The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee recognized USA Surfing as the official national governing body for the sport in America on Wednesday, ending a multiyear saga that included the corporation’s decertification and an attempt by U.S. Ski and Snowboard to take over.
The USOPC approved USA Surfing’s application effective June 1, declaring the federation was financially stable and ready to guide the sport into the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028.
“USA Surfing’s new leadership and new approach has made this moment possible,” said USOPC chair Gene Sykes.
According to USA Surfing’s own application, it voluntarily agreed to decertify in December 2021 after a USOPC audit made 鈥渕any negative findings鈥� related to the NGB’s finances.
USA Surfing said last June it had to secure its finances, a key moment in what had become a contentious battle between the NGB and U.S. Ski and Snowboard, which is led by former World Surf League CEO Sophie Goldschmidt and was seeking to become the governing body for the summer sport.
USSS withdrew its application in November, saying in a news release that USA Surfing 鈥渃hose public attacks and uninformed legal threats instead of constructive dialogue and engagement鈥� as the two organizations bickered over who would oversee the sport.
The USOPC also certified USA Lacrosse as the NGB for that sport leading into LA, where the sport will be on the Olympic program for the first time as a medal sport since 1908.
___
AP Olympics:
Copyright © 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
