Sally Fitzgibbons, the renowned Australian Olympian and a veteran of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour, has been elected as the Vice President of the International Surfing Association (ISA). This significant achievement came during the ISA’s annual general meeting held on December 12, where national federations cast their votes for the two open vice president positions.
Key Takeaways
- Sally Fitzgibbons elected as Vice President of the ISA.
- The election took place during the ISA’s annual general meeting on December 12.
- Fitzgibbons will serve alongside incumbent Karin Sierralta and other executive committee members until 2028.
- The ISA welcomed the British Virgin Islands as its 117th member nation.
Fitzgibbons’ election was a competitive process. In the initial round of voting, Karin Sierralta from Peru secured the first VP slot with 22 votes out of 41, surpassing Fitzgibbons, South Africa’s Johnny Baker, and Senegal’s Oumar Seye. After three rounds of voting, Fitzgibbons successfully filled the second VP vacancy, although the ISA has not disclosed the final vote tally.
Fitzgibbons’ Role and Responsibilities
As Vice President, Fitzgibbons will join a diverse executive committee that includes:
- Karin Sierralta (Peru) – Incumbent Vice President
- Barbara Kendall (New Zealand) – Vice President
- Jean-Luc Arassus (France) – Vice President
Fitzgibbons and Sierralta’s terms will extend through 2028, during which they will work on various initiatives aimed at promoting surfing globally and enhancing the sport’s governance.
Additional Developments at the ISA Meeting
The annual general meeting was not only pivotal for the election of the vice presidents but also marked other significant developments:
- Kimifumi Imoto of Japan was re-elected as a regular member of the ISA. Imoto previously served as the Sports Manager for surfing during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
- The British Virgin Islands was officially approved as the ISA’s 117th member nation, expanding the association’s global reach.
Looking Ahead
While Fitzgibbons has not yet publicly outlined her specific goals and initiatives as a member of the ISA executive committee, her extensive experience in competitive surfing and her commitment to the sport suggest she will focus on fostering growth and inclusivity within the surfing community.
As the surfing world continues to evolve, Fitzgibbons’ leadership role within the ISA is expected to play a crucial part in shaping the future of the sport, particularly in the wake of its inclusion in the Olympic Games. The surfing community eagerly anticipates her contributions and the positive impact she will have on the sport’s development on a global scale.
