Surfing also included in the 2009 South American Beach Games

The waves will meet the Olympic Movement once again

Press release sent on 29 July 2008, La Jolla, CA

The South American Sports Organization (ODESUR) announced that the inaugural South American Beach Games will take place from February 28th until March 8th in Montevideo and Punta del Este, Uruguay.

ODESUR President, Carlos Arthur Nuzman said: “The creation of the Beach Games shows that South America is aware on the global sports tendencies,” and this is why Surfing will be one of the sports held in the first edition of the event.

The announcement of the Uruguayan event came a few months after the great news of the inclusion of surfing in the inaugural Asian Bali Beach Games. This event that will take place in Indonesia will be held from October 18 until 25 –this was announced previously by the ISA
(click here to find out)

This is another important step in the long journey towards building surfing as an Olympic Sport. Fernando Aguerre, President of the International Surfing Association, who started his quest in 1994, after years of hard work is seeing the benefits. He said: “One year ago, the ISA managed to introduce Surfing in the first Beach Games of the Olympic World. Now the ODESUR decision moves Surfing one step closer to the well deserved inclusion of the sport in the Summer Olympic Games and the Summer Youth Olympic Games. Duke Kahanamoku´s dream is one step closer.”

In the last year and a half, Aguerre has achieved a great deal of support from different personalities of the sports world for the inclusion of surfing in the above named games. The ISA has been working hard for the inclusion of Surfing in the Entertainment and Cultural Programs of the Singapore 2010 and London 2012 Games. This inclusion will count on the construction of wave parks that will remain as infrastructure of the host nations for years to come.

The Bolivarian Games also to be held in 2009 will include surfing as well. As in the Beach Games, the surfers will compete as part of their nation’s National Olympic Teams.

“The question is no longer if Surfing will be part of the Olympics but in which year this will happen”, ended Aguerre.

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).

BACK TO HOME