Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter-News Analyst
Photos courtesy of International Surfing Association
Fernandina Beach’s own Sean Poynter won the 2013 International Surfing Association’s Individual World Standup Paddleboard Championship yesterday in Peru. Sean made his successful run on his Starboard 7’7”.
According to World Sports News (World News Magazine), March 3, 2013:
In the Men’s SUP Surfing Final, Sean Poynter (USA) had one of the best runs of the whole contest. In the first wave of the heat, Poynter achieved 9.33 points, the second highest single wave score of the contest adding to his total heat score of 17.83, the highest total heat score of the event. Poynter received the Hector Velarde E. Men’s SUP Surfing Perpetual Trophy.
Sean, now 23 years old, has been surfing since the age of 10. He attended Fernandina Beach High School through his sophomore year. He has been surfing competitively from an early age. When the travel needs for his sport made attending traditional high school impossible, Sean enrolled in online virtual schooling out of California to complete his high school degree. He competed during the day and did school work evenings. Today he makes his home in San Diego, CA.
Since January, Sean has competed in Australia, Bali, Bangkok and Peru. His far-flung 
travels make it a challenge for his family to cheer him on in person, but they do it remotely via live webcasts. Dad Tim Poynter watched him win his world championship from his office at Café Karibo, while mom Theresa and brother Brian cheered him on from their computer at home.
Tim said, “Sean is incredibly disciplined and has worked so hard to get to this point. He competed in 13 countries last year, and lost a tiebreaker for world champion in 2012. We all screamed ourselves hoarse as we watched him make his run yesterday. We are so proud of this guy!”
For more information on this sport, check out short video showing Sean in action, check out this video from Sup Boarder Magazine, February 7, 2013:
http://www.supboardermag.com/2013/02/07/sean-poynter-strong-contender-for-2013/
You may keep up with Sean Poynter on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or on his website www.seanpoynter.com. You can also stop by Café Karibo and hear the latest from his proud parents, Tim and Theresa Poynter.
March 3, 2013 1:41 p.m.