USA Surfing Elects Brett Simpson and Maja Magnusson to Board of Directors

USA Surfing also promotes Ryan Simmons and Mia Gilkerson.
Published: August 1, 2024 Press Release

A warm welcome (and welcome back) to the team supporting surfing’s future!

USA Surfing announced the election of two new board members and staff promotions. The leadership additions come at an important time. After holding qualifying Championship events across all surf disciplines, USA Surfing is preparing to start a new Prime Series season, support teams competing on the world stage, and expand development opportunities.

NEWLY-ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS

USA Surfing’s Board of Directors unanimously elected two new members:

2021 Olympic coach, two-time US Open winner and Hurley head of sports marketing Brett Simpson

Executive and athlete high-performance mindset coach Maja Magnusson

Board Chair Rob Pendergist said the election of Simpson and Magnusson marks an expansion of USA Surfing’s Board of Directors from nine to 11 members. The Nominating & Governance Committee is fielding candidates for one more board position and several advisory committee positions.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of Brett and Maja to USA Surfing’s board,” Pendergist said. “Brett’s leadership and commitment to our athletes, sport and industry is an enormous asset. Maja’s expertise and experience coaching corporate executives and high-performance athletes will help the board maintain a strategic focus in carrying out the mission of USA Surfing.”

Both Brett and Maja have firsthand experience working with USA Surfing athletes at all levels. Brett was a USA Surfing junior team coach and the head Olympic team coach for surfing’s Olympic debut in 2021.  Maja has led workshops for surfers on how to develop a high-performance mindset for high-stakes competitions, and hosted a separate session for parents and caregivers on how to provide healthy support to surfers as they progress in their careers.

“The voice and priorities of our surfers must be North Star of this board, providing the direction to advance our sport and service to surfers,” Pendergist said.

STAFF PROMOTIONS

Executive director Becky Fleischauer Jewell lauded the board expansion and announced core staff positions. “If we want to do more for our sport and surfers, we need more strong players at the table like Brett and Maja who surf and spend time with surfers on a daily basis,” Fleischauer Jewell said. “Massive thanks to Brett and Maja for giving back to our sport and surfers.”

To strengthen capacity, Fleischauer Jewell announced that junior team head coach Ryan Simmons is being promoted to a head coach and competition director position, where he will play a bigger role in how the Prime Series competitions, training programs and teams are structured. In addition, Mia Gilkerson was hired as athlete and member services specialist, where she will coordinate all USA Surfing membership platforms, event registrations and administrative support of our programs.

“Coach Simmo’s dedication to our surfers and organization is unmatched,” said Fleischauer Jewell. “We are stoked to have Ryan’s experience and expertise at work in an elevated role, working with Mia Gilkerson who was outstanding in organizing and coordinating our marquee Championship events.”

USA Surfing thanked Andrea Swayne for her decades of service to surfers and sport, and her support in transitioning leadership.  Swayne has retired to be with family in Colorado.

USA Surfing will continue actively recruiting sponsors and partners to support more development opportunities for surfers and families. Unlike other countries, surfing in the U.S. receives no government funding to train and compete on the global stage.

“USA Surfing relies on generous donors and sponsors to help us field and qualify teams to compete against the world’s best and support surfers’ development,” said Fleischauer Jewell. “We have plans to expand our Power Your Performance workshops, fully support our teams, and elevate USA Surfing’s competition series, but need funders and partners to do it. We are grateful to those who support the next generation of American surf talent.”

USA Surfing’s Power Your Performance workshops have included:

Aerial training camps with coach Courtney Conlogue at New Hope Gymnastics to teach body air awareness and proper landing technique

Deep End Fitness water safety and breathwork sessions

Filmmaking

Marketing and working with agents

Balance and mobility

Mindset and mental strategies for high-stakes competitions

Please consider making a donation at usasurfing.org/donate

About USA Surfing

USA Surfing is recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA) as the exclusive national federation for surfing in the United States with a mission to advance the sport of surfing in all its disciplines, empower future generations of champions, and share the many benefits of the surfing lifestyle in the United States. Our mission is to expand access to surfing – the fastest growing water sport.  As a sport and lifestyle, more and more people want to be a part of surfing’s myriad physical, emotional and social benefits.

Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series
Strategy & Planning Series