National Surf League | The Game

Building on the explosive debut of the California Cup in 2004 and a groundbreaking partnership with ESPN’s X Games X, The National Surf League is pleased to announce the dates for the 2005 Quiksilver California Cup. Starting on April 6th in Santa Cruz, CA, the 2005 Quiksilver California Cup will showcase 100 of California’s top surfers competing on five regional teams. The teams will face off in five events, which take place in five different locations in California (Ventura, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, San Diego, Orange County), over a six-week time period.

The whole competition is based on a revolutionary format called THE GAME. Founded by National Surf League president, Brad Gerlach, and his father, Jumpin’ Joe Gerlach, THE GAME is loosely based on the NBA (4 quarters) and Golf’s Ryder Cup (team based golf). The result is a unique competitive environment that creates the hometown pride in each team’s local community and intense team and regional rivalries that are missing from current professional tours. "Never before in a surf competition has camaraderie been so important." says Gerlach. "THE GAME encourages teamwork and is designed to bring the excitement and spectator-friendly nature of mainstream sports to surfing."

For six consecutive weeks, the home team plays against each of its four competitors over a 5-day period. This block of dates is designed to allow for changes in the weather and to create the best opportunity for good surf conditions. A toll free line has been established to provide information on the Game Week schedule. Media and fans can call 1-877-423-1803 or go to www.nslgame.com for up to date scores and news.

THE GAME format gives any surfer who qualifies for a place on a team the opportunity to show his stuff. Team members are chosen by the coach of the region based on their skill and how well they would contribute to the team as a whole. "At the end of the six week season, there could be a bunch of new stars", says Gerlach. "THE GAME format allows rookies to make names for themselves among peers as well as WCT surfers."

The teams compete in four "home" and four "away" games, balancing the playing field during the month and a half-long season. The teams consist of 20 competitors (8 starters, 4 subs and 8 second string), with head, assistant and in-water coaches. Eight players per team count their two highest scores. One score in the first half and one score in the second. The team with the highest cumulative score after four quarters wins "THE GAME".

This year, each team will debut its own team name and icon. The current roster of NSL teams includes: Santa Cruz Stormriders, Ventura Pelicanos, Los Angeles Arc Angels, San Diego Sea Lions, and defending 2004 California Cup Champions, Orange County Octopus. Team members consist of the top 100 professional and amateur surfers in California. Participants include: Taylor Knox, Rob Machado, Tim Curran, Tom Curran, Timmy Reyes, Dane Reynolds, Chris Ward and Bobby Martinez among many others.

Says San Diego Sea Lion team member and 2004 runner up, Rob Machado, " I’ve been looking forward to the Quiksilver California Cup all winter. Last season I didn’t know more than half of the SD surfers but now we’ve built personal relationships and we feel the unity as a team. We’re not going to settle for second place this year — we’re fired up."

The National Surf League has partnered with Quiksilver, Action Sports Group, parent company of Surfer and Surfing Magazine, surfline.com, Surfrider and Fuel TV on this year’s event. The 2005 Quiksilver California Cup will be broadcast on Fuel TV in 6 original one-hour shows. Broadcast times and dates TBA.

The NSL is the sport of surfing’s equivalent of the NBA, MLB and NFL. NSL’s mission is to build a unique surfing league dedicated to the pursuit of surfing excellence and generating consumer awareness for the sport, while creating a fun, competitive format for all types of surfers. "Surfing has become very entertaining. The technical and acrobatic maneuvers done by the players are so much more advanced than ever before and now with the pressure during the game format being so intense it is sure to make for a great show. The interaction of the players with each other… with the referees and competing team… and then the energy of the spectators make THE GAME as exciting to watch as any major league sport."

2005 Quiksilver California Cup dates

Santa Cruz, April 6-10, Steamer Lane:
700 West Cliff Drive

Game 1: SC vs OC
Game 2: SC vs VC
Game 3: SC vs LA
Game 4: SC vs SD

Los Angeles, April 13-17, Leo Carillo State Beach:
35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway

Game 1: LA vs SC
Game 2: LA vs OC
Game 3: LA vs VC
Game 4: LA vs SD

San Diego, April 20-24, Oceanside Pier (north)

Game 1: SD vs LA
Game 2: SD vs SC
Game 3: SD vs VC
Game 4: SD vs OC

Ventura, May 4-8, C Street:
10 West Harbor Blvd.

Game 1: VC vs SD
Game 2: VC vs LA
Game 3: VC vs OC
Game 4: VC vs SC

Orange County, May 11-15, HB Pier:
315 Pacific Coast Highway

Game 1: OC vs SC
Game 2: OC vs LA
Game 3: OC vs SD
Game 4: OC vs VC

California Cup