World Surf League

World Surf League
Sport Professional Surfing
Abbreviation WSL
Founded 1976
Location Santa Monica, CA, United States
Official website
www.worldsurfleague.com

The World Surf League (WSL)[1] is a governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best talent in a variety of progressive formats.[2] It was known as the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) from 1983 to 2014.[3] The organization was founded in 1976 by Hawaiian surfers Fred Hemmings and Randy Rarick.[4]

In 2013, the ASP was acquired by ZoSea, backed by Paul Speaker, Terry Hardy, and Dirk Ziff.[5] At the start of the 2015 season, the ASP changed its name to the World Surf League (WSL).[6] As of 2016, the WSL CEO is Paul Speaker, a non-surfer and former NFL (National Football League) executive who had previously produced the Quiksilver Pro New York.

As of December 2016, the WSL had more than 5.2 million Facebook fans, surpassing more established sports such as the National Hockey League, the Association of Tennis Professionals and Major League Soccer.

History

In March 2015, WSL launched a free downloadable app, which garnered more than a million downloads in its first year. The app provides real-time updates on competitions and provides personalized alerts, letting fans know when their favorite athletes are about to enter the water.

In April 2016, the World Surf League introduced WSL PURE, its philanthropic initiative dedicated to supporting ocean health through research, education and advocacy. WSL PURE has contributed an initial $1.5 million in funding that will support scientists from the Columbia University Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory, as they lead research into ocean health & ecosystems, ocean acidification, sea-level rise, and the role the oceans play in climate change.

Predecessors

The predecessors of the WSL relates to what organization predominantly represented individual professional surfers at that time. This is an important point because the International Surfing Federation (ISF) still functions to this day as the International Surfing Association (ISA) and also refers to competition winners as world champions (or variants thereof).[7][8]

Creation of the ASP

Ian Cairns watched the demise of the IPS commence throughout 1982 and saw an opportunity. In January 1983, Cairns launched the ASP and lured the world circuit organizers to the new organization, which effectively pushed aside the IPS who were left to operate only the Hawaiian pro events. By December 1984, the ASP had sanctioned the IPS controlled Pipeline Masters as a specialty event available to ASP members to enter for the first time. At the start of the 2015 season, the ASP changed its name to the World Surf League (WSL).[6] The WSL has remained the predominant surfing organization and sanctioning body for professional surfers since its formation.[3] The WSL's first world champions were Tom Carroll (men's) and Kim Mearig (women's) in 1983.

WSL membership

Membership to the WSL is only available to individuals.[9]

WSL sanctioned tours

WSL World Title Race

The WSL World Title Race is used to determine the WSL Men's World Title and the WSL Women’s World Title. The winner is referred to as the WSL Tour Champion.[19]

In 2015, the WSL Men's World Title is given to the surfer with the most accumulated points from their respective best 9 results from the 11 WSL World Tour events (WSL Qualifying Series (QS) events excluded).[20]

In 2015, the WSL Women’s World Title is given to the surfer with the most accumulated points from their respective best 8 results from the 10 WSL Women’s Championship Tour events (WSL Qualifying Series (QS) events excluded).

Championship tours

The WSL Men's Championship Tour (CT) is the men's elite competition consisting of the best 34 professional surfers competing in 11 events (as of 2015).[21]

The WSL Women's Championship Tour is the women's elite competition consisting of the best 17 professional surfers competing in 10 events (as of 2015).[21]

Event results are converted to points and count towards the WSL World Title Race and the ultimate prize of being called the WSL World Tour Champion.

WSL Qualifying Series events

A WSL QS 10,000 event is held at premium venues with a restricted field and offers WSL QS 10,000 World Rankings points.[12][13][22]

A WSL QS 1,000 - QS 9,000 event is a lower level of competition, compared to an WSL QS 10,000 event, with their importance indicated by how many points they are assigned: more points means generally better competition and prize money.[12][13][22]

WSL world ranking

WSL Men's Championship Tour and WSL Women's Championship Tour surfers accumulate points from each WSL Championship Tour and WSL Qualifying Series event they compete in which count towards their WSL World Ranking.[23][24] Accumulated points are valid for 12 months from the final date of the scheduled event in which they were earned.[9]

Promotion and relegation

WSL World Ranking determines the promotion or relegation of surfers.[9]

2012 tours

The qualifiers for the 2012 ASP World Tour top 34 surfers was determined using a Rotation Points system.

The qualifiers for the 2012 ASP Women's World Tour was determined by a surfer's rank at the conclusion of the 2011 Tour. The top 10 re-qualified for 2012 and the remaining 7 places were taken from the ASP Star Ranking.

2013-2015 tours

The qualifiers for the following year's WSL Championship Tour top 34 surfers[23] will consist of:

[9]

Rules

Judging[9]

In contests surfers will be scored on a scale of 0.1 to 10.0, these scores will be broken up into increments of one-tenth. The following scale can be used to relate descriptions with the score:

Judging criteria[9]

Judges will base the score on how successfully surfers display these following elements in each wave:

These elements may be weighted differently from day to day and event to event, depending upon on the surfing conditions and the type of breaking wave at each event location. This criterion is different from in longboarding competitions. All of this is focused on creating some type consistency that can be seen throughout the many different events.[25]

The events themselves are previously declared QS 1,000 - QS 10,000 events; among other things this ranking shows what numbers of judges which are required at the event. QS 1,000 - QS 3,000 Qualifying Series events are required to have a six judge panel with four judges on each heat. A QS 4,000 - QS 6,000 Qualifying Series event requires seven judges with five of those judges on each heat. At QS 5,000 - QS 10,000 Qualifying Series events there are only allowed to be 3 judges from any one region. This is then limited to two at any world championship events. All events also require an WSL approved head judge who has the ability to make corrections to errors or any other events that may have affected the results.[9]

Rules

There are many rules out in the water that all revolve around the idea of right of way. A surfer has the right of way if he or she is closer to the area where the wave is breaking, this is more commonly referred to as having the inside position. If another surfer takes off in front of the surfer that has the inside position, then interference will be called, and penalties will be enacted. In most circumstances it does not matter who stood up first but who has the inside position.[9]

A surfer can also be found guilty of interference if they catch more than their maximum number of waves in a heat and that this takes away from the other competitors ability to catch waves. A competitor is also not allowed to interfere with another competitor’s paddling and maneuvering for a wave.[9]

The rules of right of way vary slightly with the type of break. Point Breaks will always have a consistent direct of what is inside, that is, the person further up the line will have right of way. In a single peak situation where there is both a left and a right two people are able to be on the wave at the same time, provided that one goes left and one goes right and that neither crosses the path of the other to go one direction. If this does happen then, the surfer who stood up first will get the right of way. On a multi-peaked wave where the wave eventually comes together, both peaks can be surfed until the surfers come together. When they do the surfer who stood up first has right of way, and the other must maneuver to get off the wave without interrupting the other surfer.[9]

In a one-on-one competition, priority can be declared by the Head Judge. Once the person with priority has paddled for a wave priority is then turned over to the next person until that person does the same. The person with second priority can paddle for waves as long as it does not interfere with the other person who will lose their priority only if they catch a wave.[9]

A surfer who has already taken off or obtained possession of a wave maintains this position until the end of their ride. If another surfer takes off on the inside of this surfer, then this person does not obtain priority and is considered to be snaking. If this surfer does not hurt the other surfers ride, then both people can be scored based. If the judges determine that the snaking did interfere then the person will be penalized. Interference penalties are called by the judges and must have a majority to be declared an actual penalty. Interference are shown as triangles on the score cards in various different ways depending on when or where in the heat they were made. If three or more waves are being scored than one wave will be dropped off the score card. If only the top two waves are being scored, then 50% of the second best-scored wave will be taken off. If a surfer has more than one then 50% of the best waves score will be taken off also. The surfer who has been interfered with will be allowed an additional wave to their maximum as long as it is within the time limit. If a surfer interferes more than twice in a heat then they must leave the competition area.[9]

WSL Championship Tour champions

Carissa Moore 2015 Women's Championship Tour Champion

[26]

Year WSL Men's Championship Tour[27]WSL Women's Championship Tour[27]
Name Points Name Points
2016  John John Florence (HAW) TBD  Tyler Wright (AUS) TBD
2015  Adriano De Souza (BRA) 57,700  Carissa Moore[3] (HAW) 66,200
2014  Gabriel Medina (BRA) 62,800  Stephanie Gilmore[6] (AUS) 64,200
2013  Mick Fanning[3] (AUS) 54,400  Carissa Moore[2] (HAW) 59,500
2012  Joel Parkinson (AUS) 58,700  Stephanie Gilmore[5] (AUS) 48,400
2011  Kelly Slater[11] (USA) 68,100  Carissa Moore (HAW) 55,000
2010  Kelly Slater[10] (USA) 69,000  Stephanie Gilmore[4] (AUS) 7,284
2009  Mick Fanning [2] (AUS) 7,140  Stephanie Gilmore[3] (AUS) 6,169
2008  Kelly Slater[9] (USA) 8,042  Stephanie Gilmore[2] (AUS) 7,188
2007  Mick Fanning (AUS) 8,136  Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) 6,708
2006  Kelly Slater[8] (USA) 8,124  Layne Beachley[7] (AUS) 6,374
2005  Kelly Slater[7] (USA) 7,962  Chelsea Georgeson (AUS) 7,080
2004  Andy Irons [3] (HAW) 7,824  Sofia Mulanovich (PER) 5,484
2003  Andy Irons[2] (HAW) 8,964  Layne Beachley [6] (AUS) 3,696
2002  Andy Irons (HAW) 8,102  Layne Beachley[5] (AUS) 3,200
2001  C. J. Hobgood (USA) 3,094  Layne Beachley[4] (AUS) 1,760
2000  Sunny Garcia (HAW) 7,270  Layne Beachley[3] (AUS) 5,730
1999  Mark Occhilupo (AUS) 7,120  Layne Beachley[2] (AUS) 8,080
1998  Kelly Slater[6] (USA) 6,398  Layne Beachley (AUS) 7,920
1997  Kelly Slater[5] (USA) 8,260  Lisa Andersen[4] (USA) 8,520
1996  Kelly Slater[4] (USA) 9,540  Lisa Andersen[3] (USA) 12,750
1995  Kelly Slater[3] (USA) 6,040  Lisa Andersen [2] (USA) 12,920
1994  Kelly Slater[2] (USA) 6,660  Lisa Andersen (USA) 7,650
1993  Derek Ho (HAW) 5,510  Pauline Menczer (AUS) 7,080
1992  Kelly Slater (USA) 7,765  Wendy Botha [4] (AUS) 10,205
1991  Damien Hardman [2] (AUS) 12,854  Wendy Botha [3] (AUS) 7,424
1990  Tom Curren [3] (USA) 17,612  Pam Burridge (AUS) 14,440
1989  Martin Potter (UK) 20,665  Wendy Botha [2] (AUS) 14,380
1988  Barton Lynch (AUS) 17,475  Freida Zamba [4] (USA) 7,960
1987/88  Damien Hardman (AUS) 13,690  Wendy Botha (RSA) 8,220
1986/87  Tom Curren [2] (USA) 13,115  Freida Zamba [3] (USA) 9,230
1985/86  Tom Curren (USA) 11,490  Freida Zamba [2] (USA) 5,320
1984/85  Tom Carroll[2] (AUS) 9,460.38  Freida Zamba (USA) 3,400
1983/84  Tom Carroll (AUS) 6,830  Kim Mearig (USA) 3,125
IPS World Circuit
1982  Mark Richards [5] (AUS) 6,917  Debbie Beacham (USA) 3,059.14
1981  Mark Richards[4] (AUS) 6,211.52  Margo Oberg[3] (HAW) 3,850
1980  Mark Richards [3] (AUS) 6,890  Margo Oberg [2] (HAW) 2,000
1979  Mark Richards [2] (AUS) 6,781.14  Lynn Boyer[2] (HAW) 3,722.50
1978  Wayne Bartholomew (AUS) 5,749.25  Lynn Boyer (HAW) 3,986.14
1977  Shaun Tomson (RSA) 5,948.3  Margo Oberg (HAW) 4,850
1976  Peter Townend (AUS) 5,593 – –
Smirnoff World Pro-Am Surfing Championships
1977  Jericho Poppler [2] (USA) &  Reno Abellira [2] (HAW) – – –
1976  Jericho Poppler (USA) &  Mark Warren (AUS) – – –
1975  Mark Richards (AUS) – – –
1974  Reno Abellira (HAW) – – –
1973  Ian Cairns (AUS) – – –
1972  Paul Neilsen (AUS) – – –
1971  Gavin Rudolph (RSA) – – –
1970  Nat Young [2] (AUS) – – –
1969  Corky Carroll & Margo Godfrey (USA) – – –
ISF World Surfing Championships
1972 - San Diego, USA  Jimmy Blears (HAW) –  Sharon Webber (USA) –
1970 - Torquay / Lorne / Johanna, AUS  Rolf Aurness (USA) –  Sharon Webber (USA) –
1968 - Rincon, Puerto Rico, PR  Fred Hemmings (HAW) –  Margo Godfrey (USA) –
1966 - San Diego, USA  Nat Young (AUS) –  Joyce Hoffman (USA) –
1965 - Punta Rocas, Peru  Felipe Pomar (PER) –  Joyce Hoffman (USA) –
1964 - Manly, AUS  Midget Farrelly (AUS) –  Phyllis O'Donnell (AUS) –

WSL Longboard Championship Tour champions

[26][28]

Year WSL World Longboard Tour[27] WSL Women’s World Longboard Tour[27]
Name Points Name Points
2015  Piccolo Clemente (PER) -  Rachael Tilly (USA) -
2014  Harley Ingleby[2] (AUS) -  Chelsea Williams (AUS) -
2013  Piccolo Clemente (PER) -  Kelia Moniz[2] (HAW) -
2012  Taylor Jensen[2] (USA) -  Kelia Moniz (HAW) -
2011  Taylor Jensen (USA) 16,000  Lindsay Steinriede (USA) 15,200
2010  Duane DeSoto (HAW) –  Cori Schumacher[2] (USA) –
2009  Harley Ingleby (AUS) –  Jennifer Smith[2] (USA) –
2008  Bonga Perkins (HAW) –  Joy Monahan (HAW) –
2007  Phil Rajzman (BRA) –  Jennifer Smith (USA) –
2006  Josh Constable (AUS) –  Schuyler McFerran (USA) –
2005 Cancelled –  Kristy Murphy (USA) –
2004  Joel Tudor [2] (USA) –  Summer Romero (USA) –
2003  Beau Young [2] (AUS) –  Daize Shayne[2] (USA) –
2002  Colin McPhillips [3] (USA) –  Kim Hamrock (USA) –
2001  Colin McPhillips [2] (USA) –  Cori Schumacher [2] (USA) –
2000  Beau Young (AUS) –  Cori Schumacher (USA) –
1999  Colin McPhillips (USA) –  Daize Shayne (USA) –
1998  Joel Tudor (USA) – – –
1997  Dino Miranda (HAW) – – –
1996  Bonga Perkins (HAW) – – –
1995  Rusty Keaulana [3] (HAW) – – –
1994  Rusty Keaulana [2] (HAW) – – –
1993  Rusty Keaulana (HAW) – – –
1992  Joey Hawkins (USA) – – –
1991  Martin McMillan (AUS) – – –
1990  Nat Young [4] (AUS) – – –
1989  Nat Young [3] (AUS) – – –
1988  Nat Young [2] (AUS) – – –
1987/88  Stuart Entwistle (AUS) – – –
1986/87  Nat Young (AUS) – – –

WSL World Junior champions

Year WSL Men's World Junior[27] WSL Women’s World Junior[27]
Name Points Name Points
2015  Lucas Silveira (BRA)[29] -  Isabella Nichols (AUS)[29] -
2014  Vasco Ribeiro (POR) -  Mahina Maeda (HAW) -
2013  Gabriel Medina (BRA) -  Ella Williams (NZL) -
2012  Jack Freestone[2] (AUS) -  Nikki van Dijk (AUS) -
2011  Caio Ibelli (BRA) -  Leila Hurst (HAW) -
2010  Jack Freestone (AUS) -  Alizee Arnaud (FRA) -
2009  Maxime Huscenot (FRA) -  Laura Enever (AUS) -
2008  Kai Barger (HAW) –  Pauline Ado (FRA) -
2007  Pablo Paulino[2] (BRA) -  Sally Fitzgibbons (AUS) -
2006  Jordy Smith (ZAF) -  Nicola Atherton (AUS) -
2005  Kekoa Bacalso (HAW) -  Jessie Miley-Dyer (AUS) -
2004  Pablo Paulino (BRA) - - -
2003  Adriano de Souza (BRA) - - -
2002 Cancelled (no dates available) - - -
2001  Joel Parkinson[2] (AUS) - - -
2000  Pedro Henrique (BRA) - - -
1999  Joel Parkinson (AUS) - - -
1998  Andy Irons (HAW) - - -

Multiple world championships

[26]

Surfer Gender Championship Tour (CT)
(Men & Women)		 Junior Championships (JC)
(Boys & Girls)		 Longboard Championships (LC)
(Men & Women)		 Masters Grandmasters Total
 Kelly Slater (USA) Male 11 - - - - 11
 Layne Beachley (AUS) Female 7 - - - - 7
 Mark Richards (AUS) Male 5 - - - 1 6
 Nat Young (AUS) Male 1 - 4 - - 5
 Stephanie Gilmore (AUS) Female 6 - - - - 6
 Lisa Andersen (USA) Female 4 - - - - 4
Wendy Botha (RSA) (AUS) Female 4 - - - - 4
 Freida Zamba (USA) Female 4 - - - - 4
 Andy Irons (HAW) Male 3 1 - - - 4
 Margo Oberg (HAW) Female 3 - - - - 3
 Tom Curren (USA) Male 3 - - - - 3
 Wayne Bartholomew (AUS) Male 1 - - - 2 3
 Gabriel Medina (BRA) Male 1 1 - - - 2
 Adriano de Souza (BRA) Male 1 1 - - - 2
 Colin McPhillips (USA) Male - - 3 - - 3
 Rusty Keaulana (HAW) Male - - 3 - - 3
 Gary Elkerton (AUS) Male - - - 3 - 3
 Mick Fanning (AUS) Male 3 - - - - 3
 Lynne Boyer (HAW) Female 2 - - - - 2
 Damien Hardman (AUS) Male 2 - - - - 2
 Tom Carroll (AUS) Male 2 - - - - 2
 Joel Tudor (USA) Male - - 2 - - 2
 Beau Young (AUS) Male - - 2 - - 2
 Jennifer Smith (USA) Female - - 2 - - 2
 Joel Parkinson (AUS) Male 1 2 - - - 3
 Pablo Paulino (BRA) Male - 2 - - - 2
 Bonga Perkins (HAW) Male - - 2 - - 2
 Carissa Moore (HAW) Female 3 - - - - 3
 Jack Freestone (AUS) Male - 2 - - - 2
 Isabella Nichols (AUS) Female - 1 - - - 1
 Pedro Henrique (BRA) Male - 1 - - - 1
 Caio Ibelli (BRA) Male - 1 - - - 1
 Lucas Silveira (BRA) Male - 1 - - - 1
 Vasco Ribeiro (POR) Male - 1 - - - 1

Qualifier for list is to hold a minimum of two world championship titles across the categories.[21]

Calculations include world championship titles outside of the WSL as discussed in Predecessors to the WSL section.

WSL Store[30]

In 2016, WSL created an official merchandise line that consists of athlete jerseys, t-shirts, coats and hats. These items are available for men, women and kids with only slight variations in the clothing.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "World Surf League". http://www.worldsurfleague.com/. Retrieved 1 December 2016. External link in |website= (help)
  2. ↑ "World Surf League, Frequently Asked Questions, What is the WSL?". Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 "ASP History". ASP World Tour. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  4. ↑ "What is the World Surf League?". Disrupt Surfing. Retrieved 2015-12-21.
  5. ↑ "ASP World Surfing Tour taken over by US media company Zo-Sea for 2014 season". ABC News AU. 28 February 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  6. 1 2 3 ASP Announces World Surf League: Letter from CEO, 12 September 2014 (accessed 28 November 2014)
  7. ↑ ISA President's Message. Retrieved 30 April 2015.
  8. ↑ Surfing And The Olympics . Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 WSL Rulebook (accessed 30 April 2015)
  10. ↑ "2015 Men's Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  11. ↑ "2015 Women's Samsung Galaxy Championship Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  12. 1 2 3 "2015 Men's Qualifying Series". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  13. 1 2 3 "2015 Women's Qualifying Series". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  14. ↑ "2015 Men's Longboard Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  15. ↑ "2015 Women's Longboard Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  16. ↑ "2015 Men's Junior Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  17. ↑ "2015 Women's Junior Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  18. ↑ "2015 Big Wave Tour". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  19. ↑ WSL CT Jeep Leading Rankings . (accessed 30 August 2015)
  20. ↑ ASP Returns To Jeffreys Bay (accessed 30 August 2015)
  21. 1 2 3 WSL Commissioner's Address: "Performance Rules Everything" . Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  22. 1 2 "ASP Announces Changes to Qualifying Series". World Surf League. 4 November 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  23. 1 2 "2015 Men's Championship Tour Jeep Leaderboard". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  24. ↑ "2015 Women's Championship Tour Jeep® Leaderboard". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  25. ↑ "Rules and Regulations". World Surf League. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  26. 1 2 3 "Archived World Tour Rankings and Results 1976-2012". ASP World Tour. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  27. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "ASP World Tour Champions". ASP World Tour. Retrieved 30 August 2015.
  28. ↑ http://surf.transworld.net/1000004912/features/encinitas-schuyler-mcferran-crowned-first-ever-asp-womens-world-longboard-champion/
  29. 1 2 "Nichols and Silveira Crowned World Junior Champions". worldsurfleague.com. World Surf League. Retrieved January 13, 2016.
  30. ↑ "WSL Store". http://www.wslstore.com/. Retrieved 2 December 2016. External link in |website= (help)
  31. ↑ "ISA Member Directory". International Surfing Association. Retrieved 28 August 2014.
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