JP Veaudry © ISA / Sean Evans
Huntington Beach, California, November 2024 – With two bronze medals and a silver medal in his trophy cabinet, East London’s JP Veaudry can now add a gold medal after winning the Men’s Stand 2 division at The ISA World Para Surfing Championships at Huntington Beach in California.
Veaudry came up against Forrest Weinberg (USA, Nachman Balulu (ISR) and Philippe Naud (FRA) in a closely fought final. Ultimately, it was between Veaudry and Weinberg, but at the final siren, the South African was three points ahead and claimed the gold.
East London
“I just want to thank everyone, especially everyone back in East London, for all the incredible support. So very stoked. This is for my family,” said JP in his post-victory speech.
After an interference call cost him the gold last year, JP played a somewhat safer game in the final this year.
“I actually let a couple of waves go when I had priority, as I didn’t want to take any chances at all,” said JP of his final heat strategy. “‘I’ve been coming to World’s for the last 11 years, and it’s always so close. It has been frustrating. Right now, I can’t even express how happy I am.”
Tracy McKay from Team South Africa achieved 5th place in the Women’s Prone 1 Division, just missing out on a finals berth.
Tracy McKay © ISA / Sean Evans
France claimed their second consecutive Team World Championship over the USA. This in a tight battle that has played out across three years. The winning nation took home a total of 10 medals. Two each of Gold, Silver and Bronze, along with four Copper. Australia, fielding their strongest team in many years, claimed their first Team Medal since 2017 with Bronze. After missing out on the podium last year, 2020 Team World Champion Spain matched their 2022 performance to claim Copper.
First Gold Medals
Six divisions saw new World Champions crowned. Pierot Gagliano (FRA), Zoe Smith (ENG), Luciano Silveira (BRA), Audrey Pascual (ESP), Kai Colless(AUS) and JP Veaudry (RSA) each won their first Gold Medals.
For Gagliano, Smith, Veaudry, and Pascual, the victories were long-awaited, while Silveira took the Stand 3 division by storm in his very first event. Colless earned the win in his second attempt.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:
“What an amazing ISA World Para Surfing Championship, held and presented by Surf City Huntington Beach. Furthermore, it was incredible days, great waves. At our first Adaptive Surfing World Championships, which was the original name, one of the competitors was asked about their hope for the event. Their answer was simple: ‘I hope to bring home hope.’ Thus that’s what we all bring. We hope that you take hope home.
“We will continue our paddle for Paralympic Surfing. Also, we will continue our paddle for a better world through surfing and para surfing. Furthermore, we will continue to support this amazing community. Congratulations to every one of you. Thank you to Visit Huntington Beach.Big thank you to all the volunteers and the staff of the ISA for making this event an amazing history-making event.”
Team Results
Gold – France
Silver – USA
Bronze – Australia
Copper – Spain
(South Africa 16th)
Read more: Surfing South Africa General Manager Robin De Kock Announces Retirement After 50 Years In The Sport
Read more: SA Team Heading To The 2024 ISA World Para Surfing Championships Presented by Visit Huntington Beach