Olympic Surfing: How It Works and Who Has Won (2026)
Surfing joined the Olympics at Tokyo 2020, went to Teahupo'o for Paris 2024 and heads to Lower Trestles for LA 2028. Here's how the competition works.
Olympic Surfing at a Glance
| Games | Venue | Athletes | Men's Gold | Women's Gold |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo 2020 (held 2021) | Tsurigasaki Beach, Chiba, Japan | 40 | Italo Ferreira (BRA) | Carissa Moore (USA) |
| Paris 2024 | Teahupo'o, Tahiti, French Polynesia | 48 | Kauli Vaast (FRA) | Caroline Marks (USA) |
| Los Angeles 2028 | Lower Trestles, California | 48 | To be decided | To be decided |
How Surfing Got Into the Olympics
Duke Kahanamoku, the Hawaiian Olympic swimmer who spread surfing worldwide, proposed surfing for the Olympics a century ago. The International Surfing Association (ISA) gained IOC recognition in the 1990s, and after years of campaigning, surfing was shortlisted in 2015 and approved by the IOC on August 3, 2016, for the Tokyo 2020 program. Surfing was an optional sport chosen by the host for 2020 and 2024 and is part of the 2028 program. Read more in our history of surfing.
The Format
Olympic surfing uses shortboards only, with a men's and a women's event. At Paris 2024 the format was:
- Round 1: heats of three surfers. Heat winners skipped ahead to Round 3; the others went to Round 2.
- Round 2: elimination heats.
- Round 3 onward: head-to-head, single-elimination heats through the quarterfinals and semifinals.
- Medal matches: semifinal winners surfed for gold and silver; semifinal losers surfed for bronze.
Because waves depend on the weather, events run within a competition window of several days, and organizers choose the best days. Heat lengths are set by the technical director based on conditions. A priority system decides who has the right to a wave in each heat.
How Olympic Surfing Is Judged
- Five judges score each wave out of 10, to two decimal places.
- The highest and lowest scores are dropped, and the remaining three are averaged.
- Surfers can catch as many waves as they like; their best two waves count, for a heat total out of 20.
Judging Criteria
- Commitment and degree of difficulty.
- Innovative and progressive maneuvers.
- Variety of maneuvers.
- Combination of major maneuvers.
- Speed, power and flow.
Tokyo 2020: The Debut
Held in 2021 at Tsurigasaki Beach (also known as Shidashita) in Chiba, about 60 miles from Tokyo, the first Olympic surfing event featured 40 surfers. Italo Ferreira won the men's gold despite breaking his board early in the final, and Carissa Moore became the first women's Olympic surfing champion.
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Italo Ferreira (Brazil) | Kanoa Igarashi (Japan) | Owen Wright (Australia) |
| Women | Carissa Moore (USA) | Bianca Buitendag (South Africa) | Amuro Tsuzuki (Japan) |
Paris 2024: Teahupo'o
For Paris 2024, surfing was held far from Paris at Teahupo'o in Tahiti, French Polynesia, one of the world's heaviest and most famous waves. 48 surfers competed, with finals on August 5, 2024. Local surfer Kauli Vaast won the men's gold, and Caroline Marks won the women's gold in a close final against Tatiana Weston-Webb.
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men | Kauli Vaast (France) | Jack Robinson (Australia) | Gabriel Medina (Brazil) |
| Women | Caroline Marks (USA) | Tatiana Weston-Webb (Brazil) | Johanne Defay (France) |
Olympic Surfing Medal Table
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Brazil | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| France | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Australia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Japan | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| South Africa | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
LA 2028: Lower Trestles
On April 15, 2025, LA28 confirmed Lower Trestles ("Lowers"), at San Onofre State Beach near San Clemente, California, as the surfing venue. Lowers is a famous cobblestone point break that has long hosted professional contests. California State Parks has pointed fans to July 2028. The area is also culturally significant as the site of an Acjachemen village more than 8,000 years ago.
How Surfers Qualify for LA 2028
The qualification system, revised and approved by the IOC Executive Board in June 2026, allows 48 athletes (24 men and 24 women), with a maximum of two per country per gender in most cases. Places come from several routes for each gender:
- WSL Championship Tour: the top eight eligible surfers from the 2028 tour qualification period (one per country).
- 2028 ISA World Surfing Games: the top seven eligible surfers.
- Continental places: from the Asian Games, Pan American Games, a European championship, and the best African and Oceania surfers at ISA events.
- Team place: based on team results at ISA World Surfing Games.
- Host place: one for the USA.
- Universality place: one to broaden participation.
Unused places are reallocated through the ISA World Surfing Games. Earlier versions of the system, reported before June 2026, used different numbers, so check the ISA for the latest details.
Olympic Surfing Rules to Know
- Priority: the surfer with priority has the right to any wave; others may paddle but can't interfere.
- Interference: hindering a surfer with priority brings a penalty that reduces their score.
- Two best waves count, so surfers aim for a couple of excellent rides rather than many average ones.
- Conditions matter: organizers pick days with the best waves within the competition window.
Related Guides
Read about the greatest surfers of all time, the history of surfing, the best surf spots in the US and how to surf.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did surfing become an Olympic sport?
The IOC approved surfing in August 2016 for the Tokyo 2020 Games. It debuted in 2021 at Tsurigasaki Beach in Japan.
Is surfing in the 2028 Olympics?
Yes. Surfing is on the LA 2028 program, held at Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach near San Clemente, California.
How is Olympic surfing judged?
Five judges score each wave out of 10. The highest and lowest scores are dropped and the remaining three are averaged. Each surfer's best two waves count toward a heat total out of 20.
How many surfers compete in the Olympics?
Paris 2024 had 48 surfers, 24 men and 24 women. LA 2028 is also set for 48. Tokyo 2020 had 40.
Who won Olympic surfing gold?
At Tokyo 2020, Italo Ferreira of Brazil and Carissa Moore of the USA. At Paris 2024, Kauli Vaast of France and Caroline Marks of the USA.
Which country has the most Olympic surfing medals?
After two Games, Brazil has the most medals (three), while the USA has the most golds (two).
Do Olympic surfers use shortboards or longboards?
Shortboards. Shortboard surfing is the only Olympic surfing discipline, with men's and women's events.
Why was Paris 2024 surfing held in Tahiti?
France chose Teahupo'o in French Polynesia, home to one of the world's most famous waves, as the surfing venue. It is part of France.