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In coordination with the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Para Surfing is currently under consideration by the Los Angeles 2028 Organizing Committee (LA28) for inclusion as an additional sport for the LA28 Paralympic Games. In January, the IPC Governing Board confirmed that Para Surfing has demonstrated the competitive viability and integrity of the sport, as well as the strategic benefits to the Paralympic Games.
Para Surfing has experienced substantial growth since the first ISA World Para Surfing Championship in 2015 (originally titled the World Adaptive Surfing Championship). During that period, the ISA has continued to refine the Para Surfing Classification system in line with IPC requirements and encouraged its network of 113 member nations to host national and regional competitions.
Women’s involvement has been increasing at a significant rate each year, making up a full third of the field in 2022. Gender equality is a pillar of the ISA’s mission, and the organization is invested in further promoting gender equity in each surfing discipline.
Huntington Beach has played a historic role for the sport of surfing, having hosted many major surfing events. The 2023 ISA World Para Surfing Championship will be the eighth major ISA event held in ‘Surf City USA’ after the city hosted four editions of the ISA World Surfing Games in 1984, 1996, 2006, and 2022, as well as the ISA World Juniors in 2005, 2018 and 2019.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“Our biggest hope and dream is to celebrate Para Surfing’s inclusion in LA28 Paralympic Games during the World Championship”.
“I am so excited to see the world’s best para surfers in the iconic Surf City USA for the very first time. It will be amazing to see the level of energy and joy that Para Surfing can bring to the Paralympics at such an ideal stage”.
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