Lower Trestles Announced As 2028 Olympic Surfing Venue

“The Americans are usually pretty good at hosting these things,” wrote Paul Evans, months ago, when considering possible venues for Los Angeles’ 2028 Olympic Surfing.  “Even if Atlanta ‘96 was a bit iffy, LA ‘84 was iconic.”

His first suggestion?

Lower Trestles.

“Lower Trestles would seem like an obvious, and dare we suggest, relatively easy choice,” he wrote. “With a favourable swell window for July/August, it’s also relatively isolated in terms of access, making things logistically advantageous. One of the reasons the beaches of SW France were problematic for Paris is the fact that the venues need to be sealed off to the public for several weeks. At a mere 64 miles from the LA Coliseum, surfers could easily attend opening and closing ceremonies, or even stay at the UCLA Olympic Village to try out the cardboard beds. It mightn’t have the tube duels or the kick out chops of Chopes, but you can imagine some big, dramatic airs being stomped over the cobbles when Sierra Kerr and Tya Zebrowski face off in the Gold Medal match.”

And, today, his suggestion was confirmed. 

Per the LA28 website, ‘Trestles Beach’ in San Clemente CA will be the venue for the impending summer Olympics. 

In a statement released by the ISA, Fernando Aguerre had this to say:

“Following the amazing success of surfing in Teahupo’o, and in talking to many of the world’s athletes, we knew that any solution for LA had to feature the best performance waves, and there is no doubt that location is Trestles.

“This decision furthers the existing trajectory of hosting Olympic Surfing in iconic ocean waves. The perfect peak at Lowers offers a high-performance canvas like no other in Southern California. We are so excited to see the world’s best battling it out for Olympic glory on its venerated cobblestones.”

Also, it sounds like there will likely will be a satellite Olympic village somewhere south of Los Angeles, making the commute to the venue shorter for the athletes who choose the village as their lodging option.

Pendleton traffic, anyone? 

“We are honored to share this gem of California’s state park system with the world,” said California State Parks Director Armando Quintero. “This iconic beach that has inspired generations of surfers will now welcome the world’s best athletes and show millions what’s possible when public lands are preserved and shared with the world. Thank you to LA28 and the International Olympic Committee for entrusting California State Parks to stage the surfing competition.”

Of course, high-pressure trophy battles at Lower Trestles are nothing new — with the tapered A-frame hosting the past four years of WSL finals.

Standing in stark contrast to Teahupo’o, one would question Tahitian Kauli Vaast’s ability to defend his Gold Medal. 

Caroline Marks, on the other hand, will be right at home. 

More as this story develops.