Longboarding, a cherished yet often overshadowed discipline within the surfing world, has faced a significant setback as it was excluded from the surfing events at the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. This decision comes despite the sport’s rich history and recent resurgence, leaving athletes and fans alike questioning the future of longboarding on the global stage.
Rachael Tilly, the reigning World Surf League (WSL) Longboard Champion from the United States, recently reflected on the impact of this exclusion during the Surf City El Salvador Longboard Championships held on October 12, 2024. “It’s disappointing for our community,” Tilly said, “but it also motivates us to keep pushing the sport forward.”
Longboarding’s journey has been one of resilience and fluctuation. Since the inauguration of the first men’s Longboard World Championship in 1987, followed by the women’s tour starting in 1999, the sport has experienced varying degrees of prominence. Early tours often traveled to exotic destinations such as the Maldives, while other events were isolated, including a one-off competition held in China.
The early 2000s marked a period of relative prosperity for longboarding, mirroring the wider surf industry’s boom. Prize purses were more substantial, sponsorship deals could support professional livelihoods, and athletes competed full-time. However, over the past decade, the scene has contracted significantly. Many top competitors now struggle to secure sponsorship, exemplified by Australian Chelsea Williams, who claimed a World Title in 2014 without major financial backing.
At one point, the sport’s future within the WSL was uncertain, with rumors circulating about the potential discontinuation of the longboard tour altogether. Disputes over competition formats and qualification criteria led to rebel events and boycotts. Yet, in the last three years, a renewed stability has emerged: a fixed four-stop tour schedule and clearer qualification rules have provided athletes a platform to attract sponsorships and build sustainable careers.
The prospect of Olympic inclusion had recently infused longboarding with fresh enthusiasm and hope for greater recognition. Its removal from the LA28 program now presents a challenge, but also an opportunity for the community to rally and redefine the sport’s direction in a rapidly evolving surfing landscape.
As the world awaits the 2028 Games, longboarding champions like Rachael Tilly remain steadfast, determined to keep the wave alive for future generations.