The International Surfing Association -ISA- has announced the addition of Togo and Uzbekistan as its 118th and 119th members, respectively. With these new affiliations, the organization now counts 20 federations in Africa and 28 in Asia, reflecting the growing expansion of surfing into regions where until recently it was almost unknown.

The newly established Fédération Togolaise de Surf -F.T. Surf- is working hand in hand with the ISA to strengthen surfing in the country, which has just 56 kilometers of coastline. The main challenge is the lack of proper equipment. Many local surfers rely on boards borrowed from travelers or donated by NGOs such as ‘Provide the Slide’. Today, there is already a small group of regular practitioners, and the Togolese federation has built connections with Ghana and Benin to encourage regional participation.

Razak Gbadamassi, president of the F.T. Surf, emphasized: “Togo could transform surfing into a lever for sustainable development and openness to the world. Surfing also promotes values such as perseverance, respect and adaptability among young people. It will foster small businesses and bring international visibility with a positive image.”

A landlocked challenge

In the case of Uzbekistan, it is a landlocked country, the most populous in Central Asia, characterized by vast deserts and mountain ranges. Within this context, the Federation of Surfing and Extreme Water Sports of Uzbekistan was founded, aiming to promote surfing, SUP surfing, and other extreme aquatic disciplines. “For Uzbekistan, participating in the ISA World Championships is a historic milestone. It symbolizes the beginning of a new era for our country in international water sports and inspires the younger generation to pursue great achievements on the world stage,” explained Azizjon Khodjiev, president of the federation.

The Uzbek federation plans to debut athletes at the upcoming ISA World Surfing Games, establish a national calendar of competitions, and encourage the integration of surfing into youth and educational programs. It also seeks to develop an Olympic pathway for its surfers: “This moment marks the start of a long journey, in which we aim to develop surfing at a national level, build infrastructure, and integrate this discipline into sports education and youth programs,” added Khodjiev.

ISA deepens its mission

The president of the ISA, Fernando Aguerre, highlighted: “The addition of these new federations is a testament to surfing’s incredible ability to transcend geographic boundaries and unite people through our shared passion. From the mountains and deserts of Central Asia to the tropical coastlines of West Africa, surfing continues to find new communities and create new dreams.”

He also added: “As surfing strengthens its place within the Olympic movement, expanding our global reach becomes even more meaningful. Every new federation deepens our mission of creating a better world through surfing, offering pathways for surfers everywhere to pursue their Olympic dreams.”