The International Surfing Association (ISA) say 256 athletes from 51 nations will compete in El Salvador, with competition beginning tomorrow and running to June 6.

The event will be based around El Sunzal and La Bocana, with the location dubbed Surf City.

Seven Olympic quota places are available for female surfers at the Games, while five can be secured in the men’s event.

"These are historical times for surfing," said Fernando Aguerre, ISA President.

"We will crown ISA World Surfing Games champions and complete the qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Games.

"Once again, we will get to unite the world in peace through our sport’s community, youth, and love.

"While we had to wait a year, the 2021 edition of the World Surfing Games will certainly be one of the most special in history.

"It has been a challenging time for all around the world, but we have demonstrated our resilience.

"Our sport and community are stronger than ever.

"From a record number of women, to the world’s best surfers flying their flags, there are many reasons to be excited about what this event and the future of surfing behold.

"I would like to give a huge thanks to the Government of El Salvador, the organisers of the event, as well as to the people of El Salvador for the warm welcome and strong support."

Peru’s Sofia Mulanovich and Brazil’s Italo Ferreira will seek to defend the world titles they earned at Miyazaki in Japan back in 2019.

Mulanovich, who has won World Surfing Games titles in 2004 and 2019, will be among the surfers seeking to qualify for Tokyo 2020.

Reigning World Surf League champion Ferreira is provisionally qualified for Tokyo 2020.

He will feature as part of a strong Brazilian team, which includes Tokyo 2020 teammates Gabriel Medina, Tatiana Weston-Webb and Silvana Lima.

Sally Fitzgibbons leads the Australian challenge in El Salvador, with the 2008 and 2018 champion joined by Julian Wilson, Owen Wright and Steph Gilmore.

France and Japan are expected to be strong in the team competition.

An Opening Ceremony is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with competition potentially beginning dependent on conditions.

Action is expected to take place until June 6, when the finals and the Closing Ceremony will take place.