Perfect month of November for Jean-Luc Arassus (photo above). In less than two weeks, the French leader was elected vice-president of the International Surfing Association (ISA), then confirmed for a second term at the head of the European body of the discipline (ESF).
Less than two years before the Paris 2024 Games, where surfing will once again be an additional sport before more formally integrating the Olympic program four years later in Los Angeles, Jean-Luc Arassus is establishing himself as one of the key players major players in the discipline. He answered questions from FrancsJeux.
FrancsJeux : What do Europe and its federation – the ESF – represent in the world of surfing?
Jean-Luc Arassus : Sportingly, a third of the countries present at the last world championships, a quarter of the surfers qualified for the Tokyo 2020 Games and half of the women surfers, plus three countries in the top 10 at each of the last editions of the World Championships. Economically, Europe remains one of the pillars of the surf industry. As for the ESF (European Surfing Federation), a body historically led by the British, it now has 23 affiliated countries. The potential of surfing in Europe is undeniable, particularly via stand-up paddle, a discipline that is growing strongly in northern countries.
You have chaired the ESF on an interim basis since 2018. You have been its full president since this week. What is the priority of this new mandate?
It is twofold. The first mission is to try to repair an injustice. Currently, surfers in the Pan American zone have two opportunities to qualify for the Olympics. Their continental multi-sport championships – the Pan American Games – where two places are at stake, and the world championships. But the absence of surfing at the European Games leaves the continent's athletes with only one chance to win their Olympic ticket: the world championships. Surfing is not on the program for the 2023 European Games in Poland, but we will fight for it to be accepted in the 2027 edition. Its presence would make sense in the perspective of the Los Angeles Games in 2028, where the Surfing will not be an additional sport, but integrated into the official program. The other priority of this mandate will be, more broadly, to obtain better recognition of our sport and the ESF by the European Olympic authorities.
You were also elected for the first time as vice-president of the ISA. What role do you want to play in it?
I had already been a member of the council since 2018. As such, I had participated with the president of the ISA, Fernando Aguerre, and the general director, Robert Fasulo, in the campaign for the entry of surfing into the Olympic Games. My election to the vice presidency may have a double effect. On the one hand, carry the voice of Europe and its countries at the international level, particularly in relation to the countries of the Pan-American zone; on the other, to embody an important pillar for the ISA, Europe having strong countries – Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Germany…. -, and a rich Olympic culture.
What assessment do you draw from the Tokyo 2020 Games, where surfing made its debut as an additional sport?
They were masterfully organized by the Japanese. Japan is a stronghold of our sport, with 4 million surfers. Of course, the constraints linked to COVID were heavy, notably the absence of spectators. Fernando Aguerre had planned a surf festival, alongside the competitions, with a dedicated village. Everything was canceled. But the competitions were a success. We are in the top 10 most watched disciplines across all media. The conditions could have been difficult, in the middle of summer, a time of year when the waves are not always there. But the close passage of a typhoon brought swell. In the end, the results are very positive for a first. We had a lot of pressure, we couldn't miss out.
From your point of view, what are the surfing events for the Paris 2024 Games planned for Tahiti like?
The choice of Tahiti, pushed by the COJO and Fernando Aguerre, is very judicious. The site is in the top 3 of the best waves in the world. And the competitions will take place there at the best time in terms of conditions. Surfers are fully aware of the value that a medal will have on such a wave. For the rest, the sports organization should not pose any problems. We know how to do it. As for the development of the site, I trust the COJO Paris 2024. They are on it, it is working. I don't have the slightest worry.
Will the more formal entry of surfing into the Olympic program, starting with the Los Angeles 2028 Games, change the situation for your discipline and its authorities?
For sure. The change will first be financial, since we will benefit from IOC subsidies allocated to the international federations of Olympic sports. They are not planned for additional sports, despite a very big commitment and significant expenses, in particular to travel regularly to Lausanne. But entry into the Olympic program is also recognition of the value of surfing, its environment, its community. Our sport is recognized as essential to the Games. In such a short time, that's not nothing. Our presence in the program can also allow certain countries to reach the Olympic holy grail, to send athletes, something difficult until then. I'm thinking of El Salvador, for example. Finally, Olympic recognition strengthens the position of the ISA vis-à-vis the professional circuit, the WSL. A strong position of our international body is very important to ensure the presence of the best surfers in the world at the Games.
