Paul-André Walker, Staff Reporter

Imani Wilmot participating in the women's finals of the second 2006 National Open Surfing Championships at Makka Surf Beach, Yallahs, St. Thomas, on Saturday, February 18, 2006. - FILE

Imani Wilmot participating in the women's finals of the second 2006 National Open Surfing Championships at Makka Surf Beach, Yallahs, St. Thomas, on Saturday, February 18, 2006.

surfing

Imani Wilmot continues to make her family's name a household one on the waves after she received almost $80,000 for a scholarship from the International Surfing Association (ISA).

The scholarship, given to five recipients this year, is to be used either to enter tournaments, buy equipment for surfing and/or help to further one's education.

Joining Imani as recipients of this year's individual scholarships are Chile's Guillermo Satt, Ecuador's Diego Vargas Silva, Costa Rica's Ariel Aguero and South Africa's Lungani Memani.

According to a press release sent by the ISA, the recipients of the scholarship were required to submit proof of current student standings with report cards or academic records of the last two years, sign an oath stating that they will remain a student if chosen as a recipient of a scholarship, submit a plan of how they wish to use the money, provide a letter of recommendation written by their association president and write an essay titled 'Why I Deserve an ISA Individual Surf Scholarship'.

The ISA press release went on to point out that the recipients were chosen unanimously from a panel and that preference was given to ISA junior surfers.

Gesture Appreciated

President of the Jamaica Surfing Association, Billy 'Mystic' Wilmot, Imani's father, said while the scholarship wouldn't go a long way monetarily, it was a gesture that was appreciated.

"Obviously it isn't intended to change your life but it is intended as a statement of encouragement towards the development of young surfers.

"It is something to make sure that the kids don't see surfing as a beach bum sort of thing but as career and a sport that rewards being rounded," said Wilmot.

Imani will have the opportunity to win the scholarship again because she is only 16 years old and is eligible for another three years.

"This is the first time they have done it but it'll be done annually as of now," said Wilmot. "And there is no criterion that says she can't try and win it again next year," he added.

Imani finished first in this season's open division and second in the national qualifiers, ensuring herself of a place on Jamaica's squad.

Her next international tournament will be the World Junior Surfing Championships in Portugal in May.