*Event Schedule can be subject to change by the ISA

• Wed. Sept 12 – Thurs. Sept 13:
  • Team Arrival and On-Site Check-In
• Fri, Sept 14:
  • Team Arrival and On-Site Check-In (closes at 3pm SHARP)
    • ALL TEAMS MUST BE CHECKED IN BY 3PM
  • Managers’ Meeting

• Sat, Sept 15:
  • Parade of Nations and Open Ceremony
  • Potential start to Competition
• Sun. Sept 16 – Sat. Sept 22
  • Competition
  • ** The Open Men’s Division will end no later than Friday, Sept 21 (see details below).
  • The Open Women’s Division is still scheduled to end on September 22, dependent on timing and conditions

SCHEDULE/ QS AND CT SURFERS

The ISA worked closely with the World Surf League (WSL) when choosing the dates of September 15-22 as to ensure the 2018 ISA World Surfing Games did not overlap with any high-level Qualifying Series event or World Championship Tour event. In doing so, our collective goal is to encourage top-level participation around the globe by giving both QS and WCT competitors the opportunity to compete at the 2018 ISA WSG.

Given that the waiting period for the both the Men’s QS 10,000 in Cascais, Portugal and the Men’s 3,000 QS in the Philippines begins September 24, we will be completing the Open Men’s division of the 2018 ISA WSG no later than September 21 to allow participating QS athletes the ability to arrive at their next destination prior to the start of competition. The Open Women’s division is still scheduled to end on September 22, depending on conditions and the length of competition needed.

TEAM SIZE:

• 3 Open Men

• 3 Open Women

• Alternates, Team Officials and Team Supporters – No limit

All National Teams must be nominated by their National Surfing Federation in order to be eligible to compete. If you are an athlete interested in competing and have not been in touch with your National Federation, we suggest you contact them to inquire about the qualification process as all National Teams must be selected by their National Federation. The contact for each National Federation can be found on the ISA Membership Directory.

NEXT STEPS TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM:

1. Team Roster: Team Manager is to send an email to Megan Burns (meganburns@isasurf.org) the names and emails of all athletes and team officials that will represent your National Team. If you do not yet know the exact names of your athletes yet, it is still important to respond with the NUMBER of athletes per division that you plan to have representing your team.
2. Payment: The link to pay via credit card can be found here: http://www.isasurf.org/product/event-registration-payment/
   • If you prefer to pay via wire transfer, please contact Megan Burns meganburns@isasurf.org to request an invoice. Be sure to include the number of registrations (both athletes and team officials
   • We strongly encourage team payments to be coordinated and submitted together in one (1) payment.
   • If you require an invoice to submit payment, please send a request to meganburns@isasurf.org and include the number of registrations (both athletes and team officials)
3. Online Registration Forms: This is required by ALL athletes and team officials. As soon as your team has been selected, be sure they fill out their required forms through this link: https://www.isasurf.org/event_registration/
4. On-Site Check-In Appointment: Check-in opens on September 12 and closes at 3pm (local time) on September 14. Plan accordingly when booking travel arrangements as all registered athletes and officials must be present during your team’s appointment. We will confirm appointments in the coming months.
5. ISA Website: Be sure your team has visited the ISA Event Website that contains the schedule, accommodation package, restrictions on driving in Japan, wave/weather info, and other general information: http://www.isasurf.org/events/world-surfing-games/

In reference to the communication that was sent from the ISA on April 12, 2018, we’d like to reiterate that at the 2018 ISA World Surfing Games, surfers may only represent an ISA Member from territories with representation of a National Olympic Committee (NOC). ISA Member Federations without NOC representation will not be allowed to participate at this event. To further reference the communication from April 12, please CLICK HERE.

• USD $250 per entry: June 15 – August 15
• USD $300 per entry: August 15 – September 5th

Items to note:

• Registration fees will be charged to each team member, managers, coaches, translators, medical staff, media, supporters and additional parties.
• Alternates must be identified and paid for prior to close of registration to be eligible for participation in the contest.

The benefits of registration include:

1. Access to Official ISA Pre and Post Event Communications
2. Invitations to Official Event Functions
3. Participation in the Parade of Nations and Official Opening Ceremony
4. Official Event T-Shirt
5. Official gift bag with Rulebook, Event Program, Sticker, Poster, etc.
6. Access to Team Tents at Contest Venue
7. Water at Contest Venue

The ISA’s policy is to collect registration fees for all those officially associated with each team, as well as those who desire to obtain any of the registration benefits. This includes all coaches, medical staff, translators, media, family members and friends who want VIP credentials.

OUTSTANDING BALANCES

A nation will not be allowed to compete if it has any outstanding dues payable to the ISA. Contact ISA Finance and Administration Manager, Claudia Alvarez, at claudiaalvarez@isasurf.org to verify outstanding account balances.

The KINKI NIPPON TOURIST CORPORATE BUSINESS CO., LTD. Is the official travel agent, organized by our Event organizers in Japan, for the 2018 ISA World Surfing Games. They are able to assist your team with accommodation, rental cars, visas, etc. Please review the following information in detail and follow the directions accordingly:

• Accommodation Package: http://www.isasurf.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2018/05/WSG18-Accommodation-Package.pdf
• Contact Info for KINKI NIPPON TOURIST CORPORATE BUSINESS CO., LTD
  • Main contact: Manami KABUYAMA
  • Email: gt_iod08@or.knt.co.jp
  • TEL:+81-3-6891-9354
  • FAX:+81-3-6891-9409

The ISA does manage accommodation/transportation. You must contact KINKI NIPPON TOURIST CORPORATE BUSINESS CO., LTD directly for all inquiries.

DRIVING IN JAPAN

If you are planning on renting a car in Japan, it is very important that you look into your country’s ability to obtain either a Driving Permit or Foreign Driving License. If your country did not sign the contract at the Geneva Convention in 1949, they will be unable to drive and you need to contact us immediately.

Here are the countries that can drive with a Valid International Driving Permit:

http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/geneva.html

Here is a list of countries that can drive with a Valid Foreign Drivers License

http://www.keishicho.metro.tokyo.jp/multilingual/english/traffic_safety/drivers_licenses/index.files/gaikokumenkyo_english.pdf

If your country’s name is not on either of these lists, it is imperative that you contact the travel agency to notify them so that arrangements can be made for your team’s transportation along with the accommodation. This transportation service is only available if your team books at Irako View Hotel or Irago Sea Park & Spa no later than August 15.

Representation

The ISA will ONLY accept a valid passport from the country the athlete is representing as proof of nationality for participation in World Championship events. The only exception is for National Identification cards issued by the National Government of the team country that clearly shows “Nationality or Citizenship.” Note: Such a card showing place of birth but not Nationality or Citizenship of the athlete will not be accepted, as place of birth does not provide automatic citizenship in many countries.

The ISA will not accept any other form of government documentation supporting a passport or eligibility of passport to verify nationality. This policy has been updated in the ISA rulebook.

Once a competitor has surfed for a country in any ISA event, he/she generally may not surf for another country at future ISA sanctioned International Events. If an athlete is allowed to represent a second nation based on the conditions set forth in Paragraph b of By-Laws to rule. To read more in the ISA Rulebook, CLICK HERE

Passports & Visas

Please check with your travel agent or your Foreign Affairs Department for requirements.

Travel Vaccines

Please contact your Foreign affairs department for further information.

The ISA strongly recommends that each team procures travel insurance (including, but not limited to accident, liability and medical) for all of their participants.

The 2018 ISA Annual General Meeting will be taking place during the 2018 ISA World Surfing Games in Tahara City, Japan. The exact date is to be confirmed and the ISA will be in touch at that time with a call for agenda items and CVs. Please stay tuned for more information.

Drug Testing

Drug Testing will follow the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) guidelines and will be conducted on or around the final day of competition. All finalists plus three (3) random tests will be conducted.

If an athlete is required to take medication to treat an illness or condition which happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) may give that athlete the authorization to take the needed medicine. Please contact the ISA to submit all TUEs at least 30 days prior to the start of the competition.

For more information on the ISA’s Anti-Doping Policy, and to view WADA’s 2018 List of Prohibited Substances, please click here: http://www.isasurf.org/development-programs/anti-doping/

ANTI-DOPING EDUCATION SEMINAR

During the week of competition, the ISA will be organizing a seminar with anti-doping experts and staff from the World Anti Doping Agency who will be educating attendees on the responsibilities (both as an athlete and NF) of being compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code. It is highly recommended for your entire team to attend to understand the current process and the responsibilities of your athletes and NF moving forward. Stay tuned for more information.

Irago Long Beach Surfline Report: https://www.surfline.com/surf-report/irago-long-beach/584204204e65fad6a77090e5

Water Temperature: https://www.watertemperature.org/Tahara-Japan-City.html

Weather: https://weatherspark.com/y/143590/Average-Weather-in-Tahara-Japan-Year-Round

The media exposure this contest can provide you, your National Federation and your athletes is absolutely priceless. Please submit a list of key media contacts in your region to the ISA so that they may receive ISA press releases. We also ask that you forward local media coverage before and after the event to the ISA so we may use it to promote surfing worldwide. Please contact Evan Quarnstrom at evanquarnstrom@isasurf.org.