ASP responds to comments made by Quiksilver employee – Surfing news
After remaining silent for some time, the professional surfing governing body Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) has finally released a statement in response to the comments made by a Quiksilver employee on the Roxy ad campaign, which was designed
to promote the women’s surfing event in Biarritz.
ASP CEO Paul Speaker described the recently-published comment by the Quiksilver employee as “unacceptable” and really distant from the values of the governing body.
According to him, the ASP is focused on promoting surfing and celebrating the exceptional talent that exists in the sport.
“The ASP draws its inspiration from the ocean – an arena that does not distinguish where you’re from, the colour of your skin, where you worship or your sexual orientation. As such, we are an organization of tolerance, objectivity and inclusiveness.” He
said. “The athletes of the ASP are committed individuals of talent, inspiration and character,” Speaker continued. “ASP’s vision for the future of the sport is to celebrate their athleticism, personality and stories– which we look forward to bringing to the
world in 2014 when we assume responsibility for events, marketing and broadcasting of the professional sport of surfing.”
The whole issue started after Quiksilver Surf Program Manager Chad Wells posted a link to the ad campaign for the 2013 Roxy Pro Biarritz, one of the eight stops on the 2013 ASP Women’s World Championship Tour, on his Facebook page and commented that people
who thought that the ad campaign in belonged in the past should do their homework and understand that “butchy Lesbos” were representing the sport in the past.
He said that the females representing surfing today are confident about their sexuality and know very well how they are being represented and marketed.
He noted that the critics would have been far happier had there been one shot of a well-ridden wave by a female surfer in the ad.
Wells went on to contend that the female surfers have a much larger fan base and audience today than they ever did in the past. Even though the s*x appeal in the ads may serve to grab the attention of an average male, majority of the viewers and followers
of female surfing are interested in watching the talented female surfers showcase their talent during the heats.
Roxy Pro has been rescheduled to the final week of September due to low swell at Biarritz during the event window.
Tags: