Here are 10 things you need to know about the upcoming competition.
- Pathway to the Olympic Games
Bringing together the top emerging talent from throughout the world, the event has become a clear stepping stone to the Olympic Games. Of the 71 surfers to have competed at the Olympics so far, 62 previously participated in the WJSC, with 33 earning ISA World Junior medals, including half of the surfers to earn Olympic medals so far — Carissa Moore (USA), Caroline Marks (USA), Tatiana Weston-Webb (BRA), Gabriel Medina (BRA), Bianca Buitendag (RSA), and Owen Wright (AUS).
- Former Medalists Return
Eleven former medalists will return to compete, including 2025 U/18 World Junior Champions Sol Borelli (ESP) and Dylan Donegan (ESP). Donegan made history in 2025 as the first surfer to win the gold medal in both divisions, having claimed victory in the U/16 category in 2024. Joining them will be 2025 U/16 World Junior Champion Ocean Lancaster (AUS), as well as U/16 girls silver medalist Catalina Zariquiey (PER), who will both be competing in the U/18 division.
- Defending Champions Australia Aim for Three-peat
56 national teams will gather to compete for the coveted team gold medals. Back-to-back Team World Champions, Australia, will return looking for their second WJSC three-peat, having previously set the record with a five-event winning streak between 2006-2010. After more than a decade between wins prior to 2024, Australia will now look to claim their tenth WJSC team gold medal.
- New National Teams
Three national teams, Bahamas, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, will be represented in the WJSC for the very first time. It will be the first-ever ISA event for Mozambique and Zimbabwe, two of the newest nations to join as ISA members.
- The Divisions
427 athletes will compete across four divisions:
- Girl’s U/16
- Boy’s U/16
- Girl’s U/18
- Boy’s U/18
- Gender Equality
Equaling the current record, girls make up 44% of the competitors representing their nations in the 2026 WJSC. Since 2017, the ISA has offered equal competition slots for men and women across its World Championship Series, promoting women’s participation and gender equality in surfing.
- Where to Watch
The live webcast will be streamed on www.isasurf.org from September 4 – 13. Visit isasurf.org for results, team rosters, photos, videos, and news pertaining to the competition.
- Social
The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media.
Follow @ISAsurfing on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.
- Schedule
- September 4 – 4pm: Opening Ceremony, Punta Rocas
- September 5 – 12: Competition, La Bocana and El Sunzal
- September 13: Finals and Closing Ceremony
- The ISA and El Salvador
Surf City El Salvador has become a massive supporter of the ISA and surfing, demonstrating itself as a true world class surfing destination. This will be the eleventh major ISA event to carry the title Surf City El Salvador. Two prior editions of the ISA WJSC (2022, 2024) have been joined by two editions of the World SUP and Paddleboard World Championship (2019, 2025), and three editions each of the ISA World Longboard Championship (2023, 2024, 2025) and the ISA World Surfing Games (2021, 2023, 2025).