By Billy Wilmot – Jamaican Surfing Association www.geocities.com/jasurfas

SURFERS GEAR UP FOR 2009 NATIONAL OPEN EVENT # 1
The Jamaica Surfing Association’s 2009 contest season will kick off on Saturday, January 24th at the Lighthouse Surfing Beach at Plumb Point along the Palisadoes peninsula beginning at 9:00 am.

All of Jamaica’s top surfers are expected to take part in this event as the results from it will set the tone for the annual point’s battle for the title of 2009 National Open Champion and selection for the 2010 National Open Team.

The 2008 Champ Icah Wilmot, who finished strongly last year with 3 wins and 2 second place showings, will now be pressed to defend his title by the top challengers. The other four events of the annual 5 event series are spread throughout the year climaxing in December.

Local surfing conditions are very good at this time of year. The regular winter cold fronts which swing off North America out over the Atlantic send powerful “swells” down into the Caribbean, creating high surf conditions along Jamaica’s northeast and southeast coasts.

The result of which can be observed near Kingston as one drives along the peninsula towards the Norman Manley Airport, or at world famous beaches like “Boston Bay” and “Long Bay” in Portland.

Jamaica’s surfing is now followed closely by the international surfing world and local surfers have now started to attract international sponsorship attention.

Local surfers such as 2008 National Open Champ Icah Wilmot has wooed the hearts of sponsors such as INSIGHT Clothing, QUASHI Surfboards, NIXON Watches, REEF footwear and ON-A-MISSION surf accessories who all help to promote his career by using his images in advertising campaigns and facilitating his attendance at numerous international Pro/Am events throughout the region and around the world.

The public is invited to attend the event but please remember your beach towels, umbrellas, water and picnic basket as it will be an all day affair. Below are last year’s series results. Competitors’ best 4 results were tallied with
the fifth event reserved for tie break situations

CLICK HERE FOR RATINGS

About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).

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