What is the ISA?
The International Surfing Association is the IOC-recognized world governing body of surfing — founded in 1964 (as the International Surfing Federation), headquartered in La Jolla, California, with 100+ national federations, and led since 1994 by Fernando Aguerre, the Argentine who drove surfing into the Olympics.[1] [2]
What does the ISA govern?
The World Surfing Games — the national-team worlds whose team and individual results carry Olympic qualification — plus world junior, longboard, SUP and para surfing championships, judging and coaching certification, and the sport's Olympic relationship with the IOC and LA28.[2] [3]
Why does the ISA matter?
It is surfing's federation face: national-team selection, ISA medals and Olympic quotas run through it — the credential chain beside the WSL's professional rankings.[2] [3]
References
- ISA — about the ISA. Accessed August 2026.
- ISA — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Olympics.com — Surfing. Accessed August 2026.