Olympic Surfing
The history of the bid
The history of the bid
Surfing in the Olympic Games
"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"
Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association
"Sure, some might say that surfing will lose its soul, but the truth is surfing never changes, just the people.
I support the idea of surfing in the Olympics. I mean, there's badminton, right? And that thing you do with the broom. How many people are directly involved in those around the world? Not that many, I suspect.
I don't think it will commercialize surfing much more than it already is. Lots more people surf now than in my day, that's a fact and we might as well accept it, so why not put it in the Olympics?"
Gerry Lopez, surfer and Mr. Pipeline
"It’s gonna take some patience for the world to realize what an amazing sport we have".
Hank Gaskell, pro surfer
"A sick wave pool that everyone is talking about. It would be amazing to surf for a gold medal. Maybe Brazil 2016".
Mick Fanning, pro surfer
"Surfing should be an Olympic Sport for sure. We surf against the best surfers from countries around the world on the ASP. It would be unreal competing alongside Kelly Slater against friends like Mick Fanning, while representing the U.S.A. Now more then ever there are many countries with talented surfers.
Signs point to continuing in this direction. It would be hard to have the event when the hosting city is land locked, but with the way technology is going it seems we will be able to bring world class waves and surfing anywhere".
Taylor Knox, pro surfer
"Yes, I think surfing should be included, and I would absolutely love to surf in the Olympics. It would be such a great honor to represent my country. Plus, it would be a sick competition with the Brazilians teaming together against the other counties. And of course we would win. Haha! Hopefully it will happen".
Gabriel Medina, pro surfer
"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"
Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association
"Sure, some might say that surfing will lose its soul, but the truth is surfing never changes, just the people.
I support the idea of surfing in the Olympics. I mean, there's badminton, right? And that thing you do with the broom. How many people are directly involved in those around the world? Not that many, I suspect.
I don't think it will commercialize surfing much more than it already is. Lots more people surf now than in my day, that's a fact and we might as well accept it, so why not put it in the Olympics?"
Gerry Lopez, surfer and Mr. Pipeline
"It’s gonna take some patience for the world to realize what an amazing sport we have".
Hank Gaskell, pro surfer
"A sick wave pool that everyone is talking about. It would be amazing to surf for a gold medal. Maybe Brazil 2016".
Mick Fanning, pro surfer
"Surfing should be an Olympic Sport for sure. We surf against the best surfers from countries around the world on the ASP. It would be unreal competing alongside Kelly Slater against friends like Mick Fanning, while representing the U.S.A. Now more then ever there are many countries with talented surfers.
Signs point to continuing in this direction. It would be hard to have the event when the hosting city is land locked, but with the way technology is going it seems we will be able to bring world class waves and surfing anywhere".
Taylor Knox, pro surfer
"Yes, I think surfing should be included, and I would absolutely love to surf in the Olympics. It would be such a great honor to represent my country. Plus, it would be a sick competition with the Brazilians teaming together against the other counties. And of course we would win. Haha! Hopefully it will happen".
Gabriel Medina, pro surfer
Articles & Opinions
SurferToday.com
SurferToday.com #2
Rio Surf 2016
Surfing Magazine
Surfer Magazine
Transworld Surf
Transworld Surf #2
International Surfing Association
Sundance Beach
Reuters
UT San Diego
Correr Olas
Surf Park Central
Yahoo
One Stop Surf
SurferToday.com
SurferToday.com #2
Rio Surf 2016
Surfing Magazine
Surfer Magazine
Transworld Surf
Transworld Surf #2
International Surfing Association
Sundance Beach
Reuters
UT San Diego
Correr Olas
Surf Park Central
Yahoo
One Stop Surf
Surf Parks, Surf Pools and Artificial Wave Concepts
If surfing in the Olympic Games is a problem because of the lack of waves in the ocean, the sport offers effective artificial wave pools that may deliver endless waves in an indoor environment.
The most advanced surf pool models are:
American Wave Machines
Kelly Slater Wave Company
Murphys Waves Ltd
Ocean Innovations
Surf Pools Ltd
Wave Loch
Wavegarden
Webber Wave Pools
Learn more about the best surf parks, surf pools and artificial waves, here.
If surfing in the Olympic Games is a problem because of the lack of waves in the ocean, the sport offers effective artificial wave pools that may deliver endless waves in an indoor environment.
The most advanced surf pool models are:
American Wave Machines
Kelly Slater Wave Company
Murphys Waves Ltd
Ocean Innovations
Surf Pools Ltd
Wave Loch
Wavegarden
Webber Wave Pools
Learn more about the best surf parks, surf pools and artificial waves, here.
Articles & Opinions
SurferToday.com
SurferToday.com #2
Rio Surf 2016
Surfing Magazine
Surfer Magazine
Transworld Surf
Transworld Surf #2
International Surfing Association
Sundance Beach
Reuters
UT San Diego
Correr Olas
Surf Park Central
Yahoo
One Stop Surf
Olympic Surfing Timeline
July 2011 - Surfing is not included in the 2020 Olympic Games. Only a board sport - wakeboard - is listed.
October 2009 – ISA President Fernando Aguerre traveled to Copenhagen as an official participant in the Olympic Congress. He attended the very exciting announcement of Rio as host for the 2016 Summer Games.
October 2008 - Surfing is included in the first annual, OAC sanctioned Asian Beach Games which takes place in Bali, Indonesia.
August 2008 - ISA President releases his document "Surfing in the Olympics", a widely circulated article that becomes a key piece in the ISA's path towards IOC Games and other multisport surfing inclusion.
June 2008 - ISA President attends SportAccord, where he makes the case for inclusion of Surfing in the Cultural, Education and/or Cultural Programs of the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games, and 2012 London Olympic Games.
October 2007 - ISA President attends the IF Forum in Lausanne, where he engages several IOC and IF officials in the desirability of surfing as an Olympic Sport.
December 2003 - The ISA signed the contract with WADA, conforming to the IOC's Anti-Doping Charter.
November 2003 - ISA filled out and submitted a re-evaluation document for the IOC records.
December 2002 - Surfing was officially put on the South Pacific Games Program.
August 2002 - ISA receives a letter saying that surfing would not be considered for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The reason being that the ISA has not yet fulfilled the requirement of having 75 NGB's.
November 1997 - IOC requests two ISA flags, one for the IOC Headquarters and one for the IOC Museum.
September 1997 - IOC grants "outright recognition" to the ISA as a "Recognized Federation."
January 1997 - ISA produces a promotional video-tape about the World Surfing Games '96 and sends a copy of it to all IOC Members.
October 1996 - The International Surfing Association held it’s World Surfing Games October 5-13 in Huntington Beach, CA. The 1996 ISA World Surfing Games was the world's largest-ever surfing contest, featuring almost 600 competitors from 36 nations.
August 1996 - Invitations are sent to International Olympic Committee members and United States Olympic Committee members, inviting them to attend the ISA World Surfing Games in October at Huntington Beach.
August 1996 - The Olympic "Questionnaire for admission" is completed and sent back to the International Olympic Committee.
June 1996 - IOC President Samaranch, at the conclusion of his June meeting with ISA Chairman Aguerre, unexpectedly announced the creation of a special "IOC President's Trophy" to be given to the team winner at the ISA World Surfing Games.
May 1996 - Mr. Joao Havelange, President of FIFA (Federation Internationale Football Association-the world's largest sporting federation), becomes an ambassador for surfing.
September 1995 - ISA reaches the decision to make a special donation to the IOC museum in honor of becoming a recognized federation.
June 1995 - The International Olympic Committee's Annual Congress ratifies the Executive Committee's decision officially recognizing the ISA as the International Federation for surfing and body boarding, thus formally welcoming the sports to the Olympic movement.
April 1995 - IOC Executive Committee grants provisional recognition to the International Surfing Association.
March 1995 - Aguerre rallies support of the U.S. surf industry and brings the ISA World Surfing Games to Huntington Beach, USA, as a consequence of the original host country, South Africa not being able to host the event.
August 1994 - ISA files application for recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
May 1994 - Fernando Aguerre is elected Chairman of the ISA and includes Olympic Surfing as part of the ISA's plan for the inclusion in the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games.
April 1994 - Lobbying continues for Surfing to become an Olympic sport. Jacques Hele attends several international sports meetings.
November 1992 - International Surfing Association (ISA) President Jacques Hele lobbies for surfing.
SurferToday.com
SurferToday.com #2
Rio Surf 2016
Surfing Magazine
Surfer Magazine
Transworld Surf
Transworld Surf #2
International Surfing Association
Sundance Beach
Reuters
UT San Diego
Correr Olas
Surf Park Central
Yahoo
One Stop Surf
Olympic Surfing Timeline
July 2011 - Surfing is not included in the 2020 Olympic Games. Only a board sport - wakeboard - is listed.
October 2009 – ISA President Fernando Aguerre traveled to Copenhagen as an official participant in the Olympic Congress. He attended the very exciting announcement of Rio as host for the 2016 Summer Games.
October 2008 - Surfing is included in the first annual, OAC sanctioned Asian Beach Games which takes place in Bali, Indonesia.
August 2008 - ISA President releases his document "Surfing in the Olympics", a widely circulated article that becomes a key piece in the ISA's path towards IOC Games and other multisport surfing inclusion.
June 2008 - ISA President attends SportAccord, where he makes the case for inclusion of Surfing in the Cultural, Education and/or Cultural Programs of the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympic Games, and 2012 London Olympic Games.
October 2007 - ISA President attends the IF Forum in Lausanne, where he engages several IOC and IF officials in the desirability of surfing as an Olympic Sport.
December 2003 - The ISA signed the contract with WADA, conforming to the IOC's Anti-Doping Charter.
November 2003 - ISA filled out and submitted a re-evaluation document for the IOC records.
December 2002 - Surfing was officially put on the South Pacific Games Program.
August 2002 - ISA receives a letter saying that surfing would not be considered for the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008. The reason being that the ISA has not yet fulfilled the requirement of having 75 NGB's.
November 1997 - IOC requests two ISA flags, one for the IOC Headquarters and one for the IOC Museum.
September 1997 - IOC grants "outright recognition" to the ISA as a "Recognized Federation."
January 1997 - ISA produces a promotional video-tape about the World Surfing Games '96 and sends a copy of it to all IOC Members.
October 1996 - The International Surfing Association held it’s World Surfing Games October 5-13 in Huntington Beach, CA. The 1996 ISA World Surfing Games was the world's largest-ever surfing contest, featuring almost 600 competitors from 36 nations.
August 1996 - Invitations are sent to International Olympic Committee members and United States Olympic Committee members, inviting them to attend the ISA World Surfing Games in October at Huntington Beach.
August 1996 - The Olympic "Questionnaire for admission" is completed and sent back to the International Olympic Committee.
June 1996 - IOC President Samaranch, at the conclusion of his June meeting with ISA Chairman Aguerre, unexpectedly announced the creation of a special "IOC President's Trophy" to be given to the team winner at the ISA World Surfing Games.
May 1996 - Mr. Joao Havelange, President of FIFA (Federation Internationale Football Association-the world's largest sporting federation), becomes an ambassador for surfing.
September 1995 - ISA reaches the decision to make a special donation to the IOC museum in honor of becoming a recognized federation.
June 1995 - The International Olympic Committee's Annual Congress ratifies the Executive Committee's decision officially recognizing the ISA as the International Federation for surfing and body boarding, thus formally welcoming the sports to the Olympic movement.
April 1995 - IOC Executive Committee grants provisional recognition to the International Surfing Association.
March 1995 - Aguerre rallies support of the U.S. surf industry and brings the ISA World Surfing Games to Huntington Beach, USA, as a consequence of the original host country, South Africa not being able to host the event.
August 1994 - ISA files application for recognition by the International Olympic Committee.
May 1994 - Fernando Aguerre is elected Chairman of the ISA and includes Olympic Surfing as part of the ISA's plan for the inclusion in the Sydney 2000 Olympics Games.
April 1994 - Lobbying continues for Surfing to become an Olympic sport. Jacques Hele attends several international sports meetings.
November 1992 - International Surfing Association (ISA) President Jacques Hele lobbies for surfing.