Romania has been admitted to the world’s top surfing organization following a boom in competitive surfing in the Black Sea nation.
Romania, has some some of coastline bordering the Black Sea to its southeast. Although the Black Sea is not known for its high waves, there has been an increase in organized surfing recently.
The Romanian Surfing Federation (FRS) has held an annual national surfing event since 2018 and also hosted International Surfing Association surf coaching and instructing courses in 2018 and 2023, Inertia reported.
Romania opened its first surfing school in 2017.
Aris Voicu became Romania’s first representative in an ISA event last year and the country’s first surfer to progress through a heat at the 2023 World Junior Surfing Championship in Brazil.
As well as Romania, the ISA announced it had added Kuwait and the British Virgin Islands to its member nations, which now number 116.
“It is especially pleasing to announce three members from three different continents that are non-traditional surf nations. This shows the power of surfing to engage with people in every part of the world who share our love of the ocean and nature,” said ISA President, Fernando Aguerre
He said the latest expansion, announced Tuesday, opens the door for future athletes from Romania and the other nations to one day aim for competing in the Olympics.
Kuwait has double Romania’s coastline along the western side of the Persian Gulf. The Kuwait Surf Committee plans to establish a dedicated surf training center and host more regional surf contests and events throughout the country.
Membership for the British Virgin Islands is still subject to a final approval of the ISA Annual General Meeting. Like Romania, it has seen a boom in competitive surfing.
