The road to Lower Trestles officially begins in Peru this week, and to prime the pump, USA Surfing has published its complete athlete selection procedures for the Los Angeles Games, outlining how American surfers can earn one of six coveted spots on the U.S. Olympic team.
The goal is straightforward: qualify three men and three women for a hometown Olympics. At Paris 2024, the United States fielded two men and three women. Now, with Olympic surfing coming to Lower Trestles in San Clemente, USA Surfing is determined to fill the maximum number of available spots.
The first opportunity comes at the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games, which opened November 6 at Punta Rocas, Peru. Team USA has assembled a six-person squad featuring Gabriela Bryan, Carissa Moore, and Sawyer Lindblad on the women’s side, alongside Griffin Colapinto, Cole Houshmand, and Crosby Colapinto in the men’s side. It may be one of the most stacked national teams in recent memory.
The ISA Games offer an important early opportunity. The highest-ranked men’s and women’s national teams at the 2026 ISA World Surfing Games will each earn an Olympic spot for their respective countries. Unlike individual qualification, these spots are awarded to the country, not a specific athlete. USA Surfing will then use its published selection procedures to determine which surfers receive those positions.
So, how exactly does an American surfer qualify for LA28? There are four primary qualification pathways, with individual results and national team performances both playing a role.
- The 2027–28 WSL Championship Tour: The highest-ranked eligible American surfer during the Olympic qualification period will earn an individual Olympic spot. This gives CT competitors a direct route to the Games through their tour rankings.
- The 2028 ISA World Surfing Games: The highest-ranked eligible American surfer at the final ISA World Surfing Games before the Olympics can also earn an individual spot.
- The 2027 Pan American Games: Another individual qualification opportunity comes at the Pan American Games. The highest-ranked eligible American surfer can secure a spot, provided the United States has not already filled its two individual qualification places in that gender.
- The 2026 and 2027 ISA World Surfing Games: Beyond individual performances, the United States can earn additional Olympic spots through its overall national team results at these two world championships. If secured, those positions belong to the United States and are allocated to individual surfers according to USA Surfing’s published ranking system.
Related: Kanoa Igarashi Becomes First Surfer to Qualify for LA28 Olympics
The distinction is important: Some Olympic spots are earned by individual surfers, while others are earned by the country and subsequently awarded through the official selection criteria. There is no discretionary selection process.
For the six Americans competing in Peru, the stakes are particularly meaningful. For the Colapinto brothers, Houshmand, and Lindblad, the potential to qualify for the Olympics in their backyard is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Meanwhile, Moore, who won surfing’s first Olympic gold in Japan, often ranks Lowers as one of her favorite waves.
The 2026 ISA World Surfing Games run through November 15. USA Surfing’s complete LA28 Athlete Selection Procedures, including eligibility requirements and ranking criteria, are available at usasurfing.org/selection-procedures.
As USA Surfing builds its pathway to LA28, eligible athletes have an opportunity to help shape the sport’s future by running for an athlete governance position or voting in the upcoming Board of Directors election. Nominations are open November 9–15 at 5 p.m. PT, with voting November 18–23. Eligible athletes will receive an email with additional information.