Surfing Australia has chosen a mid-table and lower-table team for its date at the ISA World Surfing Games taking place in Japan between September 15-22, which will be led by Sally Fitzgibbons, the team captain, and will have Holly Wawn, Philippa Anderson, Kai Tandler, Callum Robson and Dextar Muskens, reported the federation of that country in its place.

Kim Crane, Surfing Australia’s National High Performance Director said: “The Olympic qualification system states that the 2019 and 2020 World Surfing Games are pivotal to athlete selection for the Tokyo 2020 Games, so this presents a significant opportunity for these athletes to not only perform on a world stage for their country, but also capture some learnings that our National Team of athletes will be able to take to the 2019 and 2020 events. We have a great mix of experience and youth, as well as individual competitors and it’s a huge opportunity for our athletes to showcase themselves as a team, and to each other.”

Team captain Sally Fitzgibbond said: “It’s a huge honour to be selected to represent our country in Japan for the World Surfing Games and to captain the team. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to be in a team environment like this and continue to build the culture as the Australian team heads to the 2020 Olympics. I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and check out their epic surf culture. I can’t wait to go catch some waves, learn as a competitor and share this experience with my super talented teammates and coaching staff. Go Australia!”

Bede Durbidge will be the head coach and will work alongside head coach Tim Macdonald.

Australian selection for the ISA Open World Championship:
men's open
Kai Tandler
Callum Robson
Dextar Muskens

Women's Open
Sally Fitzgibbons (captain)
Holly Wawn
Phillipa Anderson

The decision, a year before the World Surfing Games that will have Olympic implications, may come as a surprise but it only indicates that Australia has plans for its athletes to fill the quota through the CT, and the reality is that they have every chance in the world of doing so, regardless of the ISA's biggest open event.

Although, of course, once qualified, the surfers will have to be present at the 2020 edition of the Games.