We had to laugh when we saw the photo that the Association of Surfing Professionals included with their “Anti-Doping Policy” press release. Two surfers looking off into the sunset with binoculars. What does this image mean? Is the tour as we know it is over? Are we at the end of a too-long industry wide drug problem? Has there been wide-spread juicing in the upper ranks of the ASP? We don’t know.
We do know, however, that beginning with the 2012 ASP tour the top 34 men and top 17 women will be subject to drug testing following the World Anti-Doping Agency Code of substances (click here for the list) just like professional cyclists, swimmers, and FIS snowboarders.
“The men strongly support the implementation of the ASP Anti-Doping policy,” Kieren Perrow, ASP Top 34 competitor and surfers’ representative, said. “It is a positive step which enhances the professionalism of competitive surfing and sends a great message to the kids out there who look up to us as role models.”
We’re guessing that the cannabinoids and narcotics will be some of the least interesting banned substances to turn up in some athlete’s urine. And maybe a few of surfing’s top talents will be forced to spend the rest of this season on the beach with a pair of binoculars watching the sun go down from their home beach every night. Could happen. . . Follow the jump for the official word.COOLANGATTA, Queensland/AUS (Monday, January 16, 2012) – ASP International has initiated a new Anti-Doping Policy for the world’s best surfers which will be activated for 2012 ASP World Title season.
“This policy represents a consensus between our surfers, events and administrators in evolving the sport of surfing to a more professional level,” Richard Grellman, ASP Executive Chairman, said. “The desire to initiate this kind of policy has existed within ASP for several years now and with the approval of resource and budget allocation at the November 2011 Board Meeting, we are pleased to announce its activation. We believe this to be an important further step in enhancing professional surfing.”
The new ASP Anti-Doping Policy will apply to ASP Top 34 and ASP Top 17 members competing on the ASP World Title Series and ASP Women’s World Title Series respectively. ASP surfers played a crucial role in the initiation of this policy and are in full support of its activation.
“The men strongly support the implementation of the ASP Anti-Doping policy,” Kieren Perrow, ASP Top 34 competitor and surfers’ representative, said. “It is a positive step which enhances the professionalism of competitive surfing and sends a great message to the kids out there who look up to us as role models.”
The ASP Anti-Doping Policy involves standards prescribed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Code and Prohibited List with any testing performed implemented at International Standards.
“As the sport of surfing continues to grow its audience every year, so grow the responsibilities of our athletes,” Jessi Miley-Dyer, surfers’ representative and newly-appointed ASP Women’s World Tour Manager, said. “The activation of the ASP’s Anti-Doping Policy is a logical step in the organization’s continued pursuit of professionalism and has the full support of the women.”
The new ASP Anti-Doping Policy can be viewed in full at http://www.aspworldtour.com/pdf/aspantidopingpolicy.pdf
The first stop of the 2012 ASP World Title Series will be the Quiksilver and Roxy Pro Gold Coast from February 25 to March 7, 2012.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
I think that’s a sun rise at Bells Beach
Comments on this entry are closed.