Guillaume Colin, Team France Photo: Sean Evans
The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championship (WPSC) moved closer to the medal rounds today in clean conditions on the south side of the famed Huntington Beach Pier. Two-to-three foot lines of swell provided highly contestable waves to decide the finalists of five divisions, along with semifinalists in men’s and women’s Prone 1.
The two top nations of the past two editions of the event, France and the USA, are once again placing themselves at the top of the rankings. So far France, the defending champion, has secured seven medals while three-time champion USA have locked in six.
Two former Silver Medalists representing France, Guillaume Colin (FRA) and Eric Dargent (FRA), topped the leaderboards in Sit and Stand 2, respectively. Dargent earned his first Silver Medal in 2016, and has amassed a further three since then, including in 2023. Though he is hopeful to finally take the gold this year, the 47-year-old is just enjoying his time competing in the event.
“I have four silver medals, and now I try to have the gold.” Dargent said. “But I’m just happy to be here. To surf, good sun, good waves with happy people, it’s perfect. I like it.”
Sarah Bettencourt, Team EE.UU Photo: Sean Evans
Team USA co-captain Sarah Bettencourt (USA) topped the women’s numbers for the second time this week. Though she didn’t improve on either of her Round 1 scores, the three-time World Champion was riding high on the energy of the event.
“I’m feeling really good,” Bettencourt said. “It’s absolutely awesome conditions. Every day here in Huntington Beach is just awesome. It’s such a great energy and I absolutely love being here. Super pumped. The camaraderie this year is unreal in Team USA. We’re all here sharing the stoke, sharing the love. We’re just here to support each other and continue to not only advance our individual skills but advance us as a team. Bringing everyone in, showing that we all have that love of the sport, and love of the ocean. Let’s continue progressing the sport to the next level, push each other.”
Suzanne Edwards, Team ENG Photo: Sean Evens
Others in women’s Prone 1 did improve however, including Jonne Moleman (NED), the sole representative from the Netherlands, who is competing in her very first WPSC. Moleman increased both of her scores to advance into the Semifinals, along with Bettencourt, Paloma Onate (ESP), Tracy McKay (RSA), and English teammates Laurie Foti (ENG) and Suzanne Edwards (ENG).
Casey Proud, Team Hawaii Photo: Jersson Barboza
Casey Proud (HAW) takes the lead in hotly-contested Prone 1 division
Casey Proud (HAW) locked straight into rhythm with the pier-bowl left to notch the highest heat total of the day, and of his division for the event. The 2022 World Champion was sitting behind Australian teammates Joel Taylor (AUS) and Kai Colless (AUS) after Round 1, but leap-frogged both on the strength of his 16.94 heat total, made up of an 8.77 and 8.17. Proud was stoked to be able to deliver multiple critical maneuvers on speedy lefts headed into the pier.
“Any time you get a few waves to let you do a combination of major maneuvers with speed, power and flow on the critical part of the wave, of course, that feels good,” Proud said. “Fortunately, I found a couple of waves that gave me some long rides and I could find that flow. There’s so many good guys in this division, your Joel’s, your Kai’s. I’m not going to say no to some high scores. That seed going to the semis, you know, it’s nice to have a high seed.”
The defending World Champion, Taylor, opened with a 7.00 to improve one of his scores from Round 1 and secure the second advancing position. Colless struggled in setting his line through turns and was unable to improve, but stayed in third on the strength of his earlier performance. The two teammates will now face off in the Semifinals against two USA teammates, Jacob Pacheco (USA) and Parker Olenick (USA).
In the first Semifinal, Proud will face two Salvadoran teammates, Jonathan Arias (ESA) and David Chavez (ESA), along with Cleuson de Araujo Soares (BRA). Arias delivered an impassioned performance today, heavily improving on his earlier scores.
Para Surfing’s oldest World Champion, Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS), storms into Final with excellence
Last claiming victory in 2021, three-time World Champion Mark ‘Mono’ Stewart (AUS) stormed into his eighth WPSC Final with an excellent 16.16 heat total. Battling a sickness in 2023, Stewart missed out on the Final for the first time in the history of the event. But in 2024, battling against an even stronger field, the 62-year-old – who holds the record as the oldest WPSC World Champion – is ready to fight for World Title number four.
“That was fun out there today, unreal, really contestable,” Stewart said. “I had such a bad year last year. It was the worst result I’ve ever had at one of these events. So I really want to make up for it this year. And yeah, I’m feeling great, mate. I’m really looking forward to finals day. Thanks to all the Irukandjis too. They’re performing unreal and it’s so supportive this year. It’s one of the strongest teams we’ve ever had. So I’m looking forward to getting in first of the day and supporting them.”
Joining Stewart in the Final will be back-to-back defending World Champion Llywelyn ‘Sponge’ Williams (WAL), two-time medalist Altair Olivares (CHI) and two-time Stand 3 medalist Dariel Melendez (CRC).
The 2024 WPSC will continue tomorrow with men’s Prone 1 Semifinals at 7:00am, PST, at Southside Huntington Beach Pier.
