To the International Olympic Committee,

As we look ahead to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, we are inspired by your commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. With surfing scheduled to take place at the world-renowned Trestles Beach in San Clemente, California, we—surfers, residents, environmentalists, and Olympic supporters—are calling on the IOC to take a vital step: fund sand replenishment at Trestles Beach.

A Shoreline in Crisis
San Clemente’s beaches are in an ongoing battle against erosion and sand loss. Since the 1930s, the region has lost significant amounts of sand due to upstream damming, coastal development, and wave action. According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the area is experiencing a chronic sand deficit, contributing to shrinking beaches and increased risks to coastal infrastructure (https://www.spl.usace.army.mil/Media/News-Stories/Article/2919443/san-clemente-shoreline-protection-project-receives-142-million-from-bipartisan-i/

The San Clemente Shoreline Protection Project, aimed at restoring a 50-foot-wide beach through sand replenishment, has received some federal backing. Still, it faces delays and funding shortfalls, especially after San Clemente’s Measure BB—an initiative to secure local funds for beach nourishment—fell just short of passing in 2022 (https://www.sanclementetimes.com/voters-reject-measure-bb-short-term-rental-ban-ordinance/

An Environmental Responsibility During the Games
Trestles, located within San Onofre State Beach, is not only a surf break of global importance but also a fragile ecosystem. Hosting an Olympic surfing event here will bring thousands of spectators and staff over a waiting period of multiple weeks, placing further pressure on the area’s already stressed natural terrain.

Foot traffic in coastal ecosystems has been scientifically shown to accelerate dune erosion, compact native soils, and destroy critical vegetation that holds sand in place (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569109000814 Without action, the impact of the Games could cause lasting damage to this treasured beach.

Your Mission, Our Opportunity
The IOC has rightly made sustainability a pillar of the Olympic Movement. The Paris 2024 Games are being hailed as the most sustainable in history, with commitments to carbon neutrality, ecological restoration, and climate responsibility (https://olympics.com/ioc/paris-2024-sustainable-games

Bringing those same principles to California means more than just offsetting emissions—it requires an investment in the natural venue itself.

By contributing to sand replenishment at Trestles, the IOC can:

• Protect the integrity of a world-class surfing venue.
• Preserve fragile ecosystems for future generations.
• Demonstrate that sustainability means investment, not just reduction.

Help Fill the Gap
With Measure BB’s failure, the city of San Clemente lacks the necessary funds to complete essential beach nourishment projects. The Olympics can fill that gap. Your support could ensure a safe, enjoyable, and sustainable event for athletes and fans alike, while leaving behind a lasting legacy that benefits the local community and environment.

We urge the IOC to take this opportunity to lead by example and directly support sand restoration at Trestles Beach. Let these Olympic Games be remembered not just for the athletic feats they showcase, but for the environmental responsibility they uphold.

Sincerely,
Riley Metcalf / San Clemente Resident