Photo by Surf Canada

Surf Canada showed it has what it takes when competing against the world’s best at last month’s ISA World Surfing Games in Miyazaki, Japan. Both the men and the women’s trio of surfers competed and impressed against top-ranked WSL competition, resulting in a rapid ascension up the rankings ahead of next year’s Olympic Games.

Mathea Olin,photo by Surf Canada
Mathea Olin,photo by Surf Canada

RESULTS  /  OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION

With September’s results, Team Canada maintains its Top-10 world ranking from 2018 against the surfing’s best and will be in a perfect position for final Olympic qualifying in 2020, with location and date be determined at a later date.

Tofino’s Peter Devries rose to the occasion in his round two heat, facing off against World Surfing League (WSL) heavyweights Felipe Toledo and Jordy Smith, ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively in 2019. Devries’ finished atop the heat with a 14.83 scoreline, beating out Toledo’s 14.60 and sending Smith to the repechage rounds.

Tofino’s Peter Devries,photo by Surf Canada
Tofino’s Peter Devries,photo by Surf Canada

This year’s edition of the men’s team comprised of Devries, Shane Campbell and Cody Young, while the women’s trio featured Mathea Olin, Bethany Zelasko and Paige Alms.

“Canada’s Olympic Pathway Team responded in force against the World’s best,” said Surf Canada Executive Director Dom Domic, “With our men’s team beating four WSL Tour surfers in three heats.” Domic continued. “Everyone from Pete, Cody and Shane to Mathea, Paige and Bethany all proved that Canada is a serious force and other teams have taken note.”

Cody Young,photo by Surf Canada
Cody Young,photo by Surf Canada

Team Brazil earned Gold—their first in 19 years. In addition to Italio Ferreira’s Gold, Brazil finished with two other individual medals. Gabriel Medina took the Bronze in the Men’s Division and Silvana Lima took Silver in the Women’s Division. The Team Silver Medal went to USA, led by an individual Silver Medal performance from Kolohe Andino and a Copper Medal from Carissa Moore. The 2018 Gold Medalist Team Japan earned the Bronze, while the Copper Medal went to Team Peru.

Next up, Surf Canada will head south to Huntington Beach, Calif. to compete against the world’s top upcoming surfing talent at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, October 26 – November 3.