The International Surfing Association (ISA) has today announced a key strategic partnership with the International Lifesaving Federation (ILS) to establish a universally recognized, global standard water safety course and certificate for Surfing and Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) coaches and instructors.
The ISA has teamed up with ILS to offer the International Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course around the globe.
The ISA will work in collaboration with the ILS, a global organization recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), to roll-out the International Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course in 2017, and will offer water safety, lifesaving, environmental responsibility and ocean sustainability training. This will enable Surfing and SUP instructors to achieve an easily identifiable, unified water safety accreditation that ensures they can maintain their ISA Instructor registration and status.
The key elements of the new International Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course, include:
- Promoting water safety worldwide
- Establishing a minimum global water safety standard for Surf and SUP instructors which will enable the transportation of their certificate from country to country through the global standard accreditation – helping to benefit coaches who travel internationally
- Boosting the existing ISA Coaching and Instructing Program that requires all ISA accredited instructors to hold a valid water safety certificate
- Enhancing the value of the ISA Coaching Certification and encouraging more participants into the program
ISA President, Fernando Aguerre, said:
“The ISA is delighted to partner with the International Lifesaving Federation to strengthen our commitment to ensuring the very highest standards of water safety. The new universally recognized water safety course for ISA instructors is important as Surfing and SUP grow in popularity around the world – and will continue to develop in light of our new status as an Olympic sport at Tokyo 2020.
“It is essential that all ISA registered instructors have the approved universal certificates to provide new Surfing athletes and amateur participants with full confidence that they are learning the sport safely – and that they appreciate that the ocean is an environment that should be respected and protected. Our partnership with ILS also underlines the ISA’s dedication to apply best practices as a professional International Sports Federation that is proud member of the Olympic Movement.”
ILS President, Graham Ford AM, said:
“This new partnership between the International Lifesaving Federation and the International Surfing Association is an excellent initiative that will advance the awareness and application of water safety standards in Surfing and SUP across the world.
“As the world authority for lifesaving, the ILS is pleased to support and contribute our extensive water safety experience towards an initiative that will increase safety in the Surf and SUP environment.
“Health and safety is an integral part of any sport, and especially when athletes and participants of all abilities are in the ocean. As the ISA continues to develop and heads towards its Olympic debut, we are pleased to work alongside them in promoting water safety practices.”
More information on the ISA/ILS International Surf and SUP Instructor Aquatic Rescue and Safety Course is available here: http://www.isasurf.org/isails-water-safety-accreditation/
With interest regarding participating in or organizing a course, contact alexreynolds@isasurf.org.
About the International Surfing Association
The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment. The ISA crowned its first Men’s and Women’s World Champions in 1964. It crowned the first Big Wave World Champion in 1965; World Junior Champion in 1980; World Kneeboard Champions in 1982; World Longboard Surfing and World Bodyboard Champions in 1988; World Tandem Surfing Champions in 2006; World Masters Champions in 2007; and World StandUp Paddle (SUP) and Paddleboard Champions in 2012.
ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 100 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Karín Sierralta (PER), Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), Casper Steinfath (DEN) and Barbara Kendall (NZL).