National Scholastic Surfing Association

The National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA) is a surfing association in the United States. It is a member organization of Surfing America, the National Governing Body of Surfing in the United States. Founded in 1978 by Tom Gibbons, John Rothrock, Chuck Allen, Laird Hayes, Holly Allen and Rob Hill, the association was formed with the purpose of uniting amateur surfers from around the country under one competitive association tied to the education system. Since much of the membership consists of students, one of the prerequisites in joining the association is the maintenance of good grades, service to community and an interest in the sport of surfing.

On February 4, 1978, a group of surf coaches met in Huntington Beach to form a new surfing association for amateur high school and college surfers.

Those present at the meeting voted to name the new entity, the NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SURFING ASSOCIATION (NSSA). Several very important resolutions were quickly adopted. Since membership would consist of students, it was important that any fees established for competitors be minimal. A fee of $1 per year was voted for student membership and $5 a year for supporting members. If additional monies were needed, the group decided it would be raised by other means.

The group agreed to do the utmost to improve the image of the surfer and to stress water safety and fair play in the water. One way to accomplish this is through supervised surf contests. Surfers competing on teams are required to maintain the same academic standards as athletes participating in football and other sports.

Another important resolution adopted was one to allow any NSSA surfer to retain his/her right to also surf in any other amateur surfing associations.

The next step was to elect officers that had the clout to put things together. Dr. Laird Hayes, Assistant Dean of Students at Orange Coast College was elected Vice President. Laird was asked to formulate a scholarship program for the NSSA. Since financial management would be critical, Chuck Allen surf coach of the El Toro Surf Team and Senior VP of a large savings & loan, was elected Treasurer. His wife, Holly, was elected Secretary. Rob Hill, wood shop teacher at Huntington Beach High School and coach of their surf team, was elected Competition Director. John Rothrock, Director of the Student Career Center at Edison High School and coach of their surf team, was elected Publicity Director. John also had a background in printing, thus adding that dimension to his post. Jim Clark, an executive with a large, international insurance company located in San Francisco, was elected Membership Chairman. Tom Gibbons, surf coach at Marina High School and at California State University Long Beach was elected President.

The last item for discussion was perhaps the most important. Since everyone present was interested in founding a surfing association that would last and be meaningful, a Resolution was adopted authorizing President Tom Gibbons to approach the most respected and influential people in the surfing community and ask for their support.

Shortly thereafter, the following people had been contacted and had agreed to serve on the NSSA Board of Advisers: Vince Moorhouse, Director of Harbors and Beaches and President of Would Life Saving. Dr. Jake Abbott, Superintendent of Huntington Beach Union High School District, the first District in the United States to offer surfing as a letter sport. Rus Calisch, Advertising Director of Skateboarder Magazine and Executive Director of the United States Surfing Association. Bill Dinnie, owner of Sunline Surfboards in Huntington Beach and one of the most sought after surf judges in Southern California. Jim Jenks, President of Ocean Pacific and long-time surfer. Nancy Katin, truly the first lady of surfing and sponsor of the annual Katin Pro-Am Contest. Bob Mignogna, Business Director of SURFING MAGAZINE and ultra-hot surfer. Hugh Murphy, probation officer with the City of Los Angeles and Executive Director of the Western Surfing Association. Dennis Mangers, California Assemblyman from Huntington Beach and long-time surfer. Steve Pezman, Publisher of SURFER MAGAZINE and long-time surfer. Bud Robinson, President of Richton Sportswear and long-time supporter of surfing. Hoppy Swarts, educator and founder of the United States Surfing Association. Dr. Jerry Thornsley, Superintendent of Capistrano Unified School District and long-time surfer. All accepted to serve.

A few days later, the Officers of the NSSA met and set-up a series of 12 surf contests that would last through August, the end of the Open Season surf period. A mailing outlining the actions taken was sent to over 1,000 people across the USA. Within days, the response started flowing in. Membership soared to over 650 surfers, representing 27 surf teams from California to Rhode Island. Through the efforts of the NSSA Board of Advisors, donations were received from OP, Hang Ten, Kanvas by Katin, Surfer and Surfing Magazines, Quicksilver and others.

The response from the surfers to the contests proved excellent. It indicated one thing; surfers want to surf in well-run and fairly judged contests.

The NSSA hosted the first National Championships in Huntington Beach, California in December of 1978. The contest winner was Mark McDandel from the University of South Carolina. As a result of that contest, a National Team including 12 men, 3 women and 3 knee-riders was selected based upon surfing ability, scholarship, and service to community. The Team was composed of student surfers whom younger surfers could look up to as positive role models. The team was provided full competition gear, all specially, uniformly and specifically designed. Our primary thrust is to encourage high school students to further their education by attending college or trade schools. One way we do this is to encourage surfing programs at the high schools and colleges. Scholarships were awarded at the Nationals in December with the first $500.00 scholarship named the "Nancy Katin" Scholarship being awarded to Ruben Chappins from Cal State University Long Beach.

From short-range planning, the NSSA formulated its long-range goals. Correspondence from the U.S. Olympic Committee outlining their requirements was studied and we have forwarded a portion of the requirements to them. The AAU has indicated support and encouragement forwarded an application for Allied Membership. During our National Championships in December, we will be awarding scholarships. The National Team's first international competition was against the National Team of Peru at Punta Roca, south of Lima. The NSSA National Team won this first competition, coached by Tom Gibbons and John Rothrock.

The NSSA cannot do these things without the support of the entire surfing community. Early funding received went towards programs that benefit the surfer and work done by the NSSA Officers and Board of Advisors was gratis.

The NSSA is divided into nine conferences nationwide. Surfers from the various conferences compete for slots in the Regional Championships, with those winners proceeding to the NSSA National Championships. Top surfers then earn slots into the Surfing America USA Championships which has competitors from all major organizations competing for USA Championship titles and a spot on the USA Surf Team. Although it has a special emphasis on student surfers, the NSSA membership is open to anyone who wants to surf competitively as an amateur. The NSSA no longer fields its own national team.

Many well known surfers have competed in the NSSA before turning professional. These include Kelly Slater, Andy Irons, Carissa Moore, Kalani Robb, Cheyne Magnusson, Bethany Hamilton and Bobby Martinez. Carissa Moore currently holds the most NSSA Nationals titles with 11 overall while Kolohe Andino holds the most titles won by a male competitor (9).

Champions

National Scholastic Surfing Association (1978 - )

Year and Champion Year and Champion Year and Champion Year and Champion
1970 UC San Diego[1] 1989 Point Loma Nazarene College[2] 2002 UC Santa Barbara[3]∗ 2015 Point Loma Nazarene University
1976 & 1977 Orange Coast College[4] 1990 UC San Diego[5] 2003 UC San Diego 2016 Point Loma Nazarene University
1978 Orange Coast College[1] 1991 UC Santa Barbara[6] 2004 MiraCosta College 2017 Point Loma Nazarene University
1979 Golden West College 1992 UC Santa Barbara 2005 UC Santa Barbara 2018
1980 Orange Coast College[7] 1993 UC San Diego 2006 Saddleback College[8] 2019
1981 Orange Coast College[9] 1994 UC Santa Barbara 2007 San Diego State 2020
1982 Orange Coast College[10] 1995 UC San Diego 2008 UC Santa Barbara 2021
1983 UC San Diego 1996 UC Santa Barbara 2009 California State, San Marcos 2022
1984 UC Santa Barbara[11] 1997 UC San Diego 2010 UC Santa Barbara[12] 2023
1985 UC Santa Barbara(?)[13] 1998 UC Santa Barbara 2011 MiraCosta College 2024
1986 UC Santa Barbara(?) 1999 Point Loma Nazarene University[14] 2012 MiraCosta College[15] 2025
1987 UC Santa Barbara(?) 2000 MiraCosta College[16] 2013 San Diego State[17] 2026
1988 UC Santa Barbara(?) 2001 California State, Long Beach[18] 2014 Saddleback College[19] 2027

∗ Several archived articles at the NSSA website state that UCSB had won eight national championships before 2002 and won their ninth in 2002. The NSSA Facebook site states that UCSB won its fourth in 1991. Therefore, the titles for two previous years attributed to UCSB from 1985 to 1988 are incorrect.


References

  1. 1 2 Almond, Elliott (May 24, 1979). "College Surfing Rides Wave of Popularity". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2011-06-09.
  2. ↑ "NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SURFING ASSOCIATION (NSSA)'s Photos - Wall Photos (Photo 314)". June 3, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  3. ↑ "2002 NSSA National Results". Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  4. ↑ "Competition Bulletin - 1980 OCC Surf Team Schedule". Surfer. 21 (11): 89?. Nov 1980.
  5. ↑ "NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SURFING ASSOCIATION (NSSA)". June 5, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-22.
  6. ↑ "NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SURFING ASSOCIATION (NSSA) Facebook page". May 24, 2012. Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  7. ↑ "Orange Coast College (OCC) Surfing/Alumni's Profile". May 24, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  8. ↑ "Remembering Saddleback Coach Bill Steinriede". Retrieved 2011-05-16.
  9. ↑ "Surfers to Defend National Title". Los Angeles Times. May 20, 1982. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
  10. ↑ "NATIONAL SCHOLASTIC SURFING ASSOCIATION (NSSA)'s Photos". May 26, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-10.
  11. ↑ "Competition Bulletin". Surfer. 26 (5): 97. May 1985.
  12. ↑ "2010 was 32nd year of NSSA meets". Retrieved 2011-05-16.
  13. ↑ "Gauchos Play! - Surfing". Retrieved 2011-05-16.
  14. ↑ "NSSA Interscholastic State Champs hit Huntington Beach". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
  15. ↑ "2012 National Championships Complete Results". Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  16. ↑ "Beach surf team looks to a repeat of last year". Retrieved 2011-07-23.
  17. ↑ "2013 NSSA National Championship Results". Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  18. ↑ "Heat Sheet". Surfer. 42 (12): 158. Dec 2001.
  19. ↑ "2014 NSSA National Championships Complete Results". Retrieved 2015-03-17.
  1. Connelly, Laylan (August 25, 2012). "Kneeboarding sees resurgence". The Orange County Register. p. Local 7.
  2. Gibbons, Tom - Founding President NSSA 1978-1980, Senior Vice President NSSA 1985
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