Fiji ISA Reduces Environmental Impact

FIJI - The International Surfing Association (ISA) is proud to highlight the legacy that the 2016 Fiji ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship, has left on the sports of SUP and Paddleboard as well as the host country of Fiji.

Holding the fifth edition of the event in Fiji from November 12-20, the first ISA World Championship to take place in the country, was a huge step for the growth and development of SUP and Paddleboard with 244 competitors taking part from 26 countries. The various contest venues provided the perfect platform for the world’s best athletes to perform and display their talent in competition.

Countless historic moments took place throughout the week of exciting action, including SUP Surfing Finals that were held in powerful, epic conditions at Cloudbreak. Thrilling finishes to the Technical Races, 17km Distance Races, Team Relay Race and 200m Sprint also added to the lasting legacy that has left its mark on these sports for many years to come.

The world’s best SUP athletes such as Candice Appleby (USA), Naish SUP’s Kai Lenny (HAW) and Casper Steinfath (DEN), Starboard SUP’s Zane Schweitzer, Shakira Westdorp (AUS) and Michael Booth (AUS) (HAW), Penelope Armstrong (NZL), and SIC Maui’s Lina Augaitis (CAN), emerged victorious with Gold Medals in their respective disciplines. The event also featured the participation of other top athletes such as NSP’s Titouan Puyo and Olivia Piana from France, Caio Vaz from Brazil and Thomas King from South Africa.

In addition to the legacy that was left on the sports of SUP and Paddleboard, the ISA teamed up with non-profit organization, Sustainable Surf, and global SUP company, Starboard, to reduce the environmental impacts of the event and leave a legacy of sustainability in Fiji.

The contest was declared a Deep Blue Event, which sets a clear path for reducing environmental impacts of top professional water sport events, while also providing social benefits for the local community.

The following steps were taken to assure the event’s positive environmental legacy:

• Executing a cohesive waste management and diversion strategy at main event sites of Tavarua Island, Port Denarau, Musket Cove and Cloudbreak
• Planting 4,000 mangroves in Myanmar to offset the carbon footprint of the event through partnership with Starboard
• Using the Rhum-Ba restaurant in Port Denarau as the event headquarters, which runs off clean, renewable solar energy

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:

“Bringing together the world’s best SUP and Paddleboard athletes in a world-class water sport destination such as Fiji has pushed the limits of these sports and has set new standards for competition. SUP’s especially vibrant and youthful energy was showcased in exhilarating racing and surfing events throughout the whole week. With its impressive display of athleticism and youthfulness, SUP would make a perfect fit on the Sports Program of the Olympic Games and we intend to continue campaigning for its inclusion in the 2024 Games.

“We also pride ourselves on taking the environmental impact of the event into account and acting to reduce our footprint in Fiji. I would like to give a big thanks to Sustainable Surf and Starboard for partnering with us to create a positive environmental legacy that we hope other surfing events will follow.”

For results, news, photos and videos from the event, visit HERE.