Harley Ingleby : photo Surfing Australia

International Surfing Association
Punta Hermosa, Lima Peru
21 -- 29 October 2010

Surfing Australia Announces The First Sector of its TravelSIM Team Australia

Australia is well represented heading into the 2010 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games, with the announcement of a star studded first sector to TravelSIM Team Australia. Preparations for the upcoming ISA World Surfing Games are underway with the Australian Team well positioned for a gold medal against a quality field of international surfing teams.

The 2010 games will be held in the perfect waves of Punta Hermosa, Peru from October 19 -27, 2010 and will play host to over 200 surfers in their respective National Surfing Teams. The first four surfers that have been selected in Team Australia include:

Longboard:
- Former ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion Josh Constable (Peregian Beach, Qld)
- Current ASP Men’s World Longboard Champion Harley Ingleby (Emerald Beach, NSW)

Women’s:
- 2005 ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges (Tweed Heads, NSW)
- Current ASP World Tour competitor Rebecca Woods (Copacabana, NSW)

Also included in the team are world-class coaches Barton Lynch and Martin Dunn.

Longboard sensation Ingleby is focusing on a gold medal in the longboard division of the 2010 games after being narrowely defeated in the 2009 competition, which saw him take home silver by less than one point. “Of all the competitions I have competed in over the years, this is the one competition which eludes me,” he said.

“I really want to win this event the most. It is not just a gold medal for me but for the whole of Australia,” added Ingleby. Team Australia coach and 1988 ASP Men’s World Champion Barton Lynch, who is no stranger to the high end of competitive surfing, is extremely pleased with the credentials of the first half of the Australian squad and is eagerly awaiting the announcement of the second sector of the team which will comprise of four Open Men representatives.

“We could not ask for a better first half to the Australian Team,” he said. “Australia is in good stead going into the world surfing games. The longboarding element of the team consists of two of the best Longboard surfers in the world in Harley Ingleby and Josh Constable. The women’s division also has a great balance with former ASP Women’s World Champion Chelsea Hedges, who is a seasoned campaigner and will add maturity to the team whilst Rebecca Woods brings a youthful flair and competitive savvy to the squad,” added Lynch.

“I am excited to see the quality and experience of surfers chosen to make up the second half of an already impressive Australian Team.”
Team Australia has the support of Surfing Australia and the nation as they surf for gold after placing third overall at the 2009 ISA World Surfing Games.

“Surfing Australia is extremely proud of our stature as the number one surfing nation in the world,” said Surfing Australia Chief Executive Officer Andrew Stark.

“We are selecting a team with a clear and concise goal to come home with gold from the ISA World Championships. The first stage of the team members are littered with world titles and will ensure a strong presence in Peru in October. Surfing for your nation is a unique and proud moment and we will be giving it our best shot to win. It’s an impressive first part of our team and we’ll shortly announce the four Open Men representatives.”

TravelSIM is once again firmly locked in as the host sponsor of the Australian Team and see great value in supporting our Australian athletes as they compete for gold for themselves and for the whole of Australia. Jamien Zimmermann, CEO of TravelSIM said, “We are very happy to continue our support of Australian surfing and are very much looking forward to seeing the team lift the trophy in October."

"TravelSIM will be suppling the team with our international mobile phone service so they can keep in touch with friends and family while in Peru. We are also setting up an ‘Hero SMS’ webpage so that fans can send their message of support to any of the Team Australia athletes." The 'Hero SMS' webpage will be available to visit from October at travelsim.net.au/surfing.

The Billabong ISA World Surfing Games will see over 30 countries and over 200 surfers competing in the Open Men, Open Women and Longboard divisions. The date and venue are set; now teams must start getting ready for one of the biggest events of our sport.

Surfing Australia would like to thank the Australian Government for their continued funding and commitment to our sport in this country. The Australian Sports Commission is the Government body that develops, supports and invests in sport at all levels in Australia. Surfing Australia works closely with the Australian Sports Commission to develop surfing from community participation to high performance level.

www.isasurf.org
www.billabong.com

View Original Post at dylamagazine.com

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