While backroom drama between surfers, tour directors and sponsors made for a tumultuous 2011 ASP season, beyond all the internet chatter and puffed-up posturing - or maybe despite it - the consumer facing product that casual fans see is better than ever. Fan interest has never been higher, and the numbers prove it. Yet it's not Kelly Slater or the overflowing pool of global talent that's most responsible for this growth. In fact, the single biggest contributor has been the steady improvement of ASP webcasts.


Today the broadcast experience is looking more and more like a television show, which is as it should be, especially with web-enabled televisions on our walls and cable outlets carrying the big contests live. But most of the broadcast improvements have come via the infrastructure side. Events are paying top dollar for producers and directors responsible for nice smooth HD feeds, smooth transitions in and out of commercial breaks, and even some nice editorial cutaway segments. These tiny, barely tangible little touches polish the product.

There is, however, one very important piece still missing: the unbiased announcer with journalistic flair and the on air chops to back them up. Fact is, being able to set the dramatic table, articulate the nuances of both the big picture and small, and ultimately keep the fan engaged during the world's slowest moving sport (yup, that's surfing) is no easy task. And it's certainly not one that should just be handed to the marketing guy to save a few bucks. Fact is, surfing needs a larger than life flame throwing personality like the much loved (and hated) Howard Cosell, and it needs him now...

The 40th anniversary of the Billabong Pipe Masters is already being called one of the best surfing contests ever, and for good reason. The best Masters' swell in decades was pounding the North Shore of Oahu all week, making for an incredible climax to the 2011 ASP season.

The most anticipated match of the event was between 39-year-old Kelly Slater, the 11 time world champion, and his 19-year-old protege, John John Florence of Hawaii.

Florence, an ASP rookie, was born the same year Slater won the first of his six Pipe Masters crowns back in 1992. The famous wave breaks roughly 100 yards from John John's bedroom, and he started braving the ferocious conditions when he was 8. By the time he was 12 he was appearing on the cover of Surfer Magazine. Slater, meanwhile, has spent a good portion of his career surfing in Florence's backyard, and has played a big-brother role for years.

Many viewed this week's battle between them as the possible passing of the Pipeline torch, and perhaps more. Florence won back-to-back events at Pipeline earlier this year, and clinched the first of what many believe will be many Vans Triple Crown of Surfing titles Saturday, becoming the youngest surfer to ever win the prestigious Hawaiian crown.

On Friday Florence drew first blood on Slater in a Round Four match-up that pitted him against Kelly and CJ Hobgood. He beat them both handily thanks to a perfect 10-point ride.

But during Saturday's sudden-death quarterfinal heat, Slater came from 10 points behind in the final five minutes to slip past Florence in the final seconds. It was a remarkable comeback that seemingly only Slater could pull.

[Is Slater's 20-year reign worthy of a Sports Illustrated cover?]

"I'm just trying to hold John John at bay a little longer," Slater said afterward. "This kid is going to dominate here for the next 20 years. He'll have plenty of Pipe titles before he's done." Indeed, it was easy to see that defeating Florence at his home break meant a lot to Slater. Years from now Slater's last-minute heroics in 2011 are sure to be remembered as one of the finest in his remarkable 20-year career.

Pipeline is the planet's most celebrated wave thanks to both its beauty and fury. When massive swells finish their journey across the North Pacific uninterrupted, they hit the shallow coral reef sitting just 50 yards from shore and jump to the size of four-story buildings before heaving, twisting and detonating with enough force to shake the sand under the feet of fans and the gallery of photographers on the beach.

Meanwhile, brave surfers are vying for the ride of their lives, risking life and limb while trying desperately to avoid Pipeline's ferocious guillotine of glassy water.

"It's really heavy out there but this is as good as Pipeline gets," Slater said Friday.

While Slater and Florence stole most of the early headlines, the Pipe Masters is a career-maker-or-breaker for several others, but none more than veteran Kieren Perrow, who needed to make the quarterfinal this year just to remain on the ASP world tour. That was a tall order to be sure, but possible considering Perrow finished runner-up at Pipeline last year. His painful loss still haunts him, as he let the lead slip away in the final seconds.

Perrow managed to keep his career alive with a 10 point ride that got him to the quarterfinals on Friday. On Saturday he set out to right last year's wrong.

Wrapping his many battle wounds in Duct Tape, Perrow worked his way back to the final against fellow Aussie Joel Parkinson (who defeated Slater in the semifinals). This time Perrow didn't let his finals' lead slip. He nabbed the title that eluded him in 2010, finally got his first tour win, and took home what Slater calls "The best trophy in surfing."

[Video: amazing human feats of 2011]

Former Hawaiian State Senator Fred Hemmings, the 1968 world champion and founder of the Pipe Masters, was among those taking in the show. In 1971 he helped launch the sport of surfing with a card table and a bull horn. "We dreamed of surfing going global like this, but this has surpassed our wildest imagination. This is just an incredible show."

Above: Gabriel Medina threads the tube at Pipeline during his run to the quarterfinals of the Pipe Masters. Click photo for full Surfer Magazine photo gallery. Photo: Todd Glaser

Results of 2011 Billabong Pipeline Masters
1. Kieren Perrow (AUS)
2. Joel Parkinson (AUS)
3. Kelly Slater (USA), Michel Bourez (PYF)
5. John John Florence (HAW), Jamie O'Brien (HAW), Evan Valiere (HAW), Gabriel Medina (BRA)

Winner of Vans Triple Crown of Surfing
John John Florence (HAW)

PHOTOS: The Banzai Pipeline on Oahu's North Shore (top) is the world's most photographed wave for good reason. 19-year-old John John Florence (middle) has come of age under the microscope at Pipeline, where he grew up. These days the ASP rookie is the biggest threat to Slater; Last week Kieren Perrow (below) was pondering life after pro surfing, Saturday, after an emotional victory, his career is going strong. Photos: ASP/Kirstin/Cestari

Whether you like to do your cruising by car, bike or skateboard, the act itself is an art form. But ardent hepcats are very discerning in the accepted and unaccepted forms. Fall on the wrong side of that line you're headed to Social Siberia. And staying on top of these trends is tough when today's fringe dweller is tomorrow's cliche'. Damn fashionistas. It's a cruel and evil little life cycle we live in. And while it is true that nothing is really new in our New Age, that doesn't mean old ideas can't be improved upon. Take the Bantam Cruiser for example. Who would have guessed the rebirth of surfing sidewalks on the same colorful plastic skateboards of the 70s - boards nobody took seriously even then. Heck we still don't. But somehow Globe is taking something that was never all great to begin with and making it very much so. These new models look hard to resist...or maybe it's just the girls? Hard to tell.

John Florence, 19, took another step up the legend ladder on Friday by winning the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach in solid surf. In the final his familiarity with the lineup helped ease him into a several inside bowls. By the end of the heat he had the rest of the field comboed.

Friday's win, along with his solid showing at the Reef Hawaiian Pro last week, thrust Florence into the lead for this year's race for the Vans Triple Crown, and odds are now in his favor with the next event taking place in his backyard break of Pipeline.

Florence's dominance in Hawaii should come as no surprise. He's been the North Shore's most famous grommet since the age of 8, when he began surfing Pipeline as a tiny frizzy-haired tow-head.



Now, at age 19, Florence has assumed his role as the most dominant Hawaiian surfer of the day. He owned four of the Top Ten rides at Sunset Beach this week, and his victory is the third prominent one he's taken on the North Shore in 2011. Back in February he won the Volcom Pipeline Pro and Da Hui Backdoor Shootout at Pipeline.

"This means the world to me," Florence said afterward. "I've grown up here watching this event since I was a little kid...to think I can win the Triple Crown is just incredible. I wouldn't even know what I'd say if that happened."

Fact is, there wouldn't be much to say, but for "The best guy won."

Results of the Vans World Cup at Sunset Beach
1 John Florence - Hawaii
2 Michel Bourez - Tahiti
3 Adam Melling - Australia
4 Hank Gaskell - Hawaii

If you find joy in even muttering the word "December" then today is one of celebration for you. And just in case your riding posse isn't already celebrating, Nike's providing a little kick-in-the-pants inspiration to get your winter party started with the launch of The Chosen Crew Video Contest aimed specifically at snowboarders.

The contest runs from December through April 1st, when winning crew will be announced from Austria, which is where you and your entire crew could be if, between now and February 15, you can demonstrate enough style, flair, talent that brotherly (or sisterly) bond that makes any good riding crew complete via your photo and video submissions.

If you're not already familiar with the contest it works like this: You come up with a name for your crew of between 2 and 4 people and sign up at the Nike Chosen page. Once registered you have until February 15 to build your case for being Chosen.

Building your case involves loading photos and videos of your crew and getting those images "Noticed". The more creative you are in demonstrating your crew's style, ethos, and lifestyle execution, the more hype you'll generate via the Facebook likes on your Crew page. You may even get "Noticed" by the very same Nike athletes who will be doing the ultimate choosing for The Chosen.

The Chosen is a global contest, with crews from around the world competing. On February 17th winners from each participating country/region will be announced. Round Two will be to determine which of those winners makes it into the Top 3, earning a trip to Austria to compete in the finals. Round Two voting runs from February 21 to March 10.

The Chosen Session finals take place in Austria from March 26 - 30. Crews will have four days to shoot and edit a new submission that will be judged by Nike team riders like Scotty Lago and Danny Kass. The winning crew will be announced on April 1. They'll be receiving a ton of Nike garb, some cash, and the opportunity to travel more and live like the Nike pros.

Having watched the Summer Chosen unfold there are a few keys to success, none more important than to know and understand the Essentials. Use the proper pre-approved music tracks for your videos and be sure you're following all of the eligibility rules. Make sure each of your crew members is eligible.

From the Rules Page:
This Contest is open only to individuals who are eighteen (18) through twenty-nine (29) years old at the time of entry and who did not purchase any equipment for the purposes of entering this Contest. Only Snowboard Crews from the below countries can participate. What is a Crew? You and at least one (1) other person, with a maximum of up to four (4) people total, are considered a Crew. One individual alone does not qualify as a Crew. Crews and Crew members may also be referred to as entrants.

North America is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada, with the exception of Quebec.

We'll be providing more insights and tips on how to succeed and find your way to Europe.