USA Skateboarding

What USA Skateboarding does

USA Skateboarding, legally known as United States Skateboarding Federation, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2003 and headquartered in South Lake Tahoe, California (with a legal correspondence address in Irvine, California). It is the official National Governing Body for skateboarding in the United States, recognized by World Skateboarding, and operates as the sole sanctioned pathway connecting American skateboarders to international and Olympic competition. The organization is led by CEO Johnny Schillereff (founder of Element Skateboards) and Vice President Daniel Gale, supported by a 23-person staff and a leadership bench including Team Captain Eric Koston and high-performance coaches. Its core product set comprises the Amateur Series competition platform with regional qualifiers and prize purses; the Affiliate Organization Program that provides governance, insurance, and marketing support to regional leagues (CASL, NorCASL, TASL) and grassroots promoters; the SPARC (Skatepark Performance and Accreditation Rating for Certification) program using a 75-point checklist to certify competition-ready venues; Athlete Safety policies with SafeSport reporting infrastructure; and coaching certification delivered through a partnership with the US Skateboard Education Association (USSEA).

The organization generates revenue through a diversified mix of mandatory membership fees, event registration fees (ranging from $30 to $100 per contest), Shopify-powered merchandise sales, corporate sponsorships (X Games Foundation, Toyota, Alaska Airlines, Chipotle, Metallica, Branded Bills), and tax-deductible donations — explicitly without government funding. Its go-to-market is event-driven: it activates amateur and adaptive competitions across multiple U.S. states, leverages branded sweepstakes with high-profile partners (Metallica, Mötley Crüe, NOFX, X Games), and distributes through an affiliate organization network complemented by a state-of-the-art East Coast training campus at the US Performance Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, and an online academic partnership (USPA) enabling junior athletes to compete while studying. Technology infrastructure is intentionally commodity: Shopify for e-commerce, Stripe and PayPal for payments, LiveHeats for event registration, and The Boardr for rankings and results — with no proprietary AI/ML platform referenced.

Name

USA Skateboarding

Legal name

United States Skateboarding Federation, Inc.

Website

https://usaskateboarding.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

USA Skateboarding is the official U.S. National Governing Body for skateboarding, recognized by World Skateboarding, operating sanctioned amateur competitions, skatepark certification (SPARC), affiliate organization support, and athlete safety programs for skateboarders from grassroots to elite levels across the United States.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

National Governing Body for Skateboarding

NAICS

Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers (713940)

SIC

Services-Membership Sports & Recreation Clubs (7997), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Sport Governing Bodies & League Sanctioning Authorities (MPAKAFAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athletics Compliance, Eligibility & Governance (EDALAIAJ), Anti-Doping & Integrity Bodies (WADA, match-fixing/integrity units) (MPAKAFAJ)

Keywords

• National governing body
• Amateur skateboarding competitions
• Skatepark certification
• Athlete safety program
• Affiliate sports organizations

Headquarters

HQ city

Irvine, California

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Programs: USA Skateboarding generates revenue through membership fees, with mandatory membership required for participants in USAS-sanctioned or World Skate-sanctioned events and activities.
2. E-commerce Merchandise Sales: Online store selling USA Skateboarding branded merchandise including hats, apparel, and promotional items through their Shopify platform.
3. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from event entry fees for amateur competitions including TASL ($45-$55), NorCASL ($30-$35), AM AGE ($50-$70), Des Moines Streetstyle Open ($100), and other sanctioned events.
4. Corporate Sponsorships and Partnerships: Partnerships with sponsors including X Games Foundation, Toyota, Alaska Airlines, Chipotle, Metallica, Branded Bills, and others that provide funding, prizes, and event support.
5. Donations and Fundraising: Tax-deductible donations accepted to support programs. Organization states it does not receive government funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

USA Skateboarding operates as the official National Governing Body for skateboarding in the United States, recognized by World Skateboarding. It sanctions and runs the national amateur competition series (including regional leagues like CASL, NorCASL, and TASL), certifies skateparks through its SPARC program, provides athlete safety governance and coaching certification through its USSEA partnership, and offers membership programs and e-commerce merchandise to fund its mission.

Product overview

USA Skateboarding operates as a membership-based National Governing Body providing multiple interconnected programs: the Amateur Series competition platform with regional qualifiers and prize opportunities; the Affiliate Organization Program for partner organizations; Skatepark Certification (SPARC) for competition-ready venues; Athlete Safety policies with reporting protocols; and coaching certification through USSEA partnership. The organization also manages membership programs, amateur rankings, and coordinates with regional leagues like TASL and NorCASL.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• USA Skateboarding Amateur Series Nationwide sanctioned competition platform featuring regional qualifiers, diverse divisions including Adaptive and Open Classes, with amateur prize purses for developing skateboarders seeking a pathway to national and international competition.
• Affiliate Organization Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 8 million skateboarders in the US as target market

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature1 record

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• X Games FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership providing division winners at USA Skateboarding events with 3-Day passes to X Games events. Partnership connects grassroots amateur skateboarders directly to one of action sports' premier professional events. Division winners receive complimentary entry to X Games alongside event support and visibility.
• Eastern Skateboard SupplycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor serving independent skate shops across the U.S., partnered with X Games Foundation and USA Skateboarding for ticket giveaways to skate shops nationwide. Part of initiative distributing over 200 X Games tickets to skate shops.
• South Shore DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistributor serving skate shops throughout the South and beyond, partnered with X Games Foundation and USA Skateboarding for skate shop ticket giveaways and grassroots support.
• The BoardrcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent management and rankings partner for USA Skateboarding Amateur Series. The Boardr provides contest results database, rankings system, and event organization for amateur competitions including Des Moines Streetstyle Open and The Boardr Series stops.
• US Skateboard Education Association (USSEA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for coaching certification providing professional development resources for skateboarding coaches. USA Skateboarding links to USSEA certification as official coaching credentialing body, with plans to launch a directory on USASkateboarding.com.
• Adaptive Action Sports (AAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNonprofit organization creating action sport opportunities for individuals with permanent physical disabilities. Partnership ensures adaptive skateboarding programming is integrated into USA Skateboarding's DNA, including adaptive divisions in competitions and overnight skate camps.
• US Performance Center (USPC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-of-the-art skateboarding campus in Charlotte, North Carolina offering world-class skateparks, competition venues, health amenities, and sports science training. USA Skateboarding facilities designed collaboratively with athletes, coaches, and high-performance staff. Creates action sports hub on East Coast.
• US Performance Academy (USPA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial Online Academic Partner enabling junior skateboarders to train, travel, and compete while receiving accredited online education. Partnership provides flexible academic schedules for student-athletes competing globally.
• Lincoln Design Co.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partnership for action sports art and design, including skateboard graphics, apparel, event branding, and promotional materials. Collaboration between industry veterans Dan Janssen and Johnny Schillereff with over 30 years of skateboarding design experience.
• World Skateboarding FederationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational governing body for skateboarding. USA Skateboarding serves as official member National Governing Body, providing direct liaison for affiliate organizations to international competition pathways and World Skate-sanctioned events.
• LVLUP USAminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEvent host for AM AGE and AMAGEDDON competitions at Vista, California facility. Provides youth competition series and Pro/Am events creating progression pathway from age-group competition to open amateur competition.
• CASL (California Amateur Skateboard League)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional amateur skateboard league operating under USA Skateboarding's national amateur competition system. Affiliated Organization providing grassroots competition, rankings, and national championship qualification pathways.
• TASL (Texas Amateur Skateboard League)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional amateur skateboard league in Texas operating as part of CASL system under USA Skateboarding's national amateur competition pathway. Hosts events at Southside Skatepark in Houston with Street, Park/Mini, and Vert/Bowl divisions.
• NorCASL (Northern California Amateur Skateboard League)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRegional amateur skateboard league in Northern California operating under USA Skateboarding affiliation. Hosted at Rob Skate Academy in Concord with Park/Mini and Street divisions for multiple age groups.
• Skate TrueminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal skateboarding contest promoter in Arizona celebrating 13 years of community events. USA Skateboarding provides promotion support as part of commitment to grassroots skateboarding across the United States.
• ToyotaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2023 National Team Announcement event. Partnership supports athlete recognition and team announcement activities.
• Alaska AirlinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrize provider for Alaska Air X USA Skateboarding Big Air Contest at YMCA. Winners receive roundtrip first class flights anywhere Alaska Airlines flies as contest prizes.
• Branded BillsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaboration hats and headwear partnership featuring USA Skateboarding designs on Branded Bills silhouettes. Connected Jagger's Invitational as launch event for the collaboration.
• ChipotleminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing year of free Chipotle meals as prize for winning team at Jagger Eaton Invitational presented by USA Skateboarding.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• USA Wrestling: USA Wrestling is the US National Governing Body for wrestling, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with similar governance structure, membership programs, amateur series, and Olympic pathway responsibilities. It is a strong structural peer for understanding how a US NGB operates at scale.
• USA Gymnastics: USA Gymnastics is a US National Governing Body with comparable nonprofit structure, membership programs, athlete safety mandates, and Olympic pathway responsibilities. It is a structural peer for understanding US NGB operations, particularly SafeSport governance and athlete safety program design.
• Skate Canada: Skate Canada is the Canadian National Governing Body for skateboarding, recognized by World Skate. It operates a near-identical model to USA Skateboarding: amateur series, coaching certification, sanctioned events, and affiliate network. It is the most direct international counterpart in the same sport.
• British Skateboarding: British Skateboarding is the UK National Governing Body for skateboarding, recognized by World Skate. It operates a parallel NGB model to USA Skateboarding with affiliate organizations, coaching certification, and national team selection. A directly comparable peer operating in a different national jurisdiction.
• USA Surfing: USA Surfing is the official US National Governing Body for surfing, recognized by the International Surfing Association. It is the most direct structural analogue to USA Skateboarding — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit NGB running amateur series, affiliate programs, and athlete selection for Olympic pathway, with membership and sponsorship revenue streams.

Regional players

• Dew Tour: Dew Tour is a multi-sport action sports event series that includes professional skateboarding competitions. VP Daniel Gale previously worked at Dew Tour, illustrating the leadership overlap. It competes for athlete relevance but operates a broader action sports portfolio rather than a skateboarding-specific NGB role.

Emerging players

• The Boardr: The Boardr is a skateboarding event management and rankings platform that serves as USA Skateboarding's official results and rankings partner. It operates amateur competitions independently as well, creating partial overlap with USA Skateboarding's competition series and SANCTIONING authority.
• X Games: X Games is a major private action sports event platform and a strategic partner of USA Skateboarding (providing X Games passes to amateur series winners). It operates professional competitions with significant media reach that complement and partially overlap with USA Skateboarding's elite programming pathway.
• Street League Skateboarding (SLS): SLS is a privately-funded professional skateboarding competition series that competes with USA Skateboarding for elite athlete participation and media attention. While USA Skateboarding governs the Olympic pathway, SLS operates higher-purse professional events, creating a parallel prestige track that intersects with the NGB's relevance.

Broad incumbents

• World Skateboarding Federation: World Skate is the international federation that grants USA Skateboarding its NGB status and sanctions Olympic-qualifying events. While not a direct competitor, it is the parent governing entity that defines the regulatory framework within which USA Skateboarding operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/usaskateboarding
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/usa-skateboarding

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about USA Skateboarding