Jamaican surfers gliding towards Pan-Am

Keisha Hill, Staff Reporter

The surfing phenomenon continues to make waves in Jamaica and participants, along with their ever-increasing following, are set to experience another series of breathtaking performances by members of the Jamaica Surfing Association (JSA).

The opportunity comes with the JSA confirmation of its participation at the 2007 Pan American Surfing Association Surfing Games, that will run from November 4-13 in Iquique, Chile.

A 14-member delegation under the guidance of national team coach, Eugene Miller, will make the journey to the South American city.

For the first time Jamaica will field entrants in five divisions, where they will compete in the men's open, junior men, women's open, bodyboard men and longboard men.

Headlining the events will be the Wilmot brothers Inilek, Icah and Ishack, who will participate in the men's open shortboard along with Luke Williams.

In the junior men's shortboard, Lloyd Jacks, Eneson Lightbourne, Jason Pusey and Ackeam Phillips are expected to offer serious competition to the other participants.

In the women's shortboard, event, Danielle Ohayon and Imani Wilmot are expected to offer rigid competition as well.

Billy Wilmot will compete

Team manager and JSA president, Billy Wilmot, will compete in the men's longboard alongside national team coach, Eugene Miller.

"This is the first time that Jamaica has been able to field competitors in this many divisions. It has been a long, hard, uphill road but slowly we are cementing our name into the region's surfing landscape," Billy Wilmot said. "We hope to continue to do Jamaica proud."

The team departs for Chile on October 31 and will return on November 14.