Sport | Surfing |
---|---|
Jurisdiction | International |
Abbreviation | ISA |
Founded | 1964 |
Headquarters | San Diego, California, U.S. |
President | Fernando Aguerre (ARG) |
Official website | |
www |
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the world governing authority for surfing, SUP racing, SUP surfing, para surfing, bodyboarding and all other wave riding activities. The ISA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee. [1]
After the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the ISA banned athletes and officials from Russia from ISA events, and said the ISA would not stage events in Russia. [2]
The ISA was originally named the International Surfing Federation (ISF) between 1964 and 1973. [3] An Open Division World Championships has been contested biennially since 1964, a Junior World Championships since 1980, a Masters World Championships since 2007 and a Stand Up Paddle World Championship since 2011. [4]
In 1982 the SportAccord, formerly known as General Association of International Sports Federations (GAISF), recognized the ISA as the world's governing body of surfing. In 1995 the International Olympic Committee granted the ISA provisional recognition. ISA was admitted into the Olympic movement at 1997 when the recognition was confirmed by the IOC. [5]
International Surfing Association (ISA) is a Member of:
The ISA's mission is to make a better world through surfing, which it does through crowning World Champions, surf and SUP instructor certification, worldwide membership, grassroots development, and annual scholarships awarded to surfers in need.
The organizing committee for the 2020 Games in Tokyo announced on 22 June 2015 that surfing was among the sports shortlisted for inclusion at the 2020 Summer Olympics. On 3 August 2016, during the 129th IOC Session at the Rio de Janeiro 2016 Olympic Games, the IOC unanimously voted to include five new sports, among them surfing, to the sports program of the Tokyo 2020 Games. [11]
Surfing was included in the Tokyo 2020 Games on a one-off basis, and the ISA now has shifted their focused towards securing surfing's inclusion in the next editions of the Olympics, including Paris 2024 and LA 2028.
On 16 March 2018, the International Surfing Association (ISA) welcomed the release by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) of the approved qualification system for Surfing's Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, ensuring the participation of the world's best professional surfers as well as promoting universal opportunities for surfers from around the world at the Games.
The key elements of the qualification system are as follows:
The hierarchical order of qualification are as follows:
To see the full Qualification Process for Surfing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, click here.
The ISA runs world events across all disciplines of surfing. ISA world events include:
The ISA World Surfing Games is an Olympic style team competition that gathers National Delegations from around the world. Each team can field up to three men and three women. The surfers compete for individual medals and the coveted Fernando Aguerre World Team Trophy, named for and donated by the ISA President.
The event was first held in 1964 in Manly, Australia under the name 'ISA World Surfing Championships.'
Stemming from the global growth of Surfing spurred by inclusion in the Olympic Games, the 2017 edition of the ISA World Surfing Games broke the record for country participation. The previous record was set in 1996 when 36 nations graced the shores of Huntington Beach, USA, but in Biarritz 47 countries competed, shattering the record.
Many nations had representation in the event for the first time in history in 2017, including Afghanistan, China, Chinese Taipei, Greece, Senegal and South Korea.
Year | Gold Medal Country | Event location |
---|---|---|
2019 | Brazil | Miyazaki, Japan |
2018 | Japan | Tahara, Japan |
2017 | France | Biarritz, France |
2016 | Peru | Jacó, Costa Rica |
2015 | Costa Rica | Popoyo, Nicaragua |
2014 | Peru | Punta Rocas , Peru |
2013 | South Africa | Playa Santa Catalina, Panama |
2011 | Australia | Playa Venao, Panama |
2010 | Peru | Punta Hermosa, Peru |
2009 | USA | Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica |
Year | Division | Athlete | Country |
---|---|---|---|
2019 | Open Men | Italo Ferreira | BRA |
2019 | Open Women | Sofía Mulánovich | PER |
2018 | Open Men | Santiago Muñiz | ARG |
2018 | Open Women | Sally Fitzgibbons | AUS |
2017 | Open Men | Jhony Corzo | MEX |
2017 | Open Women | Pauline Ado | FRA |
2016 | Open Men | Leandro Usuna | ARG |
2016 | Open Women | Tia Blanco | USA |
2015 | Open Men | Noe Mar McGonagle | CRC |
2015 | Open Women | Tia Blanco | USA |
2014 | Open Men | Leandro Usuna | ARG |
2014 | Open Women | Anali Gomez | PER |
2013 | Open Men | Shaun Joubert | RSA |
2013 | Open Women | Dimity Stoyle | AUS |
The ISA hosted its first World Junior Surfing Championship in 1980 in Biarritz, France, where legendary surfer Tom Curren became the first ISA World Junior Champion, helping to launch his successful career. The event was held as a division of the ISA World Surfing Games until 2003, when it was held as a stand-alone event for the first time in Durban, South Africa.
Historically, the ISA World Junior Surfing Championship has served as a glimpse into the future stars of the sport. Past ISA World Junior Champions include the 2014 WSL Champion Gabriel Medina (BRA, 2010), Tatiana Weston-Webb (HAW, 2014, 2013), Filipe Toledo (BRA, 2011), Tyler Wright (AUS, 2010, 2009), Alejo Muniz (BRA, 2008), Laura Enever (AUS, 2008), Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS, 2007), Julian Wilson (AUS, 2006), Owen Wright (AUS, 2006), Stephanie Gilmore (AUS, 2005, 2004), Matt Wilkinson (AUS, 2004), Jordy Smith (RSA, 2003) and Leonardo Fioravanti (ITA, 2015).
Year | Gold Medal Country | Event location |
---|---|---|
2017 | USA | Hyuga, Japan |
2016 | France | Azores, Portugal |
2015 | USA | Oceanside, California, US |
2014 | Hawaii | Salinas, Ecuador |
2013 | Australia | Playa Jiquiliste, Nicaragua |
2012 | Hawaii | Playa Venao, Panama |
The ISA World Adaptive Surfing Championship was created to give surfers with physical challenges an opportunity to compete and display their talents in a Paralympic-style, world-class competition.
The event has experienced unprecedented growth since the inaugural edition in 2015. The World Championship has spurred growth of the sport around the world, with nations such as France, Australia, Chile, Brazil, USA, Hawaii and South Africa holding National Championships of their own to select their National Teams to bring to California.
The 2017 edition shattered participation records with 109 athletes from 26 countries, more than a 50% increase from the inaugural edition of the event in 2015.
The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship is an Olympic-style, team competition that combines the disciplines of SUP Surfing, SUP Racing and Paddleboard Racing. The athletes compete for individual gold medals and the Club Waikiki-Peru ISA World Team Champion Trophy awarded to the team that wins the gold medal.
The 2017 edition of the event was the first to feature gender equality across all divisions, reflective of the rapid growth of women's SUP racing and surfing.
The ISA has been the organizer of the sole World Championship for SUP and Paddleboard since 2012. The event was first held in Peru (2012, 2013), with following editions held in Nicaragua (2014), Mexico (2015), Fiji (2016), and Denmark (2017).
Through development programs, scholarships for young SUP athletes, and promoting Championships at the national level, SUP has experienced explosive growth under the ISA's guidance, which can be observed in the participation levels seen in the World Championship that have nearly quadrupled since its inception.
The ISA presented both Surfing and SUP to the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for inclusion in the Olympic Sports Program. Tokyo 2020 only elected Surfing to be included in the Games and not SUP, however achievements such as inclusion in the 2019 Pan American Games and 2017 Central American Games have added momentum to the ISA's push for inclusion in the 2024 Olympics.
The ISA Executive Committee is composed of the ISA President, ISA Executive Director and four Vice Presidents. Its mission is to define ISA strategies and plans of action, “For a Better Surfing Future.” The executive committee works with the ISA staff throughout the year to develop future plans.
Current Executive Committee (as of April 2018):
On 24 April 2018 the ISA announced the formation of a new Athletes’ Commission to ensure that athletes’ opinions are heard at the highest level of governance in Surfing, StandUp Paddle (SUP), and all surf-related disciplines. [12]
France's Justine Dupont, who has medaled across three ISA disciplines (Shortboard, Longboard, and SUP), has been appointed the Chair of the commission. Dupont earned Team Gold at the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games and individual Silver in SUP Surfing at the 2017 ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship.
Barbara Kendall (NZL), ISA Vice President, Chair of the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC) Athletes’ Commission, and five-time Olympian serves as the Ex Officio of the commission.
The full ISA Athletes’ Commission consists of the following members:
Chair: Justine Dupont (FRA)
Ex Officio: Barbara Kendall (NZL)
Members:
The ISA has 103 member nations.
The following table contains the ISA members: [13]
Country | Member association |
---|---|
Afghanistan | Wave Riders Association of Afghanistan |
Algeria | Djazair Surf Club (CSG Surf Section) |
Argentina | Asociación de Surf Argentina (ASA) |
Aruba | Aruba Surf Association (ARUSURF) |
Australia | Surfing Australia |
Austria | Austrian Surfing - Österreichischer Wellenreitverband |
Bahamas | Bahamas Surfing Association (BASA) |
Bangladesh | Surfing Bangladesh |
Barbados | Barbados Surfing Association |
Belgium | Belgian Surfing Federation |
Brazil | Confederação Brasileira de Surf, CBSurf |
Bulgaria | Bulgarian Extreme Water Sports Association |
Canada | Canadian Surfing Association |
Cape Verde | Skibo Surf Club |
Cayman Islands | Cayman Islands Surfing Association |
Chile | Asociacion Chilena de Surf |
China | Chinese Extreme Sports Association |
Chinese Taipei | Chinese Taipei Surfing Association |
Colombia | Asociacion Colombiana de Surf (ACS) |
Costa Rica | Federación de Surf de Costa Rica |
Czech Republic | Ceska Federace Stand Up Paddle (CFSUP) |
Denmark | North Atlantic Surfing Association (NASA) |
Dominican Republic | Federacion Dominicana de Surf (FEDOSURF)Dubai Surfing Association |
Ecuador | Federación Ecuatoriana de Surf |
El Salvador | Federación Salvadoreña de Surf |
England | Surfing England |
Fiji | Fiji Surfing Association |
Finland | Finnish SUP and Surf Federation |
France | Fédération Française de Surf |
Gambia | Gambia Swimming and Water Sports Association |
Germany | Deutscher Wellenreit Verband (DWV) |
Ghana | Ghana Surfing Association |
United Kingdom | Surfing Great Britain |
Greece | Greek Surfing Association |
Guam | Guahan Napu Inc. (Guam Surf & Bodyboard Association) |
Guatemala | Guatemala Surfing Association (ASOSURF) |
Haiti | Surf Haiti |
Hawaii | Hawaii Amateur Surfing Association (HASA) |
Hong Kong | Hong Kong Stand Up Paddle Board Association (HKSUPBA) |
Hungary | Hungarian Surf Association |
India | Surfing Federation of India |
Indonesia | Indonesian Surfing Association |
Iran | I.R. Iran Surfing Association |
Ireland | Irish Surfing Association |
Israel | Israel Surfing Association |
Italy | Federazione Italiana Surfing (FISURF) |
Ivory Coast | Côte d'Ivoire Surfing Association |
Jamaica | Jamaica Surfing Association |
Japan | Nippon Surfing Association |
Kiribati | Kiribati Surfing Association |
South Korea | Korea Surfing Association |
Latvia | Latvian Stand Up Paddle Association |
Lebanon | Lebanon Surf & Sport |
Liberia | Liberian Surfing Federation |
Lithuania | Lithuanian Surfing Association |
Madagascar | Madagascar Yachting, Rowing, Canoeing, and Surfing Squadron Federation |
Malaysia | Malaysia Surfing Association |
Maldives | Maldives Surfing Association |
Mexico | Federación Mexicana de Surfing, A.C. |
Morocco | Federation Royale Marocaine de Surf et Bodyboard (FRMSB) |
Namibia | Namibia Surfing Association |
Nauru | Nauru Surf Club |
Nepal | Nepal National Surfing Association |
Netherlands | Holland Surfing Association |
New Zealand | Surfing New Zealand Inc. |
Nicaragua | Nicaragua Surfing Association |
Nigeria | Nigeria Surfing Federation |
Norway | Norwegian Surfing Club |
Panama | Asociación Panameña de Surf |
Papua New Guinea | Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea |
Peru | Federación Peruana de Tabla |
Philippines | United Philippine Surfing Association |
Poland | Polskie Stowarzyszenie Surfingu |
Portugal | Federação Portuguesa de Surf |
Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico Surfing Federation |
Russia | Russian Surfing Federation |
São Tomé and Príncipe | Canoeing and Surfing Federation of São Tomé |
Scotland | Scottish Surfing Federation |
Senegal | Federation Senegalaise de Surf |
Sierra Leone | Sierra Leone Surfing Association |
Singapore | Surfing Association Singapore |
Slovakia | Slovak Surfing Association |
Slovenia | Surf Zveza Slovenije |
Somalia | Somali Surfing Association |
South Africa | Surfing South Africa |
Spain | Federeración Española de Surf |
Sri Lanka | Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka |
Sweden | Swedish Surfing Association |
Switzerland | Swiss Surfing Association |
Tahiti | Federation Tahitienne de Surf |
Thailand | Surfing Thailand |
Trinidad and Tobago | Surfing Association of Trinidad & Tobago |
Turkey | Turkish American Sports Club |
United Arab Emirates | Dubai Surfing Association |
United States | USA Surfing |
United States Virgin Islands | United States Virgin Islands Surfing Association |
Uruguay | Unión de Surf del Uruguay (USU) |
Vanuatu | Vanuatu Surfing Association |
Venezuela | Federación Venezolana de Surfing |
Wales | Welsh Surfing Federation |
Somewhat in line with the tradition of the Olympic Games a gold, silver, bronze and copper medals are awarded to the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th placed athletes who compete for the honor to represent their country and national colors, in the true nature of surfing's aloha spirit and fair play.[ citation needed ]
The ISA World Surfing Games, formerly known as the ISA World Surfing Championships, are organized by world governing body of surfing, the International Surfing Association (ISA), which is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
Surfing made its Summer Olympics debut in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. The Olympics were originally scheduled to be held in 2020, but were postponed to 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Karate was an event held in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan. It was the debut appearance of karate at the Summer Olympics. Karate was one of four optional sports added to the Olympic program specifically for 2020, rather than as a permanent sport. After it was announced not to be included in 2024, in August 2022 it was announced that karate had made the shortlist for inclusion in the 2028 Games, although it was ultimately not selected.
Qualification for surfing at the 2020 Summer Olympics will be based on the performances at two editions of the ISA World Surfing Games, the World Surf League Championship Tour, and the Pan American Games. The 2020 Olympics were postponed to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty athletes per gender must qualify for the Games, with only a maximum of two each per NOC. Host nation Japan has been entitled to use a single quota place each in both men's and women's shortboard. If Japan directly qualifies in any of the tournaments, the host country place(s) shall be reallocated to the next highest ranked eligible athlete at the 2021 ISA World Surfing Games.
Israel competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo with its largest contingent to date − a delegation of 90 athletes, 55 men and 35 women, who competed in 15 different sports. This was almost double the previous number of 47 athletes who represented Israel at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics. The Games were also Israel's most successful to date, winning four medals, including two gold. At Tokyo, Israel marked its Olympic debuts in surfing, baseball, archery, equestrian and marathon swimming.
Peru competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the nation's official debut in 1936, Peruvian athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, with the exception of the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.
Portugal competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, from 23 July to 8 August 2021. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Portuguese athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games since the nation's debut in 1912.
Indonesia competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were rescheduled for 23 July to 8 August 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the nation's sixteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics.
Ecuador competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the nation's fifteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics, and its most successful to date. The country won its third, fourth, and fifth ever medals, two golds and one silver, respectively, during the games.
The 2019 ISA World Surfing Games were held at Kisakihama Beach in Miyazaki, Japan, from 7 to 15 September 2019. The event was organised by the International Surfing Association (ISA).
Costa Rica competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place from 24 July to 9 August 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the nation's sixteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics, since its debut in 1936. Costa Rica failed to win any medal for the fifth consecutive Olympics.
The men's shortboard competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo was held from 25 to 27 July at the Shidashita Beach, or "Shida", located about 40 miles (64 km) outside of Tokyo in Chiba.
The women's shortboard competition at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo was held from 25 to 27 July at the Shidashita Beach, or "Shida", located about 40 miles (64 km) outside of Tokyo in Chiba.
Morocco competed at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Originally scheduled to take place during the summer of 2020, the Games were postponed to 23 July to 8 August 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2020 Games were the nation's fifteenth appearance at the Summer Olympics.
Japan, the previous host of the 2020 Olympics at Tokyo, competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. Japanese athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games from 1912 onwards, except for two occasions: the 1948 Summer Olympics in London, to which they were not invited because of the nation's role in World War II, and the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, due to their participation in the United States-led boycott.
Israel competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris from 26 July to 11 August 2024. This was the nation's 18th appearance at the Summer Olympics. Since Israel's debut in 1952, Israeli athletes have appeared in every edition of the Summer Olympic Games, other than the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, which it opted not to attend in accordance with the US-led boycott. It was Israel's most successful Olympic Games by number of medals.
This article details the qualifying phase for surfing at the 2024 Summer Olympics. The competition at these Games will comprise a total of 48 surfers coming from their respective NOCs with a maximum of two to three per gender. All athletes must undergo a qualifying pathway to earn a spot for the Games through three successive editions of the ISA World Surfing Games, the World Surf League Championship Tour, and the Pan American Games.
The ISA World SUP and Paddleboard Championship is the premier SUP/Paddleboard championship organised by the International Surfing Association. The competition has been held since 2012 and has taken place roughly annually since. There is a similar world championship in this discipline organized by the International Canoe Federation called the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships, which originated a litigation from ISA to the ICF. The arbitration was eventually ruled in favor of allowing to keep both championships by CAS, but giving ISA the international recognition of the sport in case of an entry at the Olympic Games.
The women's shortboard competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris was held from 25 July to 5 August at the Teahupo'o reef pass, Tahiti, a French overseas territory in the French Polynesia, located more than 9,320 miles (14,999 km) from Paris.
The men's shortboard competition at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris is being held from 25 July to 5 August at the Teahupo'o reef pass, Tahiti, a French overseas territory in the French Polynesia, located more than 9,320 miles (14,999 km) from Paris.