Panama Competes at 2015 Vissla ISA World Juniors

The 2015 VISSLA ISA World Junior Surfing Championship began with open ceremonies in Oceanside, California, this past Sunday October 11. The event marked the largest gathering of the world’s best junior surfers.

322 athletes from 36 National Teams from around the world will begin competing today. Dignitaries present at the ceremony included Fernando Aguerre, ISA President, Jim Wood, Mayor of Oceanside, Paul Naude, VISSLA President, and Karin Sierralta, ISA Vice President.

Like all ISA events the ceremony began with the Parade of Nations, as each National Team marched down the boardwalk in Oceanside waving their national flags.

After arriving at the amphitheater members from each team pored sand from their home break into a glass container. The mixing of sands symbolized the peaceful gathering of nations through the sport of surfing.

VISSLA President, Paul Naude, followed this symbolic action with some inspirational words for the junior surfers.

“As you all know, there is a WSL event going on right now in Europe. Many of the athletes competing in that event were once sitting where you are right now. This is the breeding ground for competitive and high performance surfing. You all will carry the torch of Surfing into the future.”