Global Surf Industries signed an agreement to sponsor the Surfing America Member Surf School program. Launched January 1, 2006, the Member Surf School programs goal is to recognize and endorse specific surf schools around the country whose operational and professional standards are of the highest quality. GSI is excited to partner with this governing body to help progress the quality of surf education in the United States and is committed to the positive development of surfing at the grass roots level.
Surfing America, the International Surfing Association (ISA) recognized National Governing Body of surfing in the United States, aims to endorse surf schools that meet standards of the highest caliber. These standards include fair instructor to- student ratio, teaching progression, strong safety practices and a respect for the beach and local residents. To date, the Member Surf School program endorses five schools throughout the United States.
“In my view, the recent moves by Surfing America to enter the surfing education arena is probably the most positive step in the history of surfing in the USA. Surfing America will over time be able to help ensure that people will receive quality surf education. I see a future that is bright with multi-level surf education offerings, not only for beginners but also for intermediate and elite programs,” said Mark Kelly, founder of GSI.
Previously, the surf education industry had been run with very few guidelines or governance. Noting the 2006 Sports Participation Topline Report; surfing is the second fastest growing sport in the U.S. and enrollment in camps continuing to rise. GSI and Surfing America are setting out to instill a new level of professionalism to surf education. Surfing education has always been isolated within the industry in the past, however, this partnership strives to strengthen the development of surf schools while dually positioning new participants as target consumers within the multi-million dollar surf retail industry.
To this effect, Surfing America has endorsed GSIs soft board line; Sunset Softboards and Supersoft surfboards to offer a range of board choices from the GSI catalogue for surfers at any level to be able to participate and learn the sport. These soft surfboards are responsive in the water yet provide safety for the beginner to intermediate level surfer. By incorporating more credibility through utilizing professional surfers as instructors, increasing board choices for beginners and introducing stricter guidelines for camps, surfing education will continue to drive sales within the market. GSIs involvement with Surfing America is an exciting bond that will bring assurance to the ranks of surfing education.
“Surfing America is very pleased to have GSI onboard as a sponsor of our Member Surf School program,” said Mike Gerard, Surfing Americas executive director. “As the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of surfing in the United States, it is incumbent upon the organization to take a leadership role in identifying and supporting those schools which best serves the general public and the sport. GSIs support of Surfing America demonstrates their commitment to our mission. And we cant thank them enough for getting behind us.”
