El Salvador has once again demonstrated its capacity as a premier destination for global sporting events with the successful conclusion of the Surf City El Salvador ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2026. Gathering 428 athletes across 56 delegations at La Bocana and El Sunzal, the week-long competition highlighted the country’s world-class waves and top-tier infrastructure, reinforcing President Nayib Bukele’s strategic vision to leverage sports tourism as a primary driver of national economic growth.
Throughout the high-caliber tournament, international competitors showcased exceptional talent, culminated by team gold winner Australia alongside individual champion performances from American surfer Jett Maughan in the U-18 male category and Australian talent Leihani Zoric in the U-18 female category. In the U-16 division, Australia’s Locana Cullen and Lucy Darragh earned gold medals, while U.S. surfer Zoe Panettiere secured a silver medal finish.
Beyond the competitive action, international organizers and visiting delegations praised the host country for its seamless logistics and enhanced safety profile, which allowed over 700 total visitors—including coaches, families, and staff—to safely explore regional tourist destinations between heats. During the closing ceremonies, the International Surfing Association (ISA) presented a formal recognition to Tourism Minister Morena Valdez, underscoring full organizational confidence in the nation’s hosting standards.
“We are proud of what President Bukele has achieved with this security, allowing us to host events of this magnitude. All delegations speak about it—about the safety and how free they feel to visit other destinations,” stated Tourism Minister Morena Valdez, emphasizing that the international surfing community leaves behind newly established ambassadors for El Salvador on the global stage.