“The ASP is approached several times a year with proposals from various parties. Our primary objective is, and has always been, to do what is best for the sport of surfing and part of that is remaining open to prospective opportunities. The ASP Board has met this season to discuss a proposal put forth by Terry Hardy and Matthew Tinley. The proposal thus far has been light on details, which has prevented the ASP from forming any opinion on it at this time. The ASP remains an organization for the surfers by the surfers, and we take into consideration all forms of competitors at every level, our events, industry supporters and fans when making decisions. As always, we pride ourselves in bringing the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves to the global community, and look forward to doing so for the indefinite future.”
Brodie Carr ASP president
The comments in the interview below are credited to ASP president Brodie Carr and ASP media manager Dave Prodan.
Irrespective of what happens does the ASP now feel that some form of change is inevitable and necessary. Can you comment in anyway specifically what those changes are likely to be?
ASP is always looking at enhancing and improving professional surfing, and efforts to make changes similar to those proposed by the exhibition tour had already been set in motion prior to us receiving the latest proposal.
Is the ASP still intent on remaining the objective governing body of all tiers of the tour, and therefore the group that controls rankings and the official appointment of the World Champion?
The ASP is, and has always been, only interested in what is best for professional surfing. We’ve endeavoured to provide a fair and clear-cut pathway to international success as well and a universally recognized, undisputed ASP World Title for nearly three decades now, and we continue to enhance the sport at every possible avenue of opportunity. We do not intend to stop any time soon.
If the ASP is not recognised by a hypothetical third tier of the tour will the ASP still have a viable tour?
The ASP has spent years cultivating relationships with our brands, surfers, event licensees, etc. in order to best provide the surfing world with a global, objective system for competition, and we remain one of the few sports on the planet that actually crowns an undisputed world champion annually.
Is it possible to make all three tiers work together under an ASP banner?
At present, the most recent incarnation of the exhibition tour is that it wishes to work with the ASP in terms of sanctioning and having our athletes compete in it. Organizers of the exhibition tour have yet to provide anyone with concrete details so ASP has yet to make any formal or informal commitments either way. Our organization is always open to proposals and suggestions and we’re not treating the exhibition tour concept any different from the number of solicitations we receive every season.
Are the major surf companies expressing widespread disenchantment with the moves being made by the likes of Terry hardy and Mathew Tinley?
We don’t speak for our industry supporters, but certainly, going to the media and making bold announcements before coming to the governing body of the sport has been poorly received by several people. I think Terry has a lot of experience with the sport and Matthew has a lot with television (which is why we’re happy to hear their proposal), but they have been slow to produce details in regards to the exhibition tour, and the lack of details existing combined with what some perceive as premature announcements have certainly complicated the issue and caused some negative backlash to occur both within the media and the industry.
By Luke Kennedy (Tracks editor)
Pic: Joel Parkinson after his second tour win of 2009 – will he be the ASP’s next world champion?
Credit: Bernasconi
