Surfing NZ - SNZ Surfing Development Pathways

The diagram above gives a broad view of the development pathways for surfers, coaches, judges and officials in New Zealand. Below is a more detailed explanation of each stepping stone with links to further detail.

Download a printable version of the SNZ Development Pathways document (including description) here.

1. Surf Schools

There are commercial surf schools scattered throughout New Zealand. These schools provide the best possible introduction to surfing.

The International Surfing Association (ISA) and Surfing New Zealand (SNZ) accredit surf coaches and surf schools to ensure that industry standard is met for the benefit of the customer. These ISA / SNZ accredited surf schools are also approved by Water Safety New Zealand.

The level one coaches at these surf schools will provide beginners with guidance on water safety and basic entry level surfing. ISA / SNZ Level 2 surf coaches provide further instruction for intermediate to advanced surfers.

To become an accredited surf coach you must complete the ISA / SNZ accredited coaching courses.

1a. Surf Camps

Surfing New Zealand facilitates a range of surf camps to help improve surfing ability:

These camps provide a great platform for surfers to develop their skills under the guidance of professional coaches. Courses focus on technical aspects of surfing as well as competition strategy, fitness and nutrition. Courses are open to all surfers throughout New Zealand and can also be tailored to suit the needs of boardrider clubs.

2. Boardrider Clubs

SNZ affiliated boardrider clubs provide a community level entry point for surfing. Clubs are scattered throughout New Zealand and offer up a support network for surfers as well as a great place to meet like minded people. Clubs often run local surfing events and activities. Boardrider clubs form the catalyst for young surfers to branch out toward the next step at either a regional or national level.

Boardrider clubs also offer the chance for officials to get involved in the sport not only surfing but also in the form of administrators, coaches, judges and officials.

SNZ facilitate the ISA Level 1 Judging Course which provides international accreditation and provides best practice in judging surfing at a competitive level.

3. Regional

Regional events offer up a challenge to surfers beyond their local boardriders club. Depending on your location, regional events may take place annually or they may take place throughout the year in a series of events.

The South Island Surfing Association (SISA) runs a regional South Island Circuit comprising a series of events. This circuit provides an excellent platform for surfers (from both the South and North Islands) to test their skills.

The Regional Scholastic Surfing Championships are another big stepping stone for youth. Split into twelve regions throughout New Zealand, each region contests their own regional scholastic event before being selected and moving on to the national finals.

Regional events are also another stepping stone for officials such as team managers, coaches, judges and event administrators.

4. National

National events currently comprise three major series:

Export Gold Series
Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour
SNZ Grommet Series

These three series provide extensive nationwide opportunities for surfers to test themselves at a national level.

Age groups range from Under 12 in the SNZ Grommet Series through to Over 50 on the Hyundai Pro Longboard Tour.

Stand alone SNZ sanctioned events also exist such as the Auahi Kore Aotearoa Maori Titles which take place annually and cater for all Maori surfers, National Scholastic Championships, NZ Women's Open and the National Primary School Championships.

These events are where all event officials gain valuable experience in a professional environment.

5. Elite Junior Events

There are several international events that provide a stepping stone to further a surfers career. These events fall neither under the ISA or the ASP below but are excellent for surfers to get a guage on their ability before competing at major international events. Some events require qualification through New Zealand while others such as the Billabong Occy Grom Comp and Rusty Gromfest are open entry.

At a junior level these events include:

Billabong Occy Grom Comp
Rusty Gromfest
Rip Curl GromSearch
Quiksilver King of the Groms

6. National Teams

National representative teams are named annually. These teams are selected from national squads using the national selection criteria.

There are five ISA sanctioned events that New Zealand contest. The dates for naming New Zealand teams vary depending on the date of the international events.

National teams and squads attend high performance training camps and coaching clinics in the build up to international events.

There is also the annual Oceania Cup which caters for indigenous surfers. New Zealand sends a team of surfers of Maori descent to this event. Team members must be selected by SNZ to represent New Zealand at the event.

7. International Surfing Association (ISA)

The ISA sanctions the five events below. New Zealand sends teams to the five events when they are held (predominantly annually). Surfers, team management and event officials must be selected by SNZ to participate at these events. The events inlcude:

The ISA World Surfing Games (Men’s, Women’s, Men's Longboard)
The ISA World Junior Championships (Under 18 Boys and Girls, Under 16 Boys)
The ISA World Masters
The ISA World Kneeboard Surfing Titles
The ISA World Bodyboarding Games

The ISA represents over 50 countries on six continents with an estimated 25 million surfers worldwide.

8. Association Of Surfing Professionals (ASP)

The ASP comprises four key tours:

- Men’s World Tour
- Women’s World Tour
- Junior World Tour (Under 20 Men’s and Women’s)
- Longboard World Tour

The Men’s, Women’s and Longboard World Tours comprise events ranging from 1-star to 6-star prime and then on to World Tour events where the World Champions are crowned.

The Junior Tour comprises seven regional tours where surfers qualify for the Junior World Tour. The regions comprise:

Australasia
Hawaii
North America
South America
Europe
Japan
Africa

ASP 'star' and regional junior events are open entry for all surfers. However surfers have to qualify for the elite World Tour events.