USA Surfing Defeats U.S. Ski and Snowboard in Battle for Olympic Control

April 16, 2026

USA Surfing has won the right to remain the official U.S. governing body for Olympic‑style surfing, beating out a challenge from U.S. Ski & Snowboard and securing a surfer‑led pathway to the 2028 Los Angeles Games at Lower Trestles.

The U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) formally recognized USA Surfing as the National Governing Body (NGB) for Olympic surfing, effective June 1, 2026, after the organization completed a major restructuring and demonstrated improved financial stability. This reverses an earlier loss of certification following governance and financial concerns after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, during which the USOPC itself managed the U.S. Olympic surf team.

U.S. Ski & Snowboard, led by former World Surf League CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, had sought to take over Olympic surfing, arguing it had strong leadership and relationships in the sport. Many in the surf community pushed back, insisting that skiing and snowboarding are distinct from surfing and that the Olympic program should remain under a surfing‑specific, surfer‑led federation, ultimately helping USA Surfing win the USOPC’s endorsement.

The decision opens the door to increased high‑performance investment, a dedicated talent pipeline, and closer alignment with the International Surfing Association (ISA), the World Surf League, and current Olympians. Top American surfers, including Caroline Marks, Griffin Colapinto, Caitlin Simmers, and Kolohe Andino, have publicly backed the move, emphasizing the need for a governing body that truly understands the culture and competitive needs of surfing ahead of LA28. Surfer