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Committee backs bill to sanction high school surfing amid safety, cost questions
Summary
The committee recommended HB 133, HD2, to be passed with amendments and sent to Ways and Means. Testimony showed strong support from surfing organizations and student athletes; DOE and league representatives raised safety, liability and logistical questions that the committee said need more detail before funding is finalized.
The Senate Committee on Education recommended passage of House Bill 133, HD2, to recognize surfing as an interscholastic high school sport and to appropriate funds; the committee noted remaining questions about safety, insurance and budget and said it would refer funding details to the Ways and Means Committee.
Supporters from the governor's sports task force, surf coaches, nonprofit foundations and students told the committee the bill would formalize an established activity in Hawaii schools. "There is strong support, overwhelming support for high school surfing," said Keith Amemiya, chair of the Governor's Sports Task Force. Student testimony emphasized cultural and developmental benefits: "Surfing is more than just a sport... It is my heritage, my way of life, and my passion," said Chrislyn "Sissy" Simpson Conney, a competitive surfer and high‑school team captain.
Witnesses described organized surfing competitions already held in leagues such as the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) and urged state support to meet league thresholds and cover coach salaries, equipment and tournament costs. "This bill is really about getting the funding extra kick needed to help our public school clubs get up and running to meet the league minimum thresholds," said Sarah Fairfield, executive director of the Outrigger Duke Kahanamoku Foundation.
Department of Education and league representatives flagged operational concerns. An OIA/DOE representative said issues include open‑ocean safety, insurance liability and the logistics of safe practice sites on Oahu where schools may be distant from suitable surf spots. "It's the open ocean... mother nature factors that we're not, you know, really comfortable with," said the OIA executive director. Committee members asked for concrete cost estimates and safety plans; committee leaders said they would likely ask Ways and Means for further information before final appropriations are considered.
The committee recorded a recommendation to pass HB 133 with amendments and to defer funding details to Ways and Means. The hearing record indicates the committee adopted the recommendation with all members present recorded in favor; the chair noted the committee "struggled" with details because the bill includes an appropriation and that more information on costs, insurance, coach salaries and practice logistics will be necessary later.
Key points from testimony: MIL organizers reported no serious injuries in long‑running club competitions, and coaches and students cited growing participation. DOE and OIA said sanctioned athletics rules require supervised practices and coaches, raising questions about how existing club structures would transition into sanctioned teams and what certification, lifeguard presence or equipment procurement would be required.
Votes at a glance: HB 133, HD2 — Committee recommendation: pass with amendments and refer funding questions to Ways and Means; record shows committee adopted recommendation.
