ISA World Surfing Games 2017 – Biarritz

The ISA World Surfing Games returns to Biarritz. From the 21 to 28 May watch some of the world’s best surfers battle it out on France’s most iconic stretch of surfing coastline.

WATCH LIVE ACTION FROM THE 2017 WORLD SURFING GAMES IN BIARRITZ, FRANCE:

2017 ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES – A UNIQUE SURF CONTEST

This year in May, the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the World Surf League (WSL) present a unique event in the world of surfing. The ISA World Surfing Games were last held in Biarritz in 1980, when legendary surfer Tom Curren launched his career by taking the Gold Medal in the Junior Division. Now, with surfing making its debut at the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, the ISA World Surfing Games acts as a qualifier round for surfers hoping to represent their country.

The WSL has made sure the comp doesn’t clash with any other international tour dates. That should encourage top surfers like Kelly Slater or current 2016 World Champion John John Florence to come and take part. It will be an amazing spectacle to see surfing’s elite riding waves on Biarritz’s Grande Plage.

During the event, there’ll be loads happening in Biarritz in addition to the surfing. Put the date in your diary and get yourself to Biarritz in May for one of the best events in the European surfing calendar!

Can the ISA persuade the world’s best surfers to be there?

So, will we get a chance to see the world’s best surfers in Biarritz in May? It’s highly likely. The scene is set and the opportunity is knocking for any surfer who wants to take part in the Olympic Games in 2020. Fernando Aguerre, the president of the ISA has confirmed the organisation’s collaboration with the WSL. That means that in theory there’s no reason why the top 34 guys and top 17 girls can’t be there. And, it’s a long time since there’s been a window of opportunity that wide open. So, it just comes down to the decision of the individual athletes whether they want to be there or not.

This will be the third time the World Surfing Championships have taken place in France. The first time was way back in 1980 in Biarritz and the second was in 1992 in Lacanau. The event is an opportunity to see the surfers perform as a team representing their country, which is rare in a sport geared so much towards individual competition.

France’s surf team finished in fourth place at the last World Surfing Games in Costa Rica. Let’s see if they can improve that position in May on their home shores.