U.S. Ski & Snowboard Abandons Bid to Become Surfing NGB

U.S. Ski & Snowboard has abandoned its pursuit to become the national governing body of surfing in the United States.

The winter national governing body had announced in March that it would challenge USA Surfing’s bid to be re-certified by the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee, filing a motion with the USOPC to be recognized as the governing body.

USA Surfing was de-certified in 2021 after governance and financial issues were discovered during a USOPC audit. The USOPC has managed the USA surf team in the interim including during the 2024 Olympic Summer Games in Paris.

USA Surfing had fought the move by U.S. Ski & Snowboard, noting that the Ted Stevens Act prohibits an NGB from representing multiple international federations. “Since (U.S. Ski & Snowboard) is already recognized by FIS (the International Ski Federation), it is legally ineligible to govern surfing.” USA Surfing had retained recognition from the International Surf Association during the domestic dispute.

But in a statement, U.S. Ski & Snowboard said that after “thoughtful consideration” it would abandon the effort. “Despite the USOPC’s invitation to participate in its open process, meaningful interest from athletes and commercial partners, and considerable time and effort on behalf of our organization, we have decided not to move forward with the USOPC’s process at this time.” The NGB also criticized USA Surfing for “public attacks and uninformed legal threats instead of constructive dialogue and engagement.”

“Considering those factors, U.S. Ski & Snowboard has concluded that our energy and expertise are best used in service to our athletes as they prepare for the upcoming Winter Games,” the NGB statement read. “We feel progress in sport requires partnership and trust. We remain open to opportunities in the future should the environment become more collaborative.”