HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — The International Surfing Association’s World Para Surfing Championship is coming to Huntington Beach Nov. 5-11. One athlete, Jacob Pacheco, was born with cerebral palsy.

Pacheco says he was told by doctors he wouldn’t walk past 16. Now, the 33-year-old is not only still walking, but shredding in the lineup. He will represent Team USA at the championship in the prone category for surfers who catch waves while in a lying down position.

It took Pacheco six years of competing to make the cut and this will be his first time competing at the world championship with USA Surfing’s Para Surf Team.

Huntington Beach is preparing for the world championships with more accessibility mats on the sand and other programs.