The 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship (WLC) is set to take place in Surf City, El Salvador, with some of the world’s top longboarders converging at El Sunzal from April 25 to May 1. This prestigious competition promises exciting performances from athletes across the globe. Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the event:
1. Record-Breaking Participation
This year’s WLC will see a record 143 athletes from 44 nations competing for Team Gold medals, surpassing last year’s participation and more than doubling the number of entrants from the inaugural 2013 competition. Four countries—Norway, Poland, Tahiti, and Thailand—will be participating for the first time. Defending champions, Team Hawaii, will return to defend their title.
2. Significant Progress in Gender Equality
The 2025 competition continues the momentum from 2024, with 69 women competing—representing nearly 48% of the total field. This gender balance reflects the ISA’s ongoing commitment to promoting women’s participation in surfing, a priority that was formally addressed in 2017. The number of female competitors has steadily increased each year, highlighting the growing global appeal of women’s longboarding.
3. Key Contenders in the Women’s Division
Among the top female competitors is two-time silver medalist Rachael Tilly (USA), who enters with a wealth of experience, including her 2024 WSL World Title win at El Sunzal. Tilly will face tough competition from two-time World Champion Alice Lemoigne (FRA), Pan American Games Gold Medalist Maria Fernanda Reyes (PER), and Natsumi Taoka (JPN), a two-time medalist.
4. Kai Sallas Eyes Historic Third Title
Defending champion Kai Sallas (HAW) will be vying for his third gold medal, which would tie the current record held by Marcelo Freitas (BRA) and Antoine Delpero (FRA). Other notable competitors include 2019 World Champion Benoit ‘Piccolo’ Clemente (PER), 2010 World Champion Rodrigo Sphaier (BRA), and a number of athletes, including Ben Skinner (ENG), Taka Inoue (JPN), and Edouard Delpero (USA), all seeking their first World Title.
5. Longboarding’s Olympic Future
While longboarding will not feature in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, the ISA remains determined to promote the sport, setting its sights on Brisbane 2032. The continued efforts demonstrate longboarding’s potential to be included in future Olympic events.
6. The History of the Event
The ISA began including longboarding as a medal division in the World Surfing Championships in 1988, but it wasn’t until 2013 that the event was officially held as a standalone competition in Huanchaco, Peru. This year’s edition will be the sixth such event, and the third time it has been hosted in El Salvador.
7. El Salvador’s Strong Partnership with the ISA
El Salvador has become a key partner for the ISA, hosting nine major ISA events since 2019. Notable past events include the 2019 World SUP and Paddleboard Championship, the 2022 and 2024 ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, and the 2023 ISA WLC. The country has also hosted Olympic qualification events for Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, cementing its role as a significant destination for international surfing.
8. Where to Watch
Fans can follow the action live via the ISA’s official website at www.isasurf.org, where results, photos, videos, and news updates will be available. The event will also be streamed live on the ISA’s Facebook page, International Surfing Association.
9. Event Schedule
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April 24 – Press Conference at 10:00 AM
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April 25 – Opening Ceremony at 10:00 AM
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April 25–30 – Competition Days
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May 1 – Finals and Closing Ceremony
10. Social Media Updates
Stay connected with real-time updates, photos, and videos on the ISA’s social media platforms, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube. Join the conversation using the official event hashtags #ISAsurfing and #SurfCity.
The 2025 ISA World Longboard Championship promises to be a thrilling showcase of the best longboarding talent from around the world. With historic participation and a strong field of contenders, this year’s event is one to watch closely.