Here are 10 things you need to know about the upcoming competition.
1. 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 72 surfers to have competed at the Olympics so far, 59 previously participated in the WJSC, with 32 earning ISA World Junior medals, including more than 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).
The youngest Olympic surfer to date, Siqi Yang (CHN), who competed in Paris 2024 at just 15-years-old, will also return to the WJSC in 2025.
2. Former Medalists Return
Ten former medalists will return to compete, including 2024 U/16 World Champions Ziggy Aloha Mackenzie (AUS) and Dylan Donegan (ESP), who will each compete in the U/18 division for the first time.
Also making their debut in the U/18 division are two two-time U/16 medalists, Lukas Skinner (ENG) and Clémence Schorsch (FRA), who are both hungry for the win after claiming the silver medals in 2024 – the second year running for Skinner.
3. Record National Participation
57 national teams will gather to compete for the coveted team gold medals, surpassing the previous record set in 2024.
Current Team World Champions, Australia, will return to defend their title. Having gone a decade between wins prior to 2024, Australia will now look to claim their ninth WJSC team gold medal.
4. New National Teams
Four national teams, Angola, India, Saint Lucia, and Slovenia, will be represented in the WJSC for the very first time. It will be the first ever ISA event for Saint Lucia, one of the newest nations to join as a member.
5. 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
6. Gender Equality
Equaling the record set in 2024, girls make up 43% of the competitors representing their nations in the 2025 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.
7. Where to Watch
The live webcast will be streamed on www.isasurf.org from December 5 – 14. Visit isasurf.org for results, team rosters, photos, videos, and news pertaining to the competition.
8. 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.
9. Schedule
– December 5 – 3:00pm: Opening Ceremony, Punta Rocas High Performance Center
– December 6 – 13: Competition, Punta Rocas and El Bosque
– December 14: Finals and Closing Ceremony
10. The ISA and Peru
Peru will host the world’s best junior surfers for the second time, following the 2011 edition in Punta Hermosa. This Surf Nation has staged two World Surfing Games (2010 and 2014) and has debuted two of the ISA’s World Championship series — hosting the inaugural World Longboard Championship in 2013, as well as the first two editions of the World SUP and Paddleboard Championship in 2012 and 2013.