SafeSport Policy As a sport league that always puts the safety and wellbeing of athletes first. USA Surfing voluntarily adheres to U.S. Center for SafeSport rules. The current SafeSport rules, policies and procedures are available at the offices of USA Surfing, online at SafeSport and via the links below.
As a condition of membership in USA Surfing and a condition for participation in any competition or event sanctioned by USA Surfing, each USA Surfing member and each athlete, coach, trainer, agent, athlete support personnel, medical or para-medical personnel, team staff, official and other person who participates in USA Surfing or USA Surfing events (whether or not a USA Surfing member), agrees to comply with and be bound by the SafeSport rules, policies and procedures of the U.S. Center for SafeSport and to submit, without reservation or condition, to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport for the resolution of any alleged violations of those rules, policies and procedures, as may be amended from time to time. To the extent any USA Surfing rule is inconsistent with the rules of the U.S. Center for SafeSport, such rule is hereby superseded.
USA Surfing's Commitment to Safety USA Surfing is committed to creating a safe and positive environment for athletes’ physical, emotional and social development, and to ensuring that it promotes an environment free of misconduct. USA Surfing is committed to improving the development and safety of athletes and participants involved in sport. Unfortunately, sport can be a high-risk environment for misconduct, including child physical and sexual abuse. While child physical and sexual abuse is one type of misconduct, it is important to remember that this policy covers many inappropriate behaviors that do not involve children at all. This policy applies regardless of the ages of the individuals involved in the alleged activity. Six primary types of misconduct addressed in the SafeSport Policy:
Sexual Misconduct, including Child Sexual Abuse
Emotional Misconduct
Physical Misconduct
Bullying
Harassment
Hazing
USA Surfing utilizes the definitions of these forms of misconduct as defined by the U.S. Center for SafeSport in the SafeSport Code link here. All forms of misconduct are intolerable and in direct conflict with USA Surfing ideals.
Background Checks and Training All coaches, medical/paramedical staff, trainers, Board of Directors and employees are required to take the U.S. Center for SafeSport Online Training and must be background checked.
SafeSport training and background checks must be completed before contact with athletes begins and within 45 days of taking on a new role. SafeSport Training must be updated annually by completing refresher courses starting the year after completion of the initial course. Background checks must be repeated every two years. Internal audits will be performed regularly to ensure required checks and training have been completed. Covered individuals include: (Covered Individuals with direct contact or in authority positions, and Board)
Employees
Medical Staff
Para-medical Staff
Physical Therapists
Massage Therapists
Chiropractors
Trainers
Coaches
Judges/officials
Board Members
Contractors, i.e. photographers, videographers
Any individual who is an athlete or non-athlete participant USA Surfing formally authorizes, approves or appoints to a position of authority over athletes or to have frequent contact with athletes, such as persons compensated and/or appointed by USA Surfing to perform services at sanctioned activities run by USA Surfing, such as camps, competitions and training or educational event (including chaperones and volunteers as needed for specific events) *Athletes under the age of 18 are exempt from the background check requirement.
As a part of USA Surfing's contribution to the sport of surfing as a whole, it is committed to working toward expanding its SafeSport training and background check program to make it available to (and encouraging the use of the program by) its member organizations. Click HERE to see the USA Surfing tiered roll out plan. This plan will be updated annually.
U.S. Center for SafeSport’s online training is a necessary educational tool for prevention of abuse in sport. Education and awareness are the most critical components to creating safe and respectful sport environments. The SafeSport Trained course covers the following topics in-depth:
Mandatory Reporting
Sexual Misconduct Awareness Education
Emotional and Physical Misconduct
Both the SafeSport Trained comprehensive course ($20) and the free Parent Training helps you to recognize if an athlete is being abused, and most importantly you will learn how to prevent this from happening, or how to respond and help if the abuse has already happened. The free age-appropriate SafeSport training provides information tailored by age to your minor athletes. By taking these trainings, you are a part of our daily effort to make athlete well-being the centerpiece of our nation’s sport programs. Thank you for helping us champion respect, and end abuse in sport.
If you are a member of USA Surfing, start your NCSI background check and SafeSport Training here → by logging into your member account (coaches, medical/paramedical, trainers, Board, volunteers, employees, etc. - ie. Covered Individuals)
Need a membership? Click here to become a member → and begin your SafeSport training (athletes), SafeSport and NCSI background check (Covered Individuals).
If you are a parent interested in taking the free SafeSport Training course or wishing your child to take the free age-appropriate training, click here to get started. →
Reporting Misconduct Reports can be made via online form, email or phone, and reporters have the option to remain anonymous. No direct fees or cost is involved in making a SafeSport / athlete safety-related report.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY CALL 911 IF CHILD ABUSE IS OCCURRING, CALL 911 IMMEDIATELY IF YOU KNOW OF OR SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE, CALL LOCAL POLICE
Contact your local authorities if you have a reasonable suspicion that child sexual abuse or neglect has occurred. All reports of child abuse or sexual assault of a minor must also be reported to local authorities. Reports of abuse not involving a minor may also be reported to local authorities.
TO REPORT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT CONTACT THE U.S. CENTER FOR SAFESPORT IMMEDIATELY:
The Center handles ALL reports of sexual abuse within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. Make a report to the Center if you have a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct such as child sex abuse, non-consensual sexual conduct, sexual harassment or intimate relationships involving an imbalance of power.
The Center also accepts reports of emotional and physical misconduct (including bullying, hazing and harassment) within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movements. The Center manages these types of code violations on a case-by-case basis.
NOTE: A violation of the Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies (MAAPP) is a violation of SafeSport policy and should be reported to the U.S. Center for SafeSport. MAAPP is posted below.
REPORT NON-SEXUAL MISCONDUCT TO USA SURFING BY EMAIL OR PHONE
Contact USA Surfing to report other forms of misconduct such as emotional or physical misconduct, bullying, hazing or harassment. These types of misconduct may also be reported directly to SafeSport.
CLICK HERE FOR A PRINTABLE PDF FORM TO USE FOR EMAILING A REPORT TO THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE OR SCROLL DOWN FOR A FILLABLE FORM THAT WILL BE SENT DIRECTLY TO THE JUDICIAL COMMITTEE BY CLICKING "SUBMIT"
The pdf Judicial Committee form above is for reporting issues related to administrative, disciplinary & SafeSport, or right to participate. MISCONDUCT REPORT INVESTIGATION / RESPONSE USA Surfing's athlete safety policy, in accordance with the SafeSport Entity and its Code, includes a grievance process which is materially free of bias and conflicts of interest, to address allegations of misconduct following the report or complaint of misconduct that falls outside the SafeSport entity’s jurisdiction. This grievance process includes the opportunity for review by a Judicial Committee comprised of 80% independent and 20% athlete member volunteers. Reports can be made directly to the Judicial Committee at:
Contact the SafeSport helpline for 24/7 crisis interventions, referrals and emotional support. This confidential and secure helpline is operated by RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization.
