USA Surfing announced the appointment of Todd Kline as its new Surf Athlete Commissioner, a leadership role created to ensure athletes’ voices are central as Olympic surfing heads toward a historic home-break moment at the LA28 Games.
A former professional surfer, longtime World Surf League (WSL) commentator, and respected ambassador of surf culture, Kline steps into the role as Olympic surfing prepares to take place at Lower Trestles — located minutes from USA Surfing headquarters and the longtime host of its National Championships. With LA28 bringing unprecedented global attention to American surfing, the position is designed to help turn Olympic momentum into long-term investment and opportunity for athletes.
The Surf Athlete Commissioner serves as a direct liaison between surfers, competition platforms, and USA Surfing leadership, ensuring athlete priorities guide the sport’s future.
“I love surfing. Every discipline, every surfer—from our elite juniors, longboard, para surfers and racers—deserves a system that protects, develops, and celebrates them,” said Todd Kline. “That’s what USA Surfing is doing, and I’m honored to be part of it. My number one goal is to make sure that I’m doing the best for our surfers and providing them a platform that gives them the best opportunity to reach their full potential. This is about strengthening the future of surfing and ensuring that Olympic momentum invests back into surfing for generations.”
Kline will officially step into the role at the USA Surfing Prime Series event in Huntington Beach, February 7–8, where he will be on site with athletes and behind the microphone — reflecting the same connection and accessibility he’s known for across the sport.
Kelly Slater, 11-time World Champion, said, “Surfing was started as and has been run as a grassroots sport since its inception, with the people who make it their life overseeing its development and direction. It’s important to me and many others that big decisions are guided by those that have a lifetime of energy poured into it.
Todd Kline is one of those people who came up through the amateur ranks on the East Coast, surfed professionally around the world and found his calling to live in California while commentating and adding value to see the sport’s evolution into the future. Whether it’s caddying and coaching, team help, surf specific conversations or just being a voice for professional and amateur events alike, Todd has done it all and is personally known to everyone involved. I’m stoked to hear he has joined USA Surfing as Commissioner, and excited to see where he leads from the front.”
A Home-Break Olympic
USA Surfing is the only organization recognized by law through the International Surfing Association (ISA) to govern Olympic surfing in the United States and is the sole remaining candidate in the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s public National Governing Body process.
Headquartered just minutes from Lower Trestles, USA Surfing is uniquely positioned to ensure LA28 delivers lasting benefits for American surfers and the communities that built the sport.
“USA Surfing is stronger, more accountable, and more performance-focused than ever,” said CEO Becky Fleischauer. “Together, we’ve built a platform that gives Olympic surfing a true home, and ensures the benefits reach every level of the development pipeline.”
Over the past two years, USA Surfing has:
- Doubled revenue through strategic partnerships and fundraising
- Tripled staff capacity to expand athlete services and programming
- Launched the Power Your Performance workshop series focused on mental skills, nutrition, and resilience
- Built a live broadcast platform to expand reach, transparency, and athlete exposure
- Partnered with Hoag Health to provide Olympic-level sports medicine ahead of LA28
- Delivered wave pool and aerial progression camps to close performance gaps internationally
- Connected surfers with flexible online college education opportunities
USA Surfing’s leadership views LA28 not as a one-time spotlight, but as a launchpad for the sport’s future. Kline’s appointment reinforces that commitment.
“Outside interests may see surfing as a short-term commercial asset,” said Kline, “but USA Surfing sees surfing as a community, a responsibility, and a future worth protecting. We owe it to the surfers coming up now—and those still to come—to get this moment right.”
Board Chair Rob Pendergist said, “Todd brings both world-class credibility and grassroots connection. His leadership ensures that Olympic surfing stays rooted in authenticity and focused on building a long-term legacy. We’re thrilled to welcome him at this critical time.”
About Todd Kline
Todd Kline is a professional surfer, broadcaster, and lifelong waterman whose career spans elite competition, global marketing, and world-class commentary. A former WQS winner and longtime WSL and ISA commentator, Kline is widely recognized as one of the most trusted voices across all disciplines of surfing.
Raised in South Florida, Kline turned professional at 18 and later competed internationally before transitioning into the business side of the industry, spending 17 years at Quiksilver and rising to Marketing Director. He has commentated for USA Surfing, ISA world championships, and national events for decades, giving him a front-row seat to the next generation of American surf talent.
Based in San Clemente, California, Kline is also a successful professional angler on the Major League Fishing and WON Bass circuits and is known for his simple creed: “Always have fun, make sure the people around you are having fun, and give thanks every day.”
