Oman and Mongolia are the latest two countries to gain membership in the International Surfing Association’s group of member nations. Photo Courtesy of the ISA
The Arabian Peninsula nation of Oman and landlocked Mongolia are the latest countries to join the International Surfing Association’s growing list of member nations, now comprised of 106 different countries, says the ISA.
“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,” explained the ISA in a statement. “Earlier this month, surfing was confirmed on the sports program for the 2020 Asian Beach Games, in Sanya, China, further evidence of the success of this growth strategy.”
A quick perusal of the Oman Surfing Association website reveals that surf in the Arabian Sea can get quite good (see below).
Mongolia, on the other hand, is a bit of a head-scratcher. According to the ISA, most Mongolian surfers live abroad. But their membership will, “create a platform to cater to disciplines that can be practiced on flat water, such as stand-up paddle, or indoors with wave pool technology.”
Unlike the Oman Surfing Association’s Facebook page, the Mongolian Surfing Federation’s is lacking in content – as of now, it’s a strange amalgam of photos of bikini-clad women holding surfboards and a couple of viral surf videos. But, official inclusion in ISA’s group of member nations is already adding legitimacy to the sport in the landlocked East Asian nation.
“This creates an opportunity for us to field a national team to compete at the ISA’s international competitions,” said Mongolia Surfing Federation President Tamir Amarbayasgalan in a statement. “The MSF has created a platform that will allow surfers to get information and become a part of the worldwide surfing community.”
ISA President Fernando Aguerre explained that the spread of surfing to Oman and Mongolia is evidence of the impact of surfing’s Olympic inclusion even with more than a year to go until the event actually takes place.
Now, an Olympic dream is very different from true blue Olympic qualification, but recognition from the sport’s governing body in the eyes of the International Olympic Committee is a huge step in the right direction. According to Oman Surfing Association President Nasser al Ghadani, the ultimate goal is fielding a team in the Olympics, but in the meantime, there are tangible benefits of ISA recognition.
“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,” he said.
