Update on Girls Longboarding Inclusion with NSSA

I wanted to update you on our progress regarding the request for inclusion of girls longboarding within NSSA state and national competitions, both at the high school and college levels.

I have been truly overwhelmed-in the best way-by the support and advocacy!

An official policy change proposal has now been submitted to NSSA, along with a formal request for a meeting to further discuss the matter. 

I have included below the email response we received from NSSA. 

After reviewing the response from NSSA, my understanding is that there is uncertainty regarding whether there are sufficient numbers of girl longboarders who want to compete.

From where we stand, the data and lived experience within our community tell a very different story.

The longboard community is strong. The depth of our coalition and the saturated talent pool within the scholastic surf series clearly demonstrate both interest and ability. Girls competing in the scholastic surf series for high school season don’t just go away. We are talking about a committed and growing group of skilled competitors who are ready to continue their growth and take part in structured opportunities.  

What has been especially eye-opening is the impact of the limited structure at the college level. With only NSSA sponsored college competitions available, these young women are often required to compete in coed brackets if at all. In many cases, they are being turned away from teams altogether simply because there is no designated space for them. The issue is not lack of participation -it is lack of access.

The demand exists, the talent exists, the commitment exists. What is missing is a framework to support it.

We remain confident that with thoughtful collaboration we can work together to create a solution that reflects the strength and growth of girls longboarding. 

I am working to compile a list of all high school and college girl longboarders who:

• currently compete with their school team
• would compete with their school team if a girls longboard division was available
• have been unable to compete due to the lack of a designated division

I would also like to connect with coaches, parents, and other teammates. Please email me directly at sfcrescenzo@gmail.com. Our goal is to clearly demonstrate the depth of interest and participation so there is not question about the strength of this community. 

I am simply a parent with a daughter who loves longboarding and wants to compete with her team. This not about adding complexity, it is about removing barriers and providing equitable opportunity-the same structured pathway that already exists for others!! Please continue to help spread the word:)

Thank you all for your continued support and advocacy for meaningful progress. 

With determination and gratitude, 

Shawna 

 

NSSA email response: 

“Dear Shawna,Thank you to everyone who has shared feedback regarding the potential addition of a female longboard division to the Team Championship format. We appreciate the passion our athletes, coaches, and families bring to the continued growth of the sport. I have shared this response the board members and conference directors who run team surfing in their regions for their awareness. 

Women’s longboard remains a valued discipline in our organization. Athletes in this division have a direct pathway to Regional and National Championship participation through the NSSA Explorer Longboard division, and longboard is also included in the Team Championship as a coed roster position, allowing any eligible athlete to earn that team spot.

When evaluating requests to add new team divisions, we must look beyond interest alone. Team championship divisions require sufficient participation depth to ensure meaningful competition and avoid automatic placements. Each added division also increases event length, staffing needs, judging hours, awards and overall operating costs, which impacts all teams and families. Our championship events already run on very full schedules from early morning through the end of the day, so any expansion must be carefully weighed to protect the quality of the experience for athletes and the sustainability of the event.

Based on current participation trends in individual women’s longboard events, we do not yet see the numbers needed to support a separate team division in a way that would be competitively balanced and sustainable.

At the same time, this request is under consideration. We are reviewing the long-term viability of additional team divisions including female longboard and are consulting with the NSSA’s nationwide active team coaches, captains and athletic directors as part of that process. We will be asking the team coaches, captains and athletic directors of the teams who actively participate in our team events for their valued input and vote for female longboard inclusion moving forward in the 2026/27 season. This vote will be evaluated through the NSSA’s rules and format review procedures and be presented to the board members for approval. If approved, the school teams will be notified of any new divisions and costs so they can efficiently plan and secure any additional funds needed for the upcoming 2026/27 season. 

We are grateful for the continued engagement of our community and for everyone working to expand opportunities within the sport.

Sincerely,
Janice Aragon
Executive Director

CC: Gayline Clifford, Joe Keenan, Bobbi Lee, Carly Parker, Linda Johnston”