National Scholastic Surfing Association
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The National Scholastic Surfing Association (N.S.S.A.) is a surfing association in the United States. It is the highest level for competitive amateur surfing in the country. Founded in 1978 by Chuck Allen, John Rothrock and Tom Gibbons, the association was formed with the purpose of uniting amateur surfers from around the country under one competitive association. Since much of the membership consists of students, one of the prerequisites in joining the association is the maintenance of good grades.
The NSSA is divided into nine conferences nation wide. The Hawaii conference covers the island chain of Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island. The Southwest conference, Gold Coast conference, Northwest Conference and the NSSA Junior novice program are based in California. The east coast is represented by the Northeast, Southeast, Southeast/North and Florida Gulf conferences. Although it has a special emphasis on student surfers, the NSSA membership is open to anyone who wants to surf competitively as an amateur.
Many well known surfers have competed in the association before turning professional. These include Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Kalani Robb, Cheyne Magnusson and Bobby Martinez who is the male with the most NSSA titles (7). Carissa Moore currently holds the most NSSA Nationals titles with 11. The association once fielded a national team which competed against a Townend/Cairns team from Australia.
