2017 ISA World Surfing Games
International Surfing Association
Grande Plage, Biarritz France
20 - 28 March 2017
France will host the first "Olympic" World Surfing Championships
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 27 March, 2017 - Paris - Olympic dignitaries, Biarritz officials and French rippers attended the official press conference for the upcoming ISA World Surfing Games.
The media gathering was held at the French Olympic and Sports National Committee headquarters in Paris in the presence of Denis Masseglia, president of the CNOSF, Jean-Luc Arassus, president of the French Surfing Federation, Michel Veunac, mayor of Biarritz, Jean-Philippe Gatien, sports director of Paris- 2024 Bid Committee, Michel Plateau, National Technical Director at the French Surfing Federation and Vincent Duvignac, French and European surfing champion and former French surfing team captain.
The 2017 ISA World Surfing Games will be held in France from May 20 to 28. The French Surfing Federation today presented the event that will gather more than 40 nations and about 300000 spectators in Biarritz.
Denis Masseglia reminded « the great ambition of France embodied by the organization of 5 world championships this year on the territory, the Surfing Champs being the second event in 2017 after the hand ball. ”The president of the French Olympic Committee also announced that « France Televisions group would be the official broadcaster of the event and would be producing a daily highlight of the event during the entire competition on its national channel France O.”
For the president of the French Surfing Federation « a new area has started for surfing and these World Championships are the first event of this strategic period.” “Even if surfing is not part of the 2024 Olympic programme yet, it means a lot for Paris 2024 bid to show the world and especially Los Angeles, that France is able to organize great World Surfing Games at home.
The ISA World Surfing Games will be a key challenge in terms of notoriety and media exposure for the sport, but also in terms of licensees for our federation (80 000 people today)”.
Michel Veunac explained that « Biarritz celebrates this year the 60th anniversary of surfing, a sport which is part of Biarritz DNA. » “Surfing is generating an important economy for the city and inspiring a refreshing and authentic way of life that contributed in modernizing Biarritz” added the mayor of Biarritz.
Jean-Philippe Gatien confirmed “Paris 2024 Bid Committee’s total support to the event” and their will to “mobilize the French citizens through international events such as the ISA World Surfing Championships”.
Jeremy Flores & Joan Duru confirmed On the sports side, Michel Plateau, the French Federation Technical Director, insisted on “the exceptional arena provided by Biarritz Grande Plage for both surfers and spectators”. “There will be 2 individual world champion titles (men and women), a title for the best team and the winner of the tag team”.
Finally, Plateau announced the presence of Jeremy Flores and Joan Duru, both part of the WSL elite tour, in the French team for the event. On the women side, Johanne Defay and Pauline Ado have given their Federation an agreement to compete even if the professional schedule is clearly tight for women.”
Jeremy Flores confirmed his presence in the French team through a video message recorded a few days ago in Australia. The French surfing star recognized to “be very excited to put the French jersey on soon and feel again this unique atmosphere and Olympic spirit he loves so much”. The Frenchman also announced his “strong determination to win at home”.
In conclusion of the presentation, the French and European Champion, Vincent Duvignac expressed his « true happiness to be an ambassador for the sport”. And former French team Captain to add : “Being part of the French team is sharing respect, friendship and unique emotions for a surfer ».
