Punta Lobos in Chile is just one of the stops on the BWWT, which will now be part of the ASP.
As reported by Zag Spy this morning, the acquisition of the Big Wave World Tour (BWWT) by the ASP has been announced. The deal will see the ASP offer their full support to the remainder of the 2013 BWWT season, before fully sanctioning the tour in 2014.
The deal also makes it possible for accomplished big wave surfers currently on the Dream Tour to take part in BWWT events going forward – previously ASP surfers couldn’t surf in any events not sanctioned by the ASP. So, it could be possible that the likes of Kelly Slater and John John Florence could be squaring off against the likes of Greg Long and Twiggy Baker in mammoth conditions come 2014.
This is all good news for surf fans as we could potentially see more BWWT events with proper webcasts plus all the bells and whistles ZoSea are promising when they take over in 2014.
Check out the official press release below.
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ASP Announces Acquisition of Big Wave World Tour
The Big Wave World Tour is now part of the ASP family.
LOS ANGELES, California/USA (Wednesday, May 29, 2013) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) International is pleased to announce the acquisition of the global Big Wave World Tour (BWWT), with arrangements for support in 2013 and formal sanctioning commencing in 2014.
“We are very pleased to have finalized the deal between the ASP and the Big Wave World Tour,” Paul Speaker, ASP CEO, said. “The competitors on the BWWT are some of the fiercest and most-respected watermen on the planet and we are eager about the opportunity to take their tour to the next level. This arrangement also allows the world’s best surfers on the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) to compete in big-wave events moving forward. 2014 will be an exciting year on all fronts.”
Currently servicing six international big wave events in Pichilemu/Chile, Punta Hermosa/Peru, Lincoln City/Oregon, Half Moon Bay/California, Baja California/Mexico and Punta Galea/Spain the Big Wave World Tour was founded by Gary Linden and pits the world’s best big wave surfers against the elements in some of the most intense venues on the planet.
“The Big Wave World Tour is thrilled to be joining the ASP family,” Gary Linden said. “ASP run the best events in the world and we’re thrilled to have their support and guidance as we continue to build the platform of big wave surfing. We also look forward to seeing some of the world’s best surfers tackle some of the world’s biggest waves in the coming years.”
The new-found arrangement between the ASP and the BWWT will allow for top ASP surfers such as 11-time ASP World Champion Kelly Slater (USA), 41, reigning ASP World Champion Joel Parkinson (AUS), 32, Hawaiian phenom John John Florence (HAW), 20, amongst others to join respected BWWT surfers like Greg Long (USA), 28, Grant Baker (ZAF), 40, and Carlos Burle (BRA), 45, in competition with waves in the 25-foot-and-above range.
“The Big Wave World Tour is a great addition to the Association of Surfing Professionals,” Kieren Perrow, ASP Commissioner, said. “It adds another dimension to the sport and will make it significantly easier for ASP Top 34 surfers to compete in big-wave events. We have the utmost respect for the athletes on the BWWT and we really look forward to working with them.”
The acquisition of the Big Wave World Tour will complement the current ASP tours of the men’s and women’s ASP World Championship Tour, the ASP World Junior Tours, ASP World Longboard Tours and regional tours around the globe.
The Big Wave World Tour is currently on high alert for a possible run of the Quiksilver Ceremonial at Pichilemu in Chile in the coming days.
For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com
