HUNTINGTON BEACH, California — In a fiercely contested and good-natured showdown that kept spectators on edge until the final horn, the French team emerged victorious in the 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship, securing the coveted team gold.
With pristine autumn conditions setting the stage for an unforgettable competition, France’s athletes showcased exceptional skill and teamwork, earning a total of two gold medals, two silver medals, one bronze, and four copper medals.
The event, held at Surf City’s world-renowned Huntington Beach, witnessed athletes from around the globe pushing their limits in the sport of adaptive surfing.
While France celebrated their team triumph, it was Team USA’s Sarah Bettencourt who stole the spotlight, claiming her fourth para surfing gold medal in a remarkable performance.
The event marked another chapter in Bettencourt’s inspirational journey, one that began with a promising career as a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter pilot before a rare neurological disorder changed the course of her life.
Despite being forced into early retirement, Bettencourt found a second calling in adaptive sports and has since become one of the world’s most decorated para surfers.
In addition to her impressive surfing achievements, she is the founder of the San Diego Ducks Sled Hockey Team and a member of the U.S. Women’s Sled Hockey Team.
“I just can’t believe I’m a four-time World Champion,” said Bettencourt, clearly emotional after her win. “This sport has given me so much joy, and I hope I can continue to inspire others to find their own path in adaptive sports.”
But Bettencourt was not the only standout performer at Huntington Beach. Canada’s Victoria Feige made history by breaking her own record of four gold medals, claiming her fifth title this year. The Canadian athlete has been a dominant force in adaptive surfing, and her fifth gold further solidifies her place among the sport’s elite.
Equally impressive was Portugal’s Marta Paço, who also earned her fourth gold medal in a standout performance. “It sounds crazy to me, but I’m so happy,” Paço said.
“I did my surfing, and it worked out. As long as it gives me joy, I’ll continue doing it. My goal is not just to get the medal, but to surf better, catch better waves, and show people what I can do.”
The competition also saw numerous athletes earning multiple medals, with Puerto Rico’s Alelí Medina, Wales’ Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams, and Brazil’s Elias Ricardo Diel each securing their third gold medals.
For some athletes, the 2024 event marked their first-ever title, with Pierot Gagliano from France, Zoe Smith from England, Luciano Silveira from Brazil, Audrey Pascual from Spain, Kai Colless from Australia, and JP Veaudry from South Africa all claiming gold for the first time.
Among those who competed was France’s Eric Dargent, who was proud to contribute to his team’s success. “We were all hoping for the waves to pick up a bit so we could show our surfing,” said Pascual. “We ended up having so much fun in the water. We all caught great waves, and I’m so happy it turned out that way.”
The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship marked a significant milestone in the evolution of adaptive surfing.
The event, now in its ninth year, continues to grow, attracting surfers from across the world to showcase their abilities and inspire new generations of athletes.
What began in 2015 as the Adaptive Surfing World Championships has since blossomed into an international movement, empowering athletes with disabilities and fostering a spirit of inclusivity in the sport.
“I remember at our very first Adaptive Surfing World Championships, one of the competitors was asked about their hope for the event,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre.
“Their answer was simple: ‘I hope to bring home hope.’ And that’s what we all bring. We hope that you take hope home. We will continue our paddle for Paralympic Surfing. We will continue our paddle for a better world through surfing and para surfing, and we will continue to support this amazing community.”
As the waves of the 2024 championship faded into the horizon, the spirit of hope and perseverance resonated deeply among participants and fans alike.
The event not only highlighted the incredible athleticism of the competitors but also reinforced the transformative power of sport in overcoming adversity and creating a more inclusive world.
With more surfers than ever before pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, the future of para surfing looks bright, and the ISA World Para Surfing Championship will undoubtedly continue to serve as a beacon of inspiration for years to come.
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