(ATR) The International Surfing Association says it can work out its differences with the International Canoe Federation over ownership of stand-up paddling.
Leaders of the two federations met for 45 minutes at the SportAccord Convention in Aarhus in a bid to resolve the dispute.
ISA president Fernando Aguerre told reporters there was "nothing nasty about it [the conflict], it’s just competition for a similar interest".
He restated the ISF's claim that the International Canoe Federation had no history of running the discipline - which has enjoyed huge growth in recent years - yet was trying to claim ownership of it for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The ICF rejects the suggestion and argues that use of the paddle makes it part of canoeing.
"It’s a good communication. We are trying to figure out what is a win-win for everybody," Aguerre said after talks between the ISF and ICF.
Asked if there was a willingness to come to an agreement, or if he was adamant that stand-up paddling (SUP) was surfing’s alone, he said: "No. We all have an obligation to hear each other and see if there are any benefits of working together.
"Of course, we are clear on our history or the sport. When there is a conflict both sides believe they have merits. We continue to talk to each other. We will see what happens."
No further meetings were scheduled with the IOC, which tried to arbitrate a solution in January, he added.
Speaking about surfing’s Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, he said the World Surf League and its top stars were right behind the sport.
"There is not a discussion in the surfing world about the value of the Games for the surfers or the league," Aguerre said.
"They were the league of a very cool sport. Now they are the league of a very cool Olympic sport. So for them it is a win-win," he added.
The 2017 ISA World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Championship comes to co-hosts Copenhagen and Vorupør in Denmark in September.
Aguerre said there was a "lot of excitement" around the event, describing it as a chance to showcase the Olympic sport to the world.
"It is a very important moment in the history of our sport," he said.
Home page: Getty Images
Reported by Mark Bisson
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