Peace Day!

This unique day - held on Easter Monday - recognizes the power of sport as a universal tool for positive social change. It also encourages a healthier lifestyle, wider access to sport, and peace building, while fighting against discrimination and gender inequality.

The ISA contributed by promoting the participation of surfers around the world to show how Surfing in particular is making a positive impact in their lives and communities. Surfers from ISA Member Nations and the international surfing community in South Africa, Mauritius, Brazil, and Nauru sent in photos to showcase their support. The photos received exemplified the diverse nature of surfers from various backgrounds, races, and social status, and the numerous ways that Surfing can have a positive impact.

“It never ceases to amaze me how people can use the sport of Surfing to create positive change in the world that so infectiously spreads to those that surround it. Surfing is not only a great physical activity, but also a sport that transcends racial and cultural barriers, bringing together people that may have never thought such a thing was possible,” said ISA President Fernando Aguerre. “International Day of Sport for Development and Peace is a great way to tap into the power and potential that Surfing has to promote a great cause.”

To further develop the sport of Surfing, since 2007, the ISA has awarded 267 Individual Scholarships worth a total of USD $228,500 to under-18 year old budding Surfers from over 40 countries. The scholarship recipients received funds to go towards further education, travel to Surfing competitions, competition fees and Surfing equipment. These ISA Ambassadors represent the core values of the sport and act as positive role models for other young Surfers in their communities.

Below are a few examples showing how the global surfing community participated in International Day of Sport for Development and Peace:

ISA Scholarship winner, Jyothi Bangera from India, has a dream to represent her country as a professional Surfer and help promote the sport amongst women throughout the India.

All the surfers on the Surfing for Peace trip joined together to form a peace circle in the waters of Barra da Lagoa, Santa Catarina, Brazil, to showcase the power of Surfing. Photo: Surfing 4 Peace

Surfers from Salt Surfers Mauritius, an initiative that combines Surfing and Water Polo to keep youth off the street and build character, hold white cards to symbolize peace. Photo: Salt Surfers Mauritius

Young surfers from Aleph Surf display their white cards for peace. Aleph Surf uses Surfing as a tool to breakdown racial and cultural barriers to unite the people of South Africa. Photo: Aleph Surf

Nauru Surf Club (island of Nauru in Oceana) participating with white cards. Photo: Nauru Surf Club