Team China gets ready for 2020

The #ISAworlds Games launched today in Biarritz with a bang. With #surfing having become an official #Olympic discipline for the #Tokyo2020 Games, the number of participating countries doubled:  47 countries from all 5 continents, including newcomers such as Afghanistan and #China.

Having trained in the gentler #waves of #Ryuebay Hainan, newbie Yumo Zhang struggled with the unruly sandbar and rips of La #GrandePlage for the full duration of her first heat, getting mercifully caught on the inside. She soldiered on with such determination that as she left the water waveless and tearful, goosebumps applause broke and rippled across the whole bay. The China coach and #surflegend #PeterTownend was the first to console her. With the support of her team, she went back in the water for the #repechage with a new strategy: catch the waves on the inside and have fun. The smile on her face as she completed her heat having caught five waves was absolutely priceless: a day to remember for Yumo, #TeamChina, @isasurfing and all those who ever needed #reallifestoke. 📷✒:@_laurence_b