Surfing Officially Confirmed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games | With NO artificial waves
It’s official. Surfing is an Olympic sport after 20-years of trying.
Let the big money roll in, or something like that.
“Surfing’s route to the Olympic Games has not pleased everyone. The purists note that politics and industry interests will threaten the sport’s soul, but the majority of surfers is backing up the experience.
Japan has great waves and fantastic surfers. However, it is not clear yet if the Olympic surfing competition will take place in a natural environment, i.e., the Pacific Ocean.
In September 2015, the Tokyo 2020 organizers said there would be no artificial waves in the event but, with the latest developments, the possibility can’t be ruled out.
Will Kelly Slater Wave Company and Wavegarden lobby to build a surf pool featuring Olympic, man-made waves? Or can the Japanese coast deliver consistent swells all year round?”
Opinons are starting to pour in. Here are some thoughts from surf media around the world:
Beach Grit: Check the comments for very articulate personal thoughts.
Surfing Mag: Couldn’t be worse than the conditions at the US Open.
Nick Carroll‘s opinion on why it could be killer.
Surf Europe’s always entertaining Paul Evans gives his thoughts.
SURFER Mag: Gives the specifics. Number of athletes, location, etc.
STAB: Seem pretty into it.
WHAT YOUTH: Are cracking a beer and watching Metal Neck 2 again.
Surfline: Their forecast team has already been consulted about how the waves will be during the time of year and they decided on ‘Shida.’
