Duke Kahanamoku had three Olympic gold medals to his name when he started to make surfing popular throughout the world during the 1920s. And while The Duke was successful in using his Olympic stardom to spread the word about the sport of kings, his petition to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) asking for surfing to be included in the world games was not. But now, over a century later, The Duke’s radical Olympic dreams might finally be becoming true.
A lot of discussion has gone on in the past year between Japan, the IOC, the WSL and the International Surfing Association (ISA) about surfings inclusion in the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. And to the joy of the ISA, and disgust of opinionated others, the Tokyo Organizing Committee has included surfing — alongside baseball, softball, karate, skateboarding and sport climbing — to the shortlist of additional sports that could be introduced to the Summer Games. In fact, just this last week, Quiksilver’s Bob McKnight, Volcom’s Richard Woolcott, Vissla’s Paul Naude and the WSL’s own Paul Speaker joined other titans of the surf industry to sit down with ISA President Fernando Aguerre to once again discuss surfings chances in Tokyo.
What was intriguing about this meeting though was that Aguerre talked not so much about how surfing can get to to Olympics, but rather what it would look like once it’s actually there. A field of 40 athletes total, split evenly between men and women. Salt water over pools. Using the entire 16-day Olympic period as an extended window for swell. The specifics are being combed out and the ISA, WSL and everyone else in-between is feeling pretty confident that surfing will be broadcasted alongside swimming, track and field, basketball and table tennis in just four years time.
Obviously, the debate about both the ethics and logistics of putting surfing in the Olympics has been going on for quite some time now. What was once an issue that was discussed solely in hushed tones and empty lineups is now being loudly debated amongst some of the biggest movers and shakers in the surf world. Some call it a logistical nightmare, others see it as an unprecedented opportunity.
The reality is, every two years there’s an assault of uber-nationalistic flag waving athletes parading about on the shoulders of their adoring fans that’s not the Oi Rio Pro or Kolohe Andino’s constant daydreaming of the U.S. Open. The Olympics is one the most prominent and prestigious events for athletes trying to etch their names in the annals of history. And while the games have stood the test of time, they still are desperately trying to remain relevant for generations to come (there are only so many viewers under the age of 70 who enjoy watching dressage). And with each passing day, surfing is looking more and more inviting to the IOC and their hopes of remaining popular amongst the cool kids.
The final vote by the IOC gets cast in the first week of August, so nothing is set in stone as of now. But at the moment, surfings chances of being voted off the island (of Japan) look slim and Aguerre and the gang look packed and ready to hop on the unstoppable bullet/hype train to Tokyo. The arguments and debates will always go on, but it doesn’t matter what side you’re on in the issue, because it appears the inevitable is finally unfolding in front of us.
In the meantime, imagine Mason Ho winning a gold medal and being interviewed by BBC, NBC, Seven Network and the rest of the world? I want that. You want that. The Duke would want that.
