The Hawaii World Team has been a major force in competitive surfing since its inception in 1964 at the first World Surfing Championships near Sydney, Australia. Surfers from Australia, Europe, the East and West Coasts of the United States and Hawai‘i showed face to set a precedent for world-class surfing, the recognition of the international surfing community and team unity and pride. The governing body of the biennial (every other year) event would eventually go on to become the ASP.

From the fledging beginnings of the International Surfing Association (ISA) contest circuit, Hawai‘i has been respected and revered as “the birthplace of surfing” and given the status of Island Nation as opposed to being grouped together with the mainland U.S. This has given Hawai‘i surfers a unique pride and sense of community that is unmatched across the globe. Pioneering Hawai‘i surfers like Jock Sutherland, Jeff Hakman, LeRoy Ah Choy, Jimmy Lucas and Paul Strauch carried the torch in ’66, with Jock placing second at the second event in San Diego, Calif., which saw a greater diversity in its competitors. New Zealand, Mexico, South Africa and India were welcomed.

In 1968, Fred Hemmings became Hawai‘i’s first ISA World Champion. Since then, the title has been considered an indication of world-class competitive talent and a measure of success in the surf industry. In 1980, emphasis was placed on young competitors and the Juniors Division was created. Tom Curren went on to the win that event and we all know how that story goes.

Following in those hallowed footsteps of the master of style, Kalani Robb was the ISA Junior Champion in 1994, winning in Brazil. Joel Centeio snatched the title in 2000 in Brazil, as well. The junior portion of the competition became so popular, it split off and became its own event and in 2005, Tonino Benson won the World Junior Title in Huntington Beach, Calif. To top if off, the Hawai‘i Team came away with the gold medal.

“Representing the Hawai‘i Team at the ISA World Games was one of the most memorable trips I've ever done,” recalls 2000 Champ Joel Centeio. “The team part is what makes it so fun. You get so amped for every heat, whether you’re in it or just cheering your fellow teammate on. It’s such good feeling representing the state of Hawai‘i and showing the world the aloha spirit.”

The tradition of surfing in Hawai‘i and the converging thread of the aloha spirit has come to define the Hawaii Junior Team as they travel abroad to spread aloha as ambassadors of Hawai‘i. This year, the Verizon Wireless Hawaii Junior Surf Team will be traveling to Salinas, Ecuador, where they will go up against the top amateur surfers from over 40 countries on six continents. Not only do they compete as individuals, but the Olympic-style format (ISA is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee) gives them the greater challenge and goal to work together as a team in hopes of the securing the gold medal for Hawai‘i.