Two organizations have submitted applications to the USOPC to be the National Governing Body (NGB) for the sport of surfing.
Click here to review the USA Surfing application.
Click here to review the US Ski and Snowboard application.
The global surf community has united behind USA Surfing, calling on the USOPC to ensure that Olympic surfing remains in the hands of those who know and live the sport.
Fernando Aguerre, ISA President: “The ISA strongly believes that a healthy, independent organization that truly represents the interests of surfers and the sport in the U.S. is essential as we look ahead to the LA28 Olympic Games and beyond. That organization is USA Surfing.”
Candice Appleby, USOPC Team USA Athlete’s Commission and world’s winningest woman SUP racer: “As the Athlete representative for Olympic Surfing working with the USOPC, I take great responsibility in being an advocate for our U.S. Olympic surfers so that their needs will be met and voices heard, as they aim towards their Olympic goals. As a Team USA athlete myself, I have had decades of first-hand experience with USA Surfing across multiple surfing disciplines. They created the platform in which I was able to become a Pan American Games Gold Medalist, and mutli-time ISA World Champion. They have created the pathway in the U.S. for our current and future U.S. Olympic surfers and champions, and also continue to support the growth of other surfing disciplines that hope to gain future Olympic status. There is no entity that has done more for the sport of surfing in the U.S. It has always been apparent that USA Surfing is in it for the athletes and the growth of the sport. In my opinion, USA Surfing is the obvious choice for surfing’s NGB.”
Vipe Desai, executive director of the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA): “Every pillar of the surf community—our athletes, our industry, our international surf federation—stands behind USA Surfing. The surf industry thrives because surfing is more than a sport. It’s a lifestyle, a culture, a movement. Surfing deserves a governing body that understands it, not one that sees it exclusively as a business asset to leverage. USA Surfing has the trust of the surf world, and it must be the NGB for Olympic surfing.”
Liv Stone, 3x ISA World Para Surf Gold Medalist: “As an athlete representative on the board of USA Surfing, I have experienced first hand the dedication USA Surfing has shown to uplift the sport as a whole, advocate foreach and every team member, and uphold the values of the Olympic and Paralympic movement. By being on the Para Surf Team for 5 years and now supporting surfers through the lens of a board member, it is imperative that surfers continue to support surfers. USA Surfing is no doubt the best candidate to have NGB status for Olympic and Paralympic surfing…it’s in the name.”
Todd Ross, CEO of the U.S. Boardriders Clubs: “We represent the core of American surfing—our members are the heartbeat of the sport. We fully support USA Surfing’s leadership as the NGB because it understands, represents, and develops the future of U.S. surfing excellence.”
WSL CEO Ryan Crosby: “USA Surfing has been critical in supporting U.S. surfers, putting in real, hands-on work to provide resources and development opportunities. The trust they’ve built with surfers and the broader community speaks for itself. We believe their continued leadership is essential in shaping the sport’s future and the next generation of Team USA athletes.”
Marc Lindblad, father of WSL Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad: “Our kids grew up in USA Surfing, and the pipeline they provide is essential. USA Surfing connects the world’s best surfers with the next generation of Olympic hopefuls. That mentorship and support system is invaluable.”
Rachael Tilly, 2024 ISA World Championship Silver Medalist, 2x WSL World Longboard Champion: “USA Surfing has been an integral part of my career forming my ability through grassroots surfing all the way to my two WSL world titles, ISA team Gold medals and ISA individual Silver medals. Surfing is a unique sport with its balance and dynamic to the ocean that requires a deep and rich understanding from the NGB in order to properly support athletes and the pathway to a professional career. I’ve lived overseas and have competed internationally for 13 years now and have never seen an NGB have as strong a development program as I have seen and experienced through USA Surfing. Without the program I grew up in, I can honestly say I would not have won my first ISA medal at 15 years old or have become the youngest ever WSL world champion at 17 years old. I believe my own career experience as well as what USA Surfing has built in comparison to other surfing NGB’s around the world is evidence to why USA surfing should be our USOPC recognized NGB. I know without a doubt no other organization will have the understanding to operate our sport or how to support our athletes and our international performance will suffer as a result. Please choose USA Surfing as our NGB.”
To read full letters of support, you can click on the names of the individuals below:
Robert Fasulo, International Surfing Association (ISA) Executive Director
Olympic Athletes - 2021 & 2024
Todd Ross, CEO of the U.S. Boardriders Clubs
Graham Stapleberg, World Surf League (WSL) Tour President
Marc Lindblad, father of WSL Rookie of the Year Sawyer Lindblad
Katherine Beattie, Member of USA Suring Para Surf Team
Kevin Olenick, USA Surfing Para Surf Team Manager
Christine Benedetto, Parent of ISA World Junior Silver Medalist
Shawn Deane, Parent of USA Surfing ISA Team Member
Chris Mons, Parent of ISA World Junior Silver Medalist
Dena Brooks, Parent of USA Surfing Junior National Team Member
Megan Walla, Parent of ISA World Medalist
Click here to review the USA Surfing Strategic Plan.
Click here to review the USA Surfing High Performance Plan.
April 21, 2025 - The Inertia - "USA Surfing Should Remain Surfing’s Olympic Representative" An Opinion Piece by Vipe Desai, Shaun Thomson, Peter Townsend and Bob Migogna.
March 24, 2025 - Surfer Today - "U.S. Ski & Snowboard wants to rule Olympic surfing" by Luís Madureira Pinto
March 21, 2025 - The Inertia - "A Snow Sports Federation Is Trying to Seize Control of the U.S. Olympic Surf Team" by Evan Quarnstrom
February 18, 2025 - Surfer -"USA Surfing Fight's Official Olympic Approval Ahead of 2028" by Jim Kempton
March 21, 2025 - USA Surfing Announces Bid for USOPC National Governing Body Recertification
April 14, 2025 - USA Surfing Statement Following USOPC NGB Certification Public Hearing #1
