The International Surfing Association (ISA) has successfully conducted a sixth official visit to Tokyo ahead of the sport’s historic Olympic debut at the 2020 Games.
The technical visit, led by ISA President Fernando Aguerre, brought into focus the exciting and innovative plans for Surfing at the Games, as Japan is currently also hosting a major Olympic qualification event – the 2019 World Surfing Games presented by Vans – which runs until 15 September in Miyazaki.
For the recent official trip to Tokyo, President Aguerre was joined by ISA Executive Director, Robert Fasulo, and Technical Director, Erik Krammer – who met with Tokyo 2020 Chief Games Delivery Officer, Hidemasa Nakamura, Deputy Executive Director of Venue Management, Takeshi Hashizume, and Surfing Sport Manager, Kimifumi Imoto, to discuss the excellent strides being made towards the sport’s landmark moment in Tokyo next year.
A site visit to the Olympic Surfing Venue, Tsuragasaki Beach in Ichinomiya, included an in-depth review and analysis of the venue design and infrastructure together with the Venue Infrastructure and Venue Management teams. The ISA President also took to the waves to personally test out the conditions in the area which is home to some of Japan’s best waves.
Among the key topics under discussion was the Olympic Surfing Festival, which will be an integral part of the fan experience at the Surfing event at Tokyo 2020, and promises to bring a truly innovative, youthful and unique element to the Olympic programme.
Tsurigasaki Beach at the Games will become more than a venue – it will be an experience intrinsically linked to the ethos and lifestyle of Surfing, with activities including yoga, live music, sustainability and ocean safety seminars and much more. The festival will therefore showcase the sport’s vibrant culture and everything that it can offer outside of competition.
The official visit took place as the excitement and anticipation for surfing’s groundbreaking Olympic debut continues to gather pace in Japan and around the world. The 2019 World Surfing Games presented by Vans in the southern, surf-rich prefecture of Miyazaki, is now well underway with the world’s best National Surfing Teams competing for national glory and a place at the Olympic Games. A record 240 athletes from 55 nations are competing in Miyazaki.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre, said:
“These few days have been another incredible milestone on Surfing’s journey towards our highly anticipated Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020. I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to our friends at the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee for their ongoing support, hard work and dedication.
“Surfing is a sport for the new era of the Games and is shaping up to be one of the highlights of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic programme, showcasing the sport’s unique youthful personality and vibrant culture to new audiences and fans worldwide. We know from experience – from past major ISA competitions in Japan and the ongoing World Surfing Games – that the nation is capable of hosting exceptional, world-class events and I am in no doubt that our landmark moment at Tokyo 2020 will continue in that strong tradition.”
