ICF given all clear to keep running SUP events

by | Aug 9, 2020 | Prone, South African Surfing Championships, Stand Up Paddle, SUP Events, SUP Racing, SUP Surfing, Uncategorized

The following article is written by ICF Media and can be found on the ICF website.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has cleared the way for the International Canoe Federation to continue to run Stand Up Paddling events at a national, international and world levels.  

The ICF was vindicated following CAS’s strong rejection of the claim by the International Surfing Association (ISA) that it had the exclusive right to govern Stand Up Paddling.  CAS unanimously found that the ICF was within its rights, as it has always maintained, to develop and nurture stand up paddling activities and competitions worldwide.

The CAS decision follows a long dispute between the ICF and the ISA over the governance of SUP.  It confirms that both the ICF and the ISA can continue to run SUP events.

In an unconventional move, the majority of the CAS panel indicated (with one panel member dissenting) that the ISA should have responsibility for running SUP at Olympic level in the future if SUP is eventually recognised as an Olympic sport.  It is surprising that the CAS panel felt that they could reach such a decision without the involvement of the IOC, as the recognition of an international federation as the administrator of an Olympic sport is traditionally a matter for the IOC.

However, the ICF welcomes the clear statement by CAS that its decision is not binding upon the IOC.  The IOC is ultimately free to make its own decision about who should govern SUP as an Olympic sport, taking account of what is in the best interests of the sport at the relevant time, without being fettered by today’s CAS Award.

Behind the ICF’s vision for SUP and core to this dispute, has been the notion that resources from both international federations can and should be used for the development of the discipline of stand up paddling, to make it an exciting and attractive sport at all levels.

ICF president, Jose Perurena, said the decision presents an opportunity for two Olympic federations to work together to grow a sport.

“We are pleased and feel vindicated that the Court of Arbitration for Sport has recognised the important role the International Canoe Federation has played in the development of stand up paddling and that it is free to continue this role worldwide” Mr Perurena said.

“The CAS decision presents an opportunity for two Olympic federations, the ICF and the ISA, to work together to promote a sport.  SUP is one of the fastest growing and most exciting sports on the planet, and it is the responsibility of both our federations to give it the best possible opportunity to reach its full potential.  We believe that the sport will flourish as a result.”

The decision also means national canoe federations can continue to hold SUP events without any interference or objection from ISA or its national members, which will help the development of the sport at grass root level.

The CAS decision clears the way for the ICF to hold its next SUP world championships, scheduled for Balatonfured in Hungary in 2021 and decide on two future editions which have been put on hold due to the ongoing CAS case.

Canoeing SA & Surfing SA incorporating SUPSA

by | Jul 26, 2020 | Stand Up Paddle, SUP Events, SUP Racing, Surfing South Africa, Uncategorized

Durban – The discipline of stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has become increasingly popular in South Africa in recent years and will now jointly fall under the auspices of both Canoeing South Africa and Surfing South Africa in a ground-breaking agreement.
The discipline will be governed by canoeing when SUP events take place on flat-water and in rivers as SUP boarders continue to branch out into river events like the Dusi Canoe Marathon, the Push And Pull Paddle, the Fish River Canoe Marathon and the many flat-water races.
When events are ocean-based and wave-based then the discipline will fall under the jurisdiction of Surfing South Africa.
President of Canoeing South Africa believes that the arrangement will benefit all parties involved.
“It’s all about the athletes for us and now the reality is that SUP athletes can go to World Championships hosted by both World Surfing and the ICF,” Pople said. “The decision made sense and I think it’s going to provide everyone with a great new way forward.”
Robin de Kock of Surfing South Africa is excited by the coming together of federations and hopes that these sorts of agreements can happen more often.
“Surfing South Africa is very pleased to be working with our friends at Canoeing SA and SUPSA in the best interests of South Africa’s SUP surfers, paddlers and distance racers,” De Kock said.
“Mutual and constructive discussions between SSA and CSA, the recognised National Federations, have led to the decision that South Africa’s SUP surfers will remain part of Surfing South Africa while the SUP paddlers and distance racers will fall under the auspices of Canoeing SA.
“Surfing South Africa, Canoeing SA and SUPSA have an excellent relationship and all three parties believe that this alliance will be of value to the SUP fraternity in South Africa going forward,” he mentioned.
The excitement of the agreement was also felt by SUPSA President Mandy Scanlen given that the sport of SUP has two contrasting categories that needed to be catered for.
“SUP Surfing and Long Distance paddle races and technical are two very different disciplines and in the best interest of the athletes it was a great opportunity to have stand-up paddle boarding represented in both Surfing South Africa and Canoeing South Africa.
“By creating a partnership with both federations we endeavour to grow the transformation and development of the sport as well as grow the exposure of the sport both inland and in the ocean.”
SUPSA have established themselves as one of the top performing federations at international competitions with a number of World Championship medals coming from the South African competitors.

For more information visit www.canoesa.org.za

COVID-19: Department of Sport, Arts and Culture’s Media Alert Regarding Level 3 Sport Directions

by | Jun 24, 2020 | Stand Up Paddle, SUP Events, SUP Surfing, Surfing South Africa, Uncategorized

The attached Media Directive from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture is self explanatory. Please read it thoroughly in order to understand the directives from the Minister of Sport. 

Please ensure that all clubs and event organisers within your structures are aware of the Minister’s Media alert.
Surfing South Africa submitted its Operational Plan and Risk Strategy to the Minister on June 17th and we are waiting for a response to our submission.

Surfing South Africa will make an official announcement regarding the outcome of our submission once we receive this information from the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture.

 

COVID-19: Surfing South Africa submits an appeal to the Minister

by | May 12, 2020 | Stand Up Paddle, SUP Events, SUP Surfing, Surfing South Africa, Uncategorized

Surfers from all over South Africa has questioned the strict regulations against surfing while people are allowed to walk, jog and cycle between 6 am and 9 am during Level 4 of our lockdown. Surfing South Africa has submitted an appeal to the Minister to allow surfers, including shortboard surfers, longboard surfers, bodyboarders, kneeboarders, para-surfers, stand up paddlers and recognised affiliates, to have access to the ocean via the beach during the COVID-19 pandemic.

As stated in this statement, submitted by Surfing South Africa, “surfing is a healthy, solo exercize that provides high levels of fitness and mental agility to thousands of individuals of all ages and walk of life.”

You can read and download the statement, here.

COVID-19: Statement regarding (no) Surfing in Level 4

by | Apr 28, 2020 | Stand Up Paddle, Surfing South Africa, Uncategorized

We received a statement from SSA providing us with clarity around beaches and surfing in level 4. For now – beaches are still closed and there are heavy restrictions on social gathering. We want to encourage you to share your creative water-ways and workouts with us. Let’s keep fit for that first sunrise, when we will again feel the ocean breeze on our salty skin. Let us support our governing bodies so that we can get to the water sooner. You can download the statement, here.