Bodyboarding no longer part of the ISA World Surfing Games
Source: www.isasurf.org
posted on 20th January 2009
Beginning with this year's edition, the International Surfing Association announced that the Bodyboard divisions will no longer be part of the disciplines within the World Surfing Games.
Starting in 2009 the teams that participate in the ISA World Surfing Games will included the following athletes
-4 Open Men
-2 Open Women
-2 Longboarders Men
The teams, that used to include up to 10 competitors, now will have eight, making it easier for the different federations to finance their team's traveling expenses.
As seen, in the 2009 Billabong ISA World Surfing Games that will take place in Costa Rica next August, teams will no longer include bodyboarders but will increase from one longboarder to two longboarders.
ISA's objective when making this decision was to concentrate all efforts on the different surfriding disciplines in existence today. Therefore, an exclusive Bodyboard world championship is being planned, giving this discipline a more visible profile.
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, commented on the team changes for the next ISA World Surfing Games: "The ISA decided to provide separate events for both stand up surfers and bodyboarders in order to provide the most appropriate waves and judging resources specific to each sport."
About International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the World Governing Authority for surfing, bodyboarding and surfriding. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running world championships since 1964 and the Junior World Championships since 1980.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies (NGBs) of over 50 countries on six continents. Its headquarters are located in San Diego, California. It is presided by Fernando Aguerre, first elected in 1994 in Rio, and re-elected six times since. The ISA's four Vice Presidents are Alan Atkins (Australia), Robin de Kock (South Africa), Mike Gerard (USA) and Karin Sierralta (Peru).
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Comments
 | Len Bradford
23rd January 2009 14:55 |
yes Kelly you are damm right, one do experience the great vibe between the body bboarders and surfers at the Onrus Classc.
it's great having a surf heat then bodyboard heat and then again a surf heat, everybody cheering. but then again the waves must be good, like we had at Onrus.
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 | Kelly Footit
22nd January 2009 16:33 |
In response to the question about us already having the IBA World Tour.
IBA World Tour = focus on individual titles.
World Bodyboarding Games = Team event with the focus on the team title.
Same distinction as our local SABA Circuit and SA Champs.
There has been efforts in the past I believe to set-up a World Bodyboarding Games, through ISA's initiative - the first one was looking to be held in SA if I am correct. However Bodyboarding did not split and I believe this comes down to the fact that bodyboarding just did not have the resources and funds to take this on.
Whether we should split?
I think it is great to see surfers and bodyboarders supporting each other so it will be sad to see that disappear. But usually these events are competed in such poor waves for bodyboarding that I think it is a good move as watching bodyboarders grovel in slop does nothing for our sport. |
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 | Peter Brandt
22nd January 2009 09:21 |
| Yeah, I was also thinking it a load of bs, but then thought, let's be fair, they're not including kneelos either so it's not just bb that's being left out... I think we're being left out because we're the poorer cousins, rather than that it's bodyboarding or whatever! |
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