19/10/2026
MEDIA RELEASE
For immediate release |
APB and Bodyboarding International Officials agree MOU to advance and unify bodyboarding
The Association for the Progression of Bodyboarding (APB) is pleased to officially announce its partnership with Bodyboarding International Officials Limited (BIO). This relationship will promote the adoption and implementation of standardized judging and officiating globally across APB regions, with the highest level of integrity and professionalism.
BIO established its roots in 2002 with the inception of the group by a handful of key international judges, as an independent union for bodyboarding judges. The idea was to form an organization where judges could come together, under a recognizable banner.
From the outset, BIO sought to formulate a standard approach to judging and officiating internationally, to drive professionalism, integrity, impartiality and respect, and to offer education and accreditation to judges. It also acted as a hub where judges could come together in a safe space to share ideas about improving judging outcomes and implementing best practice.
BIO started developing bodyboarding judging standards and course material in the late 1990s. In 2015, when it became a company limited by guarantee in Australia, the International Bodyboarding Judging and Officiating Course was developed in partnership between BIO and Surfing Australia and offered overseas by the International Surfing Association (ISA). Through Karl Gol and Craig Hadden, BIO was behind the large-scale rewrite of the International Bodyboarding Association (IBA) Rulebook which formed the basis for the Association of Professional Bodyboarders (APB) Rulebook from 2014 and those used by the International Bodyboarding Corporation (IBC) from 2019 onwards.
The APB and BIO have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) setting out how the two organisations will work together to grow the sport of bodyboarding worldwide.
Under the MOU, BIO recognises the APB as the organisation leading the progression of bodyboarding and working to unify the sport's riders, clubs and national bodies under a single coordinating platform.
The agreement commits both organisations to collaborate on [e.g. judging and officiating standards, officials' training and certification, and officiating at APB-sanctioned events]. It supports the APB's work to bring national and regional federations together, with long-term goals that include formal recognition by the International Surfing Association and a pathway to the Olympics.
"Fair, consistent and well-trained officials are the foundation of any credible sport. BIO's recognition of the APB is an important step in bringing bodyboarding together, and we look forward to working with BIO to give riders and federations the standards and outcomes they deserve," said Jamie McCall, CEO, APB.
The APB and BIO will announce joint initiatives as they are confirmed.
