Surf Industry Members Association (sima)

Name

Surf Industry Members Association (sima)

Legal name

Surf Industry Members Association

Website

https://surfindustry.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Huntington Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: SIMA collects annual membership dues from various tiers including Industry Membership (manufacturers of accessories, apparel, eyewear, footwear, wetsuits starting at $500), Board Builder & Retail Membership ($250), Associate Membership (advertising agencies, publishers, research companies starting at $500), Surf Park Membership (starting at $2500), and Partner Membership ($2500 for professional service companies).
2. Industry Research Reports: Sale of annual Surf Industry Growth Report priced at $750 per copy, providing data-driven market insights on participation, retail, brands, and market dynamics to brand leaders, retailers, investors, and industry professionals.
3. Event Ticketing and Sponsorships: Revenue generated from the annual Waterman's Ball event (July 17th at The Ranch at Laguna Beach) which brings together 200 industry leaders, executives, and surf enthusiasts, as well as the SIMA Super Summit.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SIMA is a non-profit, member-owned trade association that represents the surf industry through tiered membership programs (Industry, Board Builder/Retail, Associate, Partner, Surf Park), an annual Surf Industry Growth Report, premier events such as the Waterman's Ball and Super Summit, a Service Directory, and charitable arms including the SIMA Environmental Fund and SIMA Humanitarian Fund. Membership provides access to industry research, educational programming, sustainability resources, networking opportunities, and advocacy on policy, coastal conservation, and global trade issues.

Product overview

SIMA operates as a trade association with a modular portfolio of membership services, research products, events, and charitable programs. The core offerings include tiered membership packages (Industry, Board Builder/Retail, Associate, Partner) providing access to research, networking, sustainability resources, and advocacy, alongside a flagship 2026 Surf Industry Growth Report ($750). Supporting programs include the Surfonomics economic research initiative, annual Waterman's Ball and Super Summit events, a Service Directory for member visibility, and two humanitarian funds (Environmental and Humanitarian) that channel donations to ocean conservation and community causes. The structure functions as a membership organization with research, events, and charitable initiatives as integrated service components.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SIMA Environmental Fund: The environmental arm of SIMA that supports ecological and environmental organizations focused on enhancing the ocean and beach environment through clean water initiatives, surf preservation/access and ocean conservation education.
• SIMA Humanitarian Fund

Products and services

• SIMA Membership Trade association membership with tiers including Industry Membership for manufacturers (starting at $500/year based on revenue), Board Builder & Retail Membership ($250/year), Associate Membership for agencies and media ($500+/year), Partner Membership for professional services ($2,500/year), and Surf Park Membership (starting at $2,500/year). Provides access to research, educational programming, sustainability resources, networking events, and industry advocacy.
• 2026 Surf Industry Growth Report Comprehensive data-driven industry report providing insights on surfing participation, retail, brands, market dynamics, and emerging opportunities. Priced at $750 per copy, targeting brand leaders, retailers, investors, and industry professionals.
• Waterman's Ball Annual cornerstone industry event held on July 17th at The Ranch at Laguna Beach, bringing together 200 surf industry leaders, executives, and surf enthusiasts to celebrate industry icons while raising funds to protect oceans, beaches, and waves.
• SIMA Super Summit Annual industry conference designed to drive strategies for business success, addressing changes in business models, marketing, retail, supply chains, and consumer habits in the surf industry.
• Service Directory

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $10 million donated to environmental organizations through the SIMA Environmental Fund
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Surf ExpocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSurf Expo is listed as a SIMA partner, representing a major surf and watersports trade show that serves as a key distribution and networking channel for the surf industry.
• Action WatchsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerAction Watch is listed as a SIMA partner, representing a surf industry media and research organization.
• World Surf LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld Surf League (WSL) is listed as a SIMA partner, with Graham Stapelberg (EVP/GM Tours and Events at WSL) serving on the SIMA Advisory Board. WSL organizes professional surfing competitions globally.
• Surfshopday.orgsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSurfshopday.org is a member initiative partner of SIMA, promoting surf shop culture and community.
• Spiltlife.orgsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSpiltlife.org is a member initiative partner of SIMA, focusing on surf lifestyle content.
• Surfscape.comsupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerSurfscape.com is a member initiative partner of SIMA, representing a surf media platform.
• WatermansWeekend.orgcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerWatermansWeekend.org hosts information for the Waterman's Weekend events, which are core SIMA initiatives combining the Waterman's Ball and environmental conservation activities.
• SurfAidsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSurfAid is a non-profit organization that SIMA partners with through the Humanitarian Fund, focusing on improving access to healthcare, clean water, and food security in remote surf communities. SurfAid and Rip Curl co-launched the Make A Wave challenge with SIMA support.
• Rip CurlsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerRip Curl collaborates with SurfAid and SIMA on the annual Make A Wave challenge, encouraging surfers worldwide to surf every day in September to raise funds for SurfAid's programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Surfrider Foundation: Grassroots environmental advocacy organization focused on beach/ocean protection. Complementary to SIMA's Environmental Fund work but operates as a 501(c)(3) advocacy nonprofit rather than a trade association.
• Action Watch: Surf industry market research and media organization serving brands and retailers with participation data. Listed as a SIMA partner; functions as an information provider rather than a membership association.
• World Surf League: Professional competitive surfing tour and content platform that organizes WSL events globally. WSL's Graham Stapelberg sits on SIMA's advisory board, making them ecosystem partners rather than competitors - WSL is sport-side, SIMA is trade-side.
• SurfAid: Humanitarian nonprofit improving health and welfare in remote surf communities. SIMA partners with SurfAid through the SIMA Humanitarian Fund and co-runs the Make A Wave challenge with Rip Curl - complementary cause-aligned partner rather than peer association.
• Surf Expo: Major biannual surf and watersports trade show serving as a key B2B distribution channel for SIMA members. Listed as a SIMA partner; operates as a marketplace/event rather than a membership association.

Broad incumbents

• International Surfing Association: International governing body for surfing recognized by the IOC, overseeing competitive surfing globally. Unlike SIMA's trade/membership focus, ISA is the regulatory and Olympic-aligned counterpart with global scope.

Direct peers

• Snowsports Industries America: Trade association for snow sports industry with manufacturer/retailer membership tiers, research publications, and trade show partnerships. Highly comparable business model to SIMA in the adjacent action/winter sports vertical.
• Sports & Fitness Industry Association: National trade association for sports and fitness manufacturers with research reports, advocacy, and member services. Operates the same membership/research/advocacy model as SIMA across a broader sports portfolio.
• National Sporting Goods Association: Trade association for sporting goods retailers and suppliers, providing research, networking, and advocacy. Comparable to SIMA's tiered membership and industry research focus, though covering general sporting goods rather than surf-specific.
• Outdoor Industry Association: Trade association for the outdoor recreation industry with tiered membership, research reports, advocacy, and industry events - structurally identical to SIMA but serving the broader outdoor category rather than surf specifically.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/surf-industry-manufacturers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/surf_industry

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Surf Industry Members Association (sima)