San Juan Capistrano, CA - August 20, 2009 - Surfing America, the National Governing Body for surfing in the United States, received official notice this morning from California State Parks that it has been awarded the permit to hold the 2010 Surfing America USA Championships at Lower Trestles in San Onofre State Beach from June 22-26, 2010.
 
"This is a very big development for Surfing America and the sport of surfing in the United States," said the organization's executive director, Mike Gerard.  "There has been a large movement afoot from within Surfing America's membership, its Board of Directors, and the surf industry to see this happen.  Now, for the first time in history, member athletes from ESA, HSA, NSSA, TGSA, and WSA will have a path to compete in the premier USA Championships event at the nation's premier venue."

Competing bidders for the Lower Trestles Permit included the National Surf League (NSL) and the National Scholastic Surfing Association (NSSA).  Each of the three bidders were evaluated by State Parks based on established criteria addressing the best interest of the State of California, consistent with the California State Parks' Mission and the park's General Plan.  Factors considered include potential impact on the park resources, public safety, accessibility, activities involved, and pedestrian traffic safety. Surfing America scored highest of the three proposals submitted and, as a result, won the permit bid.     

The focus of the 2010 Surfing America USA Championships at Lower Trestles will be on the Surfing America Prime, ISA, and Youth Divisions (Boys Under 18, Boys Under 16, Boys Under 14, Boys Under 12, Girls Under 18, Girls Under 16, and Girls Under 14).  As a result, Surfing America is pleased to announce that USA Championships preliminary rounds for all other Divisions will be held at Huntington Beach Pier the week prior (June 16-19, 2010).  Finals for all Divisions will be held at Lower Trestles and the 2011 PacSun USA Surf Team will be announced immediately following the event.

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This year's 2009 SIMA Surfing America USA Championships presented by Verizon Wireless will take place August 25-30 at Huntington Beach Pier.  For more information, or to watch the live webcast, go to http://surfingamerica.org