ISA Welcomes Oman and Mongolia as New Member Nations

ISA spurs growth in non-traditional surfing nations across Asia

La Jolla, California – 04 April 2019

The International Surfing Association (ISA) today has welcomed the Oman Surfing Association and the Mongolian Surfing Federation as new Member Nations, bringing the International Federation’s total membership to 106 nations across all five continents.

The addition of Oman and Mongolia highlights the ISA’s continued strategy to grow the sport of Surfing in all its disciplines across non-traditional surfing regions - and particularly in Asia ahead of the sport’s historic debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Earlier this month, Surfing was confirmed on the sports programme for the 2020 Asian Beach Games, in Sanya, China, further evidence of the success of this growth strategy.

The Oman Surfing Association has made big steps in the development of Surfing in the country, holding its first ever surf contest in August 2018. The association has established goals to further grow the sport, including gaining recognition from the ministry of sport, creating a membership programme for Omani surfers, promoting the country as a surfing destination, and addressing environmental issues surrounding the country’s coastline.

While Mongolia does not have access to the sea, ISA membership will create a platform to cater to disciplines that can be practiced on flat water, such as StandUp Paddle, or indoors with wave pool technology. With recognition from the Mongolian National Olympic Committee and ISA membership approval, the Mongolian Surfing Federation aims to now organize indoor surfing competitions, set up a network of surfing clubs throughout the country, collaborate with other ISA Member Nations in Asia, encourage instructors to obtain ISA instructor certification, and promote the sport on a national level through a media campaign.

Visit the Facebook page of each National Federation to learn more about Surfing in Oman and Mongolia.

ISA President Fernando Aguerre said:

"We are excited to welcome Oman and Mongolia to the ISA family to help them develop the sport and achieve their goals on a national level.

"The growth of surfing in non-traditional surfing nations is testimony to how surfing’s Olympic inclusion has expanded the sport to new corners of the globe. Surfers that thought the Games were far out of reach, now have a tangible dream that they can pursue.

"The beauty of surfing is that it does not discriminate on class, race, or creed. In the water we are all equal, and surfers from all 106 of our member nations have an equal opportunity to enjoy the ocean and water."

Oman Surfing Association President Nasser al Ghadani said:

"Surfing is steadily developing in Oman. We hope to gain momentum and generate funds to donate more surfboards to the Omani youth and coach them on how to ride waves.

"We have a vision to educate Omanis and visiting foreigners about our sport, which we will accomplish by holding our second competition this year, registering with the local Ministry of Sport, and encouraging others to become ISA certified like myself. Eventually we hope to field an Olympic team of Omani surfers. That would be the ultimate goal!

"Becoming an ISA member will help us to organize the sport better and safer in Oman and make Surfing more accessible to those who want to learn in our country, particularly for the youth."

Mongolia Surfing Federation President Tamir Amarbayasgalan said:

"Joining the ISA is a crucial step towards promoting and popularizing the sport of Surfing in Mongolia.

"This creates an opportunity for us to field a national team to compete at the ISA’s international competitions.

"The MSF has created a platform that will allow surfers to get information and become a part of the worldwide surfing community."

-ENDS-

Notes to Editors

About the International Surfing Association

The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. The ISA governs and defines Surfing as Shortboard, Longboard & Bodyboarding, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment. The ISA crowned its first Men's and Women's World Champions in 1964. It crowned the first Big Wave World Champion in 1965; World Junior Champion in 1980; World Kneeboard Champions in 1982; World Longboard Surfing and World Bodyboard Champions in 1988; World Tandem Surfing Champions in 2006; World Masters Champions in 2007; and World StandUp Paddle (SUP, both surfing and racing) and Paddleboard Champions in 2012.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Federations of 104 countries on five continents. The ISA is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (ARG). The Executive Committee includes four Vice-Presidents Karín Sierralta (PER), Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), Casper Steinfath (DEN) and Barbara Kendall (NZL), Athletes' Commission Chair Justine Dupont (FRA), Regular Members Atsushi Sakai (JPN) and Jean Luc Arassus (FRA) and ISA Executive Director Robert Fasulo as Ex-officio Member.

Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California (USA).

For further information:

Sujit Jasani

VERO Communications

Email: sjasani@verocom.co.uk

Mobile: +44 [0]7940 375 282

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