Peru on its way to becoming the host-country of the 2008 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship

San Diego, Calif., June 1 2007- The Federación Peruana de Tabla (FEPTA), the International Surfing Association's National Governing Body for surfriding in Peru, is currently negotiating to receive the rights to host and organize the 2008 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship.

ISA President confirmed the negotiations, and reported that ISA expects to confirm the event and sign the hosting agreement in the next few weeks. Fernando Aguerre, also confirmed that since will be the first ISA event hosted by Peru since the 1965 World Championships (won by Felipe Pomar), he would like to see the event attended by former ISF and ISA champions.

The inaugural ISA World Masters Surfing Championship took place in New Zealand in 2003.  After a three year break, in early 2006, the ISA decided to look for hosts for the ISA Masters for year 2007.  Puerto Rico was awarded the hosting rights and ran the event in January 2007.  Competitors from 12 countries enjoyed challenging competition and a friendly atmosphere during the week in Rincon.  South Africa took home the team Gold as Juan Ashton (Puerto Rico), Magoo de la Rosa (Peru) and Chris Knutsen (South Africa) won the Masters, Grandmaster and Kahunas titles respectively.  This year the ISA is pleased to announce the addition of two new categories: Grand Kahunas for athletes 50 years and older and Women’s Masters for athletes 35 and older.

FEPTA representatives are eager to hold the event in their beaches.  If the negotiations work out well, we will see the best Master Surfers of the World compete in Punta Rocas, known for its big, long and perfect waves. This is the same beach that saw the finest surfers on earth competing in 1965, with local Felipe Pomar winning the historic event.

In the following weeks the ISA will give further information about the event.

About International Surfing Association (ISA):

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), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA)

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