There’s a big event happening in Peru right now, where several O.C. competitors are battling it out against others from around the nation at the ISA World Stand Up Paddle and Paddleboard Championships.

San Clemente’s Colin McPhillips, three-time ASP world longboard champ, won his heat this morning as the action heated up for the first day of the contest. O.C. local Emmy Merrill, 18, is also out representing the U.S. team – winning her Round 1 heat. Another local to watch is San Clemente’s Rob Rojas, who will be competing in the SUP Marathon race against Australian Jamie Mitchell,  the 10-time paddleboarding world champion.

Waves are the 3-foot-to-4-foot range, and the contest is held on the best days during a 7-day waiting period.

WATCH THE EVENT LIVE HERE

Colin McPhillips gets warmed up before his heat. Photo courtesy of Michael Tweddle/ISA

The inaugural contest is happening at Miraflores, in Lima. There’s 17 nations represented, where various countries raised their flags during the opening ceremonies, according to the release.

“Locals and tourists lined the streets around Parque Kennedy and cheered the teams as they came by, saving their most intense applause for Team Peru,” the announcement reads.

Here’s a bit more:
“I’ve been coming to Peru for many, many years, and the passion of the people in this country is why the ISA keeps coming back to host events here,” said Fernando Aguerre, the president of the ISA. “This is the first official gathering of the best StandUp Paddle and Paddleboarders in one place, and we should have an amazing week.”

There’s much talk about the continuing push for SUP, paddleboarding and surfing to get into the Olympic Games. Jamie Mitchell, 10-time paddleboarding World Champ, spoke about the need for the sports to be included.

“I think it’s important to support the ISA and what they’re beginning here in Peru, not just for ourselves but for our kids and for future generations,” said Jamie Mitchell (AUS), the 10-time paddleboarding world champion and Team Australia Captain. “By the time they’re in the Olympics, I’ll probably be too old, maybe not, but people will be able to look back at guys like me or women like Brandi (Baksic, USA) who helped get it there.”

Follow reporter Laylan Connelly on Twitter @ ocbeaches, or at facebook.com/ocbeaches.

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