Change In Store For ASP


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The ASP World Tour may experience a few changes in the near future. Held recently on the Gold Coast, a summit of ASP “stakeholders” discussed a single tier ranking system that would open WT events to WQS surfers.

In the past, surfers have had to compete and rank high on the qualifying tour to be able to compete on the Championship Tour the following year. The trouble for surfers not in the top ranks of the WT is that they will have to qualify for the tour again next year. Essentially, all but the absolute top surfers have to surf the WQS and the WT simultaneously.

Other significant happenings at the summit involved a “substantial” increase in WT prize money and a declaration of loyalty to the WT by event franchisees. There is a proposed new super-tour threatening the long-standing and prestigious WT. The summit sent a clear message that the surf industry will not back the super-tour and the promoters will need to elsewhere for support and money.

The ASP also discussed the problem with inconsistent Internet coverage of events. There is no uniform way of distributing video of the events, especially live feeds from multiple sources. The ASP would like to develop a plan to bring continuity and valid information the fans around the world that tune into the Internet for live event coverage.

The ASP is facing an exciting time with so much happening. They know they have a supportive fan and sponsor base, and now can work on improving the competition. The surfers and event reps that make up the ASP governing body will vote on the changes presented at the summit in October.


New To The Game? Start With Catching Waves


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catching-wavesWhen you are sitting at home watching surf videos of the best surfers in the world, it all looks easy enough. When you finally decide to give it a try, it feels a lot more difficult.

The first thing to do when deciding to take up surfing is get fit and get comfortable in the ocean. Assuming you are ready, the first real part of learning to surf is learning how to catch a wave.

The physics behind catching waves is really quite simple. In order to catch a wave, you need to be traveling at the same rate the wave is breaking. This is why you see surfers patiently waiting for a wave turn around and start to paddle before the wave is near them. Slower surfers sit out a little further so they have more time to build up momentum. Strong surfers seem to be able to sit in the critical spot and catch a wave with just two strokes.

Timing and wave selection take practice. The best advice is to sit in the line-up near another surfers of your same fitness and experience level. Mimic the ones that catch waves and simply do as they do. The more ocean knowledge you have going into the sport, the faster you will experience success.

There are several different types of waves, even at the same beach with different tides. Beginners do better learning at breaks where the waves break soft and don’t barrel. Longer beaches tend to have mellower waves, and tide can affect the shape of waves. Most reefs should be saved for surfing once you get better.


Worlds Best Female Surfers To Meet At Dee Why


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The Beachley Commonwealth Classic has become an important event on the women’s ASP tour. Previously held at Layne Beachley’s home break Manly Beach, the event held September 30- October 5, 2009 will move to Dee Why Point.

The Beachley Commonwealth Classic is the third stop of seven for the women on tour this year. The move of this event to Dee Why should provide an extra challenge for the women. Waves and currents are stronger, so competitors need to be at the top of their athletic game.

Two-time ASP World Women’s Champion Stephanie Gilmore is currently rated number one. She is hoping to win this event and says she is ready for Dee Why. Stephanie has spent the past few months exploring California and surfing point breaks there. No current is going to keep her from a third title.

The 17 women on the tour this year are just getting done with a long break. The Commonwealth Beachley Classic will be difficult for that reason. This year it is made even more difficult for seasoned pros like Stephanie Gilmore and Layne Beachley because there are 5 rookies this year. It’s like having 5 wild cards; anything can happen.

Last year, everyone was surprised when young Tyler Wright won the event. She is just 15 this year and ready to win again. She is the youngest surfer to ever win a prestigious ASP women’s event, and the pressure is on. She’s hoping to get past the nerves and just be excited to surf against the elite female surfers.


Brett Burcher Takes Title and $10000


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On August 30, 2009 twenty-year old Bret Burcher from Ulladulla, NSW took home the biggest win of his career after winning the Red Bull Junior Surf Masters final at Cornulla presented by Mick Fanning.

The waves were decent for the competition, turning into perfect meter-high waves with light offshore winds for the final. Bret was equally matched in the final with Tahitian Tamaroa McComb. Both surfers had scored the highest waves in the competition and advanced through the qualifying heats on Friday. Bret was ahead in the final heat when a priority error caused him to fall behind Tamaroa. They battled through the final heat, with Bret ultimately getting a set wave and the highest score in the final three minutes for a winning score of 15.65.

Coming from behind for a win in front of Mick Fanning was a dream come true for Bret. Not only did he pocket the greatest winnings of his career so far, but he did it with the 2007 ASP Men’s World Champion watching.

The total purse for the event was $45,000. Some surfers were hand-selected by Mick Fanning and seeded directly into the main event. Mick Fanning liked this event, and was especially pleased to see fellow NSW surfer Bret come from behind for the win. He likes when underdogs keep on battling and show fierceness in the end. Bret nailed his final left-handed wave perfectly. Mick especially liked being able to hand over a $10,000 check to the winner. It is important for young surfers to win this kind of money as it can really help their careers.


ASP Australasia Is A Hit


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Red Bull Junior Surf Masters 2008The ASP Rated Australasia Red Bull Junior Surf Masters presented by Mick Fanning is a hit. The “torched” format introduced in 2008 has become popular with Australia’s top pro junior surfers.

In the torched format, only the best wave of the 20-minute heat is scored for each surfer. This leaves only one score at the end of the heat, the surfer with the single best wave gets priority the next heat while the surfer with the lowest score does not advance. After the heat, the scores are set back to zero.

The young surfers have a lot to prove at this event, especially since it is in front of Mick Fanning, the 2007 ASP Men’s World Champion. Mick Fanning and the competitors are excited about the torched format because it allows for the underdog to come from behind and take the win. Every heat is a fresh start and whoever gets the best wave wins.

The recent Red Bull Junior Surf Masters event at Cornulla offered some decent small waves, with Brett Burcher bringing home the win and $10,000 to pay off some debts.

Surfers at the Fantastic Noodles Intense Wave Invitational in South Australia got a taste of competing in really big surf. This event was designed to give young Australian surfers the chance to compete on big waves in familiar waters, better preparing them for the waves they’ll face on the ASP tour in Hawaii and Tahiti. Gold Coast’s Blake Ainsworth won this event and took home his $11,000 prize.

Giving young, talented surfers the chance to compete and win in these types of events, and for such big prizes, ensures that Australia will remain a force on the ASP tour in years to come.


Paddling 101


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paddling-lessonThe act of surfing, that is standing on the board and riding a wave, is easy enough if you can just get there. Its all the parts leading up to the standing-up part that makes learning to surf such a challenge.

First of all, you are dealing with a surface that is constantly moving and changing. Unlike skateboarding or snowboarding, the “ground” moves. You can’t stand on a non-moving surfboard on the non-moving ground and have any idea of how you balance in real conditions. You have to start surfing when the board is moving on a moving wave or you just sink.

That said, you don’t even get a chance to surf until you get to the line-up, which means you have to paddle. Paddling looks easy enough when you watch experienced surfers, but the first few tries are tricky. You need to make sure you are on the “sweet spot” of the board. When lying on the board your body should be evenly down the middle along the stringer. You will know you are too far forward if the nose of the board is underwater, or too far back if the nose is more than an inch or two out of the water.

To propel the board forward you will need to arch your back and use your arms like you are free-style swimming. Arching your back helps keep your weight over the center of the board. After the first few days your lower back and ribs will hurt, but eventually you build up enough muscle that your back and ribs don’t hurt. Take long, deep strokes and keep your fingers together and your hands slightly cupped. Some people like to bring their arms under their boards, but depending on the width of your board and length of your arms this may be impossible.

Maintaining control of your board should be an important goal for any surfer. The more you practice, the better you get. On days when it’s too small to surf, practice paddling to build up your muscles and stamina.


NSW Jim Beam Surftag To Split Event


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JimBeamLogoFor nine years, the Jim Beam Surftag Series has been Australia’s premier surfing series for Boardriding clubs. Clubs from all over compete against each other with teams of talented surfers including seasoned veterans on the ASP Tour and up-and-coming talent waiting to hit the global scene. The event has grown considerably and this year NSW has to be split in two.

NSW North will involve Boardriding Clubs from the Central Coast, Newcastle, and the Mid North Coast. 2005 Jim Beam Surftag National Champs, Umina, have a secret weapon this year. Drew Courtney has been surfing ASP events in Europe and will be heading home to represent his local club. He feels it is important to give back to the local club that launched his professional career.

There will be 8 events in all including: Jim Beam Surftag Industry Challenge, Jim Beam Women’s Surftag, VIC Qualifier, QLD Qualifier, WA Qualifier, NSW North Qualifier, NSW South Qualifier, and the National Final. With more clubs than ever before competing, more teams will be involved in the final, and the level of surfing is expected to exceed previous years. The top four teams will qualify for the Nationals, so a total of 24 teams will compete in the final for the $100,000 of cash and prizes at stake. The winning team goes home with $13,000 cash.

The first event, The Industry Challenge, will be held on October 23, 2009 at Curl Curl Beach in Sydney. Last year’s winner, the Quiksilver Team, will have to out-surf teams representing 20 surf brands including Ocean and Earth, RVCA, and Aloha Surf.