And The Winner Is… Bodysurfing!
By Tim Renkema
In 2000 Sydney hosted “the best Olympic Games ever,” according to International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch. But could it have been better? Possibly… If they had included bodysurfing as an official Olympic sport. Instead, Sydney chose to include the triathlon and taekwondo. But now Australia is getting another crack at Olympic glory. Following the recent announcement that Brisbane will be hosting the Summer Olympic Games in 2032, here’s why bodysurfing might just become an official Olympic sport.
Before it had even been announced that Brisbane would be hosting the 2032 Games, long-time listener and first time emailer Matthew “Owey” O’Donnell wrote into NRL host James Bracey. Bracey was filling in on the Wide World of Sports AM radio show on 2GB. He was asking listeners: if Brisbane were to get the 2032 Olympic Games, which new sport should be included? Owey quickly wrote in that it has to be bodysurfing, joking “Belly Slater for team captain!”
Since then, Owey who is also the co-host of The Bodysurf Podcast has been campaigning for bodysurfing to be included in the Brisbane Games. He has been contacting the big wigs of the bodysurfing community to try and make this dream a reality. He has also set up a change.org petition.
This year's Games in Tokyo saw the inclusion of skateboarding, surfboarding, sport climbing and karate. The IOC evaluate new sports based on five factors:
· Olympic Proposal
· Value Added to the Olympic Movement
· Institutional Matters
· Popularity
· Business Model
But it’s not just up to the IOC. The host city can also play a role in the decision and push for a particular sport to be added. For example, Paris will see breakdancing debut as an Olympic sport in 2024.
The ISA was the governing force behind getting surfing into the Olympics. One of the main members, Bob Fasulo, had worked with the IOC previously and helped to shape the proposal. With the drive coming from ISA President Fanando Auguerre they made gold medal swimmer and father of modern surfing Duke Kahanamoku’s dream of Olympic inclusion come true.
I reached out to the Office of the Lord Mayor Brisbane to see if Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner supports Bodysurfing being included in the 2032 Brisbane Summer Olympic Games. He has yet to respond.
I had more luck with Ben Wei. Ben was the Technical Beach Announcer for surfboarding at the Tokyo Olympics this year, and believes bodysurfing is a possibility for Brisbane 2032.
Ben Wei at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
“I think a similar format would be great for bodysurfing… Judging would be scaled in the early heats to determine the potential of that day's conditions,” Ben said.
After the finals, Ben and some of the International Surfing Association staff hit the Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach in Chiba, which was reportedly a solid 4 foot surf, south swell with offshore winds. During this session, which was only open to a select few, Ben had the chance to have a sneaky bodysurf.
“As the tide went out there were barrels everywhere. It was such a fun session! I was the only bodysufer in the crew, eating up the close out barrels, my wooden twin fin handplane was in exactly the conditions that I made it for!” Ben said.
“It was a very memorable session, with the feeling of satisfaction from successfully finishing the first Olympic surfing in good conditions during a pandemic,” Ben added.
And when asked if Ben would be coming to Brisbane in 2032?
“If Brisbane includes bodysurfing in the Summer Games, I’ll be there in neon pink budgies!”
To sign the petition click here
And to hear more from the boys over on The Bodysurf Podcast check out the link below or stream them on SoundCloud, Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can also check them out on Instagram and Youtube.