2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo To Include Surfing and Skateboarding

Underground action sports, surfing and skateboarding, on board to be official Olympic sports in Tokyo 2020 Summer Games.

Surfing and Skateboarding alongside newly included karate, sports climbing, and baseball/softball, all hoping to capture the attention of youth culture.

The final vote will take place in August, but so far surfs up.  A diversity of nations will be represented, and It won’t be in a wave pool. Forty of the best athletes in the world will compete (20 men and 20 women) on shortboards.   The format could be something like a US Open of Surfing on an international scale.

It's not all about a surfing competition at an Olympic scale, but ocean awareness & enthusiasm in general, a  surf festival that will last for the duration of the games (two weeks). 

"The Olympic competition will all be short board, but the activities might have opportunities for longboarders, bodysurfers, body boarders to hang out…We surfers are a diverse bunch." said ISA (International Surfing Association) President Fernando Aguerre

Both Surfers and non-surfers alike seem to be divided on whether or not surfing in the Olympics is a good or bad with views and opinions as shared below:

Sean Doherty, SURFER Senior Writer:
"No, no and err…no. Olympic sports are all anchored around fairness and level playing fields, but the ocean doesn’t offer that. The only way surfing would ever be considered an Olympic sport is if it was held in wave pools, and if it was held in wave pools then I wouldn’t consider it surfing. The fact that no two waves are ever the same is what makes surfing, surfing. It’s not designed to be fair. The ocean isn’t fair, and unless you’re Kelly the ocean really doesn’t give a shit about you."

Gabriel Medina, World Champ:
"Yes, I think surfing should be included, and I would absolutely love to surf in the Olympics. It would be such a great honor to represent my country. Plus, it would be a sick competition with the Brazilians teaming together against the other counties. And of course we would win. Haha! Hopefully it will happen." 

Where-ever you fall on the Olympic divide, one thing is inevitable the boardsports, including handboarding, are gaining momentum both locally and globally.  The once seen as "alternative" sports are now becoming conventional.