By Daniel Nhakaniso
Zimbabwe has taken an unlikely step into international surfing after becoming the 120th national federation member of the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the 21st from Africa.
The landlocked southern African country was formally admitted on Monday, creating an official pathway for Zimbabwean surfers to represent their country in international competition.
Zimbabwe’s immediate ambition is to make its debut at the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, with young South Africa-based Zimbabwean surfer Marcello Zedde expected to be among the country’s first international representatives.
The move was facilitated through the Rowing Association of Zimbabwe (RAZ), an established sporting body recognised by the Zimbabwe National Olympic Committee.
The connection between Zimbabwe and the ISA was developed by Zedde and his father, Mario, who have worked to establish a pathway for Zimbabwean surfers to compete under their national flag.
Although Zimbabwe has no coastline, a number of its surfers live and train abroad, particularly in neighbouring South Africa and Mozambique. The country also has a river wave on the Zambezi River that provides a unique opportunity for surfing on home soil.
ISA president Fernando Aguerre welcomed Zimbabwe’s admission, saying the country’s arrival demonstrated the sport’s ability to transcend geographical boundaries.
“We welcome Zimbabwe with open arms and look forward to seeing Zimbabwean surfers representing their nation on the international stage. The journey is just beginning, and we cannot wait to see where it leads,” Aguerre said.
Zimbabwe also has a notable connection to the Olympic movement through Kirsty Coventry, who served as an ISA vice-president before becoming president of the International Olympic Committee.
Aguerre said Coventry’s contribution to the ISA and the Olympic movement made Zimbabwe’s admission particularly significant as surfing looks towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
“Zimbabwe also holds a special place in the ISA’s history. Kirsty Coventry, now the IOC President, was a valued Vice-President of the ISA, and her dedication to sport and the Olympic movement has always inspired us,” he said.
“It is fitting that Zimbabwe now joins our family as we look ahead to the LA28 Olympic Games.”»
The RAZ will provide the administrative structure for surfing in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1964, the same year as the ISA, the association has athletes who have competed at the World Rowing Championships and Olympic Games.
RAZ president Andrew Lorimer said the new membership would give young Zimbabwean surfers an opportunity to compete internationally under their country’s flag.
“Sincere thanks to the International Surfing Association for allowing Zimbabwe, through the Rowing Association of Zimbabwe, to become the 120th member and for the warm welcome into the global surfing family,” Lorimer said.
“We are extremely excited that through this membership, young Zimbabweans such as Marcello Zedde, can proudly look forward to the opportunity to represent Zimbabwe on the international stage.”
Zimbabwe’s entry comes as surfing continues to expand its presence across Africa.
South Africa has traditionally been the continent’s leading surfing nation, while Morocco has established itself as a major competitive force. Youth development programmes and organised competitions have also expanded in countries including Senegal, Ghana, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra Leone.
The ISA formally recognised the African Surfing Confederation in 2023 as part of efforts to strengthen the sport’s development and competition structures across the continent.
For Zimbabwe, however, the significance of membership extends beyond the unusual prospect of a landlocked country competing in an ocean sport.
It gives young surfers a recognised national pathway into international competition and potentially the wider Olympic system.
Aguerre said Zimbabwe’s admission was a reminder that geography did not have to determine who could participate in surfing.
“Zimbabwe’s arrival in the ISA family is another reminder that surfing has no boundaries,” he said.»
“You don’t need waves on your doorstep to feel the call of the ocean.”
For Zedde and other Zimbabwean surfers who have travelled across borders to pursue their sport, the challenge now is to turn that passion into international representation.
The first target is the 2026 ISA World Junior Surfing Championship. Beyond that, Zimbabwe’s new status provides a platform for the development of athletes, coaches, judges and administrators as the country establishes its place in the international surfing community.