Say It Ain’t So: Surfing Dropped From X Games 14
June 12, 2008 – 1:14 am PT by GregTags: Brad Gerlach, X Games —
Mick Campbell in 2007 at X Games 13 Surf Comp. cr. ESPN
After five years as a featured sport in the X Games, surfing will not be included in this summer’s edition. X Games surfing organizer Brad Gerlach told Surfline, “They were having a hard time finding sponsorship because it’s the only part of the X Games that’s not live… They wanted to pull back and take a fresh look at it all for next year.”
The surf event was scheduled to take place in early July but would have overlapped with the Billabong Pro in South Africa. Gerlach says the event was scheduled around the Mr. Price Pro, a WQS event, to ensure the availability of up-and-coming talent.
The roster was already set for the USA vs. the World format, with Clay Marzo, Dusty Payne, Tonino Benson, Sebastian Zeitz, Jamie O’Brien, and Pat Gudauskas forming the American team and Ry Craike, Laurie Towner, Owen Wright, Jay Quinn, Michel Bourez, and Tiago Connerero forming the world team. Apparently that wasn’t enough for X Games brass.
“They were looking for Kelly, Andy, Bruce, Taj, Parko, Mick, Dane, and Jordy,” Gerr said. “But the reality of the situation is that those guys are really, really busy and already make all kinds of money. Which is a great thing in our sport. But they’re not going to get those guys unless they’re willing to put a lot more money into either promotion within the surf world and/or more prizemoney. If they had a million bucks up for the winning team, the best guys in the world would be all, ’sign me up’.”
Though the event is dropped for 2008, there is hope for next year.
“We’re going to go back and take a fresh look…but I think it can happen.” said Gerlach.
You can read the full story, including more from Gerlach, here.
