The International Surfing Association (ISA) submitted a declaration of intent to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) for the inclusion of adaptive surfing on the 2024 Summer Paralympics program.
Now that surfing has been added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and that ISA has been officially recognized as the international paralympic federation for "para-surfing," the world governing body for the sport wants wave riding in the Paralympic agenda.
The ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship has been running non-stop since 2015, and never stopped growing since it was first held at La Jolla Shores, in California.
Fernando Aguerre and his team have also been developing and promoting the adoption of an adaptive surfing classification system and para-surfing rulebook across its member nations.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Governing Board will identify the sports and federations that fulfill the initial requirements and are eligible for Phase 2 of the application process in February 2018.
"Adaptive surfing is a vibrant sport infused with youthful energy and high-performance qualities that will add great value to the Paralympic Games," stresses Aguerre, president of the ISA.
"The ISA is committed to inclusion, at any level, and that is why para-surfing is so important to us. Everyone deserves the chance to surf."
A final decision on the Paris 2024 Paralympic Sports Program will be made and announced in January 2019.