The surfers will receive a share of the $20,000 (£15,500/17,000) fund, which will go towards their education and passion for surfing.

It is hoped that the programme will help the recipients to further their education, pay for travel and contest fees and upgrade their equipment.

The ISA state that since the programme’s establishment in 2007, a total of $268,500 (£218,000/230,000) has been distributed through their scholarship programme.

Winners were chosen based on financial needs, commitment to education and passion for surfing, according to the governing body.

"The financial aid provided by the ISA Scholarship Programme is a crucial part of supporting the next generation of surfers and ensuring a bright future for our sport," said Fernando Aguerre, ISA President.

"This programme lays down the foundation for the grassroots growth and development that can use surfing as a tool to improve the lives of young people and create positive social change around the world.

"With dozens of scholarship recipient surfers going on to represent their nations in ISA World Championships, and even some who have won gold medals, the programme has a proven track record of helping young surfers in need and allowing them to continue pursuing their dreams.

"With surfing's Olympic debut set to take place in just three short years, the Olympic dream is more alive than ever within the youth surfing community.

"It's possible that we could see a scholarship winner with a medal around their neck at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics."

Several previous recipients have gone on to represent their countries at the highest level of competition, including the World Championships.

A total of 12 scholarship winners featured at the 2016 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in the Azores, representing all five continents.

Carlos Muñoz, a scholarship recipient in 2008 and 2009, played a key role in Costa Rica's gold medal team performance at the 2015 ISA World Surfing Games in Nicaragua, while the United States' Summer Macedo became the first to earn an individual title.

She won the girls' under-16 division at the 2015 World Junior Surfing Championship in Oceanside, California.

India's Tanvi Jagadish is among this year's recipients, with the 17-year-old the first female professional from the country.

Freddy Marimón has also been awarded a scholarship, with the 12-year-old Colombian competing in able-bodied competition despite suffering from a disability.

Trinidad and Tobago's Oba Lewis has used the scholarship to buy a replacement surfboard and compete in an event in Barbados.

This was his first trip out of his home country.