Rosy Hodge Takes the Silver Medal at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica

(Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica) East London's Rosy Hodge took the silver medal at the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games in Costa Rica yesterday after finishing in second place behind American Courtney Conlogue in perfect four foot surf. As part of the eight surfer team representing South Africa at the World Surfing Games, Hodge's achievement highlighted the 21 year old's standing as one of the best surfers in the world. 

Finishing as the highest placed South African in the event, Hodge out-surfed Sage Ericson (USA) and Pauline Ado (France) who placed third and fourth respectively in the final. Hodge's run to the final included the defeat of former ISA and ASP Women’s World Champion Sofia Mulanovich (Peru).

Brandon Jackson (Durban North) was in inspired form on Friday, defeating the likes of ASP World Tour campaigner Jeremy Flores (France), Austin Ware (USA) and Carlos Munoz (Costa Rica) in Repecharge Round 7 and then repeating that result in Round 8 where the Durbanite triumphed over Hawaiian standout Joel Centeio, Miguel Pupo (Brazil) and Dayan Neve (Australia).

The 22 year old then placed second behind Flores in Round 9 to advance to the last round of the repechage heats where he took on Flores for the third time, along with American Ben Bourgeois and Hawaii's Hank Gaskell. Unfortunately Jackson's run ended there as he placed third by 1.62 points and was eliminated as Flores and Bourgeois advanced to the final. Flores went on the win the gold medal in the Open division, with Cory Lopez (USA) taking silver, Gabrial Villaran (Peru) the bronze, while Bourgeois had to settle for fourth. Jackson's result saw him place fifth overall.

About Surfing South Africa (SSA)

Surfing South Africa is recognised by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) and the International Surfing Association (ISA) as the governing body for surfriding in South Africa.

Six provincial organisations and three national associations are affiliated to Surfing South Africa which coordinates and manages all aspects of surfriding from grass roots level through to the selection of National teams.

About the International Surfing Association (ISA) 
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding.  It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running World Championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.