The 52-year-old, a legendary surfer from California who spent many years living in Biarritz, will be present to watch the world’s best national surfing teams compete from May 20 to 28 at Grande Plage - the same beach where he was crowned the first ISA junior world champion in 1980.

Curren stands alone in ISA history as the only athlete to be crowned world champion in the junior, open and master competitions.

Two years after his junior triumph in Biarritz, he took top honours at the World Surfing Championships in Australian city Gold Coast.

In 2011, he took gold at the World Masters Surfing Championships in Punta Roca in El Salvador.

This year’s World Surfing Games will allow spectators around the world to see potential future stars of Olympic surfing in action as they strive to represent their countries at Tokyo 2020.

"I was really honoured to get the invitation to be an honorary patron of the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games," Curren said following the announcement by the ISA and the French Surfing Federation. 

"I’ve spent a lot of time in Biarritz, so it means a lot to me.

"I have a lot of fond memories of my time in France.

"It gives me another reason to come back."

The American added: "When I first came here it was in 1980 for the ISA World Surfing Championships.

"It was the first time that I travelled overseas.

"I ended up getting first in the juniors and third in the open men.

"That first trip made a big impression on me."

Surfing was added to the Olympic sports programme for Tokyo 2020 in August, after decades of ISA campaigning underpinned by a strategy of global growth and development.

"I think surfing in the Olympics is good news for the sport," Curren said.

"I was happy to find out that it was in the Olympics because the idea of surfing and representing your country is great.

"It’s a good way to see countries get together through surfing."

Commenting on the appointment of Curren as an honorary patron, ISA President Fernando Aguerre said: "Tom Curren is a living legend in the surfing world and an extraordinary ambassador for our sport and the ISA.

"We are truly grateful that he’s accepted to be honorary patron in Biarritz.

"His presence lends great prestige to the event, which will feature some of the world’s top surfers.

"With Tom’s support, we look forward to showcasing our sport in one of the world’s great surf destinations.

"Crowning world champions in France will be another large step forward on our path towards surfing’s Olympic debut in 2020."

Baseball/softball, climbing, karate and skateboarding were also added to the schedule for Tokyo 2020.

Last year's World Surfing Games were held in Costa Rica.