The ASP has presented us with a competitive surfing format that we all have come to accept as the norm; a standard that almost every other competive surfing event has adopted. In recent years, Brad Gerlach has invented and champoined a format he simply calls: The Game. The Game consists of 2 teams of surfers with 15 to a team. Surfers enter the water 4 at a time (all on the same team) and surf together for 15 minutes. Each surfer's 2 highest scoring waves are added to the teams point total. There are 4 quarters with each team surfing in the top or bottom of the quarter, much like an inning in baseball. The team with the highest point total at the end of 4 quarters emerges the victor. The biggest difference between this and more traditional surfing is that surfing works as a team sport in The Game as opposed to the traditional 2 man heats.

The WCT is the elite level of competition within the ASP and is characterized by the most common competitive format: man vs. man in the lineup; lowest score goes home, winner moves on in a bracket format until an eventual king of the hill is left standing. This format of competitive surfing is so commonplace you'd never think competive surfing had another look. The best pros in the world come to compete at this level in this format and the excitement and drama of a gladiator-like atmosphere has created some of the most exciting surfing in history. Curren, Kelly, Shaun Thomson, Lisa, Layne, Andy, you name it; all have won titles and been the last warrior standing.

The question is: which format is better for surfers, the sport, fans, sponsors, television? Can surfing be made a team sport even though surfing is arguably the most individual sport out there? Does the ASP have something to worry about with The Game or will the Game be in the WCT's shadows forever?? Will current WCT pros make the jump to surf The Game or will The Game always attract lesser-known's and those who can't make the WCT? This month's winning entries are from bmills in favor of The Game and classic427 in favor of traditional 1-man surfing as seen on the WCT. Don't forget to vote for your favorite argument at the end of this feature!

Going RIGHT

Watch Out ASP: The Game is Here To Stay!!

by: bmills

Going LEFT

Competitive Surfing is NOT a Team Sport

by: classic427