IWWF Visits North Korea to Promote Peace & Sport Through Waterskiing & Wakeboarding

In the spirit of Peace & Sport, the International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation (IWWF) recently completed a two-day waterski and wakeboard coaching seminar in Pyongyang, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). The Peace & Sport organisation, based in Monaco and working in five continents, helps to make sport a vehicle for tolerance, respect, sharing and citizenship.

IWWF Asia Secretary General, Chris Howarth, accompanied by IWWF Homologator, Nigel Talamo, conducted the training on 20th and the 21th June 2017 as part of a Peace & Sport Initiative.

As past members of the IWWF the DPRK Waterski Association, following a period of hibernation, has now been revitalised with ambitious plans to develop the sport of waterskiing and wakeboarding and to re-emerge on the international stage.

"While lacking new equipment, there is much enthusiasm for the sport with particular interest in investigating opportunities for cable skiing and wakeboarding" commented Howarth. They are keen to develop new facilities on the Taedong River, located in a prime position near the centre of Pyongyang. They are currently building a hostel for their athletes on the banks of the river together with a new water sport’s headquarters. We are fortunate to have visited when we did in order to provide recommendations regarding the development plans for the new facilities" commented Talam

The IWWF representatives took the opportunity to introduce wakeboarding and cable-skiing, donating a waterski, wakeboard, handles and ropes which were greatly appreciated by their hosts and athletes.

Mr Jong Yong Sop, Secretary General of the DPR Korea Waterski Association commented "By attending the seminar, I am sure that the attendees will have learned a lot about the sport of water ski and raised their technical and practical skills to a higher level. All the attendants should consolidate the knowledge they’ve learned today through the seminar and apply it in practical ways to develop our country’s overall ranking in waterskiing"

With Federations in over 90 countries around the world, the IWWF is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sole representative of towed watersports worldwide and fully supports the ideals of the Peace & Sport organization.

For more information, please contact:

Des Burke-Kennedy

Media Chairman

International Waterski & Wakeboard Federation

Email: iwwfmedia@sportcal.com

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