Postponements in naming a governing body for the United States surfing team for the LA28 Olympics is impacting training and potential sponsorship procurement, officials with USA Surfing, the San Clemente-based group hoping to take on the role, are saying.
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee has postponed the decision in recent months, first expected last September and then in December. The committee’s next scheduled meeting is in April.
With an audit complete and presented at a public hearing last year, and U.S. Ski & Snowboard stepping back from its bid to govern surfing, the process in naming surfing’s national governing body should not be delayed further, said Becky Fleischauer, executive director for USA Surfing.
The clock is ticking, with this year marking the start of the Olympic qualifying process, said Fleischauer.
“This is where it starts and we’re eager for a decision — every day that passes is a day of lost preparation and planning for the 2028 Olympics,” she said. “We’re losing time and preparation opportunities, and funding and sponsorship opportunities. We’re hoping that the timeline can be accelerated.”
The USOPC did not return a request for comment. The Winter Olympics are currently underway in Italy.
The Olympic surfing competition is set to happen at Lower Trestles, just south of San Clemente in San Diego County.
“This is a once-in-a-generational opportunity, being in our backyard,” Fleischauer said. “LA28 is an opportunity to celebrate our Southern California community and leverage the moment and invest in a legacy that serves generations beyond LA28.”
Team USA surfers will have a home advantage, as many from the United States grew up competing at Lower Trestles through the USA Surfing program. It is the amateur pathway that hosts a national championship at the surf break each year, preparing young surfers for a bigger stage as they segue to becoming pro athletes.
Already in anticipation of the Olympics, USA Surfing has secured a multi-million dollar commitment of new sponsorships, launched the “Power Your Performance” workshop series, planned wave pool training camps, established live broadcasts of its surf contests to expand audiences and forged a partnership with Hoag Hospital to provide high-performance sports medicine.
USA Surfing will also soon announce that San Clemente’s Todd Kline, a former professional surfer and longtime World Surf League commentator, will serve as the organization’s new surf athlete commissioner.
The position is a key leadership role as USA Surfing continues to build momentum toward LA28 and long-term surfing success, the announcement said. The commissioner will serve as the direct liaison between surfers, competition platforms and USA Surfing leadership.
Lobbying to govern
USA Surfing was the national governing body when the sport debuted in the 2020 Tokyo Games. But in 2021, it voluntarily decertified in order to straighten out its management and organizational structure following issues the Olympic committee had with the reporting of funds.
The USOPC took over the managing role for the 2024 Paris Games and then opened the floor for future Olympics.
US Ski & Snowboard Association, based in Park City, lobbied against USA Surfing to add the sport to its portfolio. It stepped away from its national governing body bid in November.
USA Surfing argues it is best poised for the job, having groomed most of the nation’s top surfers, who came through the organization’s ranks and clinched USA national titles before becoming World Tour and Olympic competitors.
San Clemente’s Caroline Marks, who won gold in Tahiti for Team USA, holds several USA Surfing national titles. San Clemente’s Griffin Colapinto and Kolohe Andino, who have both competed in the Olympics on the men’s team, also hold several USA Surfing national titles.
Oceanside’s Caitlin Simmers, who competed on Team USA in Tahiti, was on USA Surfing’s team during an International Surfing Association World Surfing Games when she was just 12.
“We’re the only qualified applicant left in the process,” Fleischauer said, noting that USA Surfing is recognized by the ISA, the International Olympic Committee’s recognized world governing authority for surfing, responsible for organizing surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
That’s a key requirement, she said.
Congressman Mike Levin has weighed in, sending a letter to USOPC officials in late December urging them to name USA Surfing the governing body in a timely manner.
The decision should be “as easy as it gets,” he said.
“You have one remaining applicant that has the surfing experience, they know the top athletes in the sport, the top athletes trust USA Surfing,” he said. “All signs point to USA Surfing, they know what it will take to govern surfing when it comes to 28.”
Following the public presentation of the new audit, the next step would be going over areas that still need to be reconciled, Fleischauer said, a typical part of the national governing body application process.
“We have full faith and confidence in the NGB process and will continue lawfully and appreciate all the support we have been given in this process,” Fleischauer added. “It will be one that follows the law and is accountable and transparent.”
This year marks an important one for qualifications. Two years ahead of the 2024 Tahiti Olympics is when San Clemente’s Kirra Pinkerton earned Team USA an extra Olympic spot for the women’s team during a qualifying ISA event held in Huntington Beach, bettering the team’s chances at the competition. It would be helpful to know who is training those athletes, Fleischauer said.
“The Olympics are in our backyard, it’s where USA Surfing is headquartered,” she said. “The Southern California community wants to leverage the Olympic moment and invest back into the sport and community.”