In February this year, President John Philp travelled to ISA headquarters in San Diego and met today with President Fernando Aguerre and Director General – Bob Mignogna to discuss wide ranging issues including the challenge of developing surfing in Oceania and the ISA’s Olympic aspirations.

The meet went very well with a frank exchange of ideas, and an openness on the part of ISA to listen to our problems. Aguerre mentioned that smaller surfing nations in Asia and the America’s and Africa are also facing similar challenges.

Philp notes, “I was impressed with Fernando’s energy and vision for surfing. His zeal is palpable and his willingness to listen to our problems and create solutions on the spot was fantastic. I found Bob to be equally energetic. His background in surfing media and strategic consulting to the top levels of the surfing industry is unmatched, and I believe we can work together and make great strides. In the main, our issues centre around lack of access to intellectual property at an affordable cost, and the poor seizing of opportunity of being neighbours with arguably the top surfing nation on the planet – Australia”.

Key outcomes :
The ISA formalises it’s support for a combined Melanesian Team to compete at ISA World Championships. This will save costs, allow us to share resources such as coaching methods, and be represented on the world stage. Plus the team can represent the region at the annual general meetings which usually accompany these events.
The ISA head office membership section led by Summer Nelson is about to release a National Federation Operations Manual which will assist the smaller nations to develop their capacity faster and learn from best practise around the world.
The ISA will look at ways to deliver or make accessible Coaching/Judging/Officiating courses in a more cost effective way to our region.
Fiji and our regional partners will assist in signing up new member countries and building their capacity.
Onward & Upward!