Defending Gold Medalist Mark Stewart (AUS) pulling into a turquoise barrel on his way to the finals. Photo: ISA / Sean Evans
LA JOLLA–Excellent conditions greeted the world’s best adaptive surfers on the second day of the 2016 Stance ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship presented by Vissla and the City of San Diego.
The stage was set for the final day of competition on Sunday where the individual medalists and historic first-ever Team World Champion will be crowned.
Team USA put on a solid performance and moved into first place in the overall team standings, just a slight margin ahead of Team Brazil in second.
“The passion and energy of these surfers is second to none,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “These surfers’ determination, dedication and passion for Surfing will culminate tomorrow when we crown the World Champions. Regardless of who wins the medals, we will finish the contest tomorrow knowing that the sport of Adaptive Surfing has taken a huge step forward and will continue to spread joy to the lives of others around the world.”
Saturday morning at La Jolla Shores saw an increase in swell, providing clean 2-3+ foot waves and excellent, glassy conditions. All the six classification divisions competed where the top two waves from either of the first two rounds were totaled to advance onto the single elimination rounds.
South Africa’s JP Veaudry and Brazil’s Fellipe Lima were the stand out performers, respectively earning the two highest heats of the day with 17.94 and 17.40.
Llwelyn Williams, the sole representative of Team Wales, powered through the AS-2 division for standing and kneeling surfers with above the knee amputations. In Round 2 Williams posted a heat total of 12.67, beating the defending Gold Medal Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS). Williams continued his strong performance in the single elimination Quarterfinals and advanced through to the Semifinals on Sunday.
“The waves today are great, better than yesterday,” said Williams. “It’s a huge thing to be representing my country. I don’t want to let them down. I am going to rest well tonight and hope for good waves for the Finals tomorrow.”
