The Jamaica Surfing Association has attracted a sponsorship deal from
IPATH. The contract which will run for two years in the first instance
with a value in excess of a million Jamaican dollars per year includes
cash, travel and product support, photo incentives as well as a
percentage on sales of a specially designed JSA Shoe to be released in
2010.

“This is wonderful news for the JSA” said JSA President Billy Wilmot.
“This shows that our work of legitimizing Jamaica as a surfing nation
through competing at major regional and international events as a way
in which to attract international sponsors is paying off”.

Wilmot went on to say “After taking part in the World and Pan Am
surfing Games, the industry’s top surf magazines sent crews to Jamaica
and did articles on the Jamaican surf scene. Potential sponsors started
to notice us and the next thing we knew we were getting calls from well
respected surf industry brands”.

“IPATH will be releasing a “JSA” shoe incorporating the JSA Logo in the
design which will earn royalties on sales of the shoe for the JSA. This
is the kind of support that we need for the growth of Jamaica’s
surfing” said Mr. Wilmot. “Many companies see the benefit of
associating a particular product with the Jamaican surf culture. The
JSA has a similar arrangement with Insight clothing of Australia. They
will be releasing a JSA surf short and T-shirt line which will benefit
the JSA in the same way.”

The JSA has attracted a number of sponsors since their inception in
1999. Prestigious international companies such as INSIGHT clothing,
QUASHI surfboards, XTRAK deck pads, MAGMA wax, BODY GLOVE wet suits,
OAM surf accessories, REEF Footwear, RED BULL, FREESTYLE watches and
COPA Airlines have all bought into the Jamaican surf image, sponsoring
the JSA and individual surfers.

The JSA also receives support from local companies. The SPORTS
DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION is a major contributor to the association’s
local contests and youth development programs and MAILPAC SEVICES
facilitates the shipping of team gear, equipment and materials from
sponsors in the USA.

“We hope to continue growing from strength to strength. The more
reputable brands that come on board, the more will come” Said
Wilmot. “We already have individually sponsored surfers and we want
this to increase in number. Individual surfers can earn a good salary
if they can perform at the level and get their pictures in the major
publications. When they can command media attention they will attract
even more sponsors and that is one thing that a Jamaican surfer will
always have in their favor.”