ISA President Fernando Aguerre, left, talks to International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics ©Getty Images

International Surfing Association (ISA) President Fernando Aguerre insists he is "more motivated than ever" to push for the sport to be included at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Surfing made its Olympic debut at this year’s Tokyo 2020 Games with Italo Ferreira of Brazil and Carissa Moore of the United States winning the respective men’s and women’s titles.

Following the historic moment for the sport, Aguerre has now reaffirmed an ambition to put surfing on the Paralympic stage.

The ISA failed in its bid for Para surfing to be added to the Paris 2024 programme, but Aguerre is determined to secure a place at Los Angeles 2028 as he prepares to put forward a proposal to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).

"After witnessing the excitement and youth that surfing injected into the Olympic Games, we are more motivated than ever to continue pushing for Para surfing’s inclusion in the Paralympic Games," said Aguerre.

"We know Para surfing can deliver that same very positive and impactful engagement that surfing brought to Tokyo 2020 - a game-changer for the Olympics.

"We continue to maintain engaged dialogue with the IPC and attentively wait to learn about the process for selecting new sports for the LA 2028 Paralympic Games.

"We will once again put Para surfing forward as a sport that can bring great, unique value, a connection with nature, and a new audience to the program.

"With LA 2028 and Brisbane 2032 on the horizon - both renowned surfing destinations - the runway could not be more perfect to add our dynamic sport to the Paralympics."

Carissa Moore made his history when she became one of surfing's first Olympic gold medallists at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images
Carissa Moore made his history when she became one of surfing's first Olympic gold medallists at Tokyo 2020 ©Getty Images

The sixth edition of the Beach World Para Surfing Championship is scheduled to be held from December 6 to 11 at Pismo Beach in California.

The ISA claims the event is the "driving force" behind the development of the sport, with athlete participation more than doubling since its inception in 2022.

A total of 133 athletes from 22 countries across all five continental regions competed in last year’s edition.

The ISA also highlighted the growth of the World Para Surfing Championship and the arrival of new grassroots programmes in countries such as Australia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, France, and South Africa.

"Since making the development of Para surfing a core priority for the ISA, I am proud of the platform that we have created to provide an arena for the world’s best athletes to compete at the World Championship level, and call themselves world champions - now that is special," said Aguerre.

"Most importantly, our Paralympic ambitions are about spreading the joy of surfing around the globe.

"Surfing is healing and therapeutic.

"Many people with physical challenges, regardless of their surfing skill levels, have discovered the sport and experienced its life-changing qualities.

"Continuing to increase the reach and audience of the sport through the Paralympic platform, will allows us to further spread the power of sport, on our mission to make the world a better place through surfing."