Torch Song: Peru hosts Olympic surfing

2012 Bolivarian Beach Games

International Surfing Association
Punta Rocas, Lima, Peru
3 - 6 November 2012

Peru's National Olympic Committee Welcomes Surfers | espanol

Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 3 November, 2012 : - - The best Shortboarders, StandUp Paddlers, Longboarders and Bodyboarders from the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela are already training at Peru's famous Punta Rocas, for the Surfing competition in the first edition of the Bolivarian Beach Games that starts this Saturday.

The official Torch Delivery Ceremony of the multi-sports Olympic organization event took place Thursday in Lima with Peruvian President Ollanta Humala receiving the Games' Torch from Peruvian and ISA surfing competitor Analí Gómez.

Another highlight for surfing is that 2004 ISA and ASP World Champion, Sofía Mulanovich will be lighting up the Games' Torch that will be burning for all 12 days of the program.  In the ceremony, the President said, "I want to wish all the athletes the best of luck, give your best, be an example of good sportsmanship, be a loyal competitor, no doping, and may the best man win.

Humala added, "We need to support sports so we keep the values of our society. Sports keeps us away from drugs, alcohol and so many dangers for the youth."

International Surfing Association President, Fernando Aguerre said, "It is a moment of significance and honor for surfing and the ISA to be included in the Bolivarian Beach Games. This shows the importance of surfing as a beach sport by excellence," Aguerre said. "Surfing is really important for the Peruvian culture, and today's ceremony showed this. Congratulations to the organizers and good luck to all the delegations."

The Executive Director of the Peruvian Surfing Federation, ISA Vice President, and Peru Team Manager of 200 athletes in 12 sports, Karín Sierralta, said, "It was an honor to meet the President and to have a surfer delivering the torch. Out of over 12 sports and 200 Peruvian athletes competing, Analí was the one chosen give the torch to the President of the country. This is historic. It is a day that we will never forget".

FENTA, the Peruvian Surfing Federation, and the ISA have determined the following disciplines will be part of the surfing program:

Open Men Shortboard - 4 competitors per team
Open Women Shortboard - 2 competitors per team
SUP Men Surfing - One competitor per team
SUP Women Surfing - One competitor per team
SUP Men Racing - One competitor per team
Longboard Men - 2 competitors per team
Bodyboard Dropknee - One competitor per team
Aloha Cup - Combination of athletes to be determined

According to the surf forecast, waves will be excellent in Punta Roca with the surf reaching 6 to 8 feet in the first two days and 8 to 10 feet the last two. Over 1500 athletes in 12 different sports from 11 countries will be competing in the beaches of Lima.

The Bolivarian Beach Games, a multi-sports Olympic organization event, includes free diving, underwater fishing, beach handball, water ski, canoeing, beach soccer, open water swimming, rowing, beach rugby, beach tennis, triathlon, sailing, beach volleyball and, of course, surfing.

The Bolivarian Beach Games grew out of the Bolivarian Games, in which surfing was already included. Other Olympic Movement multi-sport events that have included surfing are the Asian Beach Games (2008), the South American Beach Games (2009 and 2011), and the Pacific Games (2011).

The Bolivarian Sports Organization (ODEBO) was created in honor of Simón Bolivar and includes: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, Peru and Venezuela. For the 2012 Bolivarian Beach Games, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Paraguay were also invited.

www.isasurf.org

Source: ISA

Author: Pablo Zanocchi

Tags: Olympics, ISA, Peru, Bolivarian Beach Games

ISA: Surfersvillage