USA Surfing Assembles High Performance Committee Focused on Podium Success and Growing the Sport of Surfing

​SAN CLEMENTE, California (May 15, 2018) – USA Surfing named 13 of the nation’s leading experts in surf athlete training and treatment to help develop the sport of surfing in the U.S. and support the U.S. Olympic Surfing Team’s peak performance as the sport makes its debut in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. 
 
The High Performance Committee (see list below) reflects USA Surfing’s commitment to getting more young people involved in the sport and developing the mind, body and movement of surf athletes so they can perform better and have more fun. 
 
The committee is led by USA Surfing’s medical director Kevyn Dean, MSPT, OCS, founder of DSC Performance. Dean is a board-certified orthopedic physical therapist who has worked with surfing greats like Brett Simpson, Nate Yeomans and the Gudauskas brothers as well as athletes in other sports, including Olympic water polo gold medalist Kaleigh Gilchrist.
 
“USA Surfing will work toward impacting the whole sport of surfing in the United States, not just our elite athletes or Olympic hopefuls,” Dean said. “We have assembled a dream team of experts to help create a performance pathway that supports winning medals and progressing the sport of surfing at every level.”
 
Dean believes in an evidence-based approach adapted to each individual athlete and warns of unproven and even damaging techniques employed by surfers and coaches striving to improve performance. “We look forward to sharing the leading research and techniques for surf fitness and training,” Dean said. “Surfers need to demonstrate competent movement upon which to build appropriate strength”
 
USA Surfing CEO Greg Cruse said Team USA’s High Performance Committee reflects the vision of USA Surfing leading up to the 2020 Olympics. “Kevyn has assembled a world-class committee and surf training program,” said Cruse. “The committee’s work reflects the momentum and excitement growing in USA Surfing. Surfing is one of the most athletically demanding sports in the world and it needs the solid, medically sound training program that the High Performance Committee will bring to the sport.” 
 
USA SURFING HIGH PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE MEMBERS 
Kevyn Dean, MSPT, OCS, USA Surfing medical director, founder of DSC Performance 
Dr. Warren Kramer, Orthopedic surgeon and medical director for the WSL
Dr. Tim Brown, Chiropractor, Co-Medical Director WSL, Northern Hemisphere
Tracy Axel, Director of High Performance Analytics, Mamba Sports Academy
Dr. Michael Rintala, Chiropractor, Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Instructor
Peter Park, Trainer working with many professional athletes, including top-ranked surfer Lakey Peterson
Dr. Michael Gervais, USC sports psychologist 
Lisa Andersen, Four-time world surfing champion
Nikki Viesins, Former USA Surfing team member and national champion, B.S. Sports and Exercise Science
Dr. Su Wang, DPT, OCS, CSCS, Movement Specialists Physical Therapy  
Kaleigh Gilchrist, Olympic champion (water polo) and professional surfer 
Chris Gallagher Stone, Head coach, USA Surfing, WSL coach for Jordy Smith and other top surfers
Brett Simpson, Junior national team coach, former WSL standout
 
Four-time world surfing champion and committee member Lisa Andersen said it’s important to keep pushing the sport of surfing to higher levels of performance. “USA Surfing’s athletes will have access to the world’s best coaches and experts in attaining the highest athletic performances at the Olympic Games in 2020,” said Andersen.
 
USA Surfing head coach Joey Buran said the committee of high-caliber specialists will not only improve Olympic performances, but also enhance the level of knowledge about training for surfing and avoiding and rehabbing injuries. “I’m excited about the potential of this committee to elevate the sport of surfing and the athleticism and sophistication it deserves,” Buran said. 
 
USA Surfing is the National Governing Body for surfing in the United States, recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC). USA Surfing’s mission is to promote and grow the sport of surfing and support United States athletes of all backgrounds to achieve sustained competitive excellence in Olympic competition. USA Surfing will oversee and support U.S. surfing teams as the sport makes its debut at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, and surfing and stand up paddleboarding athletes compete in the Pan American Games Lima 2019.
 
USA Surfing, Inc.
Is a 501 (c) (3) California Non-Profit Corporation Tax ID # 81-4742350

​Contact: Becky Fleischauer, becky (at) usasurfing (dot) org