AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship

Classification is a process where certified ISA Para Surfing Classifiers assess the strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination of surfers in order to group the athletes with similar impairments into one of the eight Para Surfing Sport Classes. The classification goal is to accurately allocate the athlete into a proper surf class to ensure high competition and a leveled playing field in each surf class.

All information on ISA Para Surfing Classification and the updated ISA Para Surfing Sport Classes can be found on our website HERE

For any specific questions about classification or the classification process please contact Maureen Johnson, ISA Para Surfing Head of Classification at classification@isasurf.org

What is the Athlete Classification Process for ISA Para Surfing?

Athletes who are interested in competing at national and international events must be classified into a Para Surfing Sport Class by a certified International ISA Para Surfing Classifier. Athletes not listed on the Para Surfing Classification Master List must follow Steps 1-7 first and then they will be eligible for Step 8 which is to attend a classification assessment.

Step 1: Download the Medical Documentation Form (MDF) and have your medical or healthcare provider fill out the front and back of the form along with their signature. The MDF is to be completed in English.

Step 2: Upload the completed MDF form and the supporting medical documents (such as an x-ray) to the ISA Para Surfing website: https://www.isasurf.org/para-surfing-medical-diagnosis-form-mdf-upload-page/ or send via email to:  classification@isasurf.org

Step 3: Upload an identification photo that clearly shows your face (no sunglasses or hats please).

Step 4: Upload a photo of you surfing.

Step 5: Upload a video of you surfing.

Step 6: Upload a photo of the equipment you are using while surfing.

Step 7: After the Head of Classification is satisfied with and approves your uploaded documents, you will be notified of your eligibility to be officially classified. Prepare yourself to come 1-2 days earlier than the dates of the competition where there will be official ISA Para Surfing International Classifiers. Classification usually takes place 1-2 days prior to the start of an event.

Step 8: Attend a Classification Assessment by a Para Surfing Certified Classifier*. You can expect a panel of 2 classifiers for national classification or 2 panels of 2 classifiers for international classification.

*There are two levels of classification: National Classification and International Classification

            National Classification:

            You are eligible to compete at any national level competition.

            International Classification:

            You are eligible to compete at any international level competition.

Once officially classified with a Confirmed status, an athlete does not need to be reclassified until there is a change of status in the athlete or a change in the rules and regulations, for example, a change in the Minimal Impairment Criteria.

If the athlete is classified with a Review status, the athlete will need to be reclassified in the year that is stated, for example, if the athlete was classified with a Review Status 2021, that athlete will need to be reclassified in the year 2021.

All of this information can be found on the ISA Website HERE

Each National Federation will be allowed to field a team of up to eight Men athletes and eight Women athletes across the eight Para Surfing Sport Classes, for a total of sixteen eligible athletes. The eight men and eight women maximum athletes per country will include no more than two athletes in any one Para Surfing Sport Class.

I.E. Country X may field a team consisting of: 2 athletes for Para Surfing-Stand 1, 2 athletes for Para Surfing-Prone 1, 1 athlete for Para Surfing Stand 2, 2 athletes for Para Surfing-VI1, and 1 Para Surfing-Prone 2 for a total of eight men; and similarly, for the Women’s Divisions.

*Please note: it is not a requirement to have a full team. Each National Team can be comprised of as little as one athlete. However, for maximized scoring potential it is recommended to field the maximum number of athletes.

ALL TEAMS MUST BE APPROVED BY THEIR NATIONAL FEDERATION. Each National Team has their own qualification process. If you are an athlete interested in competing and would like to inquire about qualification process with your respective National Surfing Federation, please visit our Membership Directory for contact information.

NEXT STEPS TO REGISTER YOUR TEAM:

1. RSVP: One representative from each National Team needs to send an email to alexreynolds@isasurf.org to confirm interest in participating.

2. Team Roster Confirmation: Please have your Team Manager download the Team Roster_2019 WPSC spreadsheet, fill it out, and email to Alex Reynolds (alexreynolds@isasurf.org).If you do not yet know your athlete/team official names, you can confirm the number of athletes/team officials and update the ISA will the specific names at a later date. 

3. Classification Process:

Reference the Para Surfing Classification Master List (any athlete listed with a confirmed status can skip to online registration forms in Step 4). Athletes not listed on the Master List must go through the Pre-Classification Process below.

Pre-Classification Process:

• Step 1: Download the Medical Documentation Form (MDF)and have your medical or healthcare provider fill out the front and back of the form along with their signature. The MDF is to be completed in English. Visually Impaired MDF.

***Please note: Athletes that previously completed the MDF form correctly and their medical condition has not changed, do not need to re-submit the form and can use the previous MDF for the pre-classification screening.

• Step 2: Upload the completed MDF form and the supporting medical documents (such as an x-ray) and Surfing photos/videos to the ISA Para Surfing website: https://www.isasurf.org/para-surfing-medical-diagnosis-form-mdf-upload-page/or send via email to: classification@isasurf.org

• Step: 3 ISA Para Surfing Classification Review Committee will review the submitted documents and notify the athlete and National Federation that the athlete is eligible for an on-site classification appointment. The on-site classification appointment will be 30 minutes and can be scheduled via the following link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409054BAAAA2EAAFF2-isawpsc

***please note that all athletes will be classified via an on-site classification assessment and that the final Sport Class will be given following this assessment. Once the pre-classification screening is confirmed and the athlete has booked a classification appointment then they can proceed with Registration Forms in Step 4.

4. Online Registration Paperwork (Deadline March 2) All Athletes, Team Officials, and Support Personnel MUST complete the online registration paperwork via the following link: https://www.isasurf.org/wpsc-event-registration-form/

5. Registration Payment (Deadline March 2):

Athletes:

Registration cost for Athletes is $250 USD per athlete

To pay via credit card, CLICK HERE

If you prefer to pay via wire transfer, please email Alex and request an invoice.

All athletes that require a classification assessment must pay the classification fee

Support Personnel and Team Officials:

Each National Team is allowed up to five free support personnel registrations. For Nationals Teams with less than 5 athletes, the ratio of free support personnel is 1 per athlete (i.e. a National Team with 3 athlete registrations is allowed 3 free support personnel). Any additional support personnel and team officials must complete a registration payment of $50 USD

To pay via credit card, CLICK HERE

Please view the 2020 ISA Para Surfing Rulebook HERE: https://www.isasurf.org/downloads/2020_WPSC_Rulebook_Insert_1-8-20.pdf

The official ISA Rulebook can viewed HERE:https://www.isasurf.org/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2019/06/ISA-Rulebook_-13-June-2019.pdf 

The success of this event is rooted in passionate and committed volunteers!

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER HERE: https://www.isasurf.org/isa-wpsc-volunteer-sign-up/

Please email alexreynolds@isasurf.org if you have any questions about volunteering at the event. 

AmpSurf™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate (PIER) all people with disabilities and their families through adaptive surfing and other outdoor activities.

View More on the AmpSurf Website HERE

The International Surfing Association is pleased to announce an official Para Surfing Classifier Training Course for both National and International Classifiers is scheduled for 6-10 March 2020 prior to the 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship in San Diego, CA.

Persons interested in becoming a classifier, must:

1. Be a medical healthcare professional, such as an occupational therapist, physical therapist, or physician,
2. Have extensive knowledge and experience with working with people who have neurological diagnoses such as spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, cerebral vascular accidents, multiple sclerosis, and cerebral palsy. In addition, the interested person must have experience with working with people with congenital limb deficiencies and amputations,
3. Speak English, at least at a minimal level,
4. NOT be connected to a national team (such as the therapist for the team) or be directly connected to a current competitive athlete (private therapist) as these relationships pose a direct conflict of interest, and
5. Be a surfer or very familiar with the sport of surfing.

If a person is interested and meets ALL five requirements listed above, then the interested person must submit the following three items to classification@isasurf.org

1. Professional License
2. Curriculum Vitae (Resume)
3. Certification of Completion of the “IPC Introduction to Para Sport Online Learning Programme”. This online training course can be found at: https://www.ipc-academy.org

 Cost and Schedule:

Cost: $300 USD (includes training, manual, and snacks/lunch during the course)

Schedule: Each day the training starts will run from 0900 until 1800. Individuals must be National Classifiers before becoming International Classifiers.

National Classifier Training (held 6-8 March 2020) consists of theory, IPC education on classification and the ISA Para Surfing Sport Classes. There is an open book written exam to pass this section.

International Classifier Training (held 9-10 March 2020) consists of practical training with mock Athletes and actual Athletes. Your physical skills, decision-making, and your communication in English with the Athletes are assessed in the practical exam.

Certificate of Classifier Training Completion will be awarded to each person that passes the course.

Please contact ISA Head of Para Surfing Classification Dr. Mo Johnson at classifications@isasurf.org with any questions.

More info on HOW TO BECOME A PARA SURFING CLASSIFIER

Invitation to Participate in the 2020 AmpSurf ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic

La Jolla Shores, Tuesday March 10, 2020, 8am-12pm

Dear Adaptive Surfer,

It is our great pleasure to invite you to participate in the adaptive surf clinic as a part of the historic 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship!

The AmpSurf ISA Adaptive Surf Clinic will take place at La Jolla Shores on Tuesday March 10^th from 8am-12pm.

This day will give aspiring Adaptive Surfers the opportunity to surf with some of the top Para Surfers from around the world and receive coaching and mentoring from AmpSurf instructors, volunteers and athletes from the event.

AmpSurf™ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established to Promote, Inspire, Educate, and Rehabilitate (PIER) all people with disabilities and their families through adaptive surfing and other outdoor activities.

This Adaptive Surf Clinic is closely supervised and each participant is assigned an AmpSurf Instructor and at least one water assistant. AmpSurf will provide all necessary surfing equipment, gear and beach access wheelchair(s) if required. Participation is FREE of charge but a small deposit is required to save your spot, space is limited to only 30 participants! If you wish to attend, we ask that you please sign-up via the following link prior to March 3rd so that we can reserve a spot for you: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/88316193111

We’d also like to invite you to be a part of the entire 2020 AmpSurf ISA World Para Surfing Championship which begins on Wednesday March 11^th and runs until Sunday March 15^th!

Best Regards,

ISA Team

Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Jolla

Discounted accommodation is available for $155 USD per night during the contest period at the Holiday Inn Express & Suites La Jolla (3 miles from La Jolla Shores). This can be booked directly using the group code WAS via this LINK

Please contact Kathryn Houston: khouston@pacificahost.com with any questions about the accommodation.