Might be time to back up those wins with something more substantial?
“Leaders in the industry have told us that too many surfers have been unprepared for what it takes to be successful on the job,” explained USA Surfing’s Executive Director Becky Fleischauer.
Becoming a pro surfer and getting a college degree are two great undertakings that have not traditionally gone hand in hand. The time and dedication it takes to surf at an elite level can appear to be mutually exclusive with the time it takes to get good grades in a university course. And while there are exceptions, those who have done the great balancing act of both like Liam O’Brien, Johanne Defay, Isabella Nichols, for example, USA Surfing has identified surfers’ lack of education as a problem. And now the organization is taking steps to solve it.
Through a new partnership between USA Surfing and Colorado State University (CSU) Global, those pursuing a professional surfing career don’t have to put all their eggs in one basket. They can earn a college degree simultaneously. Members of USA Surfing can enroll in online degree or certificate programs with a five percent discount off the full tuition price tag of USD $10,500 per year, or $42,000 for a full four-year degree. The degree and certificate programs range from business to criminal justice to IT to web development.
And to adapt to the unpredictable lives of professional surfers, students can pause their courses at any time and still remain an active student, returning to take classes when they’re able.
According to Fleischauer, as sponsorship dollars for surfers continue to dry up, university degrees should be strongly considered for competitive surfers tied up in youth development programs and qualification circuits. And, contrary to what one might think, performance in the classroom can actually be beneficial for performance in the water.
“There is also much less money in surfing and extraordinary pressure competing for smaller and smaller pieces of the pie,” Fleischauer told The Inertia. “And we all know what that kind of short-term thinking and pressure lead to: unhealthy headspace, poorer performances, and burnout. The surfers who have pursued degrees while surfing report that it has helped them stay focused on the bigger picture, to surf relaxed, and be confident that surfing, as a healthy, fun way of life and form of expression, will always be there for them.”
Fleischauer also added that the CSU Global partnership would likely not be the last – focusing on a small and targeted list of universities that would provide value to student-athletes.
“We would also encourage the surf industry to take advantage of these quality college partners,” added Fleischauer. “That is the trend that cuts across the workforce in all sectors – learning and sharpening skills on the job. It’s well worth the investment and sends a message that employers value their people and want them to be successful.”
When I spoke with Liam O’Brien, current world number 12, back in 2022 for a separate story about his university studies, he painted a bleak reality: very few aspiring professional surfers can actually make a living off the sport, let alone after their careers end.
“More surfers should definitely look into the option to study,” said O’Brien. “It’s a prudent thing to pursue given the volatile nature of surfing careers.”
As the heyday of surf sponsorships fades, perhaps more and more surfers will look towards university as a wise – or necessary – back-up plan. USA Surfing’s new partnership approach is an innovative strategy to address the issue. When students go back to school at the end of the summer, we’ll see if any of USA Surfing’s athletes take them up on it.
