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How to Become a Member

Requirements to become a recognized ISA member organization (NGB)

Applying organizations might only be granted permanent membership to the ISA after two and a half to four years from their initial application, or until the Executive Committee is completely satisfied with supporting documentation provided by the applying member. The following are the rules for new applying NGB's (National Governing Bodies) to the ISA.

Below is the list of required documents to be filed with the ISA by candidate NGB at the time of petition for recognition by the ISA.

  1. A formal letter applying for membership to the ISA on their approved letterhead and signed by their elected President and another elected Director.
  2. A copy of the letter from their National Olympic Committee or highest sport authority in their country, certifying that the applying organization is recognized as the sole governing body for surfing in their country.
  3. Copy of the document that authorizes the organization to operate under the laws of its own country. Copy should be notarized, certifying that it is a true copy of the original.
  4. A copy of the Constitution, and Rulebook if in existence.
  5. List of names, titles and contact details of the organization Head Office and all Executive Committee or Board of Directors individuals.
  6. Minutes of the inaugural meeting.
  7. Remit ISA Membership fee on the amount informed by the ISA to the applying organization.

After all the above documents are received and approved by the ISA Executive Committee (EC), the EC will issue a letter recognizing the applying organization as an "Applying Member" of the ISA. After such decision by the EC of the ISA, the applying NGB will start to receive ISA newsletters and will be allowed to participate in ISA events.

The NGB will remain as an "Applying Member" at least, until the next ISA BGM (Biennial General Meeting). If a candidate wishes to participate in an ISA event, all application documents must be sent to ISA at least 60 days prior to the date of the event in which candidate wishes to participate.

Applying NGB will have to submit a detailed report on its activities up until the BGM when the permanent status will be examined and voted upon. This report must be submitted no later than 30 days before such BGM. The report shall include at least the following supporting documents and information supporting recognition:

  1. Organization chart (covering national and all state/regional affiliates plus other affiliates).
  2. National business plan showing promotional and event development plans and records for the sports of wave riding, surfing and body boarding for the following 24 months at least.
  3. Financial statements of the organization, for the last two years preceding the BGM date.
  4. Individual members total in all classes of membership, for example women, open, junior, masters (using ISA rulebook eligible age levels).
  5. Photographs and moving images of events and other activities put on by the NGB.
  6. Any media articles about applying NGB past activities.

At the cited BGM, and upon approval of applying member’s application by the EC, ISA member nations will vote on the admission petition. If admitted, the applying organization will then become a "Provisional Member" of the ISA for another two years. (If the member’s application is not complete by this BGM or if the vote does not pass, said applying nation will remain an applying member for another two years).

During these two years as a Provisional Member, the NGB will have to produce additional proof of proper NGB activities including events, including AGM’s / BGM’s, elections of officers, holding of national contests, and provide annual reports as required in point #4 in this document.

If all requirements have been fulfilled, at the subsequent BGM, a vote will be held on the admission of the Provisional Member as the official ISA recognized NGB for such country, hence becoming a full fledged permanent National Governing Body (NGB) of ISA.