City Council Meeting – Council Member Items Report
To: City Council
From: Don Kennedy, Councilman
Pat Burns, Mayor
Butch Twining, Councilman
Date: September 16, 2025
Subject: SUPPORT FOR THE RECERTIFICATION OF US SURFING AS THE
NATIONAL GOVERNING BODY OF US OLYMPIC SURFING
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
ISSUE STATEMENT
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) of Olympic Surfing under the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC).
As Surf City USA, we should fully support the application of USA Surfing to be recertified as the National Governing Body.
After the 2020 Tokyo Games, Surfing America — now USA Surfing — voluntarily decertified as the sport’s national governing body due to auditing issues under previous management. The organization worked with the USOPC to correct those issues with the underst anding it would be eligible for recertification before the 2024 Paris Games.
In the meantime, USA Surfing continued to run its Prime Series, develop athletes and oversee longboarding, adaptive surfing, and other programs. Earlier this year, it submitted its application for recertification. While Orange County based USA Surfing was working toward recertification, U.S. Ski & Snowboard, based in Park City, Utah, submitted its own bid to oversee Olympic surfing.
Many Olympic and professional surfers call California home, and having a Governing Body that recognizes and understands the importance of surfing in California and is familiar with the community is crucial.
As Surf City USA, we should fully support the application of USA Surfing to be recertified as the National Governing Body.
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Authorize the Mayor to issue a letter of support to the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee for recertification of US Surfing as the National Governing Body for the sport of surfing in the United States.
ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
This action is not subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) pursuant to Sections 15060(c)(2) (the activity will not result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment) and 15060(c)(3) (the activity is not a project as defined in Section
2000 Main Street, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 | www.huntingtonbeachca.gov
15378) of the CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations, Title 14, Chapter 3, because it has no potential for resulting in physical change to the environment, directly or indirectly.
STRATEGIC PLAN GOAL
Non Applicable - Administrative Item