Oceanside, Calif. (May 23, 2022) – USA Surfing is proud to name Oceanside an official training ground for USA Surfing and thanked city leaders and the community for their longstanding support for all surfing disciplines from shortboard, longboard, Stand Up Paddle, and Para Surfing.
The designation comes on the heels of USA Surfing’s junior team trainings in Oceanside, as the team of teen surf phenoms prepare to defend USA’s team Gold Medal at the International Surfing Association (ISA) World Junior Surfing Championship in El Salvador.
Oceanside was the host City for the 2015 ISA World Jr Surf Championships – the site of USA’s first-ever team Gold Medal. USA Surfing head coach Ryan Simmons coached the 2015 team to victory and is looking for a repeat in 2022. Simmons saved the U.S. flag from that victory and brings it to every practice as a reminder of the legacy and inspiration to go for Gold in El Salvador.
Today coach Simmons and the team will gather sand from Oceanside Pier to use in the ISA Sands of the World ceremony, which combines sand from the beaches of 45 competing nations creating beautiful patterns in a glass container. The ceremony marks the official start of the May 27 – June 6 global competition.
Team USA Juniors and Coach Simmons gather sand from Oceanside Pier Beach for the upcoming opening ceremonies at the ISA World Jr Surfing Championships in El Salvador. Each team brings sand from their respective countries to add to a collective sand jar symbolizing the unity of the world surf community.
Oceanside is also the host city for USA Surfing Championship competition for adult shortboard, longboard, SUP and Para Surfing June 14-18. Surf athletes from across the mainland and Hawaii will compete for national titles and qualification to compete internationally. Surf athletes across these disciplines look forward to the Oceanside Championship’s fun waves, friendships and some of the best competitors in the world.
“Oceanside has a vibe, multiple great surf breaks, and an authentic community that surfers have loved for decades,” said USA Surfing CEO Brandon Lowery. “We are proud to partner with the City of Oceanside and Visit Oceanside to help more surfers and action sports athletes take advantage of Oceanside’s exceptional facilities, world-class hotels, restaurants and retailers.”
“We are thrilled with this announcement to recognize our long-standing partnership with USA Surfing,” said Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside. “Oceanside is the birthplace of some of the greatest surfers and home to many renowned surf brands, surf shops, board shapers and manufacturers so this has been a natural synergy. Our surf culture aligns with our action sports tourism. Oceanside Sports Commission is proud to support these athletes during their home training and while they travel representing the USA.”
The USA Surfing x Visit Oceanside, and Oceanside Sports Commission partnership will include event and competition planning, educational seminars, and high-performance training summits that includes discounted athlete lodging, wellness and performance resources, culture, music, entertainment and dining, multi-sport recreation venues and more.
About USA Surfing
USA Surfing’s mission is to support and grow the sport of surfing, empower future generations of champions, and advance the many benefits of the surfing lifestyle in the United States. The International Surfing Association (ISA) recognizes USA Surfing as the exclusive national federation for surfing in the United States. This designation empowers USA Surfing to select teams for ISA global surf competitions, including the ISA World Surfing Games, ISA World Para Surfing Championship and ISA World Junior Surfing Championship events.
About Visit Oceanside
Visit Oceanside Conference and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism marketing organization in Oceanside, Calif; promoting travel to the city for both leisure and group visitors. The organization influences about one-third of the $415 million that is generated by visitor spending in Oceanside each year, which supports more than 3,500 jobs. Visit Oceanside also operates one of the state’s official California Welcome Centers. With just one stop, visitors can find local, regional and state maps, purchase discount tickets to major Southern California attractions, make hotel reservations or shop for the perfect California keepsake. The Visit Oceanside CVB and California Welcome Center- Oceanside are conveniently located just off Interstate 5 at 928 North Coast Highway. For more information, please call (800) 350-7873 or visit www.visitoceanside.org
