Surf

Competitive Surfing Organizations in Florida

ASF (Atlantic Surfing Federation) Florida Chapter

There is currently 1 Florida chapter for ASF and competitions draw top notch competitors from all over the state.  All contests are organized into 4 man/20 minutes heats.  The level of competition in ASF is strong because of its philosophy as a training ground for competetive surfers. The format of the competition and the fact that competitors earn an opportunity to surf in Surfing America also make this organization a draw for top competitors.

NSSA Southeast (National Scholastic Surf Association)

NSSA has 2 districts in Florida; NSSA Southeast North, which holds contests at New Smyrna Beach Inlet and NSSA Southeast which holds contests from Melbourne Beach to Jupiter.  Membership allows surfers to participate in contests throughout the US including locations in Hawaii and California, however, only the points earned in the home district will qualify for Regionals and Nationals. The format for contests is up to the director and based on the number of competitors and time alloted. Generally, preliminary heats are 6 man/15 minutes and Regionals and National Finals are 4 man/20 minutes.  Because of the prestige of surfing in Nationals in California, and because of the relatively few districts, the level of competition is high.

ESA (Eastern Surfing Association)NCFL (North Central Florida)

ESA has several districts throughout Florida. Regionals are held in New Smyrna and “Easterns”, the ESA championship contest is held in Cape Hatteras each year. The general format for ESA is 15 minute preliminary heats and 20 minute finals. Number of participants depends on number of entries. Level of competition gets diluted at local events and the draw for competitive surfers is not that great because ESA doesn’t qualify surfers for SAP (Surfing America Prime).  This being said, some districts draw top notch surfers and only the best on the east coast will surf in Regionals and Easterns.