The scheme benefits surfers under the age of 18 and helps pay for their education, travel, competition fees and equipment.

Athletes are considered based on their needs, as well as academic performance and their "dedication to surfing".

The ISA launched the scholarship scheme in 2007 and has awarded more than 300 grants since then, with many former recipients going on to compete at national and international level.

Five of this year's group competed at the ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in the Azores last month.

They are Argentina’s Abril Solis, Brazil’s Raul Bormann, Morocco’s Aboubakr Bouaouda, Peru’s Daniella Rosas Vega and South Africa’s Angelo Faulkner.

Some of this year's recipients could appear at Tokyo 2020, where the sport will make its Olympic debut.

"The ISA is proud to foster the development of young surfers around the globe and provide them with financial support to make their education and surfing dreams come true," said ISA President, Fernando Aguerre. 

"The ISA Scholarship Programme has played a key role in expanding the reach of the sport in non-traditional surfing nations around the globe.

"The value of an ISA Scholarship was more evident than ever at the 2016 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in the Azores.

"Athletes that have won ISA scholarships in the past showed their progression in the sport aided by ISA’s financial support and it was great to see some of the 2016 winners showing their talent and potential.

"Supporting the youth of surfing is crucial to ensure a bright future for the sport, as these surfers could potentially be the athletes competing four years from now at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games."