The ISA (International Surfing Federation) is our International Federation and holds the responsibility for managing shortboard surfing as an Olympic discipline. Back in 2022, all the Olympic sport federations were invited to propose additional new disciplines and events to the LA28 sports program.
The ISA proposed SUP Racing (Technical Race) and Longboard. Following an initial review, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to classify SUP as a proposed “new discipline” and Longboard as a proposed “new event” of surfing.
As a result, the IOC initiated a review process for all newly proposed disciplines in July 2022 and conducted an evaluation process that included technical, venue, format information, participation rates, popularity, media coverage and more for SUP.
Longboard, on the other hand, will only be evaluated after the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and a decision on its inclusion is expected by December 2024.
All proposals for new disciplines were evaluated by the IOC’s Olympic Program Commission a few months ago and the decision in the end by the IOC Executive Board during its meeting in Mumbai in late October was not to accept any new disciplines unless an IF was willing to replace an existing discipline. Given this decision by the IOC, SUP was not considered for the LA28 Olympic Games.
This is a shame given the depth of talent with Team England SUP, taking home multiple medals and overall 6th place at the 2023 ISA World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Championships in France a few weeks ago. The ISA has also reaffirmed its strong commitment to the global growth and development of SUP as a surfing discipline, including at an Olympic level targeting the 2032 Brisbane games.
The position on Longboard is much more positive and a real potential for the LA2028 programme. It’s classification as an event within Surfing rather than a new disciple is an advantage and with some of the worlds best Longboarding talent within Team England and eligible to complete for GB at Olympics, we have real prospect of taking a medal at that level.
