Luke Morris

The elite of the para surfing community gathered in Pismo Beach, California, from December 6 to 11, 2021. For the sixth edition of the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Para Surfing Championship, they battled the waves and demonstrated their abilities. Surfers from 24 countries competed, with the International Surfing Association (ISA) hoping that the sport’s expansion will help the governing body achieve its goal of competing in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. If you have been a huge follower of surfing, you’d understand this part of surfing particularly caters to our adaptive surfers. But, if you’re new to para surfing and you are looking to find out more, we’ve prepared a good read for you. What Is Para Surfing? Para surfing is a modified style of surfing that allows people with physical limitations to surf on a surfboard. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the sport’s international governing body. Since 2015, the organization has crowned adaptive surfing world champions. The original categorization of adaptive surfing has transformed into para surfing in recent years, especially when surfing became an Olympic sport. What Is Adaptive Surfing? Surfing ocean waves on a surfboard while overcoming a physical restriction is what adaptive surfing is all about. Adaptive surfing, however, means a lot more to the global community of adaptive surfers, the hundreds of local and international organizations that support the sport, and the army of volunteers who donate their time to adaptive surfing events. Surfers leaving their wheelchairs and crutches behind to hit the waves are adaptive surfers. Because of developments in board modifications, bespoke prostheses, and the warmth of wetsuits, it is making surfing more accessible to children and adults. ISA Para Surfing Classification To compete in para surfing events, athletes must have a qualifying impairment. The physical disabilities are specified in the International Standard for Eligible Impairments, as defined by the Athlete Classification Code of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The ISA Para Surfing Classification is a process in which qualified Para Surfing Classifiers evaluate competitive adaptive surfers’ strength, flexibility, balance, and coordination to place them in one of nine Para Surfing Sports Classes. The classification goal is to place each athlete in their best surf class to ensure high competitiveness and a more equitable playing field, reducing the influence of impairments on sports performance. The ISA Para Surfing Classifiers start by determining whether an athlete has an underlying health condition that could result in an “IPC approved” or eligible impairment. The classifier panel will determine whether the impairment(s) fulfill the Minimum Impairment Criteria. ISA Para Surfing offers seven physical classes and two visual sports classes. Para Surfing Sport Classes Sport Class Description Stand 1 Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an upper limb amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent or short stature. Stand 2 Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with a below-the-knee amputation or congenital or impairment equivalent, or leg length difference. Stand 3 Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with an above-the-knee amputation or both lower extremity amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent. Kneel Any surfer who rides a wave in a kneeling or sitting without paddle position with an above the knee amputation or both lower limb amputations or congenital or impairment equivalent. Sit Any surfer who rides the wave in a sitting position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely. Prone 1 Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that does NOT require assistance paddling into a wave and getting back on the board safely. Prone 2 Any surfer who rides the wave in a prone position that DOES require assistance in the water, paddling into a wave, and getting back on the board safely. Vision Impairment 1 Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B1. Vision Impairment 2 Any surfer who rides a wave in a standing position with IBSA classification Level B2 and Level B3.   10 IPC* Approved Eligible Impairments Physical Body Function Impairments (5) Physical Body Structure Impairments (3) Visual Impairments (3) Impaired Passive Range of Motion Limb Deficiency IBSA Vision Impairment B1 Impaired Muscle Power Leg Length Difference IBSA Vision Impairment B2 Hypertonia Short Stature IBSA Vision Impairment B3 Ataxia Athetosis *IPC=International Paralympic Committee Terminology Definitions: Spinal cord injuries, brain injuries, strokes, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, low stature, congenital limb deficits, leg length discrepancies, amputations, and eyesight impairments are all fall under approved underlying health conditions or medical diagnoses. Impaired passive range of motion, impaired muscle power, limb deficiency, leg length difference, short stature, hypertonia, ataxia, athetosis, vision and intellectual disability are the Paralympic impairments. Para surfing does not employ intellectual disability at this time. Despite impairing function, several impairments are classified as “Non-Eligible Impairments” for Para Surfing. According to the International Paralympic Committee, non-eligible impairments include discomfort, hearing loss, low muscle tone, hypermobility, joint instability, endurance, and poor respiratory function. Each Para Surfing Surf Class has minimal impairment criteria for each eligible impairment. The minimal impairment criteria were developed based on the impairment being severe enough to impact the sport of surfing. Amputated fingers, for example, are regarded as a disability, although missing digits is not enough of impairment to affect surfing. For a list of qualifying impairments, minimal impairment criteria, and descriptions of each Para Surfing Class, see the “ISA Para Surfing Classification Rules & Regulations.” Para Surfing Eligible Impairments Impaired Muscle Power Surfers with decreased muscle power have an underlying health problem that prevents or limits their capacity to move or create force by contracting muscles spontaneously. Examples include spinal cord damage, whether total or incomplete, tetra or paraplegia, muscular dystrophy, post-polio syndrome, and spina bifida. Impaired Passive Range of Movement A lack of restriction of passive mobility in one or more joints characterizes surfers with a limited range of motion. Arthrogryposis and contracture caused by chronic joint immobility or trauma to a joint are … Read more