USA Surfing Announces Bid for USOPC National Governing Body Re-Certification

USA Surfing Announces Bid for USOPC National Governing Body Re-Certification
Surf Community Rallies Behind USA Surfing as U.S. Ski Seeks Control of Olympic Surfing

San Clemente, CA – USA Surfing, the International Surfing Association (ISA)-recognized national federation for the sport of surfing in the United States, has formally submitted its application to regain certification as the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic Surfing under the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).

With a decades-long commitment to athlete development, contributing to back-to-back Olympic gold medals, USA Surfing has submitted a strong, athlete-centered application, backed by the ISA, Olympic surfers, the World Surf League (WSL), the U.S. Boardriders Clubs, Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA), and top American talent.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard’s Unexpected Bid Raises Questions

In an unprecedented move, U.S. Ski & Snowboard (USSS)—a winter sports NGB with no history governing surfing—has also applied to take over Olympic surfing governance. USSS already manages 10 winter sports and has no surf competition infrastructure, no dedicated surf coaches, and no connections to the athlete development pipeline.

“It is of utmost importance for surfers to be represented by an organization that knows us and our sport, and is exclusively dedicated to what we need to be successful,” said Olympic gold medalists Caroline Marks (2024) and Carissa Moore (2021), joining fellow Olympic surfers in a joint letter. “We also believe it is imperative to preserve the close connection and mentorship between developing talents and the pros on tour who will compete at the next Olympic Games.”

Adding to concerns, the U.S. Ski application reveals that the USOPC has pledged funding to USSS, despite USA Surfing’s ISA recognition and proven ability to develop top surf talent. The USOPC has also failed to follow its own precedent by not publicly posting both applications ahead of hearings and by giving US Ski different application questions and preferential treatment throughout the process.

Further, the Ted Stevens Act prohibits an NGB from representing multiple international federations. Since USSS is already recognized by FIS (the International Ski Federation), it is legally ineligible to govern surfing.

Surfing’s Leaders Speak Out in Support of USA Surfing

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. In addition to the Olympic surf team athletes cited above, support includes:

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.”
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Rachael Tilly, 2024 ISA World Championship SilverMedalist, 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.”

A Troubling Lack of Transparency and Fairness

The USOPC’s handling of this process raises serious concerns. Surfers and surf fans are encouraged to read both applications and submit their questions to Mark.Storey@usopc.org:

Why is USSS, with no experience in surfing, being considered?
How can USSS earn surfing's trust when its application references using USOPC funding to serve U.S. Ski’s "commercial upside," rather than investing its own resources?
Why is the surfing community being excluded from critical discussions?

“We have to admit—we’re a little flattered,” said USA Surfing CEO Becky Fleischauer Jewell. “U.S. Ski wants our Olympic surfers? We get it. Our surfers and sport are incredible .The imagery, the adventure, the athleticism—it’s everything brands, fans, and athletes dream of. And it sells. Just look at how surf culture has shaped global fashion, fitness, and media. It’s no surprise they’d want a piece of it.”

“But governing a sport like ours is about more than just wanting to be associated with it and commercialize it. It takes expertise, experience, and deep relationships with athletes at every level. USA Surfing has spent years building that foundation. What we have developed has contributed to world champions, Olympic and ISA gold medalists. We support every ISA discipline, from shortboard to para surfing, longboard, SUP surf and race, Masters, and under 18 juniors—those already in the Olympic program and those planned for future Paralympic and Olympic Games.”

Fleischauer Jewell continued, “And here’s the difference: USA Surfing with modest resources has paid for and supported all of these disciplines without any funding from the USOPC—because that’s what a true governing body does. U.S. Ski, on the other hand, has made no mention of para surfing, longboard, SUP, or the next generation of U.S. surfers. Their interest begins and ends with four Olympic surfers and the commercial rights attached to them. That is not governance—it’s a licensing deal.”

USA Surfing: The Clear Choice

ISA-Recognized National Federation –The only U.S. organization recognized by the IOC’s official international surfing federation.

New leadership, strong governance and organizational capabilities and practices that reflect integrity and athlete needs.

Endorsed by the Surfing Community – Supported by ISA, Olympic surfers, WSL, the U.S. Boardriders Clubs, Surf Industry Members Association, and top surfing talents.

Decades of Athlete Development & Podium Success – Talent-developmentpipeline across shortboard, longboard, SUP, prone race, and para surfing, contributing to Olympic, Pan American, and ISA World Champions.

Surf-Specific High-Performance Training – USA Surfing assembled an all-star lineup of high-performance expertise, connections to and influence in shaping emerging wave pool and training technologies, and proudly serves all ISA surf disciplines—from future Olympians to adaptive para surf, longboard, and SUP race champions.

Click here to review the USA Surfing Application

Click here to review the U.S. Ski Application

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