Team Brazil receiving their Gold medals during the Closing Ceremony of the 2016 Stance ISA WASC. Photo: ISA/Chris Grant
December 11, 2016 marks another historic day for the world surfing community as Brazil becomes the first team of adaptive surfers to take home a Gold medal for their country at the second annual ISA WASC.
Winning two out of the six divisions in the event, team Brazil was able to overtake team USA who started the third day of competition with a narrow five point lead.
Brazil’s 11-year-old Davi Texeira, runner-up in the 2015 ISA WASC Assist Division, returned to La Jolla Shores in high spirits, ready to compete for the top spot.
Finding all the right waves in the mixed up morning conditions, Davi was keeping the crowd entertained, fist pumping and splashing water in excitement as he rode most of his waves to the shore.
Surfing against defending gold medalist Jesse Billauer in the AS-5 Assist Division Final, Texeira’s wave choice and charisma earned him a commanding 7.37 lead when the horn blew, locking him into the first position and making him the youngest Adaptive Surfing Champion.
Davi Texeira just after winning the AS-5 Assist Division Final heat. Photo: ISA/Sean Evans
“It was my biggest dream to win the Gold medal. I am so excited to have returned to accomplish my goal” Texeira said.
Brazil’s second Gold medal went to Felipe Lima in the AS-3 Upright Division. Riding a wave-ski — a hybrid design between a kayak and surfboard – Lima put on a clinic in each of his heats, showing off some impressive turns and even a few 360’s.
Felipe Lima from Brazil dropping in one one of the steeper waves in the AS-3 Upright Division Final. Photo: ISA/Chris Grant
Bruno Hansen in the AS-4 Prone Division and Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart in the AS-2 Stand/Kneel Division were both able to defend their Champion status, taking home Gold medals for the second year in a row.
Team USA’s Christiaan Bailey will have to settle for runner-up position for a second year in a row after he unfortunately dropped in on Hansen and was given an interference in the AS-4 Prone Division Final.
Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart winnning for a second year in a row. Left Photo: ISA/Sean Evans Right Photo: ISA/Chris Grant
Stewart dominated his competition in both heats with his dynamic style and unique board design.
Having his right leg amputated, Stewart has a deep channel carved out in the deck of his board for his left leg and a thick foam pad for his other appendage. This creates a fast and controlled ride that puts Stewart deeper and in a better position for the barrel or the quick carving 360’s and hacks he was throwing all weekend.
Team South Africa was well represented in the AS-1 Stand/Kneel Division Final with JP Veaudry and Antony Smyth both earning spots and competing against Japan’s Kenjiro Ito and defending champion Mike Coots from Hawaii.
Smyth was fortunate to find some corners as the other competitors struggled to find the right waves with a negative low tide and fading swell. As time ticked down, the ocean went flat and Smityh threw his arms in the air, not holding back any emotion, as Team South Africa began chanting for their new champion.
South Africa’s Anthony Smyth celebrating a long awaited victory. Photo: ISA/Chris Grant
“The tears were a sign of relief, I feel like I’ve done it now. From the moment I left the beach last year, I knew I was going to come back and try to win it,” Smityh said.
Lastly, Spain’s Aitor Francesena continued his dominance in the newly included AS-VI Visually Impaired Division and was awarded the Gold medal after an impressive exchange of waves with Silver medalist Elias Figue Diel from Brazil in their Final heat.
With Brazil bringing home the first team Gold medal, four new world champions and two defending their title, the second annual ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship comes to a close.
“This year was so good to see the youth getting involved. Hopefully, we can keep spreading the word around the world and get people back in the ocean. That’s what it’s all about,” said Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart.
