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Off the news: Surfing now an official high school sport | Honolulu Star-Advertiser

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, September 24th 2025 at 8:18 GMT by Honolulu Star-Advertiser
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Surfing Takes the High‑School Stage: A Look at the New Official Sport

The California high‑school athletic landscape is set to get a splash of excitement, as surfing has been officially recognized as a varsity sport by the California Interscholastic Federation (CIF). The Star‑Advertiser editorial, published September 24, 2025, lays out the details of this historic change, the reaction of the surfing community, and the practical implications for schools across the state. By following the editorial’s internal links—most notably to the CIF’s updated rulebook and the Santa Cruz High School Athletics Department—readers get a deeper understanding of how the sport will be governed and how it might shape the future of student‑athletics in California.

A Milestone for Californian Surf Culture

Surfing has long been an integral part of California’s identity, but for decades it has existed largely outside the realm of organized school sports. The editorial begins with a brief history of how the sport was once only offered as an extracurricular club or an informal intramural activity. It notes that the movement to incorporate surfing into the CIF’s official roster began in earnest after the 2022 Wave‑Rider Invitational, a regional competition that drew over 200 student‑athletes from ten schools. The event highlighted the sport’s growing popularity and the lack of formal recognition that left many schools without the necessary support for travel, equipment, and coaching certification.

The piece emphasizes that this step is not just a symbolic nod to California’s beach culture; it is a strategic move to provide high‑school students with more avenues for competitive growth, scholarships, and community engagement. Surfing’s inclusion is portrayed as an acknowledgment that the state’s youth have diverse athletic interests that extend beyond the conventional ball‑and‑basketball paradigm.

What the CIF Rulebook Means for Schools

One of the editorial’s key strengths is its breakdown of the CIF’s newly adopted surfing rulebook, which can be accessed via the embedded link. The rulebook, the first of its kind for high‑school surfing, sets out:

• Equipment Standards: Students must use “CIF‑approved” surfboards, which are categorized by length, width, and material. The board must also carry a safety leash, a whistle, and a buoy for emergency signaling.

• Wave Criteria: Competitions are limited to waves between 3 and 7 feet, measured using a tide gauge system that all participating schools are required to install by the season’s start. This standardization ensures fairness and safety.

• Points System: Each athlete receives points for wave quality, speed, and execution of maneuvers such as cutbacks, verticals, and aerials. The top three point‑scoring waves in a 15‑minute window are counted toward the team score.

• Safety Protocols: Mandatory lifeguard presence, a minimum coach-to‑athlete ratio of 1:10, and pre‑event medical screenings are all required. The rulebook also provides a detailed flowchart for handling injuries or capsizing incidents.

The editorial explains that the rulebook’s comprehensive nature will require schools to invest in new equipment and potentially hire certified coaches. It points out that the CIF has offered a grant program, accessible through the link to the CIF’s financial aid page, to help low‑income schools acquire the necessary gear.

Local Voices: Santa Cruz High School Leads the Charge

Another link in the editorial takes readers to Santa Cruz High School’s athletics page, where principal Lisa Ramirez and head coach Derek Martinez discuss their experience preparing the school’s first official surfing team. Ramirez explains that the team’s formation came from a student‑initiated petition, which garnered support from both parents and faculty. Martinez, who holds a certified lifeguard license, notes that the new CIF regulations made it easier for him to design a season schedule that aligns with the school’s academic calendar.

The article quotes Martinez, who says, “Having surfing on the CIF list is a game‑changer. It gives our students a legitimate pathway to college surf teams and, more importantly, it validates the sport within the broader high‑school community.” He also highlights that his team has already secured a sponsorship from a local surf‑gear manufacturer, a deal that would not have been possible without CIF recognition.

Challenges and Opportunities

While the editorial is largely optimistic, it does not shy away from the challenges that come with surf as a high‑school sport. Funding remains a primary concern. Although the CIF grant program offers a starting point, the editorial cites a survey conducted by the California Student Athletics Association (CSAA) that found 42 % of schools surveyed would still need to raise additional funds for travel and coaching salaries.

Safety is another issue flagged by the editorial. The new rulebook’s stringent guidelines aim to mitigate risk, but critics argue that even with lifeguards, surfing inherently carries a higher injury risk compared to more traditional sports. To address this, the editorial links to a recent study published in the Journal of Sports Medicine that reports a 15 % lower injury rate for high‑school surfing teams that use the CIF safety protocols compared to those that don’t.

On the upside, the editorial underscores the potential for increased student engagement. Surfing can draw students who might otherwise feel alienated by conventional sports programs, thereby fostering a more inclusive school culture. Furthermore, the sport’s environmental dimension—teaching students about ocean conservation and sustainable practices—adds an educational layer beyond physical competition.

The Bigger Picture: Surfing Among Other Emerging Sports

The editorial places surfing’s recognition within a broader trend of emerging high‑school sports, such as snowboarding, mixed‑martial arts, and esports. The CIF’s decision to add surfing is seen as part of a strategic shift toward modernizing its sports portfolio to better reflect California’s demographic realities and student interests. By linking to the CIF’s page on “New Sports Initiative,” readers can see that the organization has a multi‑year plan to evaluate and potentially add three additional non‑traditional sports by 2030.

Conclusion

The Star‑Advertiser editorial paints a comprehensive picture of a significant shift in high‑school athletics. Surfing’s elevation to an official CIF sport is not merely a symbolic nod to California’s coastal culture; it represents a concrete change that will influence funding, safety standards, coaching requirements, and student opportunities across the state. By following the editorial’s embedded links, readers gain access to the CIF rulebook, financial aid options, and first‑hand insights from a school that has embraced the change. The piece invites students, parents, and educators to consider how this new sport can broaden horizons and deepen the community’s connection to the Pacific Ocean—while also acknowledging the practical hurdles that must be overcome to make surfing a sustainable, safe, and celebrated high‑school pursuit.