The International Surfing Association will give 40 scholarships in 2009

December 1, 2008: The International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Governing Body for Surfing recognized by the International Olympic Committee, is proud to announce that it is extending the 2009 Individual Scholarship Program to 40 recipients, an increase of 20 grants from 2008. The ISA is accepting applications until December 12, 2008.

Thanks to the generous donations from Billabong, Quiksilver Foundation and Reef Redemption, the fund for next year’s grants is in excess of $20,000. The scholarship funds will be given to Under 18 Junior surfers from every corner of the world.

The ISA Scholarship Program was created in 2007 and has exhibited astounding success since. The first year included the distribution of five scholarships to recipients from Peru, Ecuador, Jamaica, South Africa and Chile. The program continued to grow, increasing by 400% in 2008 with the distribution of 20 scholarships. The ISA will once again double its numbers in 2009 by awarding 40 grants.

The Scholarship Program aims at achieving one of the ISA main goals, “A better surfing future.” It offers junior surfers an opportunity to improve their surfing equipment while maintaining their studies. Winning recipients must be inspiring characters in their community; they must show a passion for surfing while maintaining good grades. Each applicant must prove they are good students, in financial need and explain why they will be a great ISA ambassador in their community.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said about the 2009 Individual Scholarship Program: “The ISA Scholarship Program is a really important part of our responsibilities as an International Federation, for the building of a better world. There are many junior surfers in the world who are good students trying to achieve their dreams as surfers. The ones who actually receive the Scholarship are only a small portion of those who are in need of support. We know the scholarships are a great help to each one of the recipients.”

All countries may apply for the scholarship, even if they are not recognized by the ISA. For those countries that are recognized by the ISA, applications must be submitted through the Federation.

Details to apply for the scholarship may be found on the ISA website at www.isasurf.org. The deadline to submit applications is December 12, 2008. Results will be announced in February.