The Assessment Part I: Conditions of Access for ASP Top 34 Newcomers
John John Florence (HAW), 19, and Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, are both newcomers to the elite ASP Top 34 following Septembers midyear rotation and have already made a major impact on the world's elite.
COOLANGATTA, Queensland/Australia (Wednesday, October 19, 2011) – The past 24 months have bore witness to a radical transition within the ASP. Spawned in the ASP Board Meetings of October 2009, these transitions dealt specifically with the system for determining the world’s best surfers who would ultimately decide the undisputed ASP World Champion. In August of 2010, we reduced the number of elite-level surfers from 45 down to 34 and introduced the current 36-man event format. In December of 2010, we used a bridge qualifying criteria which took a select number of surfers directly off the ASP World Title rankings and another select number of surfers directly off the ASP World Rankings.
Commencing in 2011, this transition took full flight with the launching of the ASP World Rankings and the rolling 52-week determination of an individual surfer’s ranking. In August of this year, the ASP completed its first official rotation of the ASP Top 34 with newcomers Gabriel Medina (BRA), 17, Miguel Pupo (BRA), 19, John John Florence (HAW), 19, and Travis Logie (ZAF), 32, becoming full-fledged members of the ASP Top 34 beginning with the Hurley Pro at Trestles. The ASP Technical Committee, comprised of surfers, events and ASP administrators, has been monitoring the situation closely and will continue to do so. Renato Hickel, ASP World Tour Manager and multi-decade veteran of the ASP, was kind enough to offer his perspective on a number of questions that will be providing in segments and here’s the first. This…is his story…
Conditions for the newcomers to break into the Elite Top 34:
It was never easy before and it certainly isn’t now – the system has never been designed for “easy access” to the elite level of competition. After all, we all want to have the best Top 34 surfers in the world at every Rotation competing at the elite level of competition.
For those who doubted the system, we have had an answer in the campaign of Gabriel Medina, a competitor that qualified into the Top 34 as seed #16. Medina beat (utilizing only opportunities in Prime and Star events) 17 of the Top 34 surfers – his best results: a First and Second-place in ASP Prime events and two ASP 6-Star wins. If Gabriel Medina did it, it is because it is attainable. Medina would subsequently prove the validity of his spot on tour by tearing through the field in only his second event as an elite ASP Top 34 member to claim the Quiksilver Pro France…but more on that later.
With less brilliant but nonetheless effective campaigns, we had Pupo and Nicol as well as Logie making their entrance into the Top 34 as well. The other side of this equation – to prove the system is working, is the case of Cory Lopez. Cory not only competed in all major Primes, but also had a start in all six ASP World Title events prior to the midyear Rotation. Unfortunately for Cory, he didn’t have a good first half of the season, placing 25ths and 13ths in all six WT events. He didn’t qualify within the Top 32, exactly the way we expected the point structure to work: If a Top 34 surfer is only having 25th and 13th results, he shouldn’t cut it come the next Rotation.
There has been criticism of adding surfers on tour midyear who cannot win the ASP World Title. This is not the point. The surfers the newcomers are replacing were not contesting for an ASP World Title either (hence they unable to remain on tour). The idea behind the midyear rotation is to have the best surfers in the world updated faster than in previous years – every six months now instead of annually.
A lot was prophesized during the course of the transition year last season and during the start of the 2011 season by the “Critics at Hand”, saying that most likely all eventual newcomers would drop-off the Elite at the very first rotation. The result of this mid-year Rotation showed us exactly the opposite. Out of the five new guys that qualified via the ASP World Rankings last December, not one was expelled from the Top 34. ALL five made this first Rotation and will continue on the Elite for the second half of the year.
More to come in the coming days…
For a look at who’s sitting where, check out the ASP WORLD RANKINGS
Comments
Category: All ASP News, ASP Editorial News, ASP World Tour News
Rotation is good, as he said, if you have Top34 in the Prime and get point to jump to the WT why not? It is awful to see same guys all year around… This is dynamic system… This is not a team sports it is individual, needs to innovate the surfers all the time.
The guys are mad because the museums of Top 34 are going out and the old Heros are going down one by one.. CJ will never return
Dear ASP,
no one argues that the new system doesn’t work. We plainly argue that its the stupidest thing you’ve ever done to the sport. Here are some comments (I have them listed in order of arguments you listed in italicized lettering)
The FIRST point you make is that access isn’t supposed to be easy, it never was and still isn’t, so that point is therefore invalid. You argued yourselves out of justifying that one. The SECOND point is also entirely laughable. You use Medina as the ONLY example… The kid would have made the tour at the end of the year rotation anyways you morons. Now you are down to 1 valid point, that the cutoff is now every 6 months rather than annually. It takes time to get used to the tour, not just a few competitions.
for more info (for viewers of this article as well), read my post on the Assessment Part II: http://www.aspworldtour.com/2011/10/20/the-assessment-part-ii-attendance-and-results-of-established-top-34-at-prime-and-star-events/comment-page-1/#comment-814
One thing I don’t really get is the continuously updating ratings. There are only two moments at which the ratings matter are the rotation points at mid-year and end of year. The ratings would be more useful if they only included the ones that aren’t going to drop off at the next rotation date. That way, surfers wouldn’t look like they are going well on points that were collected almost a year ago and aren’t going to count when it matters. It’s not wrong, it’s just misleading.
I agree!
i think that the fact that the new surfers are staying on the wt is likely to be related to the recent changes in criteria, specifically the scoring potential of airs. I think it will be interesting to see what happens in five or ten years when everyone has the same ability to score a nine or even 10 for one maneuver. kelly is still winning because he has adapted his surfing and is still one of the best aerialists on tour, but not all of the older guys are as adaptable.
The 36 man format is less cumbersome than 48. I’ve watched every live feed from all the CT events this year as well as some Prime (the best of which was the Mr. Price Pro at Ballito which arguably had the best waves other than Tahiti). Besides some very ordinary commentary, live editing and dodgy feed, the events have been pretty exciting. Judging is always subjective so some have suffered big. However, all in, its been a good year for pro surfing. New York was the big surprise. The waves nearly matched the money on offer. Good waves, the best surfers – that’s all in place. Lift and standardize the event co-ordination and the production values and it will improve. How about a big non surf brand sponsored event with some real prize money.
The rotation works. Keep it running. I like Samuels idea. Go back over the last 12 months and whoever has the best results gets the call up for the coming event. That would keep everyon on their toes all the time and we would have seen G.Medina on tour earlier and perhaps competing for the title.
P.S. Should the WT “carry” Corey all year because he “might” win the last event on tour? Ask Bobby.M…
Definitely PROs and CONs of the system – but cant deny Medina / JJFlo’s statement they’ve both made as a result.
I think that it may be a bit unfair on some classy surfers that may have had unlucky heats / draws / conditions and then face elimination as a result.
I dont think Bobby M did himself any favours in NY – but he still is (IMO) one of the top~3 classiest goofer footers around – he could have easily won @ Portugal with his abilities.
(i’ve seen him surf with Mick @ my local a year – absolutely RIPS)
And… futhermore I think there are a fair few surfers on world tour now that really arent that good in comparison to others….. not mentioning names but… pretty obvious really. Maybe these guys sneak thru with lucky heats….
imperfect system for imperfect world – but generally speaking I rekin better as brings in new blood to mix it up a bit and keep older surfers on their toes… (Any surfer that’s not landing airs will be gone pretty soon)
So long as they compete in decent waves and on live TV – all the much better…
I think Bobby should of kept he’s head down, let your surfing do the talking. Not turning up for competitions and only needing a few ok results as stated by the ASP to him, he would be on tour. He’s head wasn’t into it at the beginning of the year. But complaining and swearing on national TV and putting down the sport at all levels was a silly childish thing to do. If Kelly actied like that, he would of been booted up the arse to. But Kelly would never of done that as having a much higher IQ than some. I think all the pro’s would be the same. Just the 1 who didn’t, would never admit he’s error in judgment.
Dont mind the system. System is working out ok. Great surfing. Only gripe is the judging. Yes, the judging is consistent. However, what is with the “overscoring” of airs and underscoring of non-airs. Every comp is the same and it has distorted the criteria.
If someone grabs their board, spins, lands flat (ie. project forward)of the wave they are rewarded very similar to a great air which projects up, spin, land on the wave and surf out (ie. flow). The flat air, projected forward should not be rewarded. It is making surfers just look for ramps so they get that inflated score. Looks terrible.
Second, the scoring of an air has distorted the scoring bell curve. Put simply, they are overscored and hence overused. The technical issue of an air should be read just as much as a technical issue of a great turn. Again, put simply, a great bottom turn and smack of the lip is way more overscored than a slight bog rail and smack of the lip. This is not happening to the aerial. Projected forward and landing flat and looking for ramps is getting way overscored.
This type of scoring is taking the flow of surfing and making it just plain ugly to watch, unless your an overexcited south american or eurpoean.
Funny how prejudiced people often have problems with spelling.
loving the New concept. ASP have done a fantastic job in improving the competition at all levels. Their are always small bugs to iron out like every new business model, nothing different than this IPAD I’m using to Bill Gates Windows and upgrades to their systems.
Thank you ASP for working overtime in getting the best surfers and best competitions for us viewers.
And better find your dummy Bobby and keep it in your mouth next time, medina was great to watch the other week, and Travis logie could can tell has worked overtime to make the elite level. At least he turned up for competitions unlike you who cried wolf!!!
Keep up the great work all involved.
Go Aussies!!!!
conceptually the system that is currently in place works yes. Formally it is in practice and works… its just a terrible system. You want to see real change for the better and higher level surfing? Reseed guys into the 3rd round according to their scores from their previous round, not overall ranking. Take away priority rules with 2 minutes left in the heat. That’ll make things exciting and we would then watch who is on fire against who is on fire… All the middle rounds would be really exciting in round 3, and 2, not one sided affairs. Also this system, would make for top level surfing to be perpetuated throughout the event… reward the guys who are not the best, reward those who are currently surfing the best. That would truly increase the level of surfing required to win a world title!!! For more go read my comment on Part 2 of this article.
I understand the system and most of its merits. However, I just don’t understand the mid-year cut. Why would you bring in a handful of surfers that essentially have no chance of winning the world title on mid-year as “full-fledged members of the ASP Top 34″? Despite your assertion, that IS the point: to win a world title. Otherwise, why would you separate rankings on your website by “ASP Title” and “ASP World Ranking”?
Then, at the end of the year, it’s all reshuffled again. So, these new surfers could make the cut, tank it for a second half of the year, and then fall right off again. Conversely, the could kill it, win like 4 contests, and still not end up in the Top 10. Is either of those scenarios an accurate reflection of how well the surfer did on a full year on the elite level?
I understand the “tennis style” rankings, and I definitely think that most aspects translate well to the ASP tour. However, tennis does not have an end of the year “Champion”, so there is no need for a mid year cut. I think this part of the new system needs to be reevlauated on the ASP. Otherwise, I’m really happy with the changes on the tour, except for the abundance of shifty beachbreaks. It’s so hard to make this tour; I wish we got to seem them surfing epic breaks the majority of the time.
How do like them apples Bobby and Sunny?
Good Analysis, ASP!
so this posting is basically like saying.. “haha .. i proved you wrong!” .. SO CHILDISH!! if it works, then that should speak for itself. egging the detractors won’t shut them up, ASP.
Okay then what about guys who consistently make heats in star and primes like Tanner G. and guys on tour that consistently lose heats and are only on because of their prime or star ratings like Pat G. and they get way more points for losing in round 2 than someone that win multiple heats in a star or prime.
ASP is doing a fantastic job. Surfers need to work hard and prove that they deserve to be part of the selected group of the 34 best surfers in the planet.
Some surfers are showing a “who-moved-my-cheese” mentality and do not understand that we live in a dynamic world where changes are constant. Therefore, changes help us to correct limitations and improve qualities. Everything that is easy has no value.
I have seem an amazing show every time I connect to the internet to watch the events: WT, Prime and even Stars.
By the way, Gabriel Medina WILL BE, in 2012, the youngest surfer in history, and the first Brazillian, to win an ASP Wort Title. As Mr. Hickel mentioned, Medina made his way through Prime and Star events.
I hope that Kelly gets his 11th title in San Francisco, and for sure he will, and continue in the tour in 2012. As I said, I believe that the young Medina will win next year, but I believe Kelly will give him a hard time and will clain his 12th title in 2013, at age 41!
God Bless You All!
All very well that 2010/2011 newcomers have stayed on tour come the cut but lets not celebrate this new format as an outright success…yet. Lets see to what degree the pattern varies in the forthcoming years. Additionally, top 15 WQS made the grand tour prior to this format change and now we see much fewer fresh faces. Nevertheless,I’m sure the results garnered for 2011 have changed a lot of minds regarding the doubting thomas’s and naysayers (bar Martinez) . The new format will also give prime and star events more weight more soon. Aspiring WCTers will go guns ablazing in the first few months. Congrats ASP
Seems to be working. I don’t think it is as harsh as what people are making it out to be. For instance, C.J. with a few decent results in the bag has already put himself into being back on in for the start of next year. A come back after 6 months instead of doing a full year grind on the former QS. Freddy P. is back in that range as well.
As in the case of Pupo who has not had a stellar start, he still has One World Ranking points and is comfortable so he can figuire out the jump to the big leagues. In the past, he would be a one hit wonder and sent back for a year stint to get back on again.
THAT’S THE PROBLEM PUPO IS A ONE HIT WOUNDER…
The ASP is doing a great job on so many different levels,congratulations! I know they are going to have to perfect the points system which in time they will. This is all a great transition for the fans as well as the surfers. Fans as well as surfers are prospiring from the ASP’s changes.
Anyone who was a pro surfer 20 years ago knows this, It was tough to get a sponsor check for 300 bucks then. Thanks to the exposure provided by the ASP, kids own homes and have retirement money to put away. Good work to Mr. Hickel and all involved on your collective efforts,I for one appreciate it.
Hey Scotty Myers – is this the Scotty Myers from Los Alamitos High School (class of ’91 i think) if so, What IS Up? Matt O’Brien (class of ’92). If it isn’t, well happy day anyway…
Agree with you on your tour assessments. I think after a couple of rotations things will balance out: example – Julian is 7th on WT tour AND Star Tour, Jordy is 6th on both tours, AND Dane is 37th on both. So I think it will sort itself out soon enough… cheers.
How come WCT surfers don’t get a full year to compete anymore. The whole system is set up for more advertising. Big company’s (Quick, Billy, Nike) would love to see new STICKERS on tour half way into the year. Cory could have won pipe at the end of the year and made it. The new system sucks….
It looks like you did not understand or read the article above ! ‘Update your computer or it will be full of bugs . Up date the Tour or it will be full of suckers.
Great job ASP world tour !
I am a fan of this sport only !
WHO ARE THE suckers… CJ, CORY, BOBBY, WHO ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT.
The biggest criticism I have is the distribution of points. See guys like Taylor Knox, Dusty Payne, Raoni Monteiro for example. They can keep the list of qualifying with just one good result in the WT. They have a lot of 25th and 13h and still are in front of guys who are struggling in Prime events. That’s not fair to me.
hey Paul,
the only way those guys that you mentioned can qualify is if they won hight points on the 6 stars event, that means beatting others surfers that want also to go to the ct.
if they just win one event ( none of them did)10000 points for sure is not enought, they need to get best results on the 6 stars events.
for me it worked well because of that.
good waves bro!!!
I agree with this system of rotation but, in my opinion, will be better the rotation just at the begining of each WT event…
This kind of rotation will show us the best surfers in that moment of the year because the seeding is determinate by de rolling 52 weeks of a year.
Thanks and go on that way.
Samuel Pertega
(Club de Surf El Faro – SPAIN)
The new system is working good as hell.
Ppl unable to understand will criticize.
How could fans be not happy with prime events being as good as WT ones ? Thats awesome. Thanks! Keep the good job.