U.S. Ski & Snowboard Withdraws From Surfing NGB Process

Information sourced from a U.S. Ski & Snowboard press release

U.S. Ski & Snowboard Halts Its Bid

U.S. Ski & Snowboard announced it will no longer take part in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s open process to identify a National Governing Body for surfing. The federation confirmed the decision in a statement released Thursday, noting that the organization entered the process “with enthusiasm and conviction” about its ability to support American surfers.

The federation emphasized that its experience running 10 Olympic and Paralympic sports, combined with a proven athlete-first framework, positioned it to contribute meaningful structure and resources to a sport still rebuilding its governance.

Reasons Behind the Withdrawal

In the press release, U.S. Ski & Snowboard said it invested significant time exploring the USOPC’s request for proposals and received interest from athletes and commercial partners. However, the statement cited a lack of cooperation from USA Surfing, the former NGB that relinquished its status in 2021 after failing to meet USOPC compliance standards.

According to the release, U.S. Ski & Snowboard reached out “multiple times over the past 18 months,” seeking conversation and collaboration. “USA Surfing… chose public attacks and uninformed legal threats instead of constructive dialogue,” the organization said. That dynamic, the federation explained, shaped its decision to redirect its focus.

Focus Returns to Winter Sports

U.S. Ski & Snowboard stated that its energy is best spent preparing athletes for the upcoming Winter Olympic cycle. The federation also pointed to a broader principle, noting that “progress in sport requires partnership and trust.”

Though it is stepping away from the surfing process now, the federation left the door open for future discussions. It said it remains willing to reengage “should the environment become more collaborative.”