Earlier this month San Clemente’s Kevin Schulz jetted off to Japan to compete for team USA in the 2018 ISA (International Surfing Association) World Championships with the hopes of taking home a medal. Kev got devilishly close to getting himself a medal but ultimately settled for a respectable 5th place finish in a field of some of the best up and coming and established surfers from all over the globe.
With his finish in Japan Kevin just qualified and earned himself a slot in the upcoming 2019 Pan Am Games in Peru, the precursor to the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan. If he wins that event, he has a shot at competing in surfing’s debut in the Olympics. But he just barely, and luckily made the cut into the Pan Am Games.
From what we understand, at this year’s ISA Championships the top two men and women from the Americas qualify for the Pan Am Games. With Kevin’s result at the event he was technically the third man from the Americas so he should have missed it by one spot. But, the runner up at the event, Lucca Mesinas, double qualifies for the Pan Am Games since he gets a spot through his country since Peru is the host country for the event next year. Therefore, he doesn’t need the slot he earned at the ISA’s in Japan and gives it to the next guy, a.k.a. Kevin.
Surfline caught up with Kev while he was still in Japan after the event and asked him about the good news and his plans for the future. Check out the article here.
So, congrats to Kevin on making a huge step towards Olympic qualification!
