The ISA has announced the launch of a Global Stand Up Paddle Commission with the goal of supporting the sport’s global growth. This is great news, as they have enlisted some well-known names as team members. When looking at the objectives of this new initiative, it almost feels like they watched our YouTube video on race courses!
The launch of this commission is a promising step but also needs to be carefully considered. The news brings back memories from when the ISA announced its investment in the APP, becoming a partner to further the sport. We also remember when the ISA appointed Casper Steinfath as a Vice President to create a liaison with elite racers. In both cases, the outcome was minimal. The ISA produces one great event per year, but for the rest of the year, they remain radio silent when it comes to the SUP sport.
One might wonder if the launch of a SUP commission is a response to the growing popularity of the ICF formats, their ability to offer prize money, and their hosting of ICF-sanctioned SUP World Cup events throughout the year. The community can look forward to the impact this new commission will have on the sport, and a year from now, we can look back and assess its success.
This is their message:
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is proud to announce the formation of a new StandUp Paddle (SUP) Commission to further advance the development, technical elements, policies and promotion of SUP within the ISA and worldwide.
USA’s Candice Appleby, a five-time World StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard Champion and Pan American Games Gold Medalist, has been appointed to be the Chairwoman of the commission.
Jakob Faerch, ISA Executive Committee Member and President of Surf SUP Denmark, will serve as Ex Officio member.
The formation of the commission follows the successful staging of the 2024 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championships (WSUPPC) in Copenhagen, Denmark, in September.
he full ISA SUP Commission will be comprised of the following members:
Chair:
Candice Appleby (USA)
Ex Officio:
Jakob Faerch (DEN)
Members:
· Connor Baxter (2 x ISA World SUP Champion, 2 x Pan Am Games Gold Medalist, USA)
· Geoff Bryant (International race director, AUS)
· Lucia Cosoleto (2 x ISA World SUP Surf Champion, ARG)
· Federico Esposito (Team manager and coach, ITA)
· Taryn King (ISA World SUP Race Champion, RSA)
· Titouan Puyo (2 x ISA World SUP Race Champion, FRA)
· Casper Steinfath (5 x ISA World SUP Champion, DEN)
· Eiji Suzuki (Team manager and coach, JPN)
Anthony Vela, Strategic Advisor for StandUp Paddle at the ISA, will serve as the commission manager.
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
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:
“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.
“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.”
ISA SUP Commission Chair, Candice Appleby, said:
“I am honored to accept the ISA’s invitation to chair the newly formed SUP Commission. As a long-time ISA competitor and SUP athlete, I am looking forward to taking a leadership role where I can make positive contributions to the sport I love.
“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!”