SAN CLEMENTE, California [June 1, 2026] USA Surfing has been officially certified as the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic and Paralympic surfing by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, effective June 1, 2026. This certification formally places USA Surfing within the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Movement and activates a comprehensive set of athlete safety obligations under the U.S. Center for SafeSport.

Athlete safety has always been central to USA Surfing’s operations. NGB certification formalizes and strengthens the athlete safety standards implemented, and brings every USA Surfing Participant under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Center for SafeSport. This is a continuation of USA Surfing’s commitment to athlete safety and provides the strength of the Center for Safe Sport’s foundation.

As part of certification, USA Surfing has activated its updated SurfSafe Policy to include an updated standalone Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policy (MAAPP) compliant with federal requirements under the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and SafeSport Authorization Act of 2017. All Adult Participants are required to complete SafeSport training and background checks.

Resources:

•  U.S.Center for Safe Sport Code: https://uscenterforsafesport.org/response-and-resolution/safesport-code/

•  USA Surfing SurfSafe Policy & MAAPP

•  SafeSport Training and background check links: https://www.usasurfing.org/membership/login

•  Report Abuse (USASurfing): athletesafety@usasurfing.org

•  Report Sexual Misconduct(Center): uscenterforsafesport.org/report-a-concern | 833-587-7233

About USA Surfing

USA Surfing, Inc. is the International Surfing Association (ISA)- recognized national federation for the sport of surfing in the United States and the USOPC-certified National Governing Body for Olympic and Paralympic surfing. Based in San Clemente, California — home of the LA28 Olympic surfing venue at Lower Trestles — USA Surfing develops and supports American surfers across all competitive disciplines, including Olympic shortboard, para surfing, longboard, stand-up paddling, prone paddling, and bodyboarding. USA Surfing's alumni include back-to-back Olympic gold medalists, ISA World Champions, and a deep roster of American surfers currently competing on the 2026 WSL Championship Tour. For more information, visit usasurfing.org.

About U.S. Center for Safe Sport
The U.S. Center for SafeSport is the independent and exclusive authority directed by Congress to prevent and respond to all forms of abuse and misconduct within the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Movement.

The Center is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Denver, Colorado. The Center receives, investigates, and responds to reports of abuse and misconduct from individuals affiliated with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and its National Governing Bodies (NGBs).

The Center ensures that the USOPC and NGBs properly apply policies and procedures to govern abuse prevention and maintains a database of individuals sanctioned from participation in their sport. Throughout the Olympic and Paralympic Movement, the Center trains athletes, parents, coaches, volunteers, and organizations at all levels on best practices and principles for preventing abuse in sport settings. In doing so, the Center advances its mission of making athlete well-being the center of our nation’s sports culture through abuse prevention, education, and accountability.  

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