Jamaica make progress on day three of World Surfing Champs
Published:Tuesday | September 9, 2025 | 12:11 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
EL SUNZAL, EL SALVADOR:
JAMAICA’S SURFING campaign at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Games gained crucial momentum on day three, as both competitors in action successfully manoeuvred the consolation repechage round to advance to the next stage of competition.
The Jamaican duo of Javaun Brown and Elishama Beckford navigated the challenging, tide-affected waves of EL Sunzal to secure their spots in the second repechage round, keeping their medal hopes alive.
Brown set the tone for the island nation in the opening repechage heat. Displaying resilience and control, Brown posted a two-wave total of 6.60 to finish in second place and earn advancement.
His score was built on a solid 3.83 ride on his second wave and sealed with a 2.77 on his fourth and final attempt. The heat was won convincingly by Neil Sanchez of the Philippines, who racked up a dominant score of 10.46.
Speaking after the heat, Brown analysed the difficult conditions and his mindset moving forward.
“The waves are changing with the tide and I had to take what I got. I’ll be looking to continue to surf my best in the next repechage round, and I want to enjoy the waves despite the difficult conditions.”
His teammate, Elishama Beckford, provided an even bigger highlight for Jamaica by winning his repechage heat outright.
Beckford posted a combined score of 8.93 to top heat three, leaving it until his later waves to secure his advancement.
He registered his two best scores, a 4.60 followed by a 4.33, in a clutch performance that pushed him past Cape Verde’s Noah Evora Angulo, who also advanced with a 6.30.
A visibly upbeat Beckford contrasted his performance with a difficult first day of competition.
“Despite the smaller waves I really felt better on my board today. The first day of competition, I was really out of it, but I am looking forward to the next heats coming up and just keeping this momentum going. It’s better energy, better vibes, and hopefully I can feel my best in my health and just keep it going.”
The attention now turns to the third member of the Jamaican squad, Akeam Phillips, who is set to make his entrance into the competition today, surfing in heat 23.