The Eastern Surfing Association (ESA), a non-profit, IRS tax-exempt corporation, is the largest amateur surfing organization in the world, is dedicated to the sport of amateur surfing, to the operation of a program of amateur competition for surfers of all ages and abilities, and to the establishment and preservation of free access to a clean shoreline and ocean environment.

The association's activities are organized in a total of twenty-eight districts, which extend along nearly 2,000 miles of coastline, stretching from Maine through the Gulf Coast of Florida and Alabama and also around the Great Lakes. Each district's programs are developed and operated by volunteer directors and a staff of other volunteers who assist them in this task.

The ESA is a founding association of Surfing America, the recognized national governing body for amateur and professional surfing in the United States. The ESA is empowered by Surfing America to carry out the programs of Surfing America on the East Coast; to qualify East Coast surfers to the U.S. Surfing Championships and the U.S. National Surf Team. The Maryland District of the ESA is located in Ocean City, MD and is empowered to carry out the programs of the ESA in the state of Maryland and along the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Delaware District is located in Dewey Beach, Delaware.

revised 06.01.04