BVI Surf Team Attends the ISA World Championships
The British Virgin Islands is home to a growing community of talented, passionate surfers brimming with potential. In recent years, that passion has taken to the international stage, where our local athletes have gone head-to-head with the best surfers in the world at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games.
Founded in 1964, the ISA (isasurf.org) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the world governing authority for surfing. Their mission is “to make a better world through surfing, and to promote, develop, and lead surfing in all its forms worldwide while connecting the global surfing community and driving accessibility and universal participation.”
Making History in Puerto Rico
In February 2024, the BVI Surf Team made history by competing for the first time ever at the ISA World Surfing Games in Puerto Rico—a monumental milestone for competitive surfing in the Virgin Islands.
The team featured three proud BVI belongers, all born and raised on Tortola: Teshawn Jones, Zebedee Bamford, and Rush Broderick. Competing on the world stage was an incredible opportunity, giving them the honour of representing their country and the thrill of facing off against some of their surfing heroes. Legendary names like John John Florence (USA), Gabriel Medina (BRA), and Kauli Vaast (FRA) shared the same competition waters—an unforgettable experience for our team.
Surfing's Olympic Connection
Surfing became an official Olympic sport at the Tokyo 2020 Games, and the ISA World Surfing Games now serve as a qualifier for the Olympics. The Puerto Rico competition was a pathway to the Paris 2024 Olympics, marking the first time BVI surfers had the chance to qualify for the Games. While our team didn’t secure an Olympic spot, they returned home as pioneers—laying the foundation for future generations of competitive surfers in the BVI.
Breaking Records in El Salvador
In May 2024, the ISA World Junior Championships took place in El Salvador. Of the original team, only Rush Broderick was eligible, competing in both the under-18 and under-16 divisions at just 16 years old. He made history by advancing past the second round in both categories—becoming the first BVI surfer ever to progress through a heat at the ISA Games.
Looking Ahead to September 2025
Following these tournaments, the BVI National Surfing Association hosted a local competition to determine the team for the next ISA Games. The top three finishers—Rush Broderick, Zebedee Bamford, and Teshawn Jones—earned their spots and will once again represent the BVI at the Senior World Championships in El Salvador in September 2025.
This is an extraordinary opportunity for them to gain invaluable experience, inspire the youth of the BVI, and proudly represent our islands on the world stage. Their journey is already a significant chapter in BVI sporting history.
How You Can Support
If you’d like to help the BVI Surf Team achieve their dreams in competitive surfing, you can get in touch at bvinsa2024@gmail.com No contribution is too great or too small—every bit of support helps our athletes chase their goals and shine internationally.
