I'm warning you, it's a lot of words, big ones. If you are in a nerdy mood and feel like reading them, click here.
Let me bullet point the important facts:
-this new rule applies to ASP staff as well as ASP surfers (Brodie Carr not included)
-the list of prohibited substances include: a long list of steroids, plus: alcohol (really?), amphetamines (ok, understndable), benzodiazepines (wtf is that?!), cannaboids (weed? why?), cocaine (duh), methamphetamines (also duh), and narcotics (aren't these all narcotics?)
-use, possession, and attempted use are all considered the same thing, guilty.
-testing will occur during events only
-testing will be done randomly (yeah right)
-violations will be met with 1 year suspension/disqualification on first offense.
The underlying reason behind this announcement is an attempt by the ASP to legitimize surfing as a sport to the public, and also to provide better role models for the groms, or at least create that illusion.This makes sense. After some of the recent "amateur-hour" moments surfing has seen, such as the premature-crowning of Kelly Slater, drug-free surfers may seem a little less dumb? Maybe?
On the other hand, i'm not sure enacting a "parental-control" system of rules will be the best way to go about fostering a positive image. These are grown men and women we're talking about.
Surfing is not a sport where "doping" is really an advantage. Doping refers to steroids, and their obvious advantages for sports like football and baseball. Muscle mass means little in surfing, unless you're in da Wolfpak, so there's no logical reason for anyone to abuse drugs to surf better.
In fact, the only ever case of a surfer on steroids was in 2004 when Brazilian Neco Padaratz was suspended for testing positive to anabolic steroids in France. Back then the ASP had a zero tolerance policy in place for steroids, but athletes were almost never tested. Padaratz claimed the steroids were for a back injury, and he was allowed to return the following year.
Roids aside, the inclusion of performance-reducing drugs such as Alcohol, Marijuana, and Benz-whatever (which is valium, i looked it up on the internet) seems a little silly. They have nothing to do with the sport itself. Besides, they serve beer at the events, and what is this going to mean for the epic champagne popping orgy on the podium?
If anything, the only thing at risk here is losing some great characters on tour. Let's face it, clean-cut-robot-athletes are no fun compared to the wildmen of surfing's colorful past, of which drugs were pretty blatantly involved.
To quote the eloquent words of Bobby Martinez, whose act of parental-rebellion may not be the last we see: "This ain't no fuckin tennis tour!"
5 Comments
1-5 of 5
Posted by andage January 18, 2012 03:22am PSTReply | Report Abuse
It's not just random -- "Target Testing" means a selection for Testing of specific Surfers or groups of
Surfers on a non-random basis for Testing at a specified time.
Posted by kmetal January 18, 2012 04:49am PSTReply | Report Abuse
Let me understand this. According to the new rules it is OK to get completely fucked up on alcohol with all that entails (behavoiral issues, inherent organ failure, etc.) but kick back, relax, smoke a J and you face mandatory suspension for one year. What's next? Withhold 10% of their earning to tithe at the tours church of choice? What about events where pot is decriminalized or outright legal? Would the "new rules" not then be impeding on an individuals personal freedoms? The ASP should rethink it's policies in its effort to appear legitimate. The surf culture does not need an overhaul - especially when the true motive is building corporate brands - it needs the freedom to continue to evolve naturally.
Posted by bisurfer January 19, 2012 09:44pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
These men risk their lives every time they step in the water. After performing at 10-15 foot pipe they should be able to kick back on the porch with the boys and have a brew maybe even a J in celebration of making it in alive.
Posted by christopher greenough January 26, 2012 03:36am PSTReply | Report Abuse
Here is what I got out of this: No beers during consumed the contest by competitors still in the contest. If you lose your heat, you can go back to drinking. It clearly states testing will only be done in contest and not outside. So yes at the end of the day surfers advancing to the next round, technically will not be able to go out and get Mick Fanninged. (actually a good thing and should result in better subsequent heats) After you are out of the contest or the contest ends you can drink all you want up until the next contest. Want to smoke a J? Better be sure you are clean before the next contest begins and don't even think about it during or leading up to. Moderate your intake and that shouldn't be that hard to do. But if you are a hardcore rasta then you probably don't fit the corporate image of what they are trying to promote anyway which is legitimacy. Unless of course you ride for Billabong who is on the whole Bob Marley themed merchandise. Talk about a conflict of interest. lmao
Reply by christopher greenough January 26, 2012 03:37am PSTReport Abuse
Cut the word consumed and paste in front of during. Sorry my bad.
Posted by paul gallegos February 19, 2012 02:02pm PSTReply | Report Abuse
Alcohol is legal and therefore shouldn't register on this list. Weed is a personal choice. As far as the rest of it--keep in mind AI and that might change a few minds.
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