The President of the International Surfing Association, Fernando Aguerre, has been awarded the Silver Surfer ©Getty Images


The President of the International Surfing Association, Fernando Aguerre, has been awarded the Silver Surfer at the tenth Annual Gala Fundraiser of the California Surf Museum.

Aguerre was honoured for his leading role in bringing surfing to the Olympic Games for Tokyo 2020 after the International Olympic Committee's vote at last year’s Rio de Janeiro session.

The Gala Fundraiser, held at the oceanfront Cape Rey Resort, in Carlsbad, California, saw many legends and prominent industry leaders from the surfing world come together to celebrate the sports rich cultural heritage.

Following the IOC approval the sport has enjoyed unprecedented growth, recently staging its most successful ISA World Surfing Games to date with 245 athletes from a record-breaking 47 nations taking part over eight days of elite competition in Biarritz, France.


ISA President Fernando Aguerre joins Gerry Lopez and Jericho Poppler with their Silver Surfer Awards at the 10th Annual Gala Fundraiser of the California Surf Museum ©ISA
ISA President Fernando Aguerre joins Gerry Lopez and Jericho Poppler with their Silver Surfer Awards at the 10th Annual Gala Fundraiser of the California Surf Museum ©ISA

Alongside President Aguerre, legendary Pipeline Master winner Gerry Lopez was honoured for his career achievements, while Jericho Poppler was also awarded for her commitment to the development of women’s Surfing around the world. Both are also recipients of the Silver Surfer trophy.

Aguerre said: “What an honour it is for me to be here today, representing all surfers of the world, and among such esteemed friends. We’ve come a long way since the ISA was founded in 1964, during the inaugural World Surfing Championship in Australia, and now Duke Kahanamoku’s dream has been realised!

“I want to deeply thank the California Surf Museum for honouring me. I’d like to share this award with everyone who helped me and the ISA in making this Olympic dream a reality. The Surfing community came together to support this historic common cause, and for that I will be eternally grateful. This is a wave we all rode and ride together.

“The Surf and Beach Festival to be held at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, will allow the ISA to share our values, lifestyle and culture with billions around the world. What a great way to spread surfing’s Aloha in an unprecedented way.”

Jim Kempton, President of the California Surf Museum, added: “This gala is truly something special. Not only do we have some of the best surfers in the world here, but we also have Gerry Lopez here with all of our friends and celebrities.

"Jericho Poppler is an icon to women everywhere. And Fernando Aguerre creates excitement wherever he is. I can’t remember an event in our museum with as much excitement and history as this one has.”

The International Surfing Association was founded in 1964 and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing.