Updates from International Surf Association

TEAM AUSTRALIA WINS FIFTH TEAM GOLD MEDAL AT THE Q...

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:31:40 GMT

(Salinas, Ecuador) April 5, 2009 - In a dramatic come from behind victory, Team Australia was crowned the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Champions today in Salinas, Ecuador. Australians Dean Bowen and Tyler Wright won individual gold medals for Under 18 Boys and Under 18 Girls. Keanu Asing from Hawaii won the Under 16 gold medal. Team Brazil won the Aloha Cup, an Olympic style ISA specialty tag-team event.

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ENDURANCE TESTED ON DAY SIX OF COMPETITION AT THE ...

Fri, 03 Apr 2009 20:30:41 GMT

(Salinas, Ecuador) April 3, 2009 - The world's best junior surfers fought tooth and nail in do-or-die elimination heats on day six of the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Salinas, Ecuador. Many surfers made the 300 meter paddle out to the lineup three separate times and performances were through the roof.

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SWELL PEAKS AT 6-8 FOOT FOR DAY FOUR OF COMPETITIO...

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 20:00:55 GMT

(Salinas, Ecuador) April 1, 2009 - A powerful 6-8 foot south swell slammed into la FAE beach today making for challenging conditions for surfers at the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. Amazing performances were turned in by the world's best young surfers as they bravely fought through treacherous currents and clean up sets.

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2009 ISA Individual Scholarship Recipients Announ...

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 18:03:22 GMT

(Salinas, Ecuador, April 1st, 2009) The International Surfing Association announced yesterday, the forty recipients of the 2009 ISA Individual Scholarship Program during an ISA Development Meeting held at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship in Ecuador.

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Surfers From Around the World Convene on the Shore...

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 14:01:38 GMT

Salinas, Ecuador) March 27, 2009 - The world's best junior surfers completed their arrival today in Ecuador for the start of the 2009 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, an event recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The official event press conference was held this afternoon at Hotel Barcelo near the contest site. �Welcome to Ecuador and to the most beautiful region of our country,� said Ana Trivino, Mayor of Salinas, Ecuador. �It is really special to see us as a country hosting a surfing event such as this. Surfing has been, in this area, a part of our culture and today we have the privilege of welcoming the best of the best to our country.�

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World Surfing News #24: Special WJSC Edition

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 13:30:03 GMT

Surfers from the four corners of the globe will gather together to represent their home countries on the international stage for an International Olympic Committee-recognized competition. From the remote coasts of Africa to the crowded beaches in California, and the cold waters of Ireland to the warm Brazilian Atlantic shore; every junior team member is putting time in the water and training hard to achieve the dream of becoming a World Champion.

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Upcoming: The Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing...

Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:39:16 GMT

From March 28 to April 5 the waves of the Playa de las FAE in Salinas, Ecuador, will host the greatest junior surfing event in the world: the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

More than 200 of the best athletes of about 30 different countries will be competing for one of the greatest honors to which a junior surfer can aspire: a podium in an International Surfing Association (ISA) event. The ISA is the World Governing Authority of Surfing and all its disciplines, recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The event will crown the world champions in the categories Boys Under 18, Boys Under 16 and Girls Under 18, as well as the World Junior Champion nation, after the results of all its participants have been added. Each team will be represented by four members in each of the categories; therefore, a complete team will be composed of twelve athletes.

ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, commented on this upcoming event: I’m very happy that a major ISA event is going to be held in Ecuador, the host of the 2004 ISA World Surfing Games. It’s a great country with warm people, hot waves and weather - for sure a place to spend some extra days before or after the competition.

Regarding the fact that Ecuador is the first Hispanic American country to host an edition of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, Aguerre said: This is proof that Surfing in that region is maturing in a great way, in countries that only 20 years ago would not be considered surfing countries like Ecuador and Costa Rica, host of the ISA World Surfing Games later this year. We’re looking forward to hot surfing, a substantial increase of junior surfing level.”

It will be the seventh edition of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The event started its history soon after ISA decided to separate the Junior category from the World Surfing Games, to offer the best Under 18 athletes their own event. The decision proved a correct one and transformed itself in a mandatory stop for the best young athletes, since it became a talent incubator of the future leaders of world surfing.

The first competition happened in South Africa in 2003, continued in Tahiti (2004), California (2005), Brazil (2006), Portugal (2007) and France in 2008. In this way, Ecuador becomes the first Hispanic-American country to host the WJSC.

Australia, the greatest surfing force at world level, will be defending the gold medal in the general team position. On the other hand, the kangaroo country is the absolute leader in the event’s history, having won four of the six editions already held.

About the Place
Salinas is a beach resort located 136 km from Guayaquil, the second largest city in Ecuador. Its main and most renown surfing spot is the Playa de las FAE (FAE meaning Ecuadorian Air Force, for its initials in Spanish) will be the event scenario.

The wave is a long, perfect and consistent left-leaning point break that maintains the good shape in swells of up to 8 feet. The beach acquired fame after the World Surfing Games were held there in 2004.

In March, the average temperature in Ecuador is of 35o centigrade. Be sure to take sun protection and water. Rainfall is scarce in Salinas.

Gallery of WJSC Champions
2003 – South Africa – Team Gold Medal: Brazilian team
2004 – Tahiti – Team Gold Medal: Australian team
2005 – United States – Team Gold Medal: Hawaiian team
2006 – Brazil – Team Gold Medal: Australian team
2007 – Portugal – Team Gold Medal: Australian team
2008 – France – Team Gold Medal: Australian team

Medal list by country since 1996 click here

SURFING IN THE OLYMPICS

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:15:50 GMT

Surfing in the Olympics

My point of view

By Fernando Aguerre

The IOC and contemporary sports

In the past few years the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dramatically evolved in its view of the so-called extreme or contemporary sports and their place in the Olympic Movement.

The very positive effect of the inclusion of snowboarding in the Winter Games has also been a great wake up call for many. Another example of this positive evolution is the inclusion of BMX in the Beijing Games.

Presently diverse stakeholders around the world are friendly to the possibility of surfing’s inclusion in the Summer Games. This is in part because surfing has a well functioning and structured IOC-Recognized International Federation (the ISA) and National Federations, but most importantly it has to do with the realization that without “pruning the Olympic Games tree” by adding relevant new sports, and excluding no longer relevant sports, the tree itself will become less relevant and vital.

What are the hurdles for inclusion in the IOC GAMES?

The biggest obstacles facing new sports hoping to be included in the Olympic Games Program are the strict requirements for inclusion and the length of time the process requires. A new sport should start its campaign at least nine years before a particular Olympic Games, because the final line-up of sports is decided by the IOC seven years before any given Olympic Games.

Surfing’s chance for inclusion will most likely involve the development of wave parks with suitable manmade waves. Several such parks have been in operation for years, but recent technological improvements have raised the bar, and we now have an unprecedented ability for producing high-quality performance waves. At least five companies have made significant wave making progress, as can be seen in this video example:

Japan’s Ocean Dome waves are high quality and very contestable.

Consistent with current IOC rules, the decision on the Sports Program for the 2016 Games will be made in 2009 in Copenhagen. The IOC will also announce the host for those Games (finalists are Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokyo and Chicago). The selection for the following Summer Games (2020) will be made in 2013.

Note: The inclusion of Snowboard and BMX in the Games was not as complicated as the inclusion of surfing would be, since both sports were considered “disciplines” of existing sports (snow skiing and cycling respectively), and not “new sports”. The inclusion of a totally new sport (like surfing), as opposed to a “new discipline” of a currently included sport, is a much more complicated and involved process.
Additionally, the process for inclusion of new sports will always encounter a huge hurdle. Since the Games have an IOC imposed ceiling on the amount of sports and amount of total athletes, the inclusion of new sports necessarily implies that a currently included sport will most likely be removed from the Games, or trimmed the amount of athletes in such sport.

At the end of the day, the process comes down to a vote by all IOC members, some of which are presidents of federations of sports currently in the Games. Hence the vote for inclusion could end up resulting in the exclusion of the sports of the person casting the “inclusion” vote for a new sport…

In other words there is a full potential for a big conflict of interest: What might be great for the health of the IOC and the Games (bringing new, contemporary youth or extreme sports that will result in better ratings and sponsors interest), might be the worst for some currently included sports (such as aging, obsolete, or no longer relevant sports) that will be “kicked out” of the Games as a consequence.

Asking those “endangered Olympic Sports” for a vote approving the inclusion of new, younger sports, when that could result in the termination of the Olympic status of their sport, would be like asking the happy patrons of a club, to “vote” themselves out of the club, while they are having the best time of their lives… Not a very likely outcome.

Enter the Youth Summer Olympic Games

In a smart decision, which speaks to the vital importance of younger athletes and audiences for the future of the Olympics, the IOC announced the 2010 Youth Summer Games (Singapore, 2010).

Unfortunately, the IOC decided that only sports from the “regular” Summer Games would be included in Singapore. Some of the world’s most popular youth sports, including surfing and skateboarding are not slated for inclusion.

This is unfortunate, as surfing is one of the most visible and inspirational extreme sports, practiced in all continents, and loved by countless millions of fans. After all, surfing has been the “mother sport” of skateboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, and other great modern “board sports.”

The 2009 Olympic Congress: An opportunity for positive changes

For the first time in history, the IOC has created a Virtual Olympic Congress. In preparation for the 2009 Olympic Congress (a kind of constitutional assembly that is held from time to time), the IOC has invited all sports leaders, and even members of the public, to submit proposals for improving the Games and the IOC. This welcome move is fresh air for the whole Olympic Movement.

The ISA Sands of the World ceremony, a strong symbol
of peace and unity in the world through surfing.

Learning from the success of others

The phenomenal success of ESPN’s X-Games, which focuses on action sports, youth sports, and an embracing of youth culture, has certainly been noticed by the Olympic Movement.

The X-Games have a fast decision-making process on inclusion of new sports or exclusions of others. They also have shorter times between X-Games (one each summer and winter), and a precise focus on viewership needs, that has turned the X-Games into a very powerful example of how to make things happen in today’s sports-and-media world.

The short list of “new” sports for the 2016 Games

The five sports on the “short list” for inclusion in the 2016 Games are rugby, karate, roller sports, racquetball, and golf. Currently there is only room for two additional sports for those Games. The IOC could also decide not to include any new sport at all for 2016.

While very respectable, and certainly credible, none of those five sports could be considered a contemporary youth sport. Some might not even attract large numbers of additional young sports enthusiasts to the Games’ audience. Most likely many of those young viewers will continue to flock to the ever growing X-Games audience, following the stars in what they consider relevant sports. Young fans want to watch “cool” sports, sports that inspire them, and that are related to their lifestyles…

Why surfing in the Olympics now?

Until recently, the Olympic Movement gave not much consideration to surfing as a potential new sport in the Olympic Games. However, many stakeholders are now considering the viability and desirability of including surfing. New wave-making technologies have played a part in this re-evaluation of the possibilities. But perhaps the most important factor has been the realization within the IOC, that by passing over some of the most vital contemporary youth sports, the organization might have done a disservice to itself, maybe even weakening the Games popularity and relevance for the younger demographics.

This prior direction appears to have changed, with the inclusion of BMX.

The case for Olympic Surfing

Surfing is truly a global sport, more popular and more widely practiced than many current Olympic sports. Surfing is pursued in every corner of the world, in more than a hundred countries. There are now over 25 million surfers worldwide! Because of its enormous popularity and cachet, surfing is used as a marketing tool by banks, fashion brands, cars, watches, and countless other entities, not to mention the multibillion-dollar industry of surfing’s own lifestyle brands.

Surfers are a strong and positive influence on young people around the world. They are a very relevant part of our youth’s culture and serve as inspirational figures, naturally representing the Olympic values.

If surfing is included as an Olympic sport, it will be great for surfing, of course. More importantly, however, it will be a great contribution to excellence and relevance of the IOC’s Summer Games and the Youth Summer Games.

Recent experience has shown the IOC that the inclusion of a core youth sport has been a great boost to the health of the Winter Games. The incorporation of snowboarding as an Olympic sport immediately made the Games cooler for teenagers. It was a win/win situation for all stakeholders.

The incorporation of surfing will be an additional great step in that direction.

The ISA Parade of Nations, competing National Surf Teams march
to display their national colors during the Opening Ceremony
of the 2005 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

What will be the impact on society of Olympic surfing Wave Parks?

The wave parks created for the Games would remain in the host city, and continue to provide further opportunities for the integration of diverse socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and age groups long after the Games have moved on. This is what surfing has already done on ocean shores around the world. Places with wave parks will become part of a new, better world. Everything will change radically when surfing becomes a reality, regardless of where the surfers live, by the coast or away from it.

Opportunity for public and private sectors

Governments that fund the building of sport centres, stadiums, courts, and swimming pools will realize that Wave Parks are also good ways to provide a better future for their citizens. When wave parks are integrated into the recreational facilities of most cities (as tennis courts; tracks and soccer fields are now), surfing will no longer be an “elite” sport reserved only for people who live near the beach or have the ability to travel to exotic places. Like football and tennis, surfing will be embraced by a larger number of individuals, who will be physically and psychologically healthier thanks to surfing.

The private sector will thrive on this opportunity. From the entertainment industry to the venue operators to the lifestyle industry, all will have expansion opportunities. Students of all ages and social groups will be able to enjoy waves and familiarize themselves with the ocean’s motions at the wave parks. These wave parks could further serve as educational centers for the Earth’s threatened ocean environment; they will be “lighthouses” for better understanding of life in the oceans, and for the benefit of new generations of more environmentally-friendly citizens.

Ocean Waves, Wave Parks and the soul of surfing

Wave parks will not replace ocean waves. They will be complementary. Millions of people live far away from the ocean, in places where surfing can’t be practiced. Wave Parks would allow many of those individuals to surf.

On the competition side, the ISA believes that Olympic surfing will, of necessity, incorporate manmade waves. By standardizing the waves for surfing competition, the luck factor of getting a certain wave in the ocean will cease to become a sometimes important factor in determining the winner or loser of a surfing competition.

So what now?

As President of the ISA, one of my challenges is to rationally show the Olympic Movement the convincing case on how much good to Olympism and to the Games, Olympic surfing will be. Things are a bit easier nowadays, since the Olympic leadership is very aware of the challenges it faces, and is increasingly sensitive to opportunities to expand the Games audience and role in today’s world.

One of the ISA’s jobs is to continue the path begun by Hawaiian surfer and multiple swimming gold medal winner Duke Kahanamoku, who in 1920 asked the IOC to include surfing in the Olympic Games.

Final words

A long time ago, I realized that surfing was the best thing that ever happened to me. I want to share that happiness with the rest of the world. Some so-called “purists” might say, “You’re betraying surfing’s soul by bringing Wave Parks into surfing.” I don’t think so. I don’t believe that the soul of surfing requires it to be an elite sport for the lucky few who live near the ocean’s waves. My vision is of surfing as a democratic sport – one that, while teaching respect for the ocean, allows for a better integration of mankind, through a common love of wave-riding and the oceans.

Surfing is a sport that has grown up and continues to mature and evolve, as other sports do. Just like football (called soccer in the USA), playing on the street or on a perfect field is not exactly the same, but wherever you play it, the football passion is the same. Today, the sport of football is not the same as it was at the first FIFA World Cup in Uruguay in 1930. Compared to the footwear they wore, the balls they played with, the fields they played on, today’s football is another sport. Still, no one thinks that the sport of soccer has lost its soul. The young boy or girl, alone in his or her backyard or kicking a ball against a wall in a poor neighbourhood, are enjoying soccer with the same passion, the same happiness as footballer Leo Messi does.

My hope is to change surfing’s paradigm. The pleasure of riding a wave is not going to change regardless of surfing inclusion in the Olympic Games or the building of many more wave parks around the world. The ISA’s goal is to add a new surfing experience, to make what already exists for the 25 million surfers of the world, available to the many – opening the surfing experience to many more millions of new surfers through the building to wave pools around the world.

Inclusion of surfing in the Olympic Games is an important part of the job.

Eight times professional surfing world champion wrote to me a few weeks ago: “I am sure wave parks are our way into the Olympic Games, if that’s one of our directions, which it very well should be.”

I agree.

Fernando Aguerre
Surfer & President of the International Surfing Association

El Surfing en las Olimpíadas

Mi punto de vista

Por Fernando Aguerre

El Comité Olímpico Internacional y los deportes contemporáneos

En los últimos años anos el COI ha evolucionado considerablemente en su forma de ver a los llamados deportes extremos dentro de los Juegos Olímpicos, incluido el surfing.

El muy positivo efecto de la inclusión del snowboarding en los Juegos de Invierno ha sido una buena señal para el Movimiento Olímpico. Un ejemplo de esta positiva evolución es la inclusión del BMX en los Juegos de Beijing.

En este momento, varios sectores del mundo deportivo, se muestran abiertos a la posibilidad de la inclusión del Surfing en los Juegos. Esto se da en parte porque nuestro deporte goza de una buena estructura de Federación Internacional reconocida por el COI, con un gran número de federaciones nacionales afiliadas. Más importante aún, es el hecho de que el COI tiene muy claro que “el árbol olímpico debe ser podado”, o sea, sacando deportes que ya no son relevantes, y dando espacio a nuevos deportes. De lo contrario todo el árbol puede hacerse menos relevante y vital.

¿Cuáles son las trabas para la inclusión en los Juegos del COI?

Los obstáculos más grandes que enfrentan los nuevos deportes que pretenden ser incluidos en el Programa de los Juegos Olímpicos son los estrictos requisitos para su inclusión y el largo tiempo que el proceso requiere. Un nuevo deporte debe empezar su campaña por lo menos nueve años antes de un Juego Olímpico; esto es porque la decisión de los deportes incluidos en los Juegos de un ano, es decidida por el COI siete anos antes de dichos Juegos.

Las chances para que el surfing sea incluido dependen mucho del desarrollo de los Parques de Olas, con ondulaciones hechas por el hombre. Varios parques llevan varios años operando, pero los más recientes desarrollos tecnológicos han elevado muchísimo el nivel de olas producidas, y ahora contamos con una posibilidad sin precedentes para producir olas de alta calidad. Por lo menos cinco compañías progresaron de forma significativa, como puede verse en este video:

Las olas del Ocean Dome de Japón son de alta calidad y excelentes
para la realización de campeonatos.

De acuerdo a las reglas del COI, la decisión de lo Programa Deportivo de los Juegos del 2016 será tomada en el 2009 en Copenhagen. El COI también anunciará el anfitrión para dichos Juegos (los finalistas son Río de Janeiro, Madrid, Tokio y Chicago). La selección de los deportes incluidos en los siguientes Juegos Olímpicos de Verano (2020) será realizada en el 2013.

Aclaración: La inclusión del snowboarding y BMX, no fue tan complicada como sería la inclusión de surfing, ya que aquellos deportes ingresaron como “nuevas disciplinas” de deportes ya incluidos en los Juegos. La inclusión de “nuevos deportes” como el surfing, es mucho mas complicada que la de “nuevas disciplinas” de deportes olímpicos.

Adicionalmente, la inclusión de nuevos deportes se encontrará con un enorme obstáculo. Esto es así, porque el COI ha impuesto un límite a la cantidad de deportes y de atletas en los Juegos. La inclusión de nuevos deportes implicaría necesariamente que deportes hoy incluidos, muy seguramente serán sacados de los Juegos, o con su cantidad de atletas reducidos.

Finalmente, el proceso de inclusión, se decide en una votación con todos los miembros del COI, adonde algunos miembros son también presidentes de federaciones de deportes hoy incluidos en los Juegos. Por lo tanto el voto de inclusión de nuevos deportes, podría resultar en la exclusión de los deportes de algunos de los miembros del COI.

En otras palabras hay un potencial para un gran conflicto de intereses. Lo que podría ser una decisión que mejorará la situación del COI y de los Juegos (incluir deportes nuevos, contemporáneos, extremos, resultando en mejores ratings de TV e interés de los sponsors), al mismo tiempo sería el tiro de gracia para algunos deportes olímpicos (obsoletos, o ya no relevantes) que serian por ello eliminados de los Juegos, como consecuencia de esa votación.

Pedirle a los representantes de estos deportes “en peligro de extincion”, que apoyen la inclusión de nuevos deportes, que podrían conducir a la eliminación de “sus” deportes, seria como pedirle a los socios de un club exclusivo, que voten para excluirse a sí mismos del club en el que disfrutan mucho de ser socios… Algo que muy seguramente no harán…

Aparecen los Juegos Olímpicos Juveniles de Verano

En una muy inteligente decisión, que habla de la vital importancia de los jóvenes atletas y espectadores para el futuro de las Olimpiadas, el COI anunció los Juegos Olímpicos Juveniles de Verano (Singapur, 2010).

Lamentablemente, el COI decidió que solamente los deportes “regulares” de los Juegos de Verano serán incluidos en dichos Juegos. Algunos de los más populares deportes juveniles, incluyendo al Surfing, no formarán parte del acontecimiento.

Esto es lamentable, ya que el surfing es uno de los deportes que debería estar en esos Juegos, ya que es practicado en todos los continentes por más de 25 millones de personas, y seguido y amado por muchos millones de fans en todo el mundo. Depués de todo, el surfing es el “deporte madre” del skateboarding, snowboarding, windsurfing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, y otros grandes deportes de tabla modernos.

El Congreso Olimpico del 2009 ¿Una gran oportunidad para el cambio?

Por primera vez en la historia, el COI ha creado un Congreso Olímpico Virtual. Como una forma de preparación para el Congreso Olímpico 2009 (una especie de asamblea constitucional no anual), el COI ha invitado a todos los líderes deportivos, incluyendo al público, para que envíen propuestas para mejorar los Juegos y el COI. Esto es una bocanada de aire fresco para todo el Movimiento Olímpico.

La Ceremonia de las Arenas del Mundo de la ISA, un fuerte símbolo
de paz y unidad en el mundo por medio del surfing.

Aprendiendo del éxito de otros
El éxito fenomenal de los X-Games de ESPN, enfocados en los deportes jóvenes de acción (action sports) que son parte clave de la cultura juvenil contemporánea, definitivamente ha sido advertido y tomado en cuenta por el COI.

Los X-Games cuentan con un rápido proceso para la toma de decisiones sobre inclusión (o exclusión) de sus deportes. También cuentan con frecuencias cortas entre cada X-Games (son anuales) y están enfocados en las necesidades y gustos de la audiencia. Todo esto ha convertido a los X-Games en un ejemplo poderoso sobre cómo deben hacerse las cosas en el mundo deportivo y mediático del presente.

Entonces, ¿cuáles son los “nuevos” deportes para el 2016?

Los cinco deportes nuevos en la “lista corta” para la inclusión en los Juegos 2016 son rugby, karate, roller sports, racquetball, y golf. Hoy en día hay solamente espacio para dos deportes más en los Juegos de Verano. El COI también alternativamente podría decidir no incluir ninguno de estos cinco deportes en el Programa del 2016.

Sin desmerecer ni faltar el respeto a ninguno de estos cinco deportes, podríamos decir que ninguno de ellos puede considerarse un deporte “contemporáneo”. Algunos no parecen que fueran a atraer a un numero importante de de espectadores “contemporáneos” a los Juegos. Muy probablemente, si se incluyera a esos deportes, muchos espectadores continuaran su fidelidad con los X-Games, siguiendo a sus estrellas de los deportes que ellos consideran relevantes. Los jóvenes espectadores quieren ver deportes “cool”, deportes que los inspiren, y que tengan relación con sus estilos de vida.

¿Por qué Surfing en las Olimpíadas ahora?

Hasta hace poco tiempo, el Movimiento Olímpico no prestaba mucha atención al Surfing como un nuevo deporte para ser incluido en los Juegos Olímpicos. Ahora, en cambio, muchas partes interesadas están considerando que podría ser deseable incluir al Surfing como un nuevo deporte en las Olimpíadas. Las tecnologías de última generación para crear olas artificiales, han jugado un rol importante en ésta reevaluación de posibilidades. Pero tal vez el factor más importante, ha sido que el COI se dio cuenta que al no incluir a los mas vital deportes contemporáneos, la organización se estaba debilitando. Esto muy probablemente haya impactado los ratings de TV y la relevancia de los Juegos para las demografías juveniles contemporáneas.

Esta dirección anterior, parece haber tomado un mejor rumbo, con la inclusión de BMX en Beijing.

El Surfing Olímpico es una buena idea

El Surfing hoy en día es un deporte global, más popular y más practicado que muchos de los actuales deportes olímpicos. Al Surfing se lo encuentra hoy en todos los rincones del mundo y en más de 100 países. ¡Hoy hay más de 25 millones de surfistas alrededor del mundo! Por su enorme popularidad y atractivo el Surfing es utilizado como una herramienta de marketing por bancos, marcas de moda, relojes, automóviles, y otras tantas entidades, sin mencionar la multibillonaria industria surfera.

Los surfistas son una influencia fuerte y positiva para la gente joven alrededor del mundo. Son una parte muy relevante de la cultura joven y sirven como figuras inspiradoras de la misma, naturalmente representando los valores olímpicos.

Si el Surfing fuese incluido como un deporte Olímpico, será muy bueno para el Surfing, por supuesto. Pero más importante aun, es que representará una gran contribución en pos de la excelencia y relevancia de los Juegos Olímpicos y Juveniles de Verano.

Los acontecimientos recientes han demostrado al COI que la inclusión de un deporte “core” ha sido un muy valioso e importante empuje a los Juegos de Invierno. La incorporación del Snowboarding como un deporte olímpico hizo a los Juegos más atractivos, más “cool” para los adolescentes. Fue una situación “win/win” para todas las partes interesadas dentro del Movimiento Olímpico.

La incorporación del surfing seria un gran paso adicional en esa dirección ya tomada por el COI.

El Desfile de las Naciones de la ISA, los Equipos Nacionales de Surf
marchan mostrando sus colores durante la Ceremonia de Apertura
de los ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2005.

¿Cuál será el impacto en la sociedad del Surfing Olímpico y los Parques de Olas?

Los “Wave Parks” creados para los Juegos continuarán creando oportunidades futuras en las ciudades sede mucho después de la realización de las Olimpiadas. Permitirán una mejor integración de diferentes grupos étnicos, socioeconómicos y religiosos. Esto es lo que el surfing ya ha logrado a lo largo de las costas de todo el mundo. Lugares con estos Parques de Olas, serán parte de un nuevo y mejor mundo. El placer y la función integradora social del surf, no estará limitada a las costas, sino que serán parte de la vida de muchas mas personas, sin importar adónde vivan los surfistas, en las costas o lejos de éstas.

Una oportunidad para el sector público y privado

Los mismos gobiernos que en el pasado han financiado la construcción de centros de deportes, estadios, canchas y piscinas se darán cuenta que los Parques de Olas son también un buen camino para proveer un mejor futuro para sus ciudadanos. Una vez que los Parques de Olas sean integrados como facilidades recreativas en la mayoría de las ciudades (como lo son las canchas de fútbol, de tenis o las pistas de atletismo), el surfing dejará de ser un deporte de elite, reservado para aquellos que viven cerca de la playa o que tienen la posibilidad de viajar a lugares exóticos. Como el fútbol y el tenis, el surfing será practicado por una creciente cantidad de personas, que al practicarlo, serán física y psicológicamente más saludables.

El sector privado se beneficiará con esta oportunidad. Desde la industria del entretenimiento hasta la involucrada en los deportes de “lifestyle”, se beneficiaran y crecerán. Los estudiantes de todas las edades y diferentes grupos sociales podrán disfrutar de las olas y familiarizarse con los movimientos del océano en los Parques de Olas. Dichos Parques podrán servir como centros educativos sobre el amenazado ambiente oceánico de nuestro planeta. Estos Parques también serán “faros” que ayudaran a un mejor entendimiento de la vida en el océano, para el beneficio de las nuevas generaciones de ciudadanos, más amigos del medio ambiente.

Olas de Océano, Parques de Olas y el alma del surfing

Los Parques de Olas no reemplazarán las olas oceánicas. Serán complementarias. Millones de personas viven hoy lejos del océano, en lugares donde el Surfing no puede ser practicado. En el futuro, los Parques de Olas permitirán que muchas más personas surfeen y se amiguen con el mar y las olas.

En el lado de competencias de surf, la ISA cree que el Surfing Olímpico requerirá e incorporará, de forma necesaria, olas creadas por el hombre. Estandarizando las olas en la competencia, el factor suerte de encontrar una ola en el océano dejará de ser el que a veces determina el ganador o perdedor en una competencia surfística.

¿Y ahora qué?

Como presidente de la ISA, uno de mis desafíos es mostrarles con buenas razones al Movimiento Olímpico todo el bien que el Surfing Olímpico le hará al Olimpismo y a los Juegos. Las cosas son un poco más fáciles hoy, ya que el liderazgo olímpico se ha dado cuenta de los desafíos que enfrenta, y además es sensible a las oportunidades para expandir la audiencia olímpica y el rol de los Juegos en el mundo.

Uno de los trabajos de la ISA es continuar el camino iniciado por el surfista y multiple medallista de oro, el Duke Kahanamoku, quien en 1920, le pidió al COI que incluyera al Surfing en los Juegos Olímpicos.

Palabras finales

Hace un largo tiempo me di cuenta que el surfing fue lo mejor que me ha pasado en mi vida. Quiero compartir esta alegría con el resto del mundo. Aquellos llamados “puristas” podrían decir “Fernando, estás traicionando el alma del surfing al apoyar la creación de más Parques de Olas”. Yo no lo creo. No me parece que el alma del surfing requiere que este sea un deporte de elite, para aquellos que tienen la suerte de vivir cerca de las olas del océano. Mi visión del Surfing es la de un deporte democrático; ése que mientras enseña respeto por el océano, permite una mejor integración de la raza humana, por medio de un amor común por correr olas y respetar los mares y playas del mundo.

El surfing es un deporte que ha crecido mucho y que continúa madurando y evolucionando, como lo hacen otros deportes. Usando una analogía con el fútbol; jugarlo en la calle o en una cancha perfecta no es exactamente lo mismo, pero sea donde sea que lo juegues, la pasión futbolera es la misma. El fútbol de hoy no es el mismo que el de la primera Copa Mundial de la FIFA en Uruguay en 1930. Comparando el calzado que utilizaban, las pelotas con las que jugaban y las canchas, el Fútbol de hoy es otro deporte. Sin embargo nadie piensa que haya perdido su alma. El niño o niña que solitariamente patea la pelota en el fondo de su casa o contra una pared en un barrio pobre, está disfrutando del fútbol con la misma pasión, la misma felicidad que Leo Messi.

Lo que yo intento y espero lograr es cambiar el paradigma del Surfing. Sé que el placer de surfear una ola no cambiará sin que importe si el surf es o no olímpico, si construimos más o menos Parques de Olas. El objetivo de la ISA es agregarle una nueva dimensión al surf, haciendo que lo que hoy disfrutan 25 millones de surfistas en todo el mundo, sea disponible para muchos más. Así estaremos compartiendo la experiencia surfística con muchos más millones de personas, ayudados por la construcción de los Parques de Olas en todo el mundo.

La inclusión del surf en los Juegos Olimpicos es una parte importante de nuestra visión.

Tal como el ocho veces Campeón Mundial, Kelly Slater, me escribió hace pocos días: “Estoy seguro que los Parques de Olas serán nuestro camino hacia las Olimpíadas, es la dirección que yo creo que deberíamos tomar”.

Yo estoy de acuerdo.

Fernando Aguerre
Surfer, Presidente de la International Surfing Association

WORLD SURFING NEWS

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:14:40 GMT

NUMBER 16 / July 25th, 2008

Read Last edition (#15) (#14) (#13) (#12) (#11) (#10) (#9) (#8) (#7) (#6) (#5) (#4) (#3) (#2) (#1)

main global news

ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES ARE APPROACHING

Portugal receives the “Olympic Games” of World Surfing in October

Completing a calendar of events where the highest level of juvenile and veteran surfing was seen, now the turn comes to the best world surfers, longboarders and bodyboarders to make their presentations during the 22nd edition of the ISA World Surfing Games which will take place from October 11th through 19th at Costa de Caparica, Portugal.

Read more / leer mas

The International Surfing Tribe will meet in Portugal this October for the ISA WSG.

africa

South Africa

Insight Surfing Open

2008 Billabong SA Students Sports Union Surfing Championships

Mr Price Pro

Rip Curl Gromsearch #1

Mr Price Pro Junior

ISA Masters Team for 2009 ISA World Masters Championships announced

Up and coming

Read more / leer mas

Heather Clark

aUSTRALASIA

Australia

New National Coaching Director

Australian Surfing Festival

High Performance News

National Talent Search Program (NTSP)

Australian ASP News

Read more / leer mas

ISRAEL

3rd stop of the National Tour

Read more/leer mas

JAPAN

Japan National Team for the ISA World Surfing Games announced

All Japan Surfing Championship held on 27/Aug-31/Aug.

Read more / leer mas

NEW ZEALAND

Deja vu at the Rip Curl Gromsearch

Read more / leer mas

Chris Davison - pic: Quiksilver

europe

france

You can surf in Paris!

Journées Découvertes Surf

ISA WJSC 2008 in France

Pauline Ado made the final of the Mr. Price Pro

Read more / leer mas

ireland

Denny Irish teams set for international success

West Coast Longboard Competition

Read more / leer mas

canada

September Storm Surf Classic 2008 announced

Read more / leer mas

Chile

Big Chilean waves making the headlines, again

Read more / leer mas

COSTA RICA

Federation organizes future events

The challenge of the World Surfing Games

Puntarenas to have its surf school

10 million Italians will appreciate the tourist beauties of Guanacaste

Costa Rican surfers honored again by Icoder

“Tamarindo recycles” tons of garbage

Read more / leer mas

ecuador

Sebastian Santos, Ecuadorian Olympic Surf Champion

Sumbawa named best Reef Distributor

Ranking and calendar of the 2008 National Tour

Manolo Lozano talks about the Junior World Championship and the defense of San Mateo beach

Read more / leer mas

jamaica

Shane Simmonds wins 2008 Makka Pro Junior

Ivah Wilmot and Shane Simmonds take National Junior Champs event #1

JSA to offer surfing as summer extra curricular activity

Read more / leer mas

mexico

1st Amateur Mexican Surfing Tour

June 20 – World Surfing Day

Pro Am Surf – The Americas Cup

World Bodysurfing Championships

2nd Amateur Mexican surfing Tour

Latin American Professional Surfers Association

Read more / leer mas

dominican republic

Junior Gómez recognized as surfer of the year during Olympic dinner

Fedosurf celebrates International Surfing Day

Read more / leer mas

peru

Villarán, Delucchi, Málaga, Aguirre and Labarthe are already champions

Peruvians abroad

Read more / leer mas

F.Gouveia, Alejo Muniz & friends

"El Buey", Chile

other important news

International Board Visits The Mentawai To Review Programs and Direction

SurfAid's International Board (IB) held its annual field meeting in the Mentawai Islands in Marsh, reviewing the programs and setting the future course of the organization, which is now eight years old.

Read more / leer mas

Trestles is not saved
Act now

After a powerful victory before the Coastal Commission, the Toll Road Group decided to appeal the decision.

A public hearing was planned for July 25th at UC Irvine, but due to turnout speculation the Commerce Department decided that the venue would be overwhelmed by supporters of Save San Onofre and Trestles groups.

Read more / leer mas

SurfAid's International Board

Isa surf ambassadors

MartÍn Carricart
Argentina

Argentinean Surfing has a guaranteed next breed of good surfers, Martín “Ratuja” Carricart is slowly reaching the goals for those whose ambitions are the good health of surfing in Argentina. This great student received the 2008 ISA Individual Scholarship not only because he´s a great surfer but also, because he scores tens in the classroom.

Read more / leer mas

Juan Mateos
Spain

Nickname: Juano. Some friends from the Buena Onda Surf School named me this when I started surfing.

Birthplace: I was born on 11th April 1992 in Navaconcejo (Cáceres), a little village in the region of Extremadura in Spain.

Favorite break: My favorite waves, although I haven’t surfed them much, are the left ones in Rodiles (Asturias): very long and powerful waves.

Read more / leer mas

Martin Carricart

Juan Mateos

ALEJO MUNIZ

Alejo’s Revenge

Brazilian Alejo Muniz will never forget the 31st May this year. On that day, he made history on the beaches of Seignosse, France, during the 6th Edition of the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. The skinny kid from Bombinhas, Brazil took the gold medal in the Under 18 category, the greatest honor you can get at a surfing event ever for junior athletes.

Read more / leer mas


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World Surfing News #11: An ISA Publication

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 12:48:03 GMT

NUMBER 10 / December 7th, 2007
Read Last edition (#10) (#9) (#8) (#7) (#6) (#5) (#4) (#3) (#2) (#1)

main global news

A 2008 for all ages in the ISA

The International Surfing Association (ISA) announced its calendar of competitions for 2008. It includes events for athletes under 16 years old up to surfers over 50 years old, including the World Surfing Games, with the current biggest professional surfing stars, surfing as members of their National Surfing Teams, just like in the Olympic “dream” teams.

Read more / leer mas

ISA Attends World Conference on Doping in Sport

In representation of the ISA, Rui Félix, European Surfing Federation Technical Director, attended the World Conference on Doping in Sport in Madrid, Spain, held from November the 15th until the 17th.
The Conference was centered on the World Anti-Doping Code review process to discuss the proposed changes to the Code. It also provided the opportunity for WADA to inform the anti-doping world of its activities.

Read more / leer mas

Record Applicants for ISA Scholarships

The ISA received applications from 20 different countries for the 2008 ISA Individual Scholarship Program where twenty $1,200 scholarships will be awarded. The Individual Scholarship Program's main objective is to provide financial support in order to facilitate an experience in surfing while encouraging the importance of education.

Read more / leer mas

The waves of Capbreton will be the arena for the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

africa

SOUTH AFRICA
Clark and Robb claim titles after dramatic start to Billabong ‘Girls Get Out There’ Summer Surf Series in Margate

Read more / leer mas

Nikkita Robb

aUSTRALASIA

AUSTRALIA
Stephanie Gilmore wins ASP World Title
Read more / leer mas

NEW ZEALAND
Bobby Hansen Top Kiwi on 2007 WQS
Read more / leer mas

JAPAN
The 1st Grand Champion 2007 Revealed
Read more / leer mas

Stephanie Gilmore

europe

BRITAIN
New Regional development Coach Hired to Progress British Surfing
Read more / leer mas

FRANCE
Sophie Pola elected for internal communication
Read more / leer mas

IRELAND
Surf safe
Read more / leer mas

SPAIN
Aritz Aramburu was recognized by his people
Read more / leer mas

PORTUGAL
PenÍnsula de Peniche Surf Club National Champion
Read more / leer mas

Andy Sturt

the americas

ARGENTINA
The 07-08 tour of the Argentinian Surfing Federation has begun
Read more / leer mas

BRAZIL
There are new University Champions from Sao Paulo
Read more / leer mas

Brazil posts 2008 competitions schedule
Read more / leer mas

CANADA
Judging courses dates
Read more / leer mas

Chile
Diego Medina wins the Adrenalin Masters
Read more / leer mas

COSTA RICA
07-08 Tour of the Costa Rican Surfing Federation has started
Read more / leer mas

MEXICO
Ángelo Lozano: the only Mexican in the Billabong ASP World Junior Championship
Read more / leer mas

panama
Gary Saavedra left number 13 behind
Read more / leer mas

PERU
FENTA announced Peruvian Tour 2008
Read more / leer mas

Puerto rico
The 5th Margara Bodyboarding Challenge is close
Read more / leer mas

Gary Saavedra 13 x National Champ-

surf aid news

SurfAid International Launches Quiksilver SurfAid Community Health Training Centre

Humanitarian aid organization SurfAid International has opened the first stage of the Quiksilver SurfAid Community Health Training Centre at Katiet, in the Mentawai Islands, off Indonesia’s West Sumatran coast.
The centre, which has been funded by the Quiksilver Foundation, has been designed by leading organic agriculturalist, Brendan Hoare.

Read more / leer mas

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

Hotel list booked for the 2008 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Click here to see prices and pictures

Lista de Hoteles reservados para el Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship

Haz click aquí para ver los precios y las fotos

Andy Abel awarded by National Government

The President of the Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea Andy Abel, has just been awarder with the Member of the order of Logohu, medal award by the Papua New Guinea National Governemt for his service to surfing and tourism over the last 20 years.

Read more / leer mas

SAPNG President: Andy Abel

SALLY FITZGIBBONS
When the World met Sally

Age: 16

From: New South Wales, Australia.

Best Results: ISA World Junior Champion 2007, Runner Up in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2006.

Sponsors: Roxy, Etnies, FCS, Gorilla, Smith Optics and Sex Wax.

Sally Fitzgibbons’ name resounded in 2006 when she obtained the Runner up position, after French Pauline Ado, in the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship that took place in Maresías, Brazil. That was the first hint of her great talent.

Read more / leer mas

photo:Simon Williams


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World Surfing News December 07

Thu, 13 Dec 2007 12:31:35 GMT

NUMBER 10 / December 7th, 2007
Read Last edition (#9) (#8) (#7) (#6) (#5) (#4) (#3) (#2) (#1)

main global news

Peru is the host for the 2008 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship

The 2008 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship has been confirmed. The event will be hosted by the Federación Nacional de Tabla and will take place in Punta Rocas, Peru (30 minutes from Lima, 1 hour from Lima International Airport). This is Peru's most consistent surf spot which also hosted the 1965 ISF World Championship won by Felipe Pomar.
Read more / leer mas

ISA President attended the International Federation Sports Forum

The International Surfing Association (ISA) President, Fernando Aguerre, attended the International Federation Sports Forum that took place in Lausanne, Switzerland from November the 26th until the 28th.
Read more / leer mas

ISA Announces Expansion of Medical Committee

The International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Governing Authority for Surfing, has successfully expanded its own Medical Committee with the help of two prominent figures in Sports Medicine at the University of California San Diego.
Read more / leer mas

Punta Rocas

Fernando Aguerre at the IOC headquarters

africa

SOUTH AFRICA
Giant Killers win second Lizzard tag series contest at St Mikes
Read more / leer mas

South Africa's Queen of Surfing, Heather Clark in a league of her own at 2007 Roxy Wahine Cup in Durban
Read more / leer mas

Heather Clark

aUSTRALASIA

AUSTRALIA
Best of Australia’s Juniors will meet for the National Titles
Read more / leer mas

NEW ZEALAND
Orcas Holt Play at Primary Schools
Read more / leer mas

Top kiwi Paige Hareb speaks about her Hawaiian season
Read more / leer mas

Orcas playing at new zealand beaches

europe

BRITAIN
Damien “Dooma” Prisk is the 2007 British Bodyboard Champion
Read more / leer mas

IRELAND
Surfers ride the biggest swell to ever hit British and Irish Isles
Read more / leer mas

Nicole Morgan 7th at Billabong Girls Queensland Surf Series
Read more / leer mas

FRANCE
Results of the French Surfing Championships
Read more / leer mas

Duncan Scott, pic:www.mickeysmith.co.uk

the americas

ARGENTINA
Iquique as a Starting Point
Read more / leer mas

Camarón Brujo ready for the classes
Read more / leer mas

BRAZIL
Once again the Brazilian machine worked perfectly
Read more / leer mas

Chile
The Chileans rise to a historical platform
Read more / leer mas

Election process in the Chilean Surfing Federation
Read more / leer mas

COSTA RICA
Gilberth Brown placed third in the Pan American Surfing Games in Chile
Read more / leer mas

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Strong presence from the Dominican Republic Surfing Federation
Read more / leer mas

ECUADOR
The Ecuadorians represented well in Iquique
Read more / leer mas

EL SALVADOR
El Salvador surfing represented in Iquique
Read more / leer mas

GUADALUPE
Guadalupe gave a great Pan American performance
Read more / leer mas

MEXICO
Two Mexicans were not enough in Chile
Read more / leer mas

panama
The Panamanian surf team placed 12th in the Pan American Games
Read more / leer mas

PERU
Peru once again lands the gold in the Open category
Read more / leer mas

The Pan American Champion speaks
Read more / leer mas

VENEZUELA
The Venezuelans were grand entertainers in Iquique
Read more / leer mas

URUGUAY
The “Charruas” and a long bus trip to Chile
Read more / leer mas

Brazilian Team

SURF AID NEWS

SurfAid International wins prestigious global humanitarian award

Source: -www.surfaidinternational.org-

Aid organization SurfAid International has received the World Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) 2007 Humanitarian Award at the World Congress of NGOs awards ceremony in Toronto, Canada.

The award recognizes SurfAid as one of the best non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the world, a testament to their groundbreaking and effective approach to providing aid.

Read more / leer mas

OTHER IMPORTANT NEWS

Host an ISA event
Do you want an ISA event in your country in 2009? You now have an opportunity to do so.
Please see below available events in the upcoming years.
Read more / leer mas

Christian Surfers International ISA Report
CSI exists to serve the world surfing community with the love of God. CSI is essentially local surfers from local churches interacting with their local communities. Our national groups interact with the amateur surfing bodies where they exist. Contact info@christiansurfers.net.
Read more / leer mas

WADA 2008 Prohibited List Now Published
Following its approval by WADA's Executive Committee on September 22, the 2008 List of Prohibited Substances and Methods is now available. This List will go into effect January 1, 2008.
Read more / leer mas

DIEGO VARGAS

Age: 18

Local spots: FAE, Tres Cruces and Engabao.

Results: Junior National Champion Sub. 16 2005, Junior National Champion Sub. 18 2006 and 2007. Open Champion Copa Sprite 2007, Junior Champion Olympic Festival 2007, Junior Champion Copa Cris-sal 2007 and Junior Champio 4th stage of El Pelado Nacional 2007. Actually 2nd in the Open category.

Influences: His father, Manolo Lozano, Xavier Aguirre, Lenin Vargas, Rodolfo Klimax and O´Neill

Objetives: To compete internationally, travel, surf new
waves, to be ALAS Champion and ISA Champion.
Diego “Chovi” Vargas is the most outstanding junior in Ecuador, master of a beautiful style, radical and modern, the boy has been known to represent his country well. Although he is a junior, today he is in second place in the Open rankings

Read more / leer mas


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ISA Partners with the Loop'd Network

Mon, 19 Nov 2007 19:51:32 GMT

The ISA has partnered with Loop’d Network to launch the official ISA Surf Community for our members from around the world to connect and interact. Loop’d Network is an online action sports network for athletes to get exposure and connect with sponsors while providing surf brands with unique ways to connect with surfers and promote their brands. To join the ISA Surf Community on Loop’d, visit http://isa.loopd.com and register for a free account. From there create an online profile, upload photos and videos and promote yourself to the surfing world.

ISA Breaking News

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:36:31 GMT

ISA SUPPORTS BRITISH SURFING ASSOCIATION'S PETITION TO STOP BRITISH AIRWAYS SURFBOARD BAN

The International Surfing Association, ISA, is shocked to learn of the British Airways (BA) ban on the carriage of surfboards (effective from 6^th November) and supports the British Surfing Association's petition to lobby the airline to reverse their decision. Like the British Surfing Association, the ISA is also urging all surfers to utilise a new members group on the social networking site Facebook, complain directly to British Airways and spread the word amongst other surfers.

Karen Walton, National Director of the British Surfing Association says, "If everyone who surfs could take five minutes to go online and follow our recommended action steps then we will have a real representation of the swell of support for the reversal of this absurd decision. The Facebook site already has in excess of 1,000 members and lots of our members have been making complaints to BA. The British Surfing Association online petition means that people all over the world can add their support to our campaign and can add their personal comments about the issue. We will then be personally delivering the petition to the management at BA in the near future."

Surfers are urged to take the following steps to help us lobby British Airways to reverse their decision:

1) Go onto www.britsurf.co.uk and click the 'SIGN ONLINE PETITION OF PROTEST IN THE NEWS SECTION ON THE HOME PAGE'. Follow the easy steps to sign this online petition and add any comments.

2) If you have a Facebook account, join the Facebook 'British Airways Surfboard Ban' group

3) Click this link http://www.britishairways.com/travel/custrelform/public/en_gb and register a complaint with BA directly

4) Encourage all other surfers to follow these steps

ENDS

Forwarded by
International Surfing Association
news@isasurf.org

LA ISA APOYA LA PETICIÓN DE LA BRITISH SURFING ASSOCIATION PARA FRENAR LA PROHIBICIÓN DE TABLAS DE SURF POR PARTE DE BRITISH AIRWAYS

La International Surfing Association, ISA, se encuentra impresionada tras enterarse que British Airways (BA) prohibirá el traslado de tablas de surfing (efectivo a partir del 6 de noviembre) y apoya la iniciativa de la British Surfing Association's, haciendo lobby a la aerolínea para que se reconsidere la decisión. Como la British Surfing Association, la ISA está también invitando a todos los surfistas a utilizar la red social de la web, Facebook, para quejarse directamente contra British Airways y dispersar el acontecimiento entre todos los surfistas.

La Directora Nacional de la British Surfing Association, Karen Walton, comentó al respecto: "Si cada uno que surfea puede tomarse cinco minutos para entrar a internet y seguir los pasos que recomendamos, tendremos una verdadera representación para la consideración de revertir esta decisión absurda. El sitio en Facebook ya tiene 1.000 miembros y muchos de ellos han realizado quejas a BA. La petición online de la British Surfing Association pretende que las personas de todo el mundo puedan adherirse a esta campaña y hacer comentarios al respecto. Más adelante estaremos enviando nuestra petición formal a los managers de BA."

Se le pide a los surfistas que sigan los siguientes pasos:

1) Entra www.britsurf.co.uk y haz click en 'SIGN ONLINE PETITION OF PROTEST IN THE NEWS SECTION ON THE HOME PAGE'. Sigue los pasos que se detallan ahí y haz los comentarios que consideres pertinentes.

2) Si eres miembro de Facebook, únete al grupo 'British Airways Surfboard Ban'

3) Haz click aquí http://www.britishairways.com/travel/custrelform/public/en_gb y envía una queja a BA directamente

4) Incita a otros surfistas a seguir estos pasos.

Reenviado por
International Surfing Association
news@isasurf.org

World Surfing News #9

Fri, 26 Oct 2007 14:32:19 GMT

NUMBER 9 / October 23rd, 2007
Read Last edition (#8) (#7) (#6) (#5)(#4)(#3)(#2) (#1)

main global news

ISA SCHOLARSHIP GROWS 400% FOR 2008

San Diego, Calif.– The International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Governing Authority for Surfing, is now accepting applications for the ISA Individual Scholarship Program. In 2008, twenty Scholarships will be awarded to junior surfers around the world.

Read more / leer mas

MAJOR PLAYERS JOIN “ISA SURFSCHOOL REGISTER”

When you Google “surfschools” you find out how big this business really is and you will realize the ISA’s project to establish “standards” across this surfschool industry of ours is an ambitious one.

Read more / leer mas

Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship finalists get their place in the NAB Beachley Classic trials

Sally Fitzgibbons and Laura Enver from Australia, Sage Erickson from the USA and Page Hareb from New Zealand, were invited to compete in the most important WCT event of the season after making the final of the last Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships –WJSC-.

Read more / leer mas

Countdown to the 8th Pan American Surfing Games

A few days before the start of the 8th Pan American Surfing Games, Iquique is preparing for one of the most highly respected and competitive surf festivals of the American continents. If the waves perform as expected, then a true spectacle will take place in the breaks of Urracas and Punta 1.

Read more / leer mas

Sally Fitzgibbons

africa

SOUTH AFRICA
Chemspec Durban Surfing Junior Provincial Championships hailed as a remarkable success
Read more / leer mas

Surfing South Africa announces strong SA Masters Team for 2008 ISA World Championships
Read more / leer mas

aUSTRALASIA

AUSTRALIA
Team Australia – Development Tour heads to mainland USA and Hawaii
Read more / leer mas

JAPAN
42nd All Japan Surfing Championship
Read more / leer mas

NEW ZEALAND
Christie Crowned Champion
Read more / leer mas

europe

BRITAIN Mark ‘Egor’ Harris Takes British Title Read more / leer mas New Government boost for British Surfing Read more / leer mas IRELAND Great success at the Bundoran Board Riders Junior surf contest Read more / leer mas PORTUGAL Read more / leer masThe Portuguese national surf and bodyboard team nominated Team of the Year	Mark 'Egor' Harris

the americas

ARGENTINA
The Invasion of Mermaids in Argentina
Read more / leer mas

Argentina announces its team for the Pan American Surfing Games
Read more / leer mas

BRAZIL
The Women’s turn in the Petrobras Women’s Surf Tour
Read more / leer mas

Brazilian selection defined
Read more / leer mas

COSTA RICA
Costa Rica announced its team for the Pan American Surfing Games
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Federico Pilurzu on his WQS way
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Costa Rica accredited by the ISA with Coach and Instructor programs
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ECUADOR
Ecuador prepares for the Pan American Surfing Games
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GUATEMALA
Abner Rivera, blazing champion of Guatemalan surfing
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MEXICO
Mexico already has its national champions
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PERU
Peru announced its team for the Pan American Surfing Games
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Sebastián Alarcón achieves his fourth National Championship
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The first WCT in Peruvian history
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VENEZUELA
Sergio Alonso won the Bodyboard Pro Festival
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URUGUAY
‘La Celeste’ pushes forward to be in the Pan American Surfing Games
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Sofía Mulanovich

SURF AID NEWS

Dire situation for Mentawai Islanders as SurfAid launches earthquake appeal

In response to two powerful earthquakes having struck the region of the Mentawai Islands, SurfAid International is currently receiving donations for relief efforts where SurfAid has been and continues to provide humanitarian services.

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GSI will send 400 boards to Peruvian children

The Australian company Global Surf Industries, faithful to its motto "Life is better when you surf", shipped out 400 surfboards as a donation to different schools on the Peruvian coast. This way, children with few resources will be able to approach surfing and in turn begin the road that could one day lead to a sports career and a new way of living.

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JUNINHO URCIA
The Mochica Surfer

Age: 12

Hometown: Huanchaco, Perú

Surfing goals: In thefuture I want to be a professional surfer and also continue with my studies. That’s my dream. Also I want to be part of the National Team, travel to other countries and compete on the best beaches.

Name of his school: Colegio José Olaya Balandra

Juninho Urcia is a quiet, humble kid who loves surfing. He’s also a person very connected to the sea; his father is a fisherman as was his grand father. Juninho comes from Huanchaco in the North Peruvian coast, little Urcia is a direct descendent of the Mochicas, millenarian culture that conquered the sea with the Totora Horses –Caballitos de totora-; the first surfers of the world according to various sources.

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ISA BREAKING NEWS

Thu, 11 Oct 2007 11:13:51 GMT

ISA NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2008 JUNIOR SURF SCHOLARSHIPS

San Diego, Calif. - October 11, 2007 - The International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Governing Authority for Surfing, is now accepting applications for the ISA Individual Scholarship Program. In 2008, twenty Scholarships will be awarded to junior surfers around the world.

The Scholarship Program is open to all junior surfers, ages 18 and under. Applicants must prove financial need, be enrolled in school in good standing, and be an inspirational role model to the surfing community.

2007 Quiksilver ISA World Surfing Games - Portugal

Wed, 18 Apr 2007 13:52:36 GMT

WORLD SURF IS BACK IN PORTUGAL

Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Costa de Caparica

Costa de Caparica, Portugal - 13 March 2007:
Portugal is once again on the route of world sports events. From May 4 the country often seen as the European surfer’s paradise will receive the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships. 30 National Delegations are expected in Costa de Caparica beach located just a few minutes away from Lisbon.

The best junior surfers of the world will gather in Portugal for the first time during this year’s edition of Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships [QWJSC], held in Costa de Caparica in early May [4-13]. This return to Europe follows a global tour that began in 2003 in Africa [Durban]. The South Pacific [Tahiti], North America [Huntington Beach] and South America [Maresias, Brazil] were the other locations for this international annual meeting. Now the action travels to Europe’s western point, landing just a few kilometres away from the Portuguese capital - Lisbon.

The International Surfing Association [ISA] and the National Governing Body for surfriding in Portugal have joined forces to organize this major event. Fernando Aguerre, ISA’s President, is “very happy that Portugal has been selected by the ISA to host the 2007 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Championships, the most prestigious junior surfing event in the World. Portugal hosted the last ISA World Titles held in Europe in 1998. We are looking forward again to enjoying the famous Portuguese hospitality and great waves”.

While teams finish their selection process for Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, all information points to a massive participation of 30 National Delegations [three more than in 2006] - with a forecasted number of over 350 athletes. The diversity of races, languages, religions and cultures make QWJSC Surfing’s Olympic style event. A philosophy very much alive during the opening ceremony: in the streets of Almada teams will go around with their colours and flags in a unique show of youth and joy.

The QWJSC features Under 18 and Under 16 Boys World Championship Divisions as well as an Under 18 Girls World Championship Division. There is also an ISA CUP event, where five competitors from the top participating nations battle it out in a tag-team format. The competition starts on May 6th in Praia da Mata and will last until the 13th.

PR1 | MARCH ’07
MORE INFORMATION:
FREE LANCE - Comunicação
T: +351 213 658 357
info@freelance.pt

WATCH THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURFING...

Mon, 16 Oct 2006 11:14:12 GMT

The cameras will provide thrilling, up-close footage of this monumental event at www.isasurf.org or www.surfingamerica.org/isa

WHAT: Much like the Olympics, the 2006 Lost Energy Drink ISA World Surfing Games offer fans worldwide the chance to check out the conditions from the famed Huntington Beach Pier, root for each country, and experience all the international spirit from the comfort of home. Produced by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surfing America, the best surfers from around the world compete as members of their National Surfing Teams.

WHERE: Live scoring and live streaming of all the action is available from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day for the duration of the nine day competition. Visit www.isasurf.org or www.surfingamerica.org/isa now to download the high-quality stream. Additionally, photos are available for viewing and free downloading at http://www.isasurf.org/gallery/main.php.

WHO: Top surfers from more than 33 nations, including Argentina, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Great Britain, Guatemala, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, South Africa, Tahiti, Peru, Hawaii, Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Sweden, Italy, Cote D’Ivoire, Panama, Costa Rica, Japan, Portugal, Switzerland, Spain, Venezuela, Ireland, Canada, South Africa and USA.

Media Contact
Hilary Craven/Jennifer Mangiacapre
SnL Communications
310.996.0239
hcraven@snlc.net/jmangiacapre@snlc.net
www.snlc.net

KICK OFF THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURF...

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:41:22 GMT

COLORFUL "PARADE OF NATIONS" AND "SANDS OF THE WORLD" CEREMONIES TO KICK OFF THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURFING GAMES ON OCTOBER 14, 2006

San Diego, California, 9 October 2006:
WHAT: Much like the Olympics, the Opening Ceremonies for the 2006 Lost Energy Drink ISA World Surfing Games will feature the "Parade of Nations" and "Sands of the World" ceremony. Teams will march in alphabetical order by country down the Huntington Beach Pier waving their nation's flag and wearing their national colors. Teams will then assemble for the emblematic "Sands of the World" ceremony. In this ceremony, each team will pour sand brought from their respective country into a specially crafted acrylic box, symbolizing the ISA hopes for a peaceful world. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) trophy will also be present at the ceremony.

WHO: Top surfers from more than 35 nations, including Argentina, Australia, Barbados, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Ecuador, Tahiti, United Kingdom, Aruba, Sweden, Panama, Hawaii, Cote d'Ivoire, Venezuela, Colombia, and the United States.

WHY: The Opening Ceremonies significance is paramount to the ISA's hopes for a peaceful world and is symbolic of the spirit of community throughout the sport of surfing worldwide.

WHEN: October 14, 2006 2p.m-4p.m

WHERE: Huntington Beach Pier
Huntington Beach, Calif.
USA

Media Contact
Hilary Craven/Jennifer Mangiacapre
SnL Communications
310.996.0239
hcraven@snlc.net/jmangiacapre@snlc.net
www.snlc.net

2006 ISA Aloha Cup

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:39:56 GMT

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is pleased to announce the re-launch of the ISA Aloha Cup, with the support of Asociación Latinoamericana de Surf (ALAS). This event is officially sanctioned and hosted by the ISA. It is organized by ALAS. More

QUIKSILVER STEPS UP ISA JUNIORS SUPPORT

Thu, 12 Oct 2006 09:39:12 GMT

ISA Junior World Champs earn chance to surf in WCT events
San Diego, California, Wednesday, July 26, 2006:
Quiksilver will step up its support of the International Surfing Association's (ISA) junior program by creating a fast track for Under 18 boys and Under 18 girls to participate in the worldwide Quiksilver and Roxy ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) events. Gold medalists in both Under 18 divisions at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship will automatically be given a spot in the trials and expression sessions at all Quiksilver and Roxy WCT events over a 12-month period. Quiksilver will pay all their expenses, including airfare and accommodation.

The other division contested at the Quiksilver ISA WJSC is the U16 boys and their gold medalist will receive a US$2,000 ASP credit from Quiksilver to be put towards membership fees, event entry fees or travel insurance to participate in junior events around the world for one year. The current Under 16 ISA World Junior Champion is Australian Owen Wright (Culburra, NSW).

In announcing the new awards, Quiksilver CEO Bob McKnight said: "We are so happy to be involved with these young surfers and to support the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Participating on behalf of a country in an international competition is a great opportunity for young surfers. The kids are passionate, they have tons of energy, and they rip.

"A gold medal at this contest is the biggest prize an aspiring junior surfer can win," McKnight added. "But now Quiksilver is making a victory at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship even sweeter. This year we are sending the Under 18 boys gold medalist Julian Wilson (Coolum, Queensland, Australia) to the Quiksilver Pro France in September and the Quiksilver Pro on the Australian Gold Coast in February next year, and the Under 18 girls gold medalist Pauline Ado (Hendaye, France) will go to the Roxy Pro in Hawaii in November, and the Roxy Pros on the Gold Coast and in Fiji in February and April next year."

In May next year the Quiksilver ISA WJSC is being held in Portugal and the Under 18 winners will go to all the Quiksilver and Roxy WCT events in France, Hawaii, Australia and Fiji during the following 12 months. And the winner of the Under 16 Boys division will win US$2,000 of ASP credit courtesy of Quiksilver.

"We are giving these kids something additional, something a bit more tangible and useful. A gold medal and a victory for the country is an honor. A chance to surf with Kelly Slater in a Quiksilver WCT event is the dream," Bob McKnight said.

Current Under 18 ISA World Junior champion, Julian Wilson, said he was "super happy" to get the chance to surf in the WCT trials.

"It will be good to see where I'm at on that level," Wilson said. "It's all experience as I get older. Watching it for the last few years they've had really good waves so I'm hoping to get some of those too."

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said the junior surfers are the future of the sport. "Quiksilver is providing a remarkable bonus to the already successful Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championship and, along with the ISA, is providing these gold medalists with additional opportunities for greatness."

For further information please contact:

Kirk Willcox
Quiksilver International Media Manager
kirk.willcox@quiksilver.com.au
Work: +61 2 9973 5555

Kate Herber
International Surfing Association, Operations Manager
kate@isasurf.org
Phone: (858) 551-5292

ABOUT THE ISA:
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for Surfing, Bodyboarding and Surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) in over 50 countries in six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. ISA President Fernando Aguerre was first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected five times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are from South Africa, Australia, Hawaii and the USA.

Inspired by the Olympic spirit, the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships showcase athletes competing on behalf of their country. The top four finalists are awarded gold, silver, bronze and copper medals. Like in the Olympics, cultural identity, team spirit and moments of great personal triumph are hallmarks of the event.

ABOUT QUIKSILVER:
Quiksilver, Inc. (NYSE:ZQK) is the world's leading outdoor sports company, which designs, produces and distributes a diversified mix of branded apparel, wintersports and golf equipment, footwear, accessories and related products.

The Company's apparel and footwear brands represent a casual lifestyle for young-minded people that connect with its boardriding culture and heritage, while its wintersports and golf brands symbolise a longstanding commitment to technical expertise and competitive success on the mountains and on the links.

The reputation of Quiksilver's brands is based on different outdoor sports. The Company's Quiksilver, Roxy, DC Shoes and Hawk brands are synonymous with the heritage and culture of surfing, skateboarding and snowboarding, and its beach and water oriented swimwear brands include Raisins, Radio Fiji, Leilani and Island Soul. The Rossignol, Dynastar, Lange, Look and Kerma brands are leaders in the alpine ski market, and the Company makes snowboarding equipment under its Rossignol, Dynastar, DC Shoes, Roxy, Lib Technologies, Gnu and Bent Metal labels.

The Company's golf business includes Cleveland Golf, as well as Never Compromise putters and Fidra apparel by John Ashworth. Gotcha is the Company's surf-based European brand addressing street fashion.

The Company's products are sold in over 90 countries in a wide range of distribution, including surf shops, ski shops, skateboard shops, snowboard shops, proprietary Boardriders Club shops, other specialty stores and select department stores. The European headquarters are in St. Jean de Luz and Voiron, France; and the Asia/Pacific headquarters are in Torquay, Australia. Quiksilver's corporate and Americas' headquarters are in Huntington Beach, California.

For more information, contact the ISA: surf@isasurf.org

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SURFING IN THE OLYMPICS

Surfing in the Olympics

My point of view

Japan’s Ocean Dome waves are high quality and very contestable.

The ISA Sands of the World ceremony, a strong symbol of peace and unity in the world through surfing.

The ISA Parade of Nations, competing National Surf Teams march to display their national colors during the Opening Ceremony of the 2005 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

El Surfing en las Olimpíadas

Mi punto de vista

Las olas del Ocean Dome de Japón son de alta calidad y excelentes para la realización de campeonatos.

La Ceremonia de las Arenas del Mundo de la ISA, un fuerte símbolo de paz y unidad en el mundo por medio del surfing.

El Desfile de las Naciones de la ISA, los Equipos Nacionales de Surf marchan mostrando sus colores durante la Ceremonia de Apertura de los ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2005.

WORLD SURFING NEWS

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ISA Breaking News

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ISA BREAKING NEWS

2007 Quiksilver ISA World Surfing Games - Portugal

WORLD SURF IS BACK IN PORTUGAL

Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in Costa de Caparica

WATCH THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURFING...

KICK OFF THE 2006 LOST ENERGY DRINK ISA WORLD SURF...

2006 ISA Aloha Cup

QUIKSILVER STEPS UP ISA JUNIORS SUPPORT

The ISA Sands of the World ceremony, a strong symbol
of peace and unity in the world through surfing.

The ISA Parade of Nations, competing National Surf Teams march
to display their national colors during the Opening Ceremony
of the 2005 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship.

Las olas del Ocean Dome de Japón son de alta calidad y excelentes
para la realización de campeonatos.

La Ceremonia de las Arenas del Mundo de la ISA, un fuerte símbolo
de paz y unidad en el mundo por medio del surfing.

El Desfile de las Naciones de la ISA, los Equipos Nacionales de Surf
marchan mostrando sus colores durante la Ceremonia de Apertura
de los ISA World Junior Surfing Championship 2005.