I checked in with International Surfing Association President Fernando Aguerre this week in Peru, where he is overseeing the Billabong ISA World Surfing Games.
I asked him some questions about the competition, and what it means for the sport’s quest to make it to the Olympics.
(To see more photos and video of opening ceremony: www.billabongisaworldsurfinggames.com.)
Why is this competition in Peru important to surfing?
Fernando Aguerre: This is like the Olympics of Surfing. Over 30 national surfing teams compete for the honor of representing their countries, not for prize money.
Also, it’s the only worldwide surfing contest where surfers from the smallest surfing nations get to compete against the top stars of the world. It brings the surfing tribe together like no other surfing event.
Describe what the opening ceremonies were like.
FA: A big parade of over 30 national surfing teams, dressed in national uniforms, carrying their flags and very stoked about being there.
Sands of the World Ceremony is a total highlight: Every team sends a flag carrier and a selected athlete to pour one pound of sand from their country in a crystal box, signifying the union of the world in peace through surfing, an idea I first created in 1996, at the first World Surfing Games I organized as the newly elected president of the ISA.
How does this contest help surfing’s quest to be in the Olympics?
FA: By showing our ability to have one global, universal contest, in great waves, and show how cool and influential surfing the sport is, and to show the surfing lifestyle as well.
On page 2: Why Peru, supporting the industry, and vice-versa
Why host the event in Peru?
FA: While surfing is not new in Peru, after Sofia Mulanovich won both the ISA and ASP World Titles in 2004, Peru has seen an explosion of surfing and certainly of female surfers, something very cool in such a male dominated society. Also, certainly not less important, Peru is like Indonesia, a wave rich country, both in terms of size, quality and consistency.
(Right: Sofia Mulanovich at the opening cermonies.)
How do the ISA’s efforts help the surf industry in America and around the world?
FA: While the ASP events include four to six nations represented at the top level, and at the most 12 in the lower layers, the ISA events include 30 to 35 national teams, and its membership is over 65.
By expanding surfing around the world, the love for our sport and lifestyle is a strong motor for industry growth. Emerging markets are a huge part of our efforts, and those are the markets with the best perspectives for growth of surfing goods sales.
What are the ISA long-term objectives?
FA: Promote the sport to new countries. Improve the penetration in mature surfing nations. Move the know-how of leading nations to lesser nations, hence helping the raising of the bar around the world.
(Right: At the Peru Presidential Palace.)
Safe, proficient surfing teaching methods – we currently have almost 1,000 coaches and surf instructors certified by the ISA around the world. We provide scholarships for good students who are also good surfers, to help them move forward.
Does the U.S. surf industry support those goals and the ISA?
FA: Totally. The recent Friends of Olympic Surfing campaign resulted in support and financial contributions from almost all leading surfing industry leaders.
Did you meet the president of Peru this week? What was that like?
FA: He invited us to visit with him at the Palace, but an unplanned trip to Southern Peru forced him to cancel his appearance.
A very excited Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism hosted the function. Video and photos at our website.
