
The International Surfing Association (ISA) is the world governing authority for surfing, SUP racing, SUP surfing, bodyboarding and all other wave riding activities. The ISA is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

S.O.S. Salvem O Surf is an environmental non-governmental organisation in Portugal, with a strong technical profile, that aims to solve problems and issues related with Surfing but also to develop the sport. It strives to solve problems constructively, guided by the need to raise awareness of the value of surf, and the will to create added value to all the involved parties.

SurfAid International is an international charitable organization working in the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. It was founded by Dr. Dave Jenkins of New Zealand in 2000. In 1999 he was on a surfing trip in the area and saw the health problems of the local people. SurfAid's early efforts were focused on providing health education to the people and mosquito nets to prevent the spread of malaria.

Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) is a marine conservation charity working with communities to protect oceans, waves, beaches and marine life. It was created in 1990 by a group of Cornish surfers from the villages of St Agnes and Porthtowan on the north coast of Cornwall.

Surfers Healing is a non-profit organization that teaches children with autism to surf. It was founded by Israel and Danielle Paskowitz for the benefit of their son Isaiah Paskowitz who was diagnosed with autism at age three. Surfers Healing seeks to enrich the lives of people living with autism by exposing them to surfing. The surf camps are free of charge to autistic children, and include camps in Hawaii, North Carolina, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Puerto Rico. In August 2012, Surfers Healing expanded to Toronto, Canada for the first time organized by Aloha Toronto, an annual weekend beach festival inspired by Surfers Healing. The Kelly Slater Foundation is a supporter of Surfers Healing.

Surfing South Africa (SSA) is the governing body for the sport of surfing in South Africa, and a recognised member of the world governing body, the International Surfing Association (ISA). SSA is also an affiliate of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC), which, alongside Sport and Recreation South Africa (SRSA) supervises all organised sport in South Africa.

The Surfrider Foundation USA is a U.S. 501(c)(3) grassroots non-profit environmental organization that works to protect and preserve the world's oceans, waves and beaches. It focuses on water quality, beach access, beach and surf spot preservation, and sustaining marine and coastal ecosystems.

The World Surf League (WSL) is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world's best talent in a variety of progressive formats. The World Surf League was originally known as the International Professional Surfing founded by Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick in 1976. IPS created the first world circuit of pro surfing events. In 1983 the Association of Surfing Pros took over management of the world circuit. In 2013, the ASP was acquired by ZoSea, backed by Paul Speaker, Terry Hardy, and Dirk Ziff. At the start of the 2015 season, the ASP changed its name to the World Surf League. Sophie Goldschmidt was appointed as WSL CEO on 19 July 2017. Paul Speaker had stepped down as CEO on 11 January 2017, and Dirk Ziff acted as the interim WSL CEO until Goldschmidt's appointment.

World Surfing Reserves (WSR) is a program launched in 2009 by the non-governmental organization Save the Waves Coalition aimed at protecting global surf habitats. The program proactively identifies, designates and enshrines international waves, surf zones and surrounding environments, protecting them from the threat of development.

The Wyldewood Surf Club is a lake surfing club founded in 1965 in Port Colborne, Ontario, on the northeastern shore of Lake Erie by U.S. and Canadian surfers. It is recognized as the oldest surf club on the Great Lakes.