history

The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is the governing body for professional surfers and is dedicated to showcasing the world’s best talent in a variety of progressive formats.

In the 1960s structured competitions were newly introduced to the athletic sector of surfing, it first began with girls and boys surfing for the love and ego. There was no surfing industry, it was teenagers who gathered and used their skills against one another. Many perceive this time as the amateur era, which makes it difficult to think that people like Midget Farrelly, Joey Cabell, Mike Doyle and Bob McTavish as amateurs. Unlike other sports, there were no prize money and minimum monetary compensation from endorsements.

Surfing was well established in California as it was newly developing in other countries such as Australia, Hawaii and Japan.

Tom Carroll and Tom Curren soon pushed to the forefront of the sport and their contribution, plus a booming surf industry, paved the way for enormous growth. With over 60 pro events worldwide, the ASP introduced a two-tiered system of ratings in 1992, incorporating the Top 44, who automatically qualified for what was then called the World Championship Tour (WCT)

The ASP industry caught on quickly by landing the big-name labels and as part of there global promotion strategy they began to stage events in exotic locations such as Grajagan in Java Indonesia, Jeffreys Bay in South Africa, Mundaka in the Basque Country, Tavarua in Fiji, Teahupoo in Tahiti and Trestles in California. This new ere brought the emergance and dominance of 11 time ASP world champion Kelly Slater. Also Lisa Anderson and Layne Beachley brought women’s surfing to new heights.

The present mantra of ASP International: WORLD’S BEST SURFERS, WORLD’S BEST WAVES.

Ian Cairns watched the fall of the International Professional Surfers (IPS) in 1982. In January 1983, Cairns launched the ASP and lured the world circuit organizers to the new organization, which over time effectively pushed IPS aside.

The ASP first world champions were Tom Carroll for men and Kim Mearig for women in 1983.

ASP Prime event - is held at premium venues with a restricted field and offers Prime ASP World Rankings points.

ASP Star event - is a lower level of competition, compared to an ASP Prime event, with their importance indicated by how many stars they are assigned: more stars means generally better competition and prize money.

ASP took a turn in a dynamic direction. Drifting away from the 1980s and early 1990s tour look, to staging top tour events at ideal surf locations.

Kelly Slater (mens) = 11 championships

Layne Beachley (Female) = 7 championships