Pictured: Image of current wave conditions in Playa Hermosa. Lele Usuna from Argentina as well as surfers from more than 30 countries are enjoying them. Pic: Manino/ISA

Final preparations underway at Playa Hermosa with good surf conditions predicted for the week

Just two days before the opening parade, excitement around the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games is everywhere. Scheduled to be held in July 31st through August 8th 2009 in Costa Rica it will be the biggest surfing championship in history to date.

Surfers are arriving from every corner of the globe, say ISA President Fernando Aguerre. Teams from Germany, Nicaragua, Ireland, Tahiti and Jamaica are attending this year, making it an Olympic-style event.

The Swiss team arrived in the pouring rain, their board bags doubling in weight on the way from the airport. The American team almost lost their top female when she was charged excess baggage at the airlines and didn’t have the money to pay for them. The French and Australian teams brought top performers from the ASP world tour looking to take home the gold, while Mexico is just hoping to place in the top ten. With teams from as far away as Austria, Japan, New Zealand and Great Britain, and Hawaii as well as nations as unlikely as Barbados, Brazil, Puerto Rico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago attending, it is sure to be a World Cup style event.

Check out the Billabong ISA World Games here.