Isidora Bultó: A Rising Star in Surfing at the ISA World Surfing Games 2025

The Journey of a Young Champion

A chilena Isidora Bultó, de 16 anos, deixou sua marca nos Jogos Mundiais de Surfe ISA de 2025, avançando nas primeiras rodadas e inspirando uma nova geração de talentos do surfe.

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In the high-stakes world of the International Surfing Association championships, the story of Isidora Bultó shines brightly. Hailing from Iquique, Chile, this 16-year-old made waves at the ISA World Surfing Games 2025 in Surf City, El Salvador. She was the only Chilean to qualify and quickly became a favorite for the years to come.

The competition drew around 291 surfers from around the globe. This included both men and women across various divisions. The sheer size of the event highlights the pressure and intensity present in every round of the Women’s Open.

Bultó completed one of the early heats of the women's competition, advancing with a performance that captivated audiences. She not only waved the Chilean flag but also showcased her style and elegance. In her heat, she scored a remarkable 9.60, placing her ahead of her competitors and securing her spot in the second round.

She continued to surf round after round until reaching the elimination stage, where her journey ended before the quarter-finals. Although she didn’t make it to the medal rounds, advancing past the initial elimination and representing Chile was a significant milestone in her career.

Bultó’s story is also one of youth and ambition. Earlier in 2025, she was crowned the South American sub-16 champion, showcasing her tenacity. She is a promising competitor on the ISA roster. In a competition dominated by seasoned veterans, the young surfer from Iquique stood out, making impressive scores on the board.

Her significance for Chilean surfing cannot be overstated. Chile has developed world-class potential in recent years, yet opportunities for women at the highest levels remain scarce. Bultó’s emergence places her among those breaking paradigms, not yet on the podium but at the door where the best welcome newcomers.

For the curious readers, yes, the scale of the competition was immense: the official pre-event report noted "nearly 300 athletes from 61 countries."

In the Women’s Open alone, it is conservatively estimated that over 100 women competed, although the exact number of surfers is not publicly available. The official report from Finals Day confirmed that 12 were still competing (six women), indicating several rounds of previous eliminations.

In summary, Isidora Bultó represented Chile in the Women’s Open category at the ISA World Surfing Games 2025. She faced a strong field of approximately 290 to 300 participants from 61 countries. Although she was eliminated before the last six women remained, being part of the national team signifies her progress and Chile's investment in emerging talents. She is part of a new generation of Chilean surfers building an international reputation in the global sports arena.

While the raw numbers did not lead to podium finishes this time, the outlook is positive. A young Chilean surfer paddling among nearly three hundred competitors, exchanging waves and scores, is accumulating invaluable experience. The next time she competes in an ISA draw, her experience in El Salvador will likely reward her with wiser strategies and perhaps even a public appearance on Finals Day.