INTERNATIONAL NEWS - At a point in time when Hawaii's representation on the men's World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour is at an all-time, 41-year low of just two surfers - John John Florence and Keanu Asing, WSL Hawaii is pleased to launch a new Junior Development Program for its members aged 18 and under.
The Junior Development Program will focus on career readiness, mentorship, tour preparation, and a path to global surf industry opportunities.
The first workshop will be held this Saturday, March 26, in conjunction with the Pipe Pro Junior and Wahine Pipe Pro holding period of March 21 - 28, 2016.
The day will include tour scheduling and planning with Pancho Sullivan, mentorship and goal setting with Freddy Patacchia, priority rules and judging, social media procedure and etiquette, injury prevention and more, and will be free and open to Hawaii's 70 junior members - boys and girls.
All activities will be geared to complement the rigorous, private in-surf training many of Hawaii's aspiring youth already participate in, rounding out their skills.
The Junior Development Program, coupled with a concerted effort to increase Junior and entry level Qualifying Series events in the Hawaii/Tahiti Nui region, is the first step toward Hawaii's hopes of reigning in Australia and Brazil, who collectively hold 24 of the 34 Championship Tour slots available in 2016, and between them have won the men's world title the past four years. Hawaii has not seen a world champion since Andy Irons in 2004, 12 years ago. Furthermore, there have only ever been three male world champions from Hawaii in the history of professional surfing.
Australia has won 16 titles by way of nine different world champions.
Australia's hefty government support of surfing events, youth surfing programs, and a national school surfing program has long been credited with churning out an endless line of polished surf stars that include Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore.
Australia's hefty government support of surfing events, youth surfing programs, and a national school surfing program has long been credited with churning out an endless line of polished surf stars that include Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Stephanie Gilmore.
Local beaches around Australia's 16,000 miles of coastline also offer regular club-level competition that is encouraged by local municipalities and offers another competitive training platform.
