The International Surfing Association (ISA) held its 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM), during which Fernando Aguerre was unanimously re-elected as President for a further four-year term. This new term centres on several key priorities: ensuring the success of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, which will mark surfing’s third consecutive appearance at the Olympics;

continuing to develop the sport in new nations and communities around the world; and strengthening support for the ISA’s 120 member federations.

Fernando Aguerre, ISA president.

Europe remains a stronghold of world surfing, as Jean-Luc Arassus has also been re-elected as Vice-President of the ISA, confirming the confidence the European continent has in him, as well as Europe’s major role in shaping the international strategies of our sport. Jean-Luc will continue to campaign for a strong European voice within the ISA and for closer cooperation between the ISA, the continental federations and the national federations.

At this AGM, several European countries, through the European Surfing Federation, had raised a number of issues they wished to discuss with all ISA members.

Among these, improving long-term planning and communication regarding the ISA World Championships has become a matter of urgency.

Recent years have highlighted the difficulties caused by late announcements of events, changes to already confirmed dates and clashes between the competition calendars of the ISA, the continental federations and international circuits. For national federations and athletes, this poses significant challenges in terms of budgeting, travel, training, staffing and participation.

The proposal provides for: 

• that the ISA World Championships be announced at least six months in advance.
• Greater stability once the championship dates have been confirmed.
• Better coordination between the ISA, the continental federations and the major international circuits.
• The development of a coordinated global competition calendar to reduce scheduling conflicts.

This proposal was accepted by a two-thirds majority of the members present.

R.Fasulo (ISA CEO) with JL Arassus during last AGM in Lacanau in last May.

Our continent’s participation was strong; we accounted for 35% of all voting countries. 

Jean Luc Arassus « I am deeply honored by the trust and support expressed by European countries during the AGM votes. 

Being elected in the first round has strengthened my resolve. 

The presence of a European representative on the ISA Executive Board—where the Asia, Americas, and Oceania region is represented—ensures that our proposals are heard. 

Africa remains absent from the global leadership of our sport. 

The momentum behind a new Olympic philosophy, with KC’s, Kirsty Coventry, arrival as IOC President, prioritizes respect for athletes and their performance, as well as the democratic governance of institutions. 

The new criteria for inclusion in the main program of the Brisbane Games, will shape the initiatives for this new Olympic cycle. 

We will be proactive in proposing solutions to ensure that our indigenous disciplines continue to gain Olympic recognition, that our international calendar reduces our carbon footprint, and that our Olympic athletes compete in complete safety. 

The relevance of our European federation’s mission—which we will strengthen during this new Brisbane 32 Olympic cycle—remains a priority for our global influence. 

The ESF thanks Przemyslaw Kowalski, Poland, who ran for the position of regular member. 

I am committed to representing our continental federation in the pursuit of Olympic and global recognition while upholding our civic and sporting values. »