‘It is official that the Oman Surfing Association’s (OSA) Applying Membership has been approved by the International Surfing Association (ISA)Executive Committee. We would like to welcome you as the 106th Member Nation of the ISA!’
That message to Nasser Al Ghadani, President of the newly formed Oman Surfing Association, brought relief in the Oman surfing community (Oman Surfers Group), a group of local and expatriate surfing enthusiasts. The community has also been instrumental in operating the Oman Surf School, which offers surfing lessons and coaching in Oman.
What started as a chat group on social media, in 2014, has grown in numbers and strength, with members from Oman, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and Americas, working and living in Oman. The formation of Oman Surfing Association – led by Nasser, with Thomas Kleefeld as the Vice President, Marco de Marco as the Treasurer and Erin Yard as the Marketing and Social Media Manager – was a natural consequence, with surfing gaining momentum in the country.
ISA membership is a recognition of OSA’s endeavours towards the development of surfing in the country; it has been organising events and programmes aimed at promoting surfing and creating environment awareness. Acknowledging the same, ISA stated: “The Oman Surfing Association has made big steps in the development of Surfing in the country, holding its first ever surf contest in August 2018. The Association has established goals to further grow the sport, including gaining recognition from the Ministry of Sport, creating a membership programme for Omani surfers, promoting the country as a surfing destination, and addressing environmental issues surrounding the country’s coastline.”
ISA’s recognition comes in the wake of OSA’s proposal to approach the local authorities for an acknowledgement of their efforts and establishment of a right platform. ISA’s inclusion will place Oman on the international front as surfing will be showcased, for the first time, as a demonstration sport at the next Olympic Games to be held in Japan in 2020.
Explaining about the objectives of OSA, Nasser said: “Surfing is steadily developing in Oman. We hope to gain momentum and generate funds to donate more surfboards to the Omani youth and coach them on how to ride waves. We have a vision to educate Omanis and visiting foreigners about our sport, which we will accomplish by holding our second competition this year, registering with the local Ministry of Sport, and encouraging others to become ISA certified, like myself. Eventually we hope to field an Olympic team of Omani surfers. That would be the ultimate goal! Becoming an ISA member will help us to organise the sport better and safer in Oman and make surfing more accessible to those who want to learn in our country, particularly for the youth.”
