Oceanside is a Training Location for the USA Olympic Surf Team

Celebration to benefit Oceanside’s California Surf Museum

Oceanside CA— Oceanside, Calif. is calling all surfers to hit the waves and its celebrated surf breaks on Sunday, September 20 to show their support for California Surfing Day, the state’s designated holiday to honor the history, culture and future of surfing in California. Surfers who paddle out on September 20 are encouraged to share their stoke for Oceanside and the state’s official sport on social media with a selfie and hashtags #CaliforniaSurfingDay and #SurfOceanside.
Surfers can also show support by purchasing a limited edition California Surfing Day Oceanside T-shirt for $10 from the California Welcome Center Oceanside. Created in partnership with Surf Ride, Oceanside’s oldest, family-owned surf shop, T-shirt sales will benefit Oceanside’s California Surf Museum, one of the premier surf museums in the country.
“Oceanside is one of California’s original surf towns and an epicenter of the surf industry,” said Leslee Gaul, CEO of Visit Oceanside. “Our surf culture has always drawn visitors who are inspired by its feel good, positive vibes. California Surfing Day reminds us to celebrate this heritage and the local industry of shapers, surf shops, surf brands, surf manufacturers and, of course, our surf museum.”
While all levels of surfers can enjoy Oceanside’s surf experience, Oceanside takes particular pride in being a preferred training ground for the inaugural USA Olympic Surfing Team as well as USA Surfing Junior Team. According to Brett Simpson, Head Coach of USA Surfing, the variety of surf breaks and consistent year-round waves make Oceanside an ideal location for preparing for international competition.
“Oceanside harbor is the closest imitation in the United States to the Olympic surf site in Japan,” said Simpson. “We can mimic a lot of the conditions that our Olympic surf team will face while practicing techniques for man-on-man competition and adjusting as tides change the conditions.”
According to USA Surfing CEO Greg Cruse, the Olympic surf team will increase training opportunities in Oceanside as coronavirus restrictions ease. The Olympic team consists of surfing professionals Kolohe Andino, John John Florence, Caroline Marks and Carissa Moore.
Olympians Carissa Moore and Caroline Marks have a special connection to surfing in Oceanside. Both are regular competitors in the annual Super Girl Pro held at Oceanside Pier each summer. In 2018, Moore defeated Marks to win the contest, which is one of the most prestigious women’s pro surfing events in the country.
As Oceanside prepares to welcome the Olympic team, its beach breaks are staying busy hosting USA Surfing’s juniors team for training each month.
“We love training in Oceanside,” said Cruse. “This town revolves around surfing. You’ve got world renowned surf shapers, great surf shops and a cool beach town vibe that’s funky and original.”
For more information on Oceanside, its surf culture and California Surfing Day, visit www.visitoceanside.org.