www.localswell.com

There is an uneasy silence concerning this weekends upcoming Prime Series Event in Montauk. Apparently some "concerns" from ESA HQ? WTF? The Prime now comes to the Right Coast and gives our kids a chance to surf for the US National Team, while getting Lower Trestles as the US contest venue for next year and somehow that is viewed as a "bad" thing? Here's some informative links: Thoughts? Comments?

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/press ... ast_31455/

http://surf.transworld.net/news/surfing ... vie-night/

This will be a classic event that features some of the best up and coming talent on the East Coast and a tremendous opportunity for our kids.

Politics in surfing?? how unkind of me to think that! i am sure that each and every one of the folks at ESA,NSSA,WSA, etc, is pure of heart and has the children's best interest at heart. Right, and the moon is made of green cheese too.....

Not so Ct, everyone knows the Moon is made of yellow cheese As for the "Politics" they really need to keep the kids interest at heart, you and Chuck Allen always did. It's a shame those days are gone.

So if i read that article correctly..to qualify for the us championships you have to surf esa regionals, esa easterns and at least two of the prime series events?? I'm glad i'm an "old guy" now.

Wedge, I'm an old fart too so we're gtg. My understanding of the Prime is to get the kids additional experience for ramp up for the US and give the coaches a chance to see the Right Coast Talent for potential National Team Spots. Knowing how Ians mind works, that's were he's at. I surfed for him on the NSSA Team (82-84) and believe me, this is a great opportunity for our kids today. The reason it's for 17 years and younger is for the Jrs. on the US team, to build on the base they have. Ians been working with PJ Rai and is looking at Pat Schmidt and some other young rippas from the Great North East. Hopefully they get waves.

Hey guys....let me shed some light because there is some confusion.
The Prime is the only....and I mean ONLY way to make the US Championships at Trestles this year!!!
What???? Yes, that's right! The way of ESA and the past 42 years has been to qualify through the Regionals, Easterns, and Scholastics. What the Prime has done has come in....disrupted the flow of events and added 3 "New" contest that have already been in place. Why you may ask??? Well dig deep and think about the reason why we need three more contest to justify the best surfers on the Eastcoast??? Did the kids that didn't wana compete, come into a moment of clarity and just figured it out.... that they wana be a US Champion?? Did the kids that pre-qualified for the US championships need to get a reassurance that the surfing they are capable of is worthy of a US Championship?? I don't have the answers to either of those questions but I will tell you this, we have some solid surfers here on the east and if we were all about the kids, there wouldn't be a 3 contest series added into the intense financial distress that is implimented on the parents of these kids or the kids required to miss more school on top of the school they have already missed for other events around the country??? Hmmmm...you do the math. By the way...have you seen what the Ex Director of surfing america has been up to in China??? I wonder where he gets the time outside of running surfing in america to run off to a foreign country to surf a rivermouth breaking on an astronomical low and high tide?? I wonder how much that cost?? I'd love to go!

Well we can debate that until the cows come home, but the bottom line is this is ONLY for kids 17 and under, and gives those kids who could have / should have qualified in Hat if not for a bad heat is crap surf. Is it more effective for the kids to have a three contest series and show some consistency over three events OR have the LUCK factor of one contest single emlimination is a nw four man format??? SurfCat, I'm one of your biggest fans but I fully disagree on this. Name one other sport where kids have an opportunity like THIS?? Sponsors help share costs and half these kids don;t go to school anymore anyway. WTF, more than half are ALL homeschooled, including SOME top NSSA surfers. As for the "adult Divisions" we still surf Trestles, in the finals, albeit the "adult" prelims will be in Huntington, which is still a good wave. As far as I know Mike Gerard is still Surfing America Director and Ian is still the coach.

The bottom line is that this is a tremendous opportunity for the kids that surf at "that level". The WSA membership doubled after instituting the Prime in Cali...The question is: What's good for the kids. Compare the COST to baseball and hockey...it's a fraction of what other parents pay for their kids to compete at a National level let alone "international" level...

Sooo the question remains, if you were 17 and under would you rather hitch your years worth or work to a single event? OR have some consistency over three events. Pat before your time, we had people seeded into the quarter finals from the four primary associations (ESA, WSA, TSA and HSA), circa 1977-1988. There is also that "other East Coast Championship" in Va Beach the ECSC...sooo WTF? Whats good for the kids? No BS FUN...The formats have changed over the years. In the day districts sent people to Hat without a "Regionals"...??? Why NOT go back to simply sending people from the Districts without a Regionals?????????? How about getting back to rotating the US Championships from the Left Coast, Right Coast, Hawaii and yes ...Texas...Why not have Regionals in the Great Lakes? They're in our Region. Why do we have to schlep to New Hampshire next May? WHY does the NSSA North East ONLY host events in "South Jersey"?...Yeah man, sometimes change is good...

The politics and nonesence has to stop and I have seen my fill with ESA and NSSA quibbling over the years and now people are carping about Surfing America? You ARE the coach of the All Stars, so coach your kids to ROCK, and bring their A Game to Cali and I am sure they will be the best All Star Team in Years. In time you will see this is the best format for developing your talent pool....

http://www.surfingamerica.org/

The Prime Series in Montauk is underway today. A bot stormy but overhead with a great outllok for tomorrow. Sunny and Offshore...

Prime series in Montauk was a great opportunity/experience for the kids! Central Jersey kids did well. Pat Schmidt, Andy Rooney, and Jessica K. all placed in the finals of their divisions. way to go CNJ!

Well I'm newly registered at localswell, but have lurked and read posts here for a long time. I just posted the following on NYNJSurf.com and figured I'd share the love over here.

Well, I got back from Montauk last night. I went out Friday morning to help set up and do what I could to assist Mike Gerard and Greg Cruse in running the contest. Let me tell you, I've done the same at WQS and Junior Pro events and this inaugural East Coast Prime event was everything thing that those events were and more. I'm not a 11-17 year old grom, or even a good surfer for that matter, but I was impressed with the fact that I was able to stand on the beach with Ian Cairns and talk to him about what he was looking for and to listen to him tell the groms what they should be doing in their next heat and what they could have done better in the previous heat. I won't mention how cool it was to go to a screening of "Bustin' Down the Door" and then go out to dinner with Ian. Fuel TV was there and Dugan was there from ESM so I imagine that there will be complete wrap ups from both of those sources.

While the ESA is not supporting the Prime Series, I am. The folks at Surfing America used the ESA's rankings after Easterns to determine the invitations to the Prime, and have told me repeatedly that they will continue to do so, regardless of the ESA's involvement/lack of involvement. I personally don't see a downside for the kids. I don't agree 100% with the structure and implementation of the Prime Series. However I don't agree 100% with a lot of structure and implementations in other facets of my life, but I deal with it and at times try to change it. Same is true here.

As to the surfing at the event........... Due to the politics involved and the subsequent lateness of getting the invitations out, there were quite a few slots that went unfilled. I am very sure that when the word gets out, the next two events will be filled to the max. In addition to having a first class crew to handle the logistics and the operations, Dave Stansfield was brought in as the announcer. Let me tell you I've never seen a more organized and professional announcer at a surf contest. He had a box of index cards with info about EVERY surfer in the contest. He asked for more info if he felt he didn't have enough. He had their past performance, their hometown, how long they had been surfing, whether they were goofy or regular, their school, their GPA etc, etc, etc., and he used all of it in his banter. Absolutely amazing job. The event ran incredibly smoothly and the best part was there were waves. Saturday for Round 1 of all the divisions it was chest to head high on the sets and strong onshore winds. Got called to the contest site about 11PM on Saturday night by the guy doing security. He called saying he had never seen the wind lift the scaffolding at any contest site. Well it was. Three of us took down the tents and banners that the wind had not already taken down and came back at 4 AM to start putting it back together. By the time the competitors showed up, the contest site looked like nothing ever happened, other than some of the banners being different. When the completion began, the decision was made to go to 30 minute heats rather than the 20 originally planned. This was because some of these surfers were taking 10-15 minutes to get to the outside, and some didn't even get outside. Well I saw some incredible surfing on Sunday morning. Cam Richards threw down a 9.3 and a 9.8 in the Under 16 Boys final. Needless to say he took the division. In the Under 18 Girls division, Jasset Umbel dropped into two bombs that most 90% reading this would have backed out of. The first was easily 3 feet overhead and she put together 2 or 3 big cutbacks and kicked out and was back in the lineup in 20-30 seconds. She was rewarded with a 9.8 for her efforts on that wave. About 10 minutes later the set of the day rolled through and she was slightly out of position for the first three waves of the set. The fourth wave however........... damn close to double overhead and she made very late drop. Probably 98% of the guys reading this would have pulled back on this wave. I know you've heard it before but there really was a collective gasp on the beach when everybody realize that she had gone for it. There were also a couple of audible "oh shits" as well. When she was again visible out of the whitewater, she proceeded to carve the daylights out of the wave. Bottom turns, cutbacks, top turns and again a kick out the back to return to lineup without a long difficult paddle. That wave was the high wave of the contest with a 10.0.

That's only a quick partial recap of the inaugural Surfing America Prime event on the East Coast from this kook's perspective. Next event is scheduled for Sabastian Inlet in March 2010 with the 3rd and final event to be held somewhere in the Outer Banks in April 2010. I can't wait for those.

da Kook


Surfcat, you know I love ya, dude and I think you are doing and will continue to do a great job with the All Stars and of there's anything I can do to help, you just have to call. I'd like to point out that I don't believe there has ever been a USA championship that didn't have some open slots that needed to be filled. I see the Prime Series as a great thing that allows the slotting for the USA's to be done equitably based on performance over time rather than a ranking based on one contest. I'm quite confident that there will be slot available to competitors who may not have been able to surf in the Prime Series for one reason or another. They may be at the disadvantage of being seeded very low, but they will likely get into the contest if they want to surf. I could be completely wrong there but that's my thinking. And just so ya know Jasset was not the only All Star to shine. Nick Rupp took the Under 18 Boys. Cam Richards was 4th in the Under 18 Boys, Quincy Davis won the Under 16 Girls., etc. etc. etc.

Hey ya KOOk!----outstanding write up! shows what a sense of style and class can do at an event---if it looks good, it will probably run good (not always true, but...) i've seen 'major' event on both the west and east coast that looked like mom and pop had thrown them together, on two hours warning.---and no end of problems....Class will always show through in the end.....I expected nothing less from Ian and the crew...

Da Kook", I knew it was going to be an awesome event; I was simply burried with work this weekend to have made it out there (six hours + ride). However, you know I absolutely agree with you in terms of "Prime Support". Surfing America is THE Governing Body of Am Surfing in the US and their programs should be given a chance prior to people NOT supporting them. As previously stated, I surfed for Ian on the NSSA Team circa 82-84 and can tell you he is a tremendous motivator and coach, not simply in surfing but in LIFE. We have been friends for over 30 years and he cares about the kids, their grades, developing their character through our sport and he gets results. The Prime is a tremendous opportunity for our kids to surf at a National / International level, and firmly believe that we need to overcome the petty politics of the Surfing Associations and support the Series and Surfing America and work together for the benefit of the kids. Stoked to hear that the event was a huge success. Please remember that when Ian last Coached at a National International level he coached Tom Curren, Brad Gerlach, Mike Parsons, Chris Frohoff, Jeff Booth, Richard Wollcott, Scott Farnsworth. As per we have maintained friendships all these years which is frankly what the sport is about. In addition, the life lessons have gone on to afford us all some degre of professional (non surf related) success as well. Adding Rupp, Richards and Davis to that list is great. It's ALL good.

PS: CT5; I miss the old days and you running some of the NSSA's North East when it went from New Hampshire to Cape May, not from Cape May to LBI...LOL...Joe and Matt actually told a bunch of kids NOT to go to the Prime? Sad.

..Joe and Matt actually told a bunch of kids NOT to go to the Prime? <------and this shocked you? besides being totally in character, i recall the ESA folks doing the same thing when we were starting up the NSSA in the NE! human nature, it seems does not change---there is great resistance to change----change must be forced upon folks , one way or another .....sad but thats the way it seems to work....we can hope that the children will make their own choices and support the programs that best fit their own goals.....

Kook....Thanks for the props. It is hard for me at this time I am at right now. For personal family and professional reasons. I appreciate the offer to help out and I believe I have taken you up on that opportunity already but would deeply appreciate it if you can make that happen again?? I honestly wish this opportunity struck me last year when I actually had time. But, just like you said....deal with what is dealt to you and work with it as best as you can.

Ct-5....sounds like you have had a good impact on your crew and the people you've come in contact with. There is something to be said about coming into your own, utilizing your energy and giving a positive outlet to those people you come in contact with. Its what we all try to do. Always.

Maso....as I said to you earlier bro, I don't take offense to what your opinion is. It is your opinion. However, I don't know if I told you, but I spoke to the Exec Director of Surfing America (Mike Gerard) and asked him to give the kids a break and allow those kids that can not afford the finances nor the time off from real school, to allow them autamatic entry into the US championships for this year only. Do you know what his response was??? "No, no....we've already voted on this and this is the only way to make it to the US championships!!!!" Maso, what you don't know is that they just implimented this and voted on this in August when they were supposed to talk to all the Organizations for their input and decisions to move ahead, (ALL of them) before making this decision. The kids in the ESA and NSSA were already on track to make it to the US Championships without this 3 contest format. Did that happen??? NOPE. Was this supposed to be about the kids??? Yup. When I asked Mike Gerard to give us a break, do you think his response was about the kids????? Well?? I'm sorry bro, but I don't have kids that surf, have judged kids for years in NSSA/ESA, don't feel bias for or against any competitor at any competitions, and to get a response like that from a man who is representing our NGB? You expect me to back a program that is clearly not about the kids?? What you "don't know" is what's really disturbing about your comments. There is sooo much info that you are not recieving....Obviously. I have the upmost respect for you, but you are clearly not in the line of fire and not getting the full monty of what is really out there. Your putting the icing on a cake that has a big whole is the middle. Just so you know, I am in it for the kids, always have been and when I told the kids it was not mandatory for them to compete in this contest, I meant it. There has to be some relief from the NGB that is making more than an adequit paycheck off our memberships, members, and charitable donations to pay for their mortgages, airfare travels, and hefty lunch tabs they spend at a random restruant. Or perhaps a trip to china would be better?? I only hope this comes around and really is about the kids???? We can deal without the lying and deception of what is really happening. I think the kids would benifit more if that money taken from us was really put back into the system in an appropriate manner, not just a 3 contest series impimented at a completely uneccesary moment in time???

Jasset Umbel's 10 at Surfing America Prime East at Montauk

Thanks to everyone for making the inaugural Surfing America Prime East an amazing success (great waves helped too). We had kids from all over the East Coast and even Puerto Rico compete. The feedback (and there has been a lot of it) from kids and parents (even those that couldn't make it to Montauk) has been 100% positive. Surfing America is stoked to bring this series that has been so successful in the west to the kids on the East Coast. Look for coverage on ESM, Surfline.com and TransWorldSurf.com in a couple of days. Also watch Fuel TV's "The Weekly Update" either this Saturday or next for coverage of the event.

A couple of points I want to make regarding a post above:
1. Surfing America does not allocate slots to the USA Championships until it's February board meeting. So slots for USA Championships at Lowers Trestles in June 2010 normally would not be allocated until our February 2010 Board meeting.

2. The Prime series is the only path to the USA Championships in 2010 for Prime divisions - Boys U18, Boys U16, Boys U14, Girls U18 and Girls U16. All other division slots will be allocated by the member organizations as they see fit. Prime invites were issued to kids based on the member organizations suggested methodology. For ESA, ratings after Easterns, for NSSA - current season ratings at the end of September.

3. ESA and NSSA pay less than $1000 to Surfing America to be members and receive slots in the USA Championships. ESA members pay nothing to Surfing America unless they surf USA Championships or Prime events.

4. Kids surfing at this level need more than one or two opportunities a year to test themselves against the best surfers on the coast in 4 man 20 minute heats with ASP judges and computer scoring. The level of surfing on the west coast has risen tremendously since implementation of the Prime series. Kolohe Andino attributes his success at NSSA Nationals to surfing the Prime series and Courtney Conlogue feels the Prime series was the main thing that prepared her to win the US Open and Gold at the ISA World Games in Costa Rica.

5. WSA memberships is up significantly since the implementation of Prime as kids want to qualify through WSA to be in the Prime series. Their Ponto, South Carlsbad event this weekend had over 400 competitors Including 48 in Boys U18, Boys U16, Boys U14 - 36 in Boys U12 and 22 in Boys U10. I feel it can do the same for East Coast member organizations.

6. The executive Director of Surfing America works insane hours with little help and low pay. He runs a sports marketing company as well. That company pays 100% for the trip to China to help the Chinese develop the action sports market there. To infer that Surfing America money is paying for the China trips is false.

Anyone with any questions is welcome to PM or email me.

Thanks!

Greg Cruse
Surfing America
gregcruse@surfingamerica.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false

Surfcat, first off..."Who love you Baby"; you KNOW I'm a Surfcat fan, and I KNOW you're for the kids, hell who is the first person I ask to speak to my son...YOU. Aside from all the time you and Goodwin donate for the kids. I think it's awesome and am stoked to call you a friend. I am not saying I completely agree with the timing of the implementation of these changes (implementing the Prime as a qualifier for the US). However I do believe it is great and should be supported. Adding contests is nothing new...Central Jerz has NOW added two additional contests (#11-12) this year, after August? That impacts standings too, allbeit on a smaller scale. However, as a surfer / parent / friend I have nothing negative to say about that, only that it would be hypocritcal to not place "adding" events in the same / similar light. It's all good...The Prime is limited to 17 and under and is focused on developing a pool pof talent for the National Team. A great opportunity for our kids.

The fact of the matter is that Surfing America counts two events as a qualifier for the US, that ALL of the kids that surf at that level will still go on their family surf trips this winter, still surf in additional "Special Events"...The cost factor is still LESS than hockey, soccer, football etc...at a National / International Level. Those other sports don't have shop sponsors paying contest entries, or equipment sponsors getting their athletes free or substantially doiscounted equipment... How many young athletes in other sports have an opportunity to take advice from the National Team Coach in their chosen sports? I would respectfully submit to you and anyone else who wants to debate this point, is that while the timing could have been delayed a year, the Prime should be supported and given a chance. As I have said before, the ESA is like family, and each district has their own crew / families and friends. Surfing America will never take that away.

"There is sooo much info that you are not receiving.... but you are clearly not in the line of fire and not getting the full monty of what is really out there."<--------from Surfcat. This is my main problem with the many groups in surfing over the years! The NGO and all the other organizations in the sport need to be more transparent in their operations and with dealing with each other and the surfing family. too many changes and rulings over the years have been just rammed down the throat of the group of surfers being served, and sometimes these changes were solely for the good of the individuals running the program OR the rulers saw that in their sole opinion the change would be good. I saw this sort of thing happen with NSSA, ESA and WSA and even the GSA over the years. Individuals not being forth coming with the reasons why and how and when changes would occur. It still bothers me personally and was the reason I walked away from organized surfing in the past..---------.leaving that behind, wasn't the surf neat on sunday? hope you all got some...

I didn;t have the time to head out to Montauk to check the Prime, but I surfed ESA on Sunday. Fun and kinda closed out at lowtide in Seaside. Got second again to Surfcat in Longboard...He has no respect for his elders...LOL...CT you're right about the Political BS. I try real hard to roll with whatever happens and maintain the friendships and brotherhood. Hell the same shit Surfcat complains about is done at the local / Regional level as well. I miss the days of no Regionals and six fun contests in the summer... Then head to Hat. or California. I left Contest surfing about the same time you did for the same reasons. Back because of my grommie and seeing old friends. This debate is important though as to what's best for our sport. Competitive surfing teaches the SAME lessons that other competitive sports teach, as ou well know: 1) what results from hard work; 2) goal setting; overcoming adversity; 3) dealing with defeat and sometimes victory. Tomsons "Surfers Code" should be reviewed by all speaking on these points as to lessons which should be learned. After all, if there is one thing surfing teaches us, is that everyone falls; you have to get back on your board and paddle back out..."Pass the Stoke".

I think Ct5 has hit the nail on the head. Transparency is not what we are getting from our NGB and in turn is creating a sense of mistrust within the other organizations. Funfact... Mike Gerard made $80,000.00 last year for Sevices??? So he makes very little pay?? Huh I did not know that was "little pay"?? Greg... do you have the financials printed out in your hand from the Meetings at the SA board Meeting?? How do you know how much money was collected from the member orgs?? Let's keep it real here Greg...don't try to polish or smooth over a very sensative area with us here on this site. You wana explain to me how TGSA and HASA have recieved waivers for this years US Championships?? Meaning, they are not required to do the prime series?? Would you like to elaborate on the specifics of that?? Be honest! I am tired of the heads of these organizations utilizing people,(let alone kids), as pawnes in a chess match to move their Org to the best level. Enough of the bull@#$%! Let's work together here and move ahead for the right reasons. Let me state this, if there was not any kind of urgency to get this program underway, the NGB would have allowed us (the Orgs) to talk and make a substantial decision. By doing that, we (the Orgs that make up the NGB) would have come at this thing with a positive outlook and full of energy behind this series?? But the lying and deception that has been going on during this process is disgusting!!! Barf!

By the way Maso....I agree with the adding of extra, extra, extra, extra, extra contest. I think it was better when the summers were filled with 4 or 5 solid contest. Not 18 (I'm exagerating). But to have to add contests throughout the already in motion contest series is confusing and non productive. People are striving to be the best at the end of 8 contest. Period. then add 6 more contest??? Not very motivating.....

I was the WSA board member on the Surfing America board. That's how I know how much each member organizations pay. $80,000 is not a lot for and executive director at an NGB, especially one that does everything with no budget for staff. Prime was started on the West coast and will roll out region by region. Don't want to bite off more than we can chew. The main thing we want to do is maintain the quality and consistency of the events. We will take this to Hawaii. Hawaiian surfers, Wendell Aioki, Jack Shipley and team manager Rainos Hayes are asking us to come there. Texas is in a rebuilding mode at this point and they don't have enough surfers in the Prime age divisions to support a program like this. That came out in conversations with TGSA, we listened, and we are holding off at this point. All of this has been discussed in depth at the last three board meetings of Surfing America. We also gave ESA 6 weeks from the original vote and announcement of Prime August 12 so they could ask questions and get all the information prior to their board meeting at Easterns. I personally spent dozens of hours after the Surfing America Board Meeting putting together all the information requested to help the ESA Board understand what we are doing. I wish you could have come to the event and witnessed what we are trying to do first hand. Not a single negative comment from anyone that participated and tons of compliments and words of support. There is no conspiracy or hidden agenda here. Just trying to bring a great, proven program to the kids on the East Coast.

Well Surf Cat, I suppose we can agree to disagree on the Prime Series. Sponsorhips being what they are for the kids today? Hell we had to have fund raisers to travel when I was on the NSSA Team, and I had to work my nuts off. Some kids go through that today, however most kids are home schooled (Florida & Cali) and have parents of means and sposnorships to support and subsidize their surfing careers. Some of these same parents complaining take their kids to Hawaii or PR every winter. Others are stoked on getting a Prime Series in that they got skunked for waves in Hat. It is what it is. You and Goodwin do a great job and donate a ton of time for the kids, as does Debbie Hidges. All good. Simply put though, the ESA admin or NSSA admin should NOT discourage people from going to the Prime.

As for our contest in Central Jerz. Is there now a contest #12? Just have to know to try to clear that weekend. Tanks.

Word just in from Goodwin. You should clear your calendar every weekend through 12/14/09. He was planning to have a contest every weekend until the end of the year, but I talked him into giving you guys the weekend of 12/20-21 to do a little holiday shopping.

Surfcat. I really wish you had been there this weekend. It would have been a perfect opportunity for you to teach the All Stars some contest strategy, particularly on Sunday when it was big. We aren't going to hash this issue out on a public internet forum but we really should and can work this out to the benefit of the surfers in the organization. After all that is who we take all this bulls**t for isn't it? Or is it the big bucks? I always get that confused.

Goodwin reminds me of an old friend of mine who tells me we're going to go for a nice "little" five mile paddle and we end up going four times that...WTF?? It's a war of attrition. Hell we're use to adding a few contests, the Prime should be easily accepted...lol...

Here are some key observations and coaching advice from an old friend who was at the event:

"Some real interesting differences between east and west surfers; no one looked at the score sheets after their heat, and no one questioned a judges call. There is a lot to learn off the score sheets about what the judges are scoring high and strategy of winning surfers. Lots of groveling like they were in 6 man 15 minute heats. Saw this at the first few west coast primes. The kids need to learn to manage their heats. Get on the board quickly with a good mid range score and build from there. Don't waste time taking waves that can't improve your scores and may leave you out of position for a wave that can. Also clueless on getting their sponsors some exposure. Set the winners up with interviews with Fuel TV and none of them had hats or t-shirts with logos. Sent the kids back to their cars to at least grab a board or a hat or a t-shirt with their sponsors on it. The surfing was insane though. Some real talent back there and I think they will really benefit from a program like this that prepares them for USA Championships format and also Pro Jr. Events."

I believe that commentary says it all. Outstanding analysis, the person for the moment shall remain annonymous...

Well, (to all) this is what this chat has been about. Trying to work this out. I tried to work out the costs so I could get to the Prime....for the kids....be there and coach them along with Ian. I would have loved to be apart of what is supposedly best for the kids today. I am all about the team effort. Unfortunately my paycheck does not allow me to do all the traveling I want to. Even when it's in my own backyard.
Work together they say?? Talk and communicate they say?? It seems as though some attention has been brought to the issues at hand, but will any progress between these member orgs and NGB be made??
That is the question. After making a vote (without input from the Orgs) and setting it in stone, the NGB walks away from any sort of discussion on the topic?? I don't get that. To imply that there was a breakdown of the actual contest format and questions answered 6 months prior to this Prime Series in Montauk. Hmmm...we just got the memo 2 weeks before the Prime stating the format. And as for you Mr. Cruise. Again, you'd like to polish this thing off by stating you have been here on the east coast with little pay?? Mike Has been here with little pay?? The board has been sitting there making decisions with little pay?? The set of nuggets you carry in your pocket are massive! How can you possible pay your Mortgage and taxes with the very little pay you recieve?? Instead of making a life choice to be a doctor, lawyer, or a biochemist, you have opted to be the Director of WSA and now run the prime series. Pure logic tells me you must be doin alright if you can afford to jump from coast to coast and keep up with your monthly bills. Don't sit there and tell me you payed this thing with a credit card and hope to pay it off in the next 4 months. There was parents that went to Prime, charged the whole trip on a credit card, and hope to pay it off in 6 months....with accruing interest?? Is this what the NGB is supposed to do, help our members become debt stricken?? How about that payment plan you talked about in the memo?? Is that where the NGB let's the parents charge away on an interest free credit card and make the lowest monthly payment??? I didn't get that credit card number. Since we're all having such a great ride here....how about you show us the money??
Membership to SA $120.00
Entry to Prime $75.00
Hotel stay $118.00/per night
Gas and tolls $200.00-$600.00
Food and grocery $250.00
Airfare $300.00
Sounds like alot of money for one contest just to surf 4 man heats and prove yourself. Is now the time to impliment this series?? Did you forget your west coast kids only have to travel a couple hours(couple 100 miles) to compete in all the prime events. East coast kids travel 5-15hrs (500 to over a thousand miles) over the prime events and this obviously was well thought out?? What's your hurry murray?? Go go go go. This sounds like the decisions of an NGB that is backing the kids alright. Not!

Well, maybe I'm just jealous?? I wish I had about a $1000.00 to drop on a weekend road trip??

Funfact...after the NSSA was systematically removed from trestles and they walked away from SA, the Prime series was implimented on the west coast. Of course your membership base went up???