BREAKING UP IS HARD TO DO
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ESA Board of Directors votes to immediately withdraw from Surfing America
Photos: A.J. Neste/Surfing America
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| Yet in a turn of events eerily similar to last year’s drama, ESA’s Board of Directors voted last week to immediately withdraw from Surfing America. Where NSSA left because of disputes over membership dues, age divisions, and judging standards, ESA’s departure has more to do with the recent implementation of Surfing America’s Prime Series on the East Coast.”It’s gone back probably a whole year,” said ESA Executive Director Debbie Hodges. “There’s been a lack of communication between Surfing America and the member organizations in regards to the Prime Series, not letting [us] control the series. And what National Governing Body of any sport competes against its own members?”
Mike Gerard, Executive Director of Surfing America, was on-site for Prime’s first East Coast event, held October 24th-25th in Montauk, NY, and refutes that statement. “We were very surprised [by ESA's withdrawal],” Gerard said. “There was a lot of dissent over the Prime Series, but prior to making the move, Prime’s been a topic of discussion at board meetings. And since Debbie sits on our Board of Directors, ESA has had plenty of opportunity to provide input and comment.” But the ESA’s press release detailing their withdrawal states “the ESA had no input in the conception, creation, and execution of the Surfing America Prime events,” a belief that Hodges stands by. “The Executive Director of our National Governing Body came to the East Coast and picked spots [for the Prime Series] without even conferring with myself or the ESA competition director,” Hodges stressed. “It’s not a bruised ego, I just think it was very disrespectful for an NGB. It looked like they were going behind all of our backs — not just the ESA, but the other two organizations [NSSA and TGSA], as well.” Lost amidst the ESA’s bombshell decision is that fact that TGSA’s own Board of Directors voted to withdraw from Surfing America earlier this year. “We pulled out in August,” said Julie Doyle, President of TGSA. “I don’t want it to look like we’re following ESA, but we take ESA’s position on this matter. Surfing America should not be coming in and directly competing with their member organizations. We voted against the Prime series at the board meeting, so obviously our input was not considered.” Gerard, who praised ESA-New York District Director Rick Anthony for his help with the Montauk event, intimated that several ESA board members were still supportive of Surfing America. “What I’m hearing is that the [ESA Board of Directors'] vote was equally divided,” Gerard said. “I know there are some pretty passionate Surfing America supporters on the other side. The whole reason Prime came about was to try and raise the standard around the country so that four-man heats, ASP judging, and computer scoring becomes the norm for all kids.” Hodges hopes that ESA surfers will still be able to compete in Prime Series events, which provide the only path to the SIMA Surfing America U.S.A. Championships and the PacSun U.S.A. Surf Team. “We encourage our members to surf Junior Pros, or the NSSA, or the TGSA, or the HSA. When NSSA left Surfing America [in 2008], their members were still allowed to compete, so I’m sure we will be given the same courtesy.” Gerard isn’t adamant about that prospect. “I’m not sure — when NSSA pulled out, at the time they lost their rights to have slots in the U.S.A. Championships,” he said. “But I don’t make policy for Surfing America — I just serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors, and the board voted 10-1 for Prime going to the East Coast. The Prime Series is all about outreach and providing more quality opportunities for more kids.” Yet Doyle believes that a similar outcome could have been attained without the Prime Series’ implementation. “The NGB should be working with the organizations in a more supportive way, and should have had several program options to discuss instead of just one,” Doyle said. “Strenuous clinics are an example of one of those options. Surfing America should be growing organically in a tasteful way, gaining the faith and trust of its member organizations with consistency through the years.” NSSA Executive Director Janice Aragon said her member organization will remain neutral on the latest development between ESA and Surfing America, and will continue to participate in Prime series events. “The NSSA will maintain its membership with Surfing America and continue to feed its surfers into the Prime Series on both the East and West Coasts, as this is currently the only path to the U.S.A. Surf Team,” Aragon said. “The majority of surfers on the U.S.A. Surf Team are NSSA members, and we want to continue to provide our members with access to the Team, as it’s an important goal and achievement for many of our up-and-coming surfers.” When asked whether she expects the ESA/ Surfing America split to be patched up in the future, Hodges expressed unease. “That’s a good question — under the current leadership, I don’t feel that would be attainable, because the leadership has not proven to be in the best interest of member organizations, but more in the best interest of Surfing America itself.” Gerard finished by lamenting the break-up of what he hoped would be a “more perfect union” in American amateur surfing. “My philosophy is 2+2=7,” Gerard said. “If we can all work together and pool our resources, and ESA can be a participant, we can build the sport up and create the visibility that we need. We’re a National Governing Body, but we’re not so much governing or dictating — we just want to create systems that make things more organized so that everybody can benefit.” |
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