As the Winter Olympics continue in Italy, attention is already turning toward the summer games in Los Angeles in 2028. Recently, the International Surfing Association (ISA), the governing body for surfing in the Olympics, unveiled an updated qualification pathway for the 2028 games. The response from the surfing community has been overwhelmingly negative, with many athletes voicing concerns that the new system undervalues consistent performance on the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour.
The core of the discontent stems from a shift in emphasis. The new system reduces the number of qualification spots allocated through the WSL Championship Tour, the highest level of professional surfing, and increases the weight given to the ISA World Surfing Games. Although 24 men and 24 women will still qualify for the Olympics, the change has sparked a debate about what truly represents the pinnacle of surfing talent and how best to select athletes for the world’s biggest sporting stage.
The 2028 Olympic surfing competition will be held at Lower Trestles in San Clemente, California, a renowned surf break. However, the path to get there is now drawing criticism. Under the new rules, only 10 surfers (five men and five women) will qualify through the WSL Championship Tour, a decrease from the 10 men and eight women who qualified for the Paris 2024 Olympics. This shift has led to accusations of “disrespect” towards the sport and its athletes.
Several prominent surfers have publicly expressed their frustration. Erin Brooks stated, “Consistency at the highest level is what defines competitive surfing. The @wsl Championship Tour is where that happens, and the @olympics qualification pathway should more strongly reflect that.” Yago Dora echoed this sentiment, calling the process a “complete disrespect” to the sport and future generations. Filipe Toledo added, “Wow! And the worst is the way all of this situation was conducted by you guys!” Leo Fioravanti went further, stating that the 2027 WSL world champion isn’t even guaranteed a spot in the Olympics and that attempts to collaborate with the ISA were unsuccessful. Billy Kemper simply called the situation “a joke.”
View this post on Instagram@wsl is not happy with the new Olympic qualification system. 🌊
Understanding the New Qualification System
The updated qualification process for the LA28 Olympics is multifaceted. Here’s a breakdown of how surfers can earn their place:
- WSL Championship Tour (CT): The top five eligible athletes per gender, as of mid-June 2028, will qualify, with a limit of one athlete per nation.
- ISA World Surfing Games (WSG): The top ten eligible athletes per gender from the 2028 ISA WSG will also qualify, again with a limit of one athlete per nation.
- Continental Slots: One slot per gender will be awarded at the Asian Games 2026, the Pan American Games 2027, and the European Surfing Championship 2027, based on highest-ranked eligible athletes.
- Additional WSG Slots: One slot per gender will be allocated for Africa and Oceania through the 2027 ISA WSG, requiring a top-25 finish overall. The highest-ranked team per gender at the 2026 & 2027 ISA WSG will also earn a slot for their nation.
- Host Nation & Universality Places: The USA, as the host nation, is guaranteed one slot per gender (if not already filled). One slot per gender is available for underdeveloped nations, requiring an athlete to place within the top 40 at the 2027 or 2028 WSG.
ISA President Fernando Aguerre defended the changes, stating, “The updates to the qualification system reflect the ISA’s dedication to making sure the world’s best surfers have the best possible opportunity to earn their place at LA28. We have worked closely with the IOC, the athletes, and other stakeholders to deliver a clear and fair process.” He expressed confidence that the new system will allow the best surfers to compete and deliver a memorable Olympic event. Inside The Games reported on Aguerre’s comments.
The controversy highlights a fundamental tension within the sport: balancing the established credibility of the WSL Championship Tour with the ISA’s broader global reach and development goals. The ISA aims to increase inclusivity and representation from different regions, while many surfers believe the Olympic qualification process should prioritize consistent performance at the highest competitive level, as demonstrated on the WSL tour. SURFER Magazine has been closely following the backlash.
The debate is unlikely to subside quickly. The coming months will be crucial as surfers navigate the new qualification pathways and the ISA responds to the ongoing criticism. The selection process for the LA28 Olympic surfing team will undoubtedly be closely watched by the global surfing community.
What impact will these changes have on the competitive landscape of Olympic surfing? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
