Last week, Jean-Luc Arassus, President of the European Surfing Federation (ESF), attended the General Assembly of the European Olympic Committees (EOC) in Budapest, accompanied by ESF representative Marco Mazzi.
The participation of the ESF in this important gathering provided an opportunity to engage directly with National Olympic Committees (NOCs) from across Europe and discuss key topics related to surfing governance, federation development, and the challenges currently faced by national surfing organizations.
Throughout the Assembly, the ESF worked to increase awareness of the role and activities of national surfing federations while gathering valuable feedback regarding the relationship between federations and National Olympic Committees. These exchanges highlighted a shared commitment to strengthening cooperation and ensuring that athletes remain at the center of all strategic decisions, in line with the priorities established by both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the European Olympic Committees.
Several important meetings were held during the event, including discussions with representatives of the European Commission's sports department regarding potential collaboration through the Erasmus+ programme. The ESF delegation also met with legal advisor Domenico Demarinis to continue the ongoing review and modernization of the Federation's statutes.
In a meeting with EOC President Spyros Capralos, discussions focused on support for a future European qualification pathway linked to Los Angeles 2028, with EuroSurf 2027 identified as a potential key event within that framework.
The Assembly also provided an opportunity to exchange views on the European Games 2027, including the evaluation of a Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) event as part of the programme in Istanbul.
The European Surfing Federation remains committed to strengthening its relationships with Olympic institutions, supporting its national member federations, and promoting opportunities for European athletes across all surfing disciplines.