Busan South Korea hosts its first International Surfing Championship

By: Hyunsong Lee, the Assistant Manager of SFK

September 5, 2009: Haeundae Beach – Busan, South Korea

The Surfing Korea Federation (SFK) along with the Mayor of Busan hosted the 1st Busan Mayor’s Cup International Surfing Championships. 
The competition was attended by over 200 Korean surfers of all levels, including members of the newly formed Korean national surfing team and 150 international surfers from Japan, England, South Africa, Canada, Australia and the USA. 

The dropping 2 foot swell resulted in a few lulls throughout the day's competition, especially later in the afternoon when the tide was bottoming out, but the majority of the day’s conditions were quite good with less wind and bright sunshine. 

The top seeded Korean surfer and newest member of the Korean national surfing team is optimistic about the growth of surfing in Korea and his ability to go out on the international surfing scene and make a name for Korean surfers. 

The Women’s Division also had their chance in the water with a total of 27 women competing. Kim Na-eun has been chosen as the first woman to join Korea’s national surfing team and is enthusiastic about her role as the first Korean woman on the team.

The Juniors were also well represented in the day’s events and the coveted 1st place trophy was awarded to Lee Nara who is the hope for the next generation of Korean surfers. With South Korea’s vested interest in their junior surfers and a new surfing academy opening its doors next spring, the future of surfing in Korea is bright. 

The South Korean Surf Federation is also leading the way in going 'green' and protecting the environment for surfers.  The competition was powered by eco-friendly solar electricity.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA)
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. 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 La Jolla, 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 Karín Sierralta (Peru).

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