IOC Member Barbara Kendall And StandUp Paddle Racing World Champion Casper Steinfath Elected As ISA Vice-Presidents
Punta Rocas, Peru, October 26, 2014 - Fernando Aguerre has been re-elected unopposed as President of the International Surfing Association (ISA) at the ISA 50th Anniversary World Surfing Games in Punta Rocas, Peru. Aguerre will continue to lead the sport's global development in what will be his eighth term as President.
After promoting the unique culture and youthful values of the sport as ISA President for the past two decades, Aguerre will continue to use his energy and passion for Surfing as the driving force behind its continued worldwide growth.
The ISA Annual General Meeting also saw the appointment of two new Vice-Presidents with New Zealand Olympic Windsurfing Gold Medalist and IOC Member, Barbara Kendall MBE, and two-time ISA Stand-up Paddle [SUP] World Champion, Casper Steinfath, joining the ISA leadership structure.
In his re-election speech, Aguerre praised the election of Kendall and Steinfath as a key moment in the development of the ISA. He also highlighted how the introduction of groundbreaking wave pool technology will play a 'game-changing' role in the future of the sport and how this, alongside the sport's global youth appeal, will play a key part in the ISA's drive for Olympic inclusion.
Speaking to the AGM after his re-election, Fernando Aguerre, ISA President, said:
"Electing Barbara Kendall to Vice President means that the ISA has gained a very experienced Olympic voice. It also means the ISA continues in its commitment to gender equality in Surfing, ensuring that the make-up of the governing body's Executive Committee is a minimum of 40% female".
Casper Steinfath is respected by his peers in the Surfing and SUP Racing community around the world, not just because of his Surfing abilities, but also because he is somebody we can count on. He has a diverse background, speaks five languages and he will be a great ambassador for the ISA.
"Athletes are central to how the world of sport, including the IOC, operates and it's great that we now have a young, active athlete in the Executive Committee to spread the youthful message of Surfing. Surfing speaks directly to young people. The unique culture and youthful values are the embodiment of the sport and we must harness this youthful energy and use it as a driving force behind our ambitions.
"With the new wave technology that is about to transform Surfing we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to take the sport to new territories. People who have never even been to the ocean will have the opportunity to Surf on consistent, high performance waves. This development really is a game changer for Surfing and combined with the sport's global, youthful appeal, it can drive us towards the goal of Olympic inclusion."
Read more on isasurf.org.
The new board together with theh representatives of the National Members of the ISA including Costa Rica, Mexico, Argentina, Israel, Japan, Columbia, Chile, Tahiti, Southafrica, Venezuela and Uruguay
Foto: ISA/Michael Tweddle