Southern California’s Surfing Epicenter Becomes the Olympic Stage
Olympic surfing is gearing up to make a splash at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, and the venue chosen to showcase the sport is as iconic as the waves themselves. Trestles Beach, located in San Clemente, California, was announced on April 15, 2025, as the official surfing location for the 2028 Olympics, a move that has surf enthusiasts and athletes buzzing with excitement. The choice brings Olympic surfing closer to the heart of the sport, creating an experience that ties the world’s top surfers to Southern California’s surf culture in a way that no venue before has.
Having made its Olympic debut in 2020 at the Tokyo Games, and with a successful run in Paris 2024 at Teahupo’o, Tahiti, surfing is quickly establishing itself as one of the more thrilling additions to the Olympic program. But for the 2028 Games, the decision to bring the competition to Trestles Beach, a prime spot along California’s renowned coastline, is set to elevate the experience even further.
Trestles: The Surfing Mecca
The selection of Trestles Beach for the Olympics holds deep significance. Known for its consistently high-quality waves, Trestles is a true surfing mecca. Located just south of Los Angeles, the beach is famed for its “point break” – a wave that peels off the shore, offering long rides that are perfect for competition. For Olympic surfers, this means ideal conditions to showcase their skills, something that’s been essential since surfing’s Olympic inclusion.
Fernando Aguerre, president of the International Surfing Association, expressed his excitement over the choice. “Trestles is higher quality and also has a higher likelihood of good waves happening,” Aguerre said. “Those two finalists – Trestles and Huntington Beach – are probably the best, most consistent waves in Southern California. Trestles offers more than just good waves – it gives surfers a truly unique and competitive experience.”
The venue is even more significant given its location in Southern California, which is considered the modern epicenter of the surfing world. With a rich surf culture and a number of world champion surfers calling the area home, Trestles aligns perfectly with the broader culture of contemporary surfing.
From Tahiti to California: The Shift to a Surfing Hub
While Teahupo’o in Tahiti was praised for its raw beauty and wave quality during the Paris Games, Trestles offers a different kind of Olympic surf experience – one that is much closer to the action and to the heart of the surfing community. Surfers will now have the opportunity to compete just a short distance from Los Angeles, making the 2028 event feel more integrated into the broader Olympic experience.
Aguerre reflects on the significance of the shift: “Tahiti was great because the waves were great, but we were removed from the ‘ground zero’ of the Paris Games,” he said. “Being in Southern California, in a place like Trestles, really brings us back to the roots of modern surfing.”
This shift is not only beneficial for the athletes but also for the sport itself. With surfing thriving in the modern Olympics, Aguerre believes the 2028 venue selection will boost surfing’s presence on the world stage, attracting new fans and helping solidify its place in the Olympic roster for years to come.
What Trestles Offers the 2028 Olympics
Trestles Beach is no stranger to competitive surfing, having hosted some of the sport’s most prestigious events over the years. Its reputation as one of the world’s top surfing destinations is well-earned, with surfers constantly vying for the perfect wave at this iconic location.
For the 2028 Games, the beach will be transformed into a world-class venue designed to accommodate the unique needs of Olympic-level surf competitions. The natural landscape provides an ideal setup for spectators to watch the action unfold from the shoreline while ensuring minimal environmental disruption.
In terms of logistics, Trestles’ proximity to Los Angeles offers a significant advantage. It’s a short drive from the city, allowing easy access for athletes, officials, and fans, and connecting the surfing competition to the rest of the Games. This makes it an exciting prospect for fans hoping to catch a glimpse of some of the world’s top surfers while also experiencing the Olympic atmosphere in person.
Southern California’s Surf Legacy at the Forefront
The 2028 Olympics will be a pivotal moment for Southern California’s surf community. Known as the birthplace of modern surfing, the region boasts a deep connection to the sport, from legendary surf spots like Malibu to the thriving surf industry that calls the area home. With Trestles Beach at the center of the action, the 2028 Games will showcase the history and future of the sport in one of the most iconic places in the world.
“Southern California is where competitions, industry, and some of the most famous world champions live,” Aguerre said. The presence of surf culture in the region goes beyond just the athletes – it’s woven into the fabric of daily life, making the Olympic competition feel like a natural extension of the local vibe.
As the countdown to the 2028 LA Olympics continues, surfing fans are already looking forward to watching the world’s best surfers compete at Trestles. With ideal conditions and an atmosphere steeped in surfing tradition, the 2028 surfing competition promises to be one of the standout events of the Games.
