Where Should Surfing in the LA 2028 Olympics Be Held?
Photo: WSL/Sean Rowland
It’s safe to say, surfing’s second Olympic appearance at the Paris 2024 Games was a success. Thanks to Teahupo’o, Tahiti, and some windows of heavy, cranking swell, the non-surfing masses got a glimpse into what the sport is all about.
Sadly, the same couldn’t have been said for Tokyo 2020 2021. (Read: bad waves.)
And while we’re still a ways away from surfing’s third foray in the Olympics – Los Angles 2028 – why not speculate as to where the surfing event might be held? A couple options have been floated around, and rumored, including Lower Trestles and Huntington Beach. Both have their pros and cons – Trestles: better waves, worse infrastructure; HB: worse waves; better infrastructure – but a final decision won’t be made for a while.
Related: Gallery: Intimate Moments from Surfing’s Historic Paris 2024 Olympics Finale
And then, what about the wave pool option? As you’ll see below, one very familiar surfer who we surveyed was pushing for that option, and it’s obvious why.
Anyway, here’s a handful of surfers and surf coaches weighing in on where they think surfing will (or should) be held during the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics:
"I think it should definitely be held at Trestles, if they can get a permit there. It’s by far the most consistent, high-performance, wave in California. And the fact that there’s a left and right makes it really fair as well. If they can’t get Trestles, I think it would be really cool to do it at Surf Ranch. From a broadcasting perspective, knowing exactly what time it would start and not having a waiting period, would be great. Having it start on time like every other sport would be huge for surfing. It would be much easier to showcase surfing if they knew exactly when it was going to be happening." – Shane Dorian
"I think it would be good to see it at Lowers. I think it’s the most high quality wave in the area to showcase the full repertoire of surfing.
"I’m actually not opposed to it being in a wave pool either, if they can’t have it at Lowers. I think the Olympics is the platform where viewers like to see the athletes in all sports come down to final stages of a heat/race /run etc., and they have to perform to secure medal for their country. Watching the athletes try to shine in those big moments is what is fun about the Olympics when watching any sports that you don’t normally follow. I obviously love our sport and completely embrace the challenge of reading the ocean during a competition to enhance their chances to win. I’m a diehard surf fan and think competition in the ocean is the purist form of surfing, but I love those competitive sporting moments too. So, to see Jack Robbo need a high 9 in the gold medal heat and know he has the canvas to go for it...
"For new viewers I can see how that could be maybe more entertaining for that Olympic platform. Pure surf fans like myself will always love watching heats in the ocean and understand that Mother Nature is the ultimate challenge in the sport, and that’s why we love watching it." – Glenn "Micro" Hall
"I heard rumors it’s going to be held on the South Side of the pier at Huntington? That has a good right rip bowl and long running left. I actually think that side is more rippable. Trestles would be amazing, but I don’t think it could handle the crowds. I also heard it could be in the pool, which could be cool but I personally think if a country has good, surfable locations they should be held there. Wave pools for landlocked countries that hold the Olympics I vote for. Being a good waterman isn’t just about what you do on the waves caught; it's actually putting yourself in the best possible position to catch the best waves. There is an art in that. Also, I love the battle!” – Matt Bemrose
Photo: WSL/Kenny Morris
"I think it should be held at Huntington! You get that stadium feel and it’s Surf City! – Kanoa Igarashi
"I don’t know many waves around LA, but I guess Trestles would be epic." – Molly Picklum
“I think it should be Lowers, but then maybe the second option would be Huntington. Lowers is probably the best in Summer, and the WSL is doing the Final Five there [this year; in 2025 it’ll be in Tavarua]. It’s the best high-performance wave in the area. I’m hoping for Lowers for sure.” – Anat Lelior
"Lowers would be my choice. Best wave in California during Olympic dates. I would avoid massive crowds to protect and keep that place as it is." – Aritz Aranburu
"Definitely Lowers for me. It’s an A+ World Tour wave that offers an incredible canvas to showcase how good surfing is plus it’s an even playing field compared to HB." -Bede Durbidge
“Being on the second half of July I definitely think the 2028 Olympics for surfing in LA should be held at Lower Trestles. Consistency of wave quality will be essential to keep performances anywhere near what we just saw at Teahupo’o.” – Luke Egan
"After seeing both Olympics, I think it’s a very different event to World Tour surfing, and I think it should be held in a wave pool with a very specific outlined format to display compulsory maneuvers and entire rides as a combination. It takes the luck out of it, and we saw a lot of luck at Teahupo'o with slow wave heats. It also is easier for the average person to understand." – Kelly Slater
So...Lowers, HB, or a wave pool. Which would you pick? Stay tuned.
Related: Olympic Surfing: Top 5 Moments from Paris 2024
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