Gonçalo Saldanha, known in the surfing world for being a regular member of the ISA medical commission, is the new president of the Portuguese Surfing Federation, the federation announced in a statement on social media.

Saldanha is a physiotherapist and is part of the founding team of the aforementioned commission led by Lee Rice, although he is the one who is always seen at the association's events.

“The team led by Gonçalo Saldanha was elected today to lead the FPS in the next Olympic cycle, succeeding the management of João Aranha. Congratulations to all those involved in the process and thanks to those who worked for national surfing for 12 years,” the statement said.

“On behalf of our team, I thank all the delegates who voted and trusted us today. Together we will be part of this ‘Wave of Change’, and we will give a new boost to national surfing,” Saldanha wrote on social media.

Saldanha took over alongside coach Pedro Pecas.