Thrilling Competition Continues at 2024 World Para Surfing Championship
Perfect Southern California conditions set the stage for remarkable performances during day three of the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship. Athletes across nine divisions showcased their exceptional skills in pristine two-to-three foot waves, groomed by Santa Ana offshore winds.
Notable Performances
Three-time World Champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart of Australia delivered the day’s standout performance in the men’s Kneel division, securing the highest single wave score with a spectacular 9.17. Stewart’s aggressive bottom turn and vertical lip attack, followed by a powerful end section finish, demonstrated the high level of competition in adaptive surfing.
U.S. competitor Jose Martinez, a triple amputee army veteran, executed a brilliant strategic performance in the Quarterfinals. Martinez’s patience and tactical positioning resulted in a near-perfect 9.10 score, propelling him to a heat-winning total of 14.27. His upcoming Semifinal heat promises intense competition as he faces World Champions Jesse Billauer (USA) and Davi Teixeira (BRA).
Record-Breaking Women’s Division
Australian athlete Jocelyn Neumueller made history in the Prone 2 division, posting the second-highest women’s total score in event history with an extraordinary 19.17. Her performance included two near-perfect rides – a 9.50 featuring a powerful cutback on a right, followed by a 9.67 on a left with multiple connected turns and a decisive end-section maneuver.
Defending World Champion Sarah Almagro of Spain responded with her own excellence, scoring a 9.33 to maintain competitive pressure in the division.
Vision Impairment Division Highlights
The Vision Impairment (VI) divisions saw defending champions reassert their dominance. Puerto Rico’s Aleli Medina, just 15 years old, advanced to the Women’s VI 2 Final with a commanding 9.33 score, continuing her quest for a third consecutive World Title.
In the men’s VI 1 division, Australia’s Kirk Watson demonstrated remarkable adaptability, adjusting his positioning mid-heat to secure an impressive 15.17 total score, combining waves of 7.00 and 8.17 to lead the advancement into the Semifinals.
Championship Progress
The competition has now set Finals in multiple divisions, including:
– Men’s Stand 1 (led by Maxime Clarkin, France)
– Women’s Stand 1 (led by Catalina Castro, Chile)
– Women’s Visual Impairment 2
The remaining divisions continue through Quarterfinal and Semifinal rounds, promising more exciting competition ahead as athletes pursue their World Championship dreams.