ISA President Fernando Aguerre was welcomed to a very special meeting with Nicaragua´s president, Mr. Daniel Ortega on Friday at the presidential residence in Managua. The pair discussed surfing, its history and its potential role in the future of the country. Photo: CCC/CPerez
The Pair Discussed Surfing, Its History and the Sport’s Growth and Potential in the Country
Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Managua, Nicaragua
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Yesterday, during a historic meeting just a day prior to the start of the Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship, Fernando Aguerre, the president of the ISA, sat down with Daniel Ortega Saavedra, the president of Nicaragua. The meeting was held at the presidential residence in Managua, and lasted for more than an hour.
In the name of the people of Nicaragua, President Ortega welcomed the ISA President and the 26 National Surfing teams to the first ever ISA World Surfing Championship in the country. The meeting was also attended by Nicaragua’s Minister of Tourism, Mario Salinas; Lucy Valenti, Contest Organizer and Executive President of Gray Line Tours; and Laureano Ortega, President Ortega’s son.
President Ortega was very interested in the role played by surfers and the surfing culture in the increased communication between the nations of the world. President Ortega sought information about surfing and questioned Aguerre about the sport’s historical roots and its explosive growth in the last few years. He was very supportive of the sport as a vehicle for a healthier life, as well as a promoter of better communication between the people of the world. He was also intrigued by surfers’ devotion to what he called “playing with the waves.”
President Ortega personalized an event poster for ISA President Aguerre, encouraging him to maintain his dream of spreading surfing around the world. Photo: CCC/CPerez
“I’m totally convinced that sports are a key component to bringing diverse people together in a world that needs all of us coming together,” Mr. Ortega said. “I’m very happy to welcome you and the surfing brothers and sisters from 26 nations to enjoy Nicaragua, its people and its waves. I hope that this visit of Fernando is the first one, and that he comes back many more times.”
Aguerre talked about the roots of the sport, the life of Duke Kahanamoku (the father of modern surfing and a five-time Olympic medalist), and the evolution of the sport in the last 30 years, including its popularity in Latin America. Aguerre shared some of his hopes for surfing to be an important contributor to the Nicaraguan economy, as part of the tourism that brings visitors and revenue into the country. He explained the importance that surfing has been had in the well-being and economical progress of countries touched by the sport around the world.
Aguerre, brought along a copy of the event poster, which was signed by Mr. Ortega, with the message: “For Fernando, with all the love from the people of Nicaragua. Keep on moving forward with surfing, with the youth, on behalf of nature, life and peace!”
After the meeting Aguerre said: “I was very impressed by President Ortega and his love for Nicaragua and a better world. He was very engaged in learning about surfing and our culture. I believe that this ISA World Masters Surfing Championship is planting a surfing seed in Nicaragua that will grow into a beautiful tree in the years to come. Nicaragua and its wonderful waves are a great destination for surfers that enjoy fun, powerful waves and warm, friendly people. I’m very happy we have selected Nicaragua as host of this historic event.”
Negotiations are under way for the hosting of another ISA World Surfing Championship in Nicaragua in 2013.
The Nicaragua ISA World Masters Surfing Championship is made possible with the backing of the following sponsors: Nicaragua Tourism Institute, Gray Line, AmericanAirlines, Canal 13, Amnet, Hacienda Iguana, Taca, VOS TV, Municipalidad de Tola, Flor de Caña, INISER; the following cosponsors: Movistar, Dollar, Alamo, Comité Olimpico Nicaragüense, Hilton, Nuevo Diario, Guacalito, Condor, Servipro, Aqua Spa, CDNN canal 23, Nicasurfing; and the following supporters: Surfari Charters, Corona, Paso Pacifico, Renisa, Parmalat, Credomatic, Cruz Roja, Pantaleon, Canatur. The media partners are Pasión Xtrema, SurfersVillage and Surfos. The Official Forecaster for the event is Surfline.The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. It was originally founded as the International Surfing Federation in 1964 and has been running the Open Division World Championship since 1964, the World Junior Surfing Championship since 1980, the World Masters Surfing Championship since 2007, the World Bodyboard Championship since 2011, and the Hainan Wanning Riyue Bay International Surfing Festival in China and the World Standup Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship beginning in 2012. The ISA also sanctions the World Kneeboard Titles and the World Tandem Surfing Championship.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 71 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro and re-elected seven times since. The ISA´s four Vice-Presidents are Alan Atkins (AUS), Karín Sierralta (PER), Debbie Beacham (USA) and Layne Beachley (AUS).
More on www.isasurf.org
About Gray Line Tours Nicaragua
Gray Line Tours is a leading tour operator in Nicaragua, and is affiliated with Gray Line Worldwide, which provides tourism services around the world. The company offers complete services in accommodation, transportation, tours, as well as the organization of congress and incentive travels (DMC). It offers quality and professional services, as well as personalized attention to its clients 24 hours a day.
Gray Line offers competitive rates and a wide range of products from nature and cultural packages to surfing and adventure programs. International surfing competitions in Nicaragua have been possible since 2010 thanks to Gray Line Nicaragua efforts.
