IISA Country Association

IISA is a South African based initiative and is flourishing to become truly global phenomena. IISA and the sport of ice swimming needs this to be represented in as many countries as possible to achieve our big goal of taking swimming to the Winter Olympic Games.

Vision and Mission statement

We have looked at our mission statement from 2009 and we continue to be 100% behind our vision (home page of IISA website):

The International Ice Swimming Association (IISA) was formed in 2009 by Ram Barkai together with his swimming mates (Andrew Chin, Toks Viviers, Ryan Stramrood and Kieron Palframan) with a vision to formalise swimming in icy water. IISA passion is swimming in icy waters in very location possible around our globe. In order to allow for that IISA has put in place a well considered set of rules to allow for maximum safety measures in this extreme sport and to regulate swim integrity in terms of distance, time, conditions and safety.

IISA introduced the Ice Mile as its ultimate achievement of swimming in ice waters. An Ice Mile is One Mile in water of 5C or less. The swim must be unassisted and with one pair of goggles, cap and standard swimming costume. The Ice Mile is the ultimate personal challenge that should be followed with all the safety and controls in place.

In 2014 IISA introduced the 1km Ice event. The event allows swimmers to compete in icy waters of 5C or less under IISA rules for 1000m. IISA is set out to keep world records with its vision to include Swimming as a category in the Winter Olympic Games and make it globally recognised sport.

IISA is has continually logging results and assigned world records to the deserving competitions following the above vision.

Ice Swimming and the formation of IISA is based on the passion for the ICE. The Ice brings the brutally cold water and environment, which brings the critical SAFETY element as it most important focus, however, the ICE also represents BEAUTY, CLEAN, CRISP, SIMPLE, HONEST, UNSPOILT, NATURAL BEAUTY, FREEDOM, and INTEGRITY.

All of these should be employed as IISA code of conduct in every aspect of the sport, its Ice attempts, competitions, branding and promotion of our “mad” sport.

Formation of an IISA Country Association

 As Ice swimming continues to grow the IISA have decided to set up an 'IISA country Association'  - a global network of frozen ones with their warm friends, families and supporters.

For a country to qualify for 'IISA country association' they are required to have at least three Ice Members. IISA will appoint the country Chairperson of the association, and in turn the Chairperson will invite nominations to the local board. The local board will have maximum of 5 members which at least 3 of them must be ICE Members. The other two must IISA Members.

For a country who has not got the required number of ICE Members to set up a local association they will be permitted to appoint associate members who then have maximum of 18 months to qualify as ICE Members as specified above.

IISA has a unique strong brand and vision and it wishes to keep this focus avoiding  “sport politics” that can happen when growth and decentralisation happens. To ensure this IISA will retain one central IISA constitution and every country association which all will adhere to.

The constitution is reviewed once a year and countries are welcome to offer amendments, which will be considered. If a country has local requirements that are country specific due to regulations or safety, the ‘IISA country association’ should contact IISA for approval on local specifications the IISA constitution must never be overridden. The IISA constitution endeavours to regulate the integrity and safety of the ice swimming and any local amendments can only be additional to IISA guidelines and at the consent of the IISA.

 A country wishes to form a local IISA Association should approach IISA. 

IISA will appoint the Chairperson and assist in forming the local Association.

 info@internationaliceswimming.com

Naming the Country Association

• IISA country
• IISA Ireland
• IISA GB
• IISA Russia
• Etc…

The Role of the 'IISA country association'

• Organise 1km events
• Arrange for qualifiers for the world championships
• Support of personal Ice Miles in line with the IISA rules safety.
• Organised events to promote ice swimming and the IISA
• Promote IISA brand within the country
• Assist in disputes raised locally in line with the IISA constitution
• Dissemination knowledge of Ice Swimming for the benefit of the future of the sport
• Report to IISA
• The Local Association will decide its own structure and role of its board members to deliver the above objective.as and when required with regard to its rule above.
• Reporting to IISA board will done
• PLEASE REMEMBER – keep it SIMPLE, CLEAR, CLEAN, SAFE with INTEGRITY.

Promotion and communication

IISA will provide each country with a page link on main IISA site to maintain centralisation of all data including swim records and events.

Each country Association will receive a direct link to its page in IISA website called:

country.inernationliceswimming.com(e.g., Ireland.internationaliceswimming.com)

Entries of data regarding all IISA approved events will be completed via IISA country page so to will results and records be added. Each country will have a local list of records and members and these members will be included in the main IISA record.

Promotion of IISA country association swims and of the local IISA country, association can be offered on this local webpage.

Country Association Logo

Each country can have its own logo as long as it is contained in the Iceberg, diamond like shape like the original IISA logo. Colours and content can be anything desired by the Association. IISA advise Country association to endeavour to capture the spirit of the ICE as explained above in its colour, shapes and fonts at the same time IISA encourage countries to capture the country spirit and colours in their logos.

The IISA logo and branding can be used for local 'IISA country association' marketing as long as it uses the IISA original logo, flags, etc and that this is only used to market IISA globally or locally and not for commercial purposes.

IISA will retain control of this logo. Local country associations can produce Products and Branding containing the local name and logo.

IISA Products and Branding

IISA has established legal rights to its name, logo and branding. This is IISA’s only real asset aside from the swimmers. IISA would like to retain control of this and therefore only IISA is allowed to produce products containing the IISA name and logo.

IISA is in the process of producing IISA products such as badges, jackets, towels, caps, etc.. which will be sent in bulk to local country associations for distribution locally. It will allow for cheaper pricing and affordable products to swimmers.

Costs and Profits

IISA is established as a non-profit organisation. Its incorporation will change location from South Africa to a global location soon. IISA is seeking sponsors and funders willing to assist IISA in its mission. IISA strongly support the spirit of “make the sport as affordable as possible to the Athletes”.