Wilmot banking on experience at World Surfing Games

IF EXPERIENCE is anything to go by, Jamaica’s Icah Wilmot should be the man leading the nation’s charge when the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Surfing Games (WSG) gets under way early next week in Surf City, El Salvador.

The 36-year-old Wilmot has made more than a dozen appearances for the national team and the veteran, who is a three-time MAKKA Pro champion, will be leaving it all on the line as Jamaica look to improve on their 36th-place international standing.

Wilmot’s best finish at the World Surfing Games has been 49th place and with close to 300 surfers set to compete next week, the Bull Bay native is keen to get things going.

“I am ready and raring to go and I will be taking it one heat and one round at a time and try to improve my ranking, as well as garner as many points to improve the country’s ranking,” said Wilmot.

Wilmot first made his debut at the World Surfing Games way back in 2002 in Durban, South Africa, and the veteran surfer, who is also the national Paralympic coach, said he wants to showcase that talent in the sport is very much alive and well on the tiny island.

“This year’s event will be the biggest as there are a lot more nations competing than ever before so the plan is to not focus on names or countries, but just focus on your approach in every 20-minute heat and virtually compete against yourself and do your best.”

The four-time national junior champion and nine-time national open champion is sponsored by Salty Crew, Sun Bum, Reef, Crowd Control Surfboards, Fins Fin Freestyle Watches, and Nomad Surf Shop.