classic online, in print and on TV, China was introduced to the surfing world is all its glory.

The second edition of the Hainan Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival will be a historic event, the result of the combined efforts of the ISA, its partner in China, Womei Advertising, the Governments of Hainan Island and the City of Wanning.