British Surfing, in agreement with the four Home Nations, (Scottish Surfing Federation, Channel Island Surfing Federation, Surfing England and the Welsh Surfing Federation) have announced the criteria for the 2020 British Team selection.
The selection policy says that athletes wishing to gain a place on the British Team for the 2020 World Games in Japan must initially secure their place by:
- competing in their home nation championships (The English National Surfing Championships, the Channel Island Surfing Championship, the Scottish National Championship or the Welsh Surfing Championships). Details and dates of these championships are at the discretion of each
Following the Home Nation qualification:
- the top 1st, 2nd, 3rd place getters will be eligible to compete in the British Championships due to be hosted by Scotland on April 18 and 19 April
The 4th place position can be a wildcard, selected by the home nation federation, on the premise the wildcard meets the respective eligibility criteria.
- 1st, 2nd and 3rd place getters from the British Championship will qualify for the British Team for the WSG 2020
The first four eligible men and first six eligible women from the 2020 ISA World Surfing Games will qualify for the 2020 Olympics.
The National Championships were identified as the pathway made in accordance with the Olympic ethos of opening surfing to all. Selection through a National Championship have been deemed the pathway to Olympic qualification by the
International Surfing Association (ISA). The top World Championship Tour surfers will progress to the 2020 Olympic team inclusion according to the ISA pathway.
Dave Cove, Chair of British Surfing said: “We hope that all British athletes who wish to be considered for the 2020 ISA World Games and ultimately for the Olympics will follow the selection pathway which has been set out by the ISA.
“Clearly there is a lot of talent in the United Kingdom, this pathway gives everyone equal opportunity to compete for an Olympic spot. There is a lot of competition for individual Olympic places, the ISA have set out the criteria and the World Surfing League will have the lion’s share of spaces.
British Surfing supports talent through the Aspiration Fund from UK Sport on a long- term basis and hopes to encourage surfers from all walks of life to follow the selection pathway to Olympic qualification.”
