International Surfing Association

Surfing

The International Surfing Association is the world governing authority on surfing, SUP racing, SUP surfing, bodyboarding, and all other wave riding activities.

Sport

Surfing

Founded

1964 (60 years ago)

Headquarters

La Jolla, USA

Affiliations

International Olympic Committee

Summary

The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the world’s governing authority for surfing and various wave-riding activities, including shortboard, longboard, standup paddle (SUP) racing and surfing, bodyboarding, and wake surfing. It was founded in 1964 and is headquartered in Cardiff, California, USA. The ISA defines and governs surfing and all other wave-riding activities across different wave types and flat water, using specific wave-riding equipment.

The ISA currently includes 108 national federations from countries across five continents. It is recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and has been a member of several international sports federations, including the Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF) and SportAccord. The ISA’s mission focuses on making the world a better place through surfing by organising world championships, offering instructor certifications, and supporting grassroots development.

Fernando Aguerre of Argentina has served as ISA President since 1994. Under his leadership, surfing was introduced to the Olympics. Surfing was included for the first time in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, with the competition featuring shortboard events for both men and women. Forty athletes, evenly split by gender, participated. A judging panel assessed each athlete based on manoeuvres such as cutbacks, off-the-lip turns, snaps, aerials, and tube rides.

The ISA has hosted a variety of world events, including the ISA World Surfing Games, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship, and the ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship. These events provide platforms for both professional and adaptive surfers to compete globally. The ISA also organises the World SUP and Paddleboard Championship, reflecting the growing popularity of SUP racing and surfing.

In addition to its competitive events, the ISA promotes the development of surfing worldwide, providing scholarships for young surfers and creating opportunities for athletes across different nations to participate in its events. The ISA also remains committed to gender equality, with many of its events featuring equal opportunities for male and female athletes.

Disciplines

The International Surfing Association (ISA) oversees several disciplines within the sport of surfing and wave-riding activities. These disciplines are recognised globally and cover a wide range of competitive formats:

Shortboard Surfing: This is the most common form of competitive surfing. Surfers use shorter boards to perform a variety of manoeuvres on ocean waves. The focus is on speed, power, and control, with riders judged on their ability to execute turns, cutbacks, and aerials.
Longboard Surfing: In contrast to shortboard surfing, longboards are longer and more stable. Competitors are judged based on their ability to maintain style and control while performing traditional manoeuvres such as nose riding and drop-knee turns.
Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Surfing and Racing: SUP surfing involves standing on a larger board and using a paddle to navigate waves, similar to traditional surfing but with the added element of the paddle. SUP racing takes place on flat water or in the ocean, with athletes paddling across long distances to complete a course.
Bodyboarding: In this discipline, athletes use smaller boards and ride waves in a prone or kneeling position. The focus is on riding the wave's face and performing manoeuvres such as barrel rolls, spins, and aerial tricks.
Wakesurfing: Wakesurfing involves riding the wave created by a boat rather than an ocean wave. Riders perform tricks similar to traditional surfing but in a controlled environment behind a moving boat.
Bodysurfing: This is one of the simplest forms of wave-riding, where participants use their bodies, with minimal or no equipment, to ride ocean waves. Bodysurfing relies heavily on the swimmer's skill and positioning to catch and ride the wave.

Membership

The membership structure of the International Surfing Association (ISA) is designed to represent and unify the global surfing community. The ISA currently has 108 national federations from various countries across five continents. These member organisations are responsible for promoting surfing, organising competitions, and developing talent within their respective countries. The membership system allows for broad participation in ISA events and initiatives.

Key Points about ISA Membership:

National Federations: Each member nation is represented by a national surfing federation. These federations work with the ISA to organise local and international events, develop surfing talent, and ensure compliance with ISA rules and standards.
Global Representation: The ISA’s membership spans across continents, with federations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas. This broad representation helps in promoting surfing as a global sport.
Olympic Involvement: Member federations play a crucial role in selecting athletes for international competitions, including the Olympic Games. They are responsible for ensuring that their athletes meet the qualification criteria for events such as the ISA World Surfing Games and the Olympic Games.
Development and Support: The ISA provides support to its member federations through various programmes aimed at developing the sport. This includes training for coaches, certification for surf instructors, and scholarships for young surfers.
Governance and Voting: Member federations have the opportunity to contribute to the governance of the ISA. They participate in the organisation’s decision-making processes through meetings and votes on key matters.
Access to Events: Membership provides federations and their athletes with the ability to compete in ISA-sanctioned events, including world championships in various disciplines such as shortboard, longboard, SUP, and bodyboarding.

References