The Oman Surfing Association and the Mongolian Surfing Federation have joined the International Surfing Association (ISA), the association announced last week. ISA on its website. The organization that brought surfing to the Olympics now has 106 member countries and plans to add more countries in the run-up to Tokyo 2020.

“We are excited to welcome Oman and Mongolia into the ISA family to help them develop the sport and achieve their goals at a national level,” said Fernando Aguerre, ISA President. “The growth of surfing in non-traditional countries is testament to how the Olympic inclusion of surfing has extended the sport to new corners of the world. Surfers who thought the Games were out of reach now have a tangible dream they can pursue.”

The statement also mentions that surfing will be included in the 2020 Asian Beach Games in China.

Oman Surfing Association President Nasser al Ghadani said: “Surfing is constantly developing in Oman. We hope to gain momentum and generate funds to donate more boards to Omani youth and teach them how to ride waves. “We have a vision to educate Omanis and foreign visitors about our sport, which we will achieve by holding our second competition this year, registering with the local Ministry of Sport and encouraging others to become certified with the ISA like me. We eventually hope to have an Olympic team of Omani surfers. That would be the ultimate goal,” he added.

Oman held its first surfing competition in August 2018, the statement said. “Becoming an ISA member will help us to better and more safely organize the sport in Oman and make surfing more accessible to those who want to learn in our country, particularly for the younger ones,” Ghadani said.

Mongolia will create a platform for flat water disciplines such as SUP or indoor wave pools because the country is landlocked. Mongolian Surfing Federation President Tamir Amarbayasgalan said: “Joining the ISA is a crucial step towards promoting and popularising the sport of surfing. This creates an opportunity for us to field a national team to participate in ISA international competitions.” Plans are underway to organise more events and create a network of surf clubs to promote the sport.