ASP Announces World Surf League: Letter from CEO
To the ASP community,
At the start of the 2015 season, we will change our name to the World Surf League (WSL). We’re making this change because we believe the new name is easier to understand, and gets us on a better track to serve our fans, athletes and partners, and to grow the great sport of professional surfing worldwide.
There’s been a lot of change in the last two years. Part of it you can see, such as new venues and enhanced live broadcasts. Some of it is behind the scenes. All of it is driven by the twin goals of preserving the heritage and culture of surfing while, at the same time, creating an even better foundation to grow our sport in the future.
We want you to know that changing our name was a carefully considered decision for us. We felt it was important to share this idea with as many people in the ASP community as we could, from athletes to past world champions to event partners. In the end, we were greatly comforted by the fact that not a single person we spoke with opposed changing names to the World Surf League. Not one.
This is a decision we’ve made with our community and you can see their reactions for yourself.
We understand that for many of you reading this, the letters “ASP” have significant meaning and that this news might be unsettling. We hope you will give us the benefit of the doubt and that, over time, you will come to see this change as positive for the sport we all love. At the end of the day, professional surfing’s DNA remains intact: we’re about the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves. That will never change.
From day one, our commitment to you has been that we will do everything in our power to improve the overall experience for fans, athletes and partners. Of course, we still have a lot of work to do, but we are confident that we are heading in the right direction.
We want to salute everyone upon whose shoulders we stand, from the creators of the ASP to their forefathers at what was originally known as the International Professional Surfers (IPS). It was the hard work of all of these people that provided the platform that we all share today and it is with them, and with you, that we look forward to ushering in the new era of the World Surf League.
Sincerely,
Paul Speaker
Chief Executive Officer
Comments
Are you sure Paul Speaker is not Warnies twin brother..!
I think WSL is a good name, like Kelly said ASP was a hard acronym to explain to people.
Gedina found WSL hard to pronounce tho...?
Sad sad day for surfing in my opinion if it ain't broke don't fix it, surfers at heart are not mainstream and surfing is continually being pushed into a corporate type mainstream direction with a focus on money grabbing, I just hope this isn't about Paul speaker feeling the need to make changes to justify his corporate position
The letter 'W' is a poor choice as the first of a three letter acronym. And the transition from 'W' to 'S' isn't very smooth either.
First rule of a rebrand should be to make it easy for existing fans to communicate the new name.
Have a look at the reaction on there instagram feed it is certainly not being accepted very well at all
Wow they are too, hardly one good comment!
"In the end, we were greatly comforted by the fact that not a single person we spoke with opposed changing names to the World Surf League. Not one."
I think that quote will come back to haunt them.
That's because they only asked two people.
Wow. 197 comments on Facebook and everyone hates it. Very strong opinions too.
Warnies Surfing League.
I'm not gonna say the other 2
Did ASP's mgmt ever consider that who speak the Engrish are going to have a hard time with the L?
Yeah. It's a big who cares from me. I see the reason behind the change in the name. ASP/WSL whatever. Just bring me more shredders shredding shreddable shurf.
Buy a business, bit of rebranding, a new coat of paint and then back on the market next year. The problems they face is how to make any real $ and creating any new interest from the mainstream market by running surfing contests - no product and high overheads. Does anybody want to watch the pretty much generic group of pampered surfers/models strut out of the VIP only area and surf the same spots year after year?Especially when Kelly really retires. Flogging a dead horse
Nows the time for the rebel tour and call it the ASP.
Ha!
That's not as crazy as it sounds haha let's do this
ISIS/ISIL. Liberal/progressive. Pinault-Printemps-Redoute/PPR/Kering. ASP/WSL.
Having a hard time keeping up with all the logo changes. Yew!
Geez you guys are a hard buch, Seems like I'm the only one here that dosen't mind the change, ASP was a crock of 3 letter acronyms.
A sad sad day for the surfing world thats for sure.
How much money would Mr Speaker be on a year as the Chief Executive Officer....?
He may not be getting paid. The rumour was that the boys on the desk are owed a few months wages. Mr Enfant Terrible Chas would dine out on this one (just finished reading his book and would love to be a fly on the wall at the AS...oopps WSL).
World's definition of "progress" is my definition of regress. They've done their research, hopefully this hype style marketing will reach landlocked kids in Uzbekistan.
This is total horseshit, Speaker just wants something to define his time at the wheel, power trip. And this model of bringing this sport into a mainstream setting is detrimental to the happy medium of high density crowding throughout metro zones that current surfers are all to aware of. They've got to be pulled off the launch pad. This movement sucks balls
For those who speak the Engrish, maybe similar to the word salmon, the L is silent.....
WS.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=WS
Classic Roller.
What a bout Double U SL..?
It is much better than ASP.
If they are going with WSL, I would have argued for World Surfing League, but that is a minor quibble.
Smells of desperation.
WSL. right off the old cricket bat it sounded like some sort of scripted wrestling league.
Good thing the previous holders of that acronym folded up the tent. Yew!
http://wslwrestling.com/about.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wrestling_Superstars_Live
WSL sounds very Americian to me
Change the name and watch it fall over while getting a handsome salary :)
Funny thing is that they gave a hint this was going to happen a few months ago. As I noted in a forum thread on July 24th: https://www.swellnet.com/forums/wax/159016
Geez I hate this sort of corporate speak. Ever visited this site?
http://www.weaselwords.com.au/home/
These stupid motherhood statements have always pissed me off. Could of said:
Best waves, best surfers and do our best to look after the sites we visit.
Proof is always in the pudding. I wonder how much money they will put into looking after the environment after this year. They whole thing may fold. This whole corporate speak is a USA disease which has infiltrated every aspect of society. I asked some older statesman in various walks of life and they all said it slowly came in the late 70's and has been like a cancer ever since. At least they have colons and semi-colons.
"World surfing league!" Sounds like a crappy blockbuster film. Not into it.
Alls they need to do is replace some of the shitty events and they'll have a good product. Teahupoo proved that.
2nd stage is to give all the surfers "stage " names like super heroes.
Bald Man for KS .
The Man of Air for GD
JJF for JJF
While Supplies Last! Yew!
http://www.acronymfinder.com/WSL.html
World Stopped Listening.
The John Cougar Mellencamp Surf Tour
@freeridevoice, desperation? isn't more like the new mgmt are consolidating comp everything, ... big wave, shortboard, logs, bodyboarders, stand up boating, body and mats into a one umbrella league?
if that is so, genius!
many seem to not care for the "league" part.....
league 1 (lg)
n.
1. An association of states, organizations, or individuals for common action; an alliance.
2. Sports An association of teams or clubs that compete chiefly among themselves.
sounds like current mgmt has this spot on.
the main surprise to me is that Stunet and bunnyboy haven't already joined Freeload in predicting Doomsday Desperation.
Its pretty funny to watch so many people get fairly passionate about this (on all surfing sites)……why would the average surfer care? A fair bit of the sentiment on this site lately has been negative towards our 'pro' surfing brethren and their lack of respect for us plebs………..I'm pretty certain the WSL's effect on us all will be negligible.
my 2c: Does sound fairly American but the whole brand seems like that to me this year.
Just a thought: why isn't there an English speaking Brazilian commentator on the English webcast?
For good or ill the ASP has been Professional Surfing for the past thirty years or so.
ZoSea acquired the brand two years ago....they've been pumping money and resources into that brand from that time until now.
Changing the Brand is tacit admission that the brand is worth nothing, or worse a liability.
You don't change a successful brand name. That's where your value is.
Would you buy Apple and then change the name to Orange? or Pear/
Conclusion: ASP as it is has been failing. A complete reboot of the Brand has been adopted as a strategy.
This paragraph: "We want you to know that changing our name was a carefully considered decision for us. We felt it was important to share this idea with as many people in the ASP community as we could, from athletes to past world champions to event partners. In the end, we were greatly comforted by the fact that not a single person we spoke with opposed changing names to the World Surf League. Not one."
Is marketing spin and can be translated as : we were losing so much money so fast we needed a total 180 degree turnaround strategy to take to Dirk Ziff so he didn't pull funding next year. We spoke to the coffee lady and she didn't oppose it. Nor did the toilet cleaner.
They spoke to Uplift?
Zen , don't wake up the beast !
Beautiful summary and I reckon dead accurate.
Hi, my first go at this. I've been surfing 50 years. The comments above are, by & large, witty and word conscious. This is not lowest common denominator stuff. But I think you guys could up your game. Professional surfing is a minority interest. OK. But I wish the guys well. It's one way to keep surfing (albeit with an albatross around your neck). But I don't like to see surfers on principal bagging pro surfing. For myself, I cannot for the life of me understand how Mr & Mrs Smith don't find ANY kind of surfing on ANY kind of wave infinitely more thrilling than ANY other activity. Golf? hmmm... Cricket, well, Footy... wow! I've met some nice footy players but - seriously! Sure, WE know the world is not going to shell out big bucks to watch surfing. But that's fine for all of us except the ACRONYM. But we're better than bagging their best efforts even if our interests are entirely other. Cheers...
Oh - I forgot one activity that may be more thrilling than surfing. That free-fall, base-jump flying with a half-arsed set of wings and trying to fly at 500kph through a narrow gap between needle-like rocks and smashing into a rock at high speed and dying. Now THAT might be worth watching. And it's pretty graceful before you die.
Like this kiwi boy Ted Rudd RIP, legend, watch the footage.....
http://www.stuff.co.nz/world/5226742/Base-jumper-dies-in-Norway-freefall
Hey Stu- tried to google Paul Speaker to check his background--pretty sure I did it before and got results--Seems like his internet history has been wiped clean--except if its related to zoosea--is this possible?--we know he has friends in high places who could help with things like this...just curious-
Now the promo video has been pulled.. interesting.
Just like they pulled Lewis Samuels and gave him the ax...
WSL = World's Surfing Losers
Still playing on my link Craig.
Wanna check again, totally gone for me.
My first thought were....
It sounds very B-grade like from a hollywood B-grade surfing movie (the photo doesn't help), closely followed by thoughts of wrestling and football.
Interesting reading through the comments that others have had very similar reactions.
I never got the ASP thing though and for some reason when looking for the website on google type in ASAP, i think it was called that years back?
ASP had a certain professional air to it don't you think? I liked the association part, made it sound like a well run business. The WSL however, makes it sound like a roller derby competition in Utah, but then again Roller derby is cool right.........?
It comforting not a single person they spoke with didn't like it!
THAT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SPEAK TO ANYONE it sucks balls man.
Let's clieche the sport....yellow jersey, stadium mentality WAY OFF pencil pushers NFI... its unique...that's your unique selling point funny that.
And the Sky is falling, Head judge won't last long!? and Dane Reynolds is fishing!
still works for me Craig in the link i have
and dont forget kelly slater retiring
-- "World Surfing League" --(your "Bowling League")--give me a break --The-- "Free Surfer's of the "World"-- should unite--and till these dudes-- (Speaker-Harder)--we have had enough of them-prostituting surfing to the masses--for their own own personal gain---they don't care how crowded and clogged up surf spots get --at their core--the more people in the line-ups the better for them--as far as their concerned--it just means- -more people to brainwash and more wallets to try and open up..
Come on people---come on---come on--am I losing it? Have I finally lost it.? The surf world is going to let people like Terry Harder and Paul Speaker try and brainwash you and the youth?-- "World Surfing League" --(your "Bowling League")--give me a break --The-- "Free Surfer's of the "World"-- should unite--and till these dudes we have had enough of them-prostituting surfing to the masses--for their own own personal gain---they don't care how crowded and clogged up surf spots get --at their core--the more people in the line-ups the better--as far as their concerned--it just means- -more people to brainwash and more wallets to open. "Who" do you think is going benefit from all of this --"you"?-- Dream on-.. No--this is all to make more "money" for a few--already -over payed so called pros--and to make more money and power for the new ASP-- (Terry Harder -Paul Speaker Etc).--So when you do your surf check today--tomorrow--you can thank all these guys for a lot of your over crowded surf spots. Peace
Bob's 2 Bob's comment of the year!
"the main surprise to me is that Stunet and bunnyboy haven't already joined Freeload in predicting Doomsday Desperation:.
As to name changes, didn't the AFL go by the acronym VFL for 90 years? Yew!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Football_League
Yeah that was for a good reason. It was the AFL as WA joined, NSW was already in it, then we got QLD and SA. The Wankers Surf League is a whole different deal.
Tony Ty (From the BIG Island!), you, Bunnyboy, Freerider and Stunett should all hook up for a party together.
Roller, VFL went AFL when the competition went national. Seems pretty logical. ASP to WSL is nothing more than a marketing ploy, the logic of which I don't fathom.
Surfers who follow the tour will grasp the name change but beyond them I think it will only confuse the masses of "unjazzed" as Phil Edwards called them, who it seems the pro sport is trying to sell itself to.
World Surf League sounds good - world sport, ASP, was more athlete based.
I like the VFL AFL comparison -- Except this is a global sport - Good move!
Sorry Bob not sure if you are in an AFL state but this is a very poor comparison see my previous post, the ASP was always global. And we do have a word for those blokes on the boards - surfers. Why do we are we trying to USA everything and not be proud that the English language has given us a name (try to say surfers in french, or better yet wetsuit- hey maybe we can rebrand this for the WSL as athletes armour?). Surfers surf, footy players play footy and athletes throw javelins and run around a track. They are not doing anything differently than 30 years ago just better and fitter.
The problem is that the ASP's tactics are marketing-based, and for most people there's not much different between 'ASP' and 'WSL'. It's a three letter acronym that has a similar feel to the previous name.
What's the benefit of calling themselves a 'League' instead of an 'Association'? Aside from all of the irregularities with the term 'League' (by definition: "an association of sporting clubs that organizes matches between member teams of a similar standard"), it still sounds very corporate and business-like.
Is anyone familiar with Motocross? (I'm not). What's the main difference between the FIM Motocross World Championship (the "premier championship of motocross racing since 1957, organized by the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM)", according to Wikipedia) compared to the Crusty Demons and Red Bull X-Fighters?
Obviously the last two are Freestyle MX as opposed to standard Motocross, but as a concept surely this would be a better strategy for the ASP to mimick for mass market non-endemic penetration? Just the brand names alone - Crusty Demons and Red Bull X-Fighters - lend themselves to a much more broader range of marketing, branding and broadcast initiatives that would have a much higher commercial value.
I think you are on the money there Ben, if you look at the presentation of the events this year it is incredibly backward looking and cliched. The desk. The row of neatly groomed blokes dressed for a game of golf. Occy's haircut. It all speaks to an attempt to go mainstream, an attempt doomed to failure unless the stats are wrong. The only potential audience for competitive surfing is amongst surfers themselves and until they realise that and scale their ambitions accordingly they will continue to provide us with a source of amusement.
Just a footnote--and that potential audience amongst surfers--is only to the surfers that competition appeals to--which to my knowledge--is not the majority of them
Yes raced motocross as a kid and still love it. FIM is the real, traditional motocross and I think more core. It is held in large outdoor parks and far less contrived. The crusty stuff was invented by the Yanks to present it in a stadium/condensed format. Used to be call stadiumcross then morphed into what it is today. Far more air like every sport (surf, skate, snow) but less outright speed.
Right on Ben a league sounds like teams going head to head.
Next they will give a green jacket to the winner of the pipe masters?
International Surf League.........those leagues..NFL...the ISL should draw a lot of attention in the media..??
Agree with nochaser, 'league' means teams, or clubs competing for a premiership to me. These guys compete as individuals representing themselves. Maybe call it ISIS Brutus? International Self Interested Surfers.
Sounds like the latest sports spoof movie from the south park team to me.
But no need to get emotional, just another nail in the corporatisation of surfing coffin. Keep up the good work speaker and co. Some of us are loving your work , soon there will be less money for the world tour jungket and the world will be a better place
WSL kind of makes sense for a country that has the Baseball 'World Series'.
Don't think anyone's going to miss ASP.
Spoof movie or Leggo movie?
World Surfing League. Everything is awesome!
Talk about trying to-- "unify"-- surfing-- "World"-- surfing league. Seems Dora was right on--"These few Wall Street flesh merchant seek to "unify" surfing-only to extract the wealth
Make to mistake-- Terry Harder--(Slater's manager)-- (and Kelly?) are in this up to their necks....
watch them lose all there money :)
Things change. Even names.
Signed,
Peter Drouyn
Think about it, right now no one has a WSL title.
All of those ASP event wins and titles? Clean Slate.
wow. yeah, I dont like that one bit.
And the first ones sitting watching Trestles tomorrow/tonight, whenever will be????...the awesome foursome......
Don't worry Bob-- I won't be watching it--might be out catching some waves of my own tomorrow though--but don't worry--i'm sure their will be plenty of star struck teenie bopper-surf star groupies tuning in for it.....
Only if there is a decent swell. At 3 foot that place is boring and one woosy wave. Not WSL more ISL (infant surfing league). If that is the best California can serve up, ummmm.... enough said.
Bob, it's an indictment on your intelligence to lump us all together in the same group.
By all means do so if it makes you feel good but there will be a credibility dividend payable to all SN readers.
Just don't miss logging in tonight and don't watch it on TV 'cause ASP don't want that!
BTW rRobb --- awesome comment earlier! -- there's a cred dividend to a SN writer!!
Change the name, change the location, "change" the gender, it's still surfing.
Comp surfing.
It reminds me of this.
http://streetleague.com/
get the best skaters in the world, throw them into an arena for big bucks and slap as many energy drink and brand logos as possible.
Skating ( not too different from surfing ) a community, a low profile sport, a low income generating organisation trying to get a leg up on the international stage and get some telly time.
Horrible name change in my personal opinion. It just doesn't roll off the tongue and its just jagged and weird, mainly my argument is why was it needed?
Most self respecting pro street skaters avoid street league like the plague. Sure some of the best skaters are in it , but most of the best are not. The corporate world is stealing the soul of skateboarding one shoe at a time. Pros have to make a living by selling out sometimes, I get that. But the wealth being generated is obscene and the majority of it it isnt going back into skaters pockets, I believe the same will/is happening to most pro surfers also.
It was needed because ASP, under ZoSEa, was failing miserably to make market impact.....as we already know from Stu's numbers analysis.
They are hoping, well maybe praying, that a name change will be a game changer.
Now, as to what happens to the ASP titles..........do they carry over?
Good point.
Who will win the inaugural WSL title?
Would be incredibly ingenious to maintain history with a simple name change!
Team Doomsters, I'm sure they'll celebrate hard Kelly losing 11 or maybe 12 World Titles on Jan1 2015 -- Plan your party now boys! - Hold it at Tony Ty Carson's place -- he's from BIG Island Hawaii!!
Adding to Dora and Drouyn's quote, Harry Hoo from Get Smart circa '77 --- Amazing!?!?
Kelly is the the golden goose of pro comp surfing, maybe its just a ploy to keep Kelly going as he has broken ever ASP record, maybe this will reignite him to be the first male surfer to win a WSL comp and then inspire him to somehow come from behind medina and claim the first WSL tittle etc.
Amazing!?
World Surf League. This term league is known throughout the world as a team competition. Not as an individual series of comps where one on one is the norm. Just lodged the Swellnet World Surf League Team.
CAML is our go to man.
MITCHVG our man for small wave slop.
Sheepdog our man to intimidate the judges.
The rave is the media spokesman known for his totally biased reporting and sledging of all other competitors,
UDO and Welly to make sure all things are above board., including vasoline on competitor's decks.
Don is our mal man and can call for lay days if conditions are not right.
Ben can bamboozle them with his down to the second wave forecasting
freeride and other boys are in charge of all video work.
Zen again can bring a calming influence to the hype of a seriously competitive win at all costs environment. OM.
Already have had heaps of interest from corporate sponsors and like the idea of being called the Hillsong HillBillies Hotties.
What do you think?
Clive Palmer also wants us, the Clive Palmer Cutbacks and Tony Abbott has suggested The Tony abbott Tuberiders,
But my favourite is the World Surfing League Wankers.
Of course we will donate all prizemoney back to the World Surf League as a kind gesture on behalf of their commitment to the true spirit of the aloha of surfing.
Come on freeride/MBCR your jewelry may be on too tight .... when new mgmt took over and changed the name to the ASP did all of the IPS records get tossed on the fire?
Funny trying to understand the mind of Progs when they are more supportive of a guy who not only surgically removed his three piece set, but is now permanently on the meds so that he can pretend he's a woman, but are totally "bent over" when someone tries to improve their business. Yew!
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3951444.htm
I think it will be good for the Industry
i think this has been very frowned upon well as far as i can tell from social media and from my group of friends contacts etc, and i think the main reason is that a surfers pet hate is crowds and anything that we feel is going to increase the chances of more surfers in the water upsets us and the main goal of this name change as said by paul speaker is to sell the sport to more people therefore more surfers more crowds, when u say good for the industry do u mean the economics of the industry? or the soul of the insustry? sure it will be better for the pros and people involved in the pro tour probably better for shapers etc so there are two sides to this i guess, i personally wish surfing took a massive step back from its popularisation but there are many people now with economic interests that desperatley want it to go the other direction
The whole thing just reeks of changing the deck chairs on the you know what. I am critical only because the whole thing seems so half arsed. They have there whole format looking like an US 'NFL lite' and trying to scrub up everybody to make them look presentable to a broader audience. The commentary is boring, the people behind the desk look like cardboard cut outs or something from Tracey Island and the desk has an International Rescue look to it as well. We educate a stack of creative people in all sorts of industries: Graphic design, marketing, furniture design, etc. How did a really dynamic thing like surfing get so dumbed down? Poor old Occy is looking like a caricature of what he would look like if he was a real estate agent in northern Queensland.
you hit the nail smack bang on the head, it is like it is being pushed kicking and screaming in a mainstream direction were it just does not belong , and it is as clear as day that it is corporates pushing the change , i can just see occy after a day in the booth running to the ocean to shake off all that bullshit he just had to go on with poor guy looks more out of place than on dancing with the stars
Maybe the ASP should follow this skateboarding commentator, way more entertaining than the football wannabe shit they got going on
Tony Ty (Big Island), I should have known you wouldn't be watching like your team mates, after all you're from the Big island Hawaii!
Don't worry about the crowds and growing popularity you speak of, no ones watching mate - it's been impeccably researched here and even google researched - we've wiped out NZ and also worked out that TV doesn't matter world wide and changing names will wipe the slate (r) clean of world tiles so it's just a mess - The Head Judge won't last, Slater will retire and Dane Reynolds will do something -- You're good Tony Ty - get that party planned.
Bob-I think you need to relax a little--get off the sofa and go try and actually catch some waves of your own-(instead of the bottled ASP-(WSL) waves)--it just might do you a world of good.....
So bob, did you actually watch any of the event? I tried on fast forward but even at X12 the break between waves was too long.
I know, no one watched, not on Youtube or TV anywhere in the world or NZ! - Tennis and golf are never that boring - it's doomed and We're waiting for the breaking news, that there's going to be no world champions as of Jan 1 along with heaps of other desperation doomsday things. How good is this!?
Bob- I didn't watch it-honestly-but I did catch some waves of my own though. I am pretty sure some people will be watching it and pretty sure their will be a so called champion--(for the teeni bopper surf star groupies out there to fawn over). I guess the question is-- are there enough of them to make this whole thing profitable for ZooatSea.. I believe-the real champions- winners--are all the stoked groms out there -- (not worrying who might be best or better)-- just catching and riding waves of their own- for the pure stoke of it
the real
World surf League?
Come on then , having laughed at my previous idea of obstacle courses and arm to arm combat to spice up man on man heats having seen this new direction how long will it be before there is a compulsory uniform to be worn by competitors?
I' m thinking you know capes and masks with like ray guns and stuff.
We've probably got sufficient diversity already among competitors but the wild cards need to introduce a surprise element each comp .
There is no reason to leave the desk out of the action either -odds on Occy clobbers someone with swell timed desk leap chair swing combo first!
Since its a league now-maybe they are going to add some pom-pom girls on the beach for each surfer like the NFL--push them back -push them back--way back. The groupies should like that added touch....
you're not a groupie Tony Ty - from the big island. No chance of that. Not Bunny Boy either. hmmmmmm
Bob- I honestly haven't watched it--have no intention of watching it.. I believe-the real champions- winners--are all the stoked groms out there (and older cats)-- (not worrying who might be best or better)-- just catching and riding waves of their own- for the pure stoke of.---I truly believe-- "The best waves ever ridden on the planet--by a so called pro or anyone--will always be the waves you catch and ride yourself--whether its 2 feet or twenty". -- Peace.....
isn't it called 2014 Men's World Championship Tour (WTC) when you go onto the ASP site...lol ASP WTC WSL call it what you like...
You're right Tony Ty and you can rest easy as your colleague Free76 highlighted all world titles can disappear on jan 1 2015 and soon Kelly will retire and John John, even tho he's really good , he's going to retire eventually and of course there'll be no one worth watching then even tho apart from NZ Kiwi's, no ones watching anyway...'cept my mama who saw saw her favorite surfer John John on 7 nationally this morning...but that only happens in australia...according to Free??...you and your 3 mates will be able to throw away the antidepressants as soon as john John retires...
If there wasn't a single ASP event this year my top five surfers would be: Kelly, Medina, John John, Dane and Towner.
What is the point of surf contests?
2Bobs worth. I beg to differ about Tennis and Golf, they are that boring. Was good in the old days when McEnroe used to spit it, now a bunch of robots which seems to be the way it is heading with the WSL aka ASP aka ISP (bring back Bobbie Martinez!). You may as well not interview the contestants as they all sound the same when they are "moving forward into the next round" and they " need to catch two high scoring rides - Duh" with Rosie prodding them on about what does it mean to them, when they are again, wait for it.....you guessed it, MOVING FORWARD. Genius stuff.
Bunny Boy, you should be even more worried, Mental Giant Freeride76 figured out on Jan 1 2015 all ASP world titles might not carry over - Andy Irons and Kelly lose their history. Can you believe it - The administrators need Freeride to advise them on these risks in such desperation name changes.....OUT!
you stupid fuck tards just leave it alone besides league generally means a team sport
Bob- didn't watch a bit of it today--but I did catch some waves of my own.. I believe-the real champions- winners--are all the stoked groms out there (and older cats)-- (not worrying who might be best or better)-- just catching and riding waves of their own- for the pure stoke of.---I truly believe-- "The best waves ever ridden on the planet--by a so called pro or anyone--will always be the waves you catch and ride yourself--whether its 2 feet or twenty". -- Peace.
The Americans will get it, that's obviously why it's been changed. Makes sense commercially. I'm calling it 'whistle' for short. What worries me is the obsession to 'grow our sport'. For whose benefit? At what cost? It's a form of greed.
Good question--for whose benefitt? Paul Speaker and Terry Harder-- from the beginning --said they were going to try and make money--to benefit a handful of so called pro surfers-- and I am sure-- Harder and Speaker will get their cut too. The only results the every day surfer is likely to see--is more surfing exposure to the mainstream and more crowded lineups--which means-- less waves for you....
For whose benefit? Theirs.
For whose benefit might you be against pro surfing? Yours.
Wanting less people enjoying surfing so that you might get more waves is a form of greed. It is not being spiritual about surfing, it is being selfish about surfing.
As someone who lives in South-East Queensland, I am more than on board about wishing for less people in the surf, and I think it is fair enough to be opposed to pro surfing. But, Iet's not think that wanting lower surfer numbers puts anybody on a superior moral plane. It is self-interest, just like those on the other side.
Wally- maybe i wasn't clear enough om my last statement--I have no problems with people who see surfing and want to give it a try--none at all--I have actually personally helped quite a few with their first paddle out-- trying to share the stoke-letting them use one my extra boards --giving them some tips--while they were here visiting the big island ..My problem is with these people who are trying to sell surfing to the masses for their own personal gain.The surf schools who charge are a big turn off to me also-- I've actually even had thoughts of starting a surf school--where lessons would be "free"--seriously--just to "share the stoke"-(not for any bucks). Its these big companies and the likes of Zoosea-who seem to be in it entirely for the bucks--that turns me off. And because of their greed--there might be more people in the water--not because of their Aloha..Peace.
Yea, would you look at those numbers?... no one was watching. Especially on youtube.
Yew!
Greed. Even the local baker does not provide bread from the goodness of his heart.
There are millions of people who are helping to feed the homeless--sponsor and help support children and their families in 3rd world countries and help others in need--using their own personal funds.--With out people like these--the world would be a really sad place..Peace...
Anytime ASP/WLS what ever you call them, do anything progressive or try to move forward in anyway, there's the magnificent 4 ready to bitch - they need a bitch slapping I reckon.
Bob you might begin your next post with a brief description of the last time the ASP actually did anything progressive........it's a long time by my reckoning but I don't discount the possibility that they have a radical change in format planned. There are so many possibilities, the only question is whether there is any imagination.
They got back into Fiji and brought the women there, They rebooted J'Bay, they reduced fields, they generally try and select great wave venues and get the best possible out of the waves, they up the game on their broadcasting, from what I'm told they passed up days and days of very good surf to roll the dice on two outstanding final days in Tahiti, they look to name changes, and they bring into the sport one of the worlds biggest most successful companies - ?
Wally- maybe i wasn't clear enough om my last statement--I have no problems with people who see surfing and want to give it a try--none at all--I have actually personally helped quite a few with their first paddle out-- trying to share the stoke-letting them use one my extra boards --giving them some tips--while they were here visiting the big island ..My problem is with these people who are trying to sell surfing to the masses for their own personal gain.The surf schools who charge are a big turn off to me also-- I've actually even had thoughts of starting a surf school--where lessons would be "free"--seriously--just to share the stoke-(not for any bucks). Its these big companies and the likes of Zoosea-who seem to be in it entirely for the bucks--that turns me off. And because of their greed--there might be more people in the water--not because of their Aloha..Peace....
Bob, it all sounds like reasonable management of a long standing formula but progressive? Can't see it myself.
Just a thought. --Whether the ASP can do anything progressive-- just might be a moot point..If the vast majority of surfers-- (or people in general)-- are just not that interested in surfing as a competitive sport--it might not really matter what zooatsea does..-- It seems most surfers just want to be out-- actually catching and "riding waves themselves"--than sitting on a sofa watching some one else. Really think the whole idea of competing --is kind of a big turn off to a lot of surfers. So--in the final analysis--it might not matter what zoosea does--if most surfers-- (judging from the recent U-tube numbers)--are just not that interested in competition. Peace...
Yes, Damn those surfschools Tony Ty. I saw one yesterday on the mid north coast and there were kids in the water and they were having fun - so disgusting, these same kids probably dont have mums or dads that surf so they get fun lessons in surf schools! It's safe too...how bad is that? And even worse, the guy who owns the school makes money AND he's paying some instructors to facilitate! Making a living damn it. Why can't both of them be on the unemployment benefits like others we know?
It's all EVIL - Thank goodness brother Freeride has realized that all World Titles can disappear on Jan 1 2015!
Gee Bob--my Mom and Dad didn't surf--and somehow I learned to surf--- and had "fun" doing it with my friends--Without using the ocean and or a surf spot --as a business place....
I agree tony, but at the moment they seem hell bent on driving the audience they do have away by expecting them to sit through 15 minute lulls and listen to large amounts of amateur repetitive drivel. If they can't improve on that they don't deserve to be in business. Personally I would suggest putting a delay on the web cast and TV to enable better editing. The display of the score is also extremely amateurish. They need to have the top two wave score of both surfers displayed all the time. This stuff seems so simple and basic I am afraid I have started to worry about how much grey matter is under some of those Ken Doll haircuts.
Bob , run into a few of the surf schools on the mid North coast , all just surviving and the guys instructing are not making a living. It is a bit of extra cash usually.
Don't mind people being in business, trying to be sanctimonious about it as being for everyone's benefit is disingenuous.
The ASP/WSL are just easy targets and any surfer with a sense of self will be able to admit the snake oil and crap that flow freely in the justifications for making money out of a public recreation.
I know a few who work hard and make a living. Good on them - small businesses having a go - better that than being on unemployment...or even worse being a public servant - and from what I see, the people learning do have fun! OUT
Gee Bob--my Mom and Dad didn't surf--and somehow I learned to surf--- and had "fun" doing it with my friends--Without using the ocean and or a surf spot --as a business place.
Are driving schools free? Do the instructors work for free?
Here's a novel idea, tony ty, people like to surf. and people like to watch top shelf competitive surfing.....
free your mind, bru.... in all things, more choices is more bettah! Yew!
The Roller--The latest U-tube numbers-- seem to refute your statement
I still feel its going to be a hard sell for zooatsea-- trying to capture the landlocked masses (which seems to be their target audience--more viewers)-- when most of them have never even actually touched a surfboard or even seen a real ocean wave--no matter what zoosea trys.
Almost everyone has touched or thrown a football-- baseball etc.-- played a game on the street or at the park--they can relate to it on some level--surfing might just be a little too abstract for someone inland --when even surfers don't seem to understand the ASP judging....
spoke to steve Robertson yesterday,he actually sends all news/media releases from the ASP to world wide media........he says ASP are very happy with "the millions of viewers" watching and also that .......all bodes well for a bigger better year next year...?
Well duhhh---------what do you think a public relations person would say.......maybe you didn't see the U-tube numbers.....
TTC, wouldn't one think there are plenty of other ways folks are tuning into the action?... innit youtube just a sample of the number of people digging the good vibes of the new ASP?
Yew!
In what other 'way' can folk tune into the action?
TTC.....yeah watched the youtube numbers from J-bay to Teaupu to trestles......so really how many people are watching the ASP website ,Fuel etc....
looks like the youtube numbers might be not as representative as we thought...need ALL the info...ASP are claiming 1.9 M unique/viewers/ people watched Chopes..
One would think that Co's like Samsung etc would do their own due diligence on ASP numbers....??
I think Stu mentioned this earlier in the comments, but it's worth reiterating that Uniques does NOT equal People.
uhhh, cable tv, dish tv, mobile apps, asp's own website? you tell me.
&list=UUhuLeaTGRcfzo0UjL-2qSbQYou'd need to look at this on a country-by-country basis. But let's just take a look at the USA, which seems to be the focal target market for the revamped ASP.
Live broadcast via cable tv - nothing
Live broadcast via dish tv - nothing
Live broadcast via Mobile apps - nothing (ASP don't have an App), however mobile devices source YouTube
Live broadcast via ASP's own website - YouTube
yea boys. no one's watching. no one's making money. no one's getting paid.
guess you all and Hendrix were right... "you'll never hear surf music again"..
btw, they are back on Sept 23rd. Live.... Women and men competing in surf française. so, don't tune in what ever you do. wouldn't want 'ya skewing the numbers. Yew!
Never said no-one was watching. However there seems to be a very large gap between the actual numbers of viewers and the number listed in the ASPs media releases.
I think that point is lost on a few people here.
Yep, the 1.9 million unique visitors does not seem to be borne out in the Youtube figures. As has probably been said, unique visitor stats are often notoriously overstated.
2 reasons.
If you look at the site on your work computer, your phone and your home computer, you will be counted as 3 unique people.
The counts are often based thru the use of cookies. So, if the cookie is removed, you are a new unique visitor next time you look at the site. If you were using 3 devices, and regularly deleting cookies on each device, you can be a lot of unique people over an 11 day period.
And what if someone just clicks on the webcast for 2 minutes --just out of curiosity-does that really count as a viewer....?
Yep, which is reasonable, drilling down to how long a visitor stays is a different metric.
To the roller--don't worry--people are getting paid--but from my understanding--its all coming from billionare Dirk Ziff-- for the first 3 years of the new asp. I'm pretty sure Terry Harder and Paul Speaker--(succeed or fail)-- are getting paid fairly well--out of Mr. Ziff's pocket also.. and don't worry--we will hear surf music again--I might put some on right now....
What does "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em" mean?
The ASP issues a press release before each event with this title (ie "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Quiksilver Pro France"), yet they've never explained what it means.
I'm sure it's yet another American colloquialism somehow related to football (no surprises there) but I have no idea how it relates to professional surfing.
It seems to relate to fantasy football, so maybe they are using it as a come on for Fantasy Surfer
But what does it mean? I suppose that's my point.. It's one thing to use an ambiguous term in a sporting headline, but more often than not its easy to work out what it means. In this case it's baffling. Start and sit what?
Knowing absolutely nothing about it I am guessing you have to pick which players you are starting from a larger squad.
And for our ever-increasing Brazilian viewership, "Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Quiksilver Pro France" translates to:
"Iniciar 'Em, Sente' Em Quiksilver Pro France"
Wonder if that means anything to them?
Nop, doesn't mean anything for brazzos, it actually makes no sense at all
Start 'em, Sit 'em.
It is a term in U.S. fantasy sports team selection.
Gridiron and Baseball tend to have large squads.
It is a term to select who's playing and who's sitting this game out on your fantasy team selection.
Still it says something about their mentality that they would use an obscure piece of US sporting jargon so prominently. What's that statistic? Doesn't the US have the lowest number of passport holders of any developed nation?
dave the rave has seen the truth.
World Surf Series. Girls can surf in anything that that we would not even contemplate. was going to put alcohol points score for you big dog- fuck i am such a good bloke now- full of red wine as i write this, but least your not- fuck im a good bloke.
The future, it is the World Surf Series. How can anyone be a better surfer consistently than someone one else. YES SLATER GOES OFF, BUT THERE ARE STU[ILL BLOKES/GIRLS WHO SURF BETTER. Surfing is =not about having someone give you
a score, surfing is about expression, , your expression, your mobilitity, your freedom, its about you and your connection to the ocean
@TTC, yea son, 'yer right. people are opening their wallet. people are gettin' paid! Yew!
oh, and surf music rolls on.