Candice Appleby USA / Photo: Ben Reed
The popularity of Stand Up Paddling has grown tremendously in the past decade-plus. The International Surfing Association (ISA) has been an integral part of its growth in competitive arenas since 2010 when it began pumping resources into the development of events and grassroots participation, eventually proposing SUP surfing as an Olympic Sport in 2015. That bid was denied for the proposed 2020 Games in Tokyo but the ISA’s efforts to continue building the sport haven’t slowed down.
On Wednesday, the ISA announced the establishment of a Stand Up Paddle Commission, run by Five-time ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Champion and Pan American Games Gold Medalist, Candice Appleby, to support the continued growth of the sport.
Per a release from the association, the ISA SUP Commission will operate with the following objectives:
· To represent the interests of SUP to the ISA Executive Committee.
· To ensure opinions are heard at the highest level of governance of SUP.
· To proactively consider issues relating to SUP and give advice to the ISA on SUP-related matters.
· To provide current and past international Athletes, Coaches, Managers, and Race Directors with the opportunity to contribute to the continuous development, evolvement and growth of the sport of SUP.
· To liaise with Continental Federations, National Federations and other sporting organizations to enable the sharing of information, rules, judging and event structure.
Appleby noted the ISA’s continued reach for Olympic inclusion, according to a release, saying ““My vision for the ISA SUP Commission is to ensure we passionately represent and voice the views of the global SUP community – from grassroots participants all the way to elite athletes competing at the highest international competitions. We need to continue to achieve great results so the momentum for SUP builds around the world. A core ambition and dream is to see SUP as an Olympic discipline at the Games one day soon!”
“I’m thrilled that this amazing group dedicated to the development and success of SUP globally has been brought together as the latest ISA commission. We are proud and honored that these accomplished individuals will contribute to the commission, which features gender equality and athletes and leaders from all parts of the globe,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “With this announcement, the ISA reaffirms its full commitment to the global growth and development of the SUP discipline – at a national, international and at an Olympic level. Following another record-breaking WSUPPC, our message to SUP athletes and the global SUP community is that we continue to support you and work hard to create a platform to showcase your talents and this fantastic sport. As the ISA continues to invest in the development of SUP, I have no doubt that we will see new records of participation and growth for the sport.”
