In a historic moment for the British Virgin Islands, local surfers Rush Broderick, Teshawn Jones, and Zebedee Bamford created waves of excitement following their participation in the ongoing 2024 ISA World Surfing Games in Puerto Rico, the final qualifying event for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
The trio marked their names in BVI history as members of the first team to represent the territory in an international surfing competition.
The Games kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony on Friday, February 23, where representatives from over 50 competing countries, including the BVI, took centre stage.
Broderick, Jones, and Bamford entered Round 1 of the competition, each securing a fourth-place finish in their respective heats.
In Heat 1, Broderick averaged an overall points tally of 1.77 while Jones averaged 3.13 in Heat 5 and Bamford 3.40 in Heat 33.
Undeterred by their initial results, the BVI surfers returned for a second chance in Repechage 1, aiming to secure a spot in the final. Although they did not advance, all three athletes delivered improved performances. Broderick’s average increased to 4.83, Bamford garnered 3.70 points, and Jones achieved an average of 3.43.
As the competition heads towards its conclusion on Sunday, March 3, the focus remains on the coveted individual quotas for National Olympic Committees (NOCs). Six men and eight women will earn these quotas, shaping the line-up for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 2024 ISA World Surfing Games feature a star-studded lineup, with surfing sensations such as Brazil’s Gabriel Medina, Australia’s Sally Fitzgibbons, and Indonesia’s Rio Waida. The winning men’s and women’s teams will also secure an additional, third surfer for qualification in Paris 2024.
The full performances can be viewed at the following link.
