USA Surfing is working hard to regain its status as the official Olympic National Governing Body (NGB) for surfing. After undergoing significant changes in the past year, the organization aims to secure recognition from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) ahead of the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles.
In the past 12 months, USA Surfing has seen a wave of restructuring. The organization appointed a new CEO, Becky Fleischauer, in January 2024, brought in new partners and sponsors, and overhauled its board of directors. These changes are part of a broader effort to address past issues and position USA Surfing for a successful bid to regain NGB status.
“There’s a lot to be done before the next Olympics,” says Fleischauer, highlighting the work ahead in the next few months.
The inclusion of surfing in the Olympics has been a success so far. In Tokyo 2021, American surfer Carissa Moore made history as the first Olympic gold medalist in surfing. In 2024, Caroline Marks followed suit by clinching gold at Teahupo’o in the French-hosted Games. These victories brought surfing to a global audience, but USA Surfing now faces a challenge of a different kind: regaining the approval of the USOPC, which stripped the organization of its NGB status in December 2021 following leadership issues. Since then, the USOPC has managed surfing internally.
USA Surfing’s new leadership believes it is now on a stronger footing. The revamped board, including Fleischauer as CEO, has revitalized the organization and is committed to making it the go-to body for U.S. surfers. This shift has been met with strong support from both athletes and surf organizations.
“Surfers deserve to be represented by an organization that truly understands them and their sport,” said top surfers, including Moore, Marks, and Olympic teammates Caity Simmers, Griffin Colapinto, and Kolohe Andino, in a letter supporting USA Surfing. The letter emphasizes the importance of maintaining close mentorship between developing surfers and the pros who will compete in the Olympics.
Surfing, unlike many other sports, has a unique culture of community and loyalty. Athletes in the sport don’t just compete—they belong to a tribe. As such, many in the surfing world believe USA Surfing is better suited to represent American surfers than the USOPC, which lacks the sport-specific knowledge that USA Surfing possesses.
The International Surfing Association (ISA), the global governing body for the sport, has voiced its full support for USA Surfing, praising its leadership and commitment to the sport. Robert Fasulo, ISA’s executive director, emphasized the importance of the NGB’s role in overseeing a variety of surf disciplines, including para-surfing, longboarding, and SUP racing, which are being considered for future Olympic inclusion.
The World Surf League (WSL) has also backed USA Surfing’s efforts. WSL Tour President Graham Stapelberg commended the organization’s engagement with athletes at all levels and its ability to understand the sport’s nuances. “USA Surfing is giving surfers the resources and programming they need to elevate their performance,” Stapelberg said.
The organization’s efforts have already shown results. Ryan Simmons, USA Surfing’s head coach, has continued his success in coaching at the ISA World Championships, while former Championship Tour star Courtney Conlogue led development camps for the next generation of surfers. Todd Ross, CEO of U.S. Board Riders, a network of surf clubs, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the need for an independent organization that truly represents American surfers.
USA Surfing is also investing in cutting-edge training initiatives. The organization has partnered with PerfectSwell to offer junior surfers the chance to hone their skills in wave pool competitions. In addition, USA Surfing has developed a comprehensive high-performance training plan that includes nutrition, strength conditioning, and injury prevention strategies to help athletes succeed in the lead-up to the 2028 Games.
The program also includes workshops focused on mental strength, career development, and navigating the complex world of sponsorships and media. Olympic action sports agents and industry experts have contributed insights, while mental performance specialists help surfers develop the resilience needed to thrive in competition.
Shane Dorian, a legendary big-wave surfer and high-performance committee member, underscored the importance of mental preparedness in competition. “Mindset is what truly changes the game for athletes,” Dorian explained.
Further, USA Surfing has formed partnerships with universities to provide surfers with resources to balance their athletic careers with academic pursuits, ensuring they are prepared for life beyond competition.
As USA Surfing continues to push for Olympic recognition, its athletes and leaders are united in their call for the organization to be reinstated as the NGB. At the time of publication, USA Surfing had officially submitted its application to the USOPC. The next steps will include public hearings, audits, and other measures to prove the organization’s commitment to the sport and its athletes.
The road to regaining Olympic recognition is still long, but with the support of athletes, international bodies, and the surfing community, USA Surfing is determined to bring the sport to new heights in the upcoming Olympic Games.
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