By Max Petit-Breuilh – Chilean Surfing Federation

Chilean Surfing Federation Plans
With a new board of directors, the Federation’s principal objective for this year is to professionalize the Judges of the Chilean Tour and finance part of this effort.

We have decided to bring awareness of surfing to the Chileans. But even though there is a deep interest in making this sport more professional in our country, we don’t want to forget the spirit that brought the family together within this sport.

For this reason, we are working on a Project 2009 of a Chilean Qualifying and Professional Tour. The first one is only for those surfers that have dedicated themselves to this professional discipline or semi-professional. It will be composed of only two categories- Men’s Open and Women’s Open, in which only the best of each of the Open and Junior categories will be able to battle this year. This is according to the initial project that was presented by the new board of directors on May 12th in Iquique.

There will not be more than five dates per year and the qualifying event is for all of the remaining events throughout all of Chile. Accordingly, we have accounted for the fact that there are more than 20 surf events throughout the year that have not been federated but that have brought together the surf community of each region. We consider this important groundwork to be integrated into surfing in Chile.

As a result, this will allow us to have two rankings- Professional and Amateur. Another important aspect is that this qualifying tour will open the sport up to foreign athletes that wish to participate.

Junior Pan American Surfing Games
Our selection for the Pan American games is being comprised and simultaneously we are working on articulating a formula that allows notable national surfers to participate in these events with much more support from the Federation.

Tow In World Cup
The World of Tow In, which is recognized by the Chilean Federation, increases even more the diffusion of surfing in Chile. They must wait until September 15th, as the waves have not arrived. Another call to action will take place for the assistant professional surfers in line.

2008 End of Year Awards
As only two dates remain until the end of the tour, we are working on the award ceremony in which, for the first time, a tour champion will be rewarded from each respective category.

About International Surfing Association
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) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since.  The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Maile Aguerre (Hawaii) and Mike Gerard (USA).

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