The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the world governing authority for surfing, recognized by the International Olympic Committee. Its work spans international competition, athlete development, education, and efforts to support a more inclusive and sustainable surfing community. The ISA organizes world championships across multiple disciplines, including the World Surfing Games, Junior Surfing, Para Surfing, Longboard, StandUp Paddle and Paddleboard, Masters, and Bodyboard. It also supports surfing’s presence at major multisport events, including the Olympic Games, Pan American Games, and Asian Games.

For coaches, judges, instructors, and water-safety professionals, the ISA offers courses, certification pathways, schedules, directories, renewals, and presenter programs. Its Para Surfing initiatives include classification, research, adaptive surf instructor training, and resources for participants. The organization also provides membership services, competition guidance, technical officiating information, and resources such as rulebooks, annual reports, and a world champions database. Through its programs and governance, the ISA promotes safeguarding, anti-doping, ethical competition, gender equality, diversity and inclusion, and climate action, connecting national surfing communities and helping advance the sport worldwide.