This week, the ISA held its fourth annual Continental Youth Athlete Development Program (YADP) in Fiji. The initiative, supported by Olympic Solidarity, is focused on empowering young athletes and their coaches from developing nations throughout the world. Held previously in the Americas, Africa, and Asia, this year’s YADP focused on youth from the Oceania region.

Designed to build skills and long-term development strategies for future Olympians with limited access to high-performance resources, the program welcomed 15 surfers from eight nations, all under the age of 18. Throughout the week, interactive coaching was combined with training exercises in order to help athletes maximize their skill sets both in and out of the water.

This year’s edition was led by Olympian and former Championship Tour surfer Michel Bourez (FRA), alongside ISA Coaching Expert Lee Ryan of New Zealand. The program covered a wide range of topics, including an in-depth overview of judging, venue analysis, mental preparation, competition rules, contest strategy, motivational goals, technical video analysis and more.

Alongside the coaches, ISA Athlete Ambassadors and Olympians Saffi Vette (NZL) and Leilani McGonagle (CRC), who is also a member of the ISA Athletes’ Commission, served as mentors and coaches for the attendees throughout the program.

The program was hosted in collaboration with the Oceania Surfing Federation and Fiji Surfing Association, whose president Hannah Bennett (FJI) provided support. Training for coaches from Oceania was also included to enable long-term youth athlete development to continue in the future.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre said:

“Initiatives like our Youth Athlete Development Program represent the heart of what the ISA stands for, creating opportunities for surfers around the world to reach their full potential. When we see these talented young surfers from across Oceania learning alongside experienced judges, coaches, and Olympians, we’re not just witnessing their development, we’re watching the future of our sport take shape.

“These programs do more than develop athletes, they develop dreams. Some of these young surfers will go on to represent their nations at the highest levels, and for many of them, that journey begins right here in the beautiful waves of Fiji.”

Athletes:

Tanuguatoa Aupiu   –    American Samoa
Julia Kostelnik   –   American Samoa
Kenneth Alexander  –  Guam
Hazel Wilson   –   Guam
Taumero Bineka   –   Kiribati
Nakau Nakibwebwe   –   Kiribati
Dezley  Mackay  –   Nauru
Keipson Jimwereiy   –   Nauru
Keilani Clark  –  Papua New Guinea
John Yafi Muser   –   Papua New Guinea
Leia Falega Viliamu   –   Samoa
Mavis Narisa Lynn Gardiner   –   Samoa
Sacha Ferry   –   Vanuatu
Emily Taleo   –   Vanuatu
Havana Kurop   –   Fiji

Coaches:
Steve Kostelnik    –   American Samoa
Lesi Navuwai   –   Fiji
Shane Pier  –  Guam
Nicholas Mcdermott   –   Kiribati
Jane Short   –   Nauru
Shane Clark   –   Papua New Guinea
Keith Martin   –   Samoa
Benjamin Johnson   –   Vanuatu