The Association of Surfing Professionals world tour was kicked off in Australia at Snapper Rocks at the beginning of March. Gabriel Medina won the competition by a mere 0.06 points difference against Joel Parkinson in the finals (16.33, 16.27). “It’s an honor to win this event,” said Medina, as he talked about the difficulty of the competition. Medina is the first Brazilian to ever win the event, and second goofy footer to win.Medina’s victory was not the only landmark in the ASP world tour this year. Now, the ASP is taking on a new style of funding by being fully backed by Samsung Mobile, which is not a surfing brand. The new CEO of the ASP tour, Paul Speaker, said on the organization’s website, “Our goal has been to elevate the platform of this tremendous sport through top-of-class media and sponsor partners.” Speaker said since Samsung is a global leader in technology, surfing’s reputation will be enhanced. Even though the sponsors are new to the tour, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater said, “I think [the sponsors] are doing okay so far.” The ASP tour is gaining momentum as a more professional and competitive sports organization with new sponsors and new regulations. Personal bodyguards kept surfers safe from the booth to the water and back at the competition at Snappers, a new rule in the ASP. The changes in competition also include intertwining the women’s and men’s heats at Snapper and a new website for fans to access all events.The ASP also updated the rules and regulations book. It has also been edited and formatted to present-day standards for a professional sport organization. All athletes will be randomly drug tested throughout the tour, and any found to abuse drugs will face serious consequences, Speaker said. Atalie Isaacson, a junior studying exercise sports science, from Arizona, said, “I’m all for it. It’s good to see surfing become as official and regulated as other professional sports.”The next competition will be held in Western Australia at wave break Margaret River on April 2 to 13.
Writer: Jeff Facer ~ Multimedia Journalist
