Historic Breakthroughs at 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship
Four new world champions were crowned on a stunning day at the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship in Huntington Beach, California, where pristine two-to-three foot waves set the stage for historic performances.
New Era in Women’s Sit Division
In a watershed moment, Cass Eckroth (USA) captured her first world title in the women’s Sit division, marking the first time a new champion has been crowned in this category. Eckroth, who began wave-skiing in late 2022 following a spinal cord injury in Hawaii, outperformed her mentor and three-time world champion Alana Nichols in a compelling final.
“It’s just so incredible,” Eckroth said. “It was such an amazing surf session, the conditions out there are just awesome. Alana is my biggest mentor. She got me into wave skiing, has coached me. Until now, she’s been my fiercest competitor. It’s been my goal for the past two years to at some point be able to catch up to her on scores and to be able to beat her.”
French Excellence in Men’s Sit Division
Guillaume Colin delivered a masterclass performance in the men’s Sit division, securing France’s position in the team standings. Colin’s phenomenal final run included the event’s highest score of 9.93, combining with an 8.50 for an outstanding total of 18.43.
“I’m so happy, very, very happy to win this one,” Colin said. “I’ve been in the ISA for the third time this year. Here is very special with the ISA, with all the French team, all the other country teams. It’s a very special atmosphere and I’m so glad to win here today. I’m very proud of myself and I’m very glad to bring the points to the team.”
Additional Championship Highlights
– Japan’s Shingo Kato improved on his 2023 silver medal to claim gold in the Stand 1 division
– Chile’s Catalina Castro made history as the first Chilean woman to win an ISA World Title
– Team standings show France leading with 10 guaranteed medalists, followed by USA and Australia with eight each
The championship has showcased the remarkable growth in para surfing, with athletes pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in adaptive water sports. The final day of competition will determine the remaining division champions and the overall team world champion.
RESULTS
Men’s Stand 1
Gold – Shingo Kato (JPN)
Silver – Camilo Abdula (POR)
Bronze – Maxime Clarkin (FRA)
Copper – Suguru Nara (JPN)
Women’s Stand 1
Gold – Catalina Castro (CHI)
Silver – Chikako Takao (JPN)
Bronze – Anne-Marie Paquet (CAN)
Men’s Sit
Gold – Guillaume Colin (FRA)
Silver – Chris Oberle (USA)
Bronze – Juan Manuel Camacho (CRC)
Copper – Jeff Munson (USA)
Women’s Sit
Gold – Cass Eckroth (USA)
Silver – Alana Nichols (USA)
Bronze – Lisa Franks (CAN)
Copper – Alina Garbuzov (HAW)