The ISA created committees to take care of specific key issues for the future of surfing. Each committee is self-funded and presided by the ISA President, Mr. Fernando Aguerre. The ISA nominated a Director of Operation at the head of each committee in function of their experience and knowledge. The ISA thanks all committees for their hard work "For a Better Surfing Future!"

EXECUTIVE

The ISA's unique committee of Executives, consists of the President and three Vice-Presidents. As of the 2006 BGM, all members serve four year terms, alternating two Vice Presidents to be re-elected every even-numbered year.

Elections were held for the International Surfing Association's Executive Committee during the ISA's Biennial General Meeting (BGM) in October 2006 in conjunction with the ISA World Surfing Games in Huntington Beach, California.  At this ISA BGM, Fernando Aguerre of Argentina was re-elected as President for another four year term. This is his seventh consecutive term as President. He was first elected in 1994 during the World Surfing Games, held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Karin Sierralta from Peru and Debbie Beacham from the United States were also re-elected as Vice-Presidents for their four year term. Both Karin and Debbie have been huge assets to the ISA in terms of their knowledge, experience (both technical and administrative) and true love for the sport. The ISA is lucky to have them as part of the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee has a mission to define the ISA strategies and plan of action, "For a Better Surfing Future". The Executive Committee members and staff meet once to twice a year to review ISA activities and future plans.

TECHNICAL

The technical committee has a mission to enhance the competitive rules for surfing and to edit the ISA Rule Book. The Technical Committee also provides technical assistance for all ISA events and offers advise to ISA Members.

Marcos Bukao currently heads this committee. Marcos Bukao has been the Technical and Contest Director for all the ISA World Surfing Games and ISA World Junior Surfing Championships since 1996. Other members of the Technical Committee include Alan Atkins, Robin de Kock, and Karin Sierralta.

MEDICAL

An important part of the Medical Committee's mission is to promote the health of all surfers and ensure fair competition. For this reason, the ISA has created a Medical Committee to address the following issues:

1. Preventive Health Care and education for surfers
2. Promote fitness and safety
3. Carry out specific International Olympic Committee policy regarding Drug use among competitors.

Dr. Mark Bracker, Clinical Professor and Director of Sports Medicine at the University of California, San Diego is an advisor to this committee. Dr. Bracker says the following about our program:

The International Surfing Association (ISA) has a particular interest in promoting surfers' health in the setting of Olympic level competition worldwide. It is the responsibility of ISA Medical Services to provide health care information to all staff and athletes, medical coverage at the event and competition drug testing according to International Olympic Committee guidelines.

ANTI-DOPING

In December 2003, the ISA signed the contract with WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency), conforming to the International Olympic Committee's Anti-Doping Charter. The ISA's inclusion in the Olympic Movement requires compliance with WADA. All ISA NGBs are required to file their NGB Anti-Doping Policy with the ISA.

Questions may be directed to ISA Headquarters at surf@isasurf.org.

WADA was created in November 1999 in order to support and promote the fundamental values in sport with the goal of eradicating the improper use of drugs in sport. WADA has worked closely at several different levels with all of the International Sports Federations, different Games Associations and Governments to implement a single comprehensive anti-doping code worldwide. For information about WADA, visit www.wada-ama.org.

The ISA strives to continuously educate and monitor the National Governing Bodies' yearly activities regarding their self-implemented policies to members. It is of the utmost importance that the ISA member federations accept and promote an anti-doping policy within their national events and championships. The ISA is available and willing to assist any member federations with the implementation and organization of a strong anti-doping plan.

WOMEN

The mission of this committee is to promote women's surfing on an international level. The committee's goals are to organize women's surfing competition around the world, increase the number of local women surfers (and create a favorable environment for that to happen) and lobby for more women on senior positions of the ISA.

Documents for download:
1. Maile H. Aguerre, Vice-President report from the III World Conference on Women and Sport, which took place in Morocco 2006.

ENVIRONMENT

As surfers, we are fortunate to be able to partake in the beauty of the largest single environmental entity on the planet: Mother Ocean. Covering approximately 71% of the earth's surface, our oceans are all around us, supporting extensive ecosystems, providing valuable reusable resources and spreading beauty across the planet. The magnitude of life which the oceans support is amazing, ranging from schools of tropical fish to groups of playful dolphins to colonies of minute plankton living in the most remote regions of the sea. We are truly graced to enjoy a sport, which allows us to be a part of this diverse mixture of life. The ISA has a right and an obligation to support the organizations that fight for a cleaner environment, in particular cleaner oceans and beaches around the world.

Unfortunately, there are some very serious environmental concerns regarding the cleanliness of our oceans and the safety of both people and animals in the water. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is dedicated to alleviating these concerns and lists as one of our goals the desire to work towards the preservation of the oceans, beaches and surf breaks, together with each member nation and environmental organizations.

In years 1997 and 1998, the ISA, along with the Surfrider Foundation organized Crystal Surf to further this cause. Crystal Surf was an International beach clean-up day. The participating nations included the USA, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Portugal and South Africa among other ISA member nations. On this day, on beaches worldwide, surfers collected trash and debris, which pollute beaches and threaten the safety of marine wildlife. Crystal Surf is an offshoot of an event called the International Costal Cleanup, which is organized by the Center for Marine Conservation. Information from the Center for Marine Conservation was sent to each of the ISA member countries so that they could record data regarding the items collected on the world's beaches, enabling the Center for Marine Conservation to obtain accurate international information regarding the cleanliness of the oceans.

The ISA encourages any one who enjoys the ocean to participate in activities like Crystal Surf or to organize your own local clean-ups among your friends. Caring can be as simple as picking up one or two pieces of trash each time you walk across the beach. A small effort like this can magnify exponentially if each surfer shares the idea with a friend. Additionally, if you are not already a member of your local Surfrider Foundation, visit www.surfrider.org for information on how and where to join.

To further the ISA's initiative in supporting cleaner oceans and environments, the ISA includes an environmental section in each monthly Newsletter and Press Release, with topics ranging from major environmental organizations to beach clean ups.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that we as surfers, bodyboarders, kneeboarders, bodysurfers and ocean lovers worldwide can network amongst each other and accomplish great things for the environment. We must continue to strive towards creating and preserving cleaner beaches and oceans so that our future generations can enjoy the same beauty that we do.

ADAPTED SURFING

No matter what your physical abilities, the only limitations to enjoying the ocean are in your mind. The ISA encourages disabled persons to pursue the pleasures of surfing and is actively developing programs so that these surfers are recognized for their dedication and ability. For more information on the Adapted Surfing Committee contact the ISA by e-mail: surf@isasurf.org