The International Surfing Association has awarded the 2018 World Longboard Championship to Wanning ©ISA

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has awarded the 2018 World Longboard Championship to Wanning in China.

The city on Hainan Island will host the event between January 19 and 25, with the best longboarding teams gathering at Riyue Bay.

It continues a relationship between the ISA and China which started in 2010 and led to the hosting of the Hainan Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival two years later.

This included the ISA China Cup, with the festival held until 2014.

Competition will be held at Riyue Bay on Hainan Island ©ISA
Competition will be held at Riyue Bay on Hainan Island ©ISA

The Longboard Surfing Championship was traditionally held as part of the ISA World Surfing Games, but became a stand-alone event in 2013 in Huanchaco in Peru.

Australia earned the first team title with France's Antoine Delpero winning the men's open category.

South African Simone Robb won the open women's event. 

China fielded their first-ever team at the World Surfing Games in Biarritz in France in May. 

Shortboard surfing will make its Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020.