The Cook Islands have joined the International Surfing Association (ISA) as its 99th member nation.
The archipelago located in the South Pacific Ocean is comprised of 15 islands.
The new member of the ISA family receives favorable swells from nearly all directions, offering great waves all year round.
The Surfing Cook Islands Association is the newly founded governing body for the sports of surfing and stand-up paddleboarding.
The organization is already planning a youth surfing camp, and the 2016 Winter Open Bodyboarding Championships, in August.
"We look forward to the challenge of international level competition, gaining access to support in best practice through training and scholarship programs for our youth, professionalizing the association and to having a platform to voice our thoughts on the future of surfing in the international arena," says Falakiko Drollett, president of the Surfing Cook Islands Association.
The tropical archipelago offers multiple uncrowded reef passes and easy paddles from shore. Avana, Avaavaroa Passage, Rutaki Passage, Black Rock, Matai Wreck, Club Raro, and Norrie Park are some of the best spots in the Cook Islands.