Tommy’s In!
So Tommy called me back and said yes, he’ll come down and judge! So stoked on that! Everyone loves and respects Tom. He is one of surfing’s all time greats, so many people including myself have been influenced by his surfing genius. It’s an honor to have him judge the Red Bull Riders Cup and legitimizes our competition as the real deal. Pro surfers Micah Byrne and Jesse Evans are the other two judges. This is a top notch judging panel for any event, including the World Tour. NSL’s stance is that a judge must have the ability to surf at a pro level in order to really understand how critical good surfing is. In our 150 plus Game history we have had some very close Games, but we have never had a team that deserves to win end up losing.
We also believe that a score can be debated. That’s why we also have professional surfers as Referee’s. Here in Ventura Jeremy Sherwin and Justin Swartz stand next to the coaches during the game to call timeouts, sub in players, or refute scores. These coaches, who are pro surfers themselves, must be talking with a respected peer or this referee situation would not work. The Ref’s are in walkie talkie communication with the head judge, so if the Ref doesn’t like the score he communicates it with the head judge or game director (pro surfer as well). This sometimes helps the head judge plead his case with the judges who may be a little off.
The Game format has checks and balances. That is why it works so well.
Off to Ventura
I called Tom Curren to judge as I figured there is nobody more qualified than him. Left him a message. He judged the 3 Golden State Regional Games held in Ventura last year and knows The Game format well. He was on the Ventura Pelicanos in ‘04 and ‘05, won a gold medal at the X-Games in ‘06 with the West Team, and was in Brazil last November to go up against Team Brazil along with Corey Lopez, Shane Beschen, Clay Marzo, and Asher Nolan.
GAME ON!
Last week was opening week of the 4th annual Red Bull Riders Cup in Santa Cruz California.
It was exciting to be there! We have had great success with The Games in Santa Cruz and the surfers take it very seriously. A pretty interesting dynamic, but it’s not fun unless it’s serious.
It warms my heart to see all the local pros like Rat Boy, Matt Rockhold, Joey Hudson, Homer Henard, Tyler Fox, Kyle Buthman, and Pete Mel coaching the kids. Basically all Santa Cruz Stormriders, helping seed the future talent pool up north.
It’s great to see the kids fired up on competing in “The Game” format. It is also cool to have an all pro staff: Shaun Burrell runs the show, on top of commentating Omar Etcheverry organized all the teams and brought out the judges: Peter Garaway, Bud Freitas, Austin Smith Ford, TJ Mikus, and Matt Myers. Zach Keenan directs, Jeremy Sherwin as Referee.
I also got to see my old pal Adam Replogle rooting for the underdog Aptos. It was great to be around such a great group of surfers who showed pride in their teams and were competitive and stoked to be there.
Highlights for me were:
-Noah Wegrich 9.6 in the bottom of 3rd period to win the Red Bull Riders Cup Santa Cruz Regional Championships. He was visibly stoked. It would be fun to be a fly on the wall the next day at school while his friends were talking about how clutch he was and what a rad surfer he is etc…
-Seeing all my friends who rip up there helping the kids.
-Austin Smith Ford’s brutal and hilarious commentary.
-Shaun Burns surfing.
-Tyler Moorish surfing.
-Late night fun with Red Bull, Alli, and NSL staff Wed night.
-Fun waves and great weather.
-Eating at Aloha Grill. Thanks Timmy!
-And just as many girls at the Championship Game as guys! Let’s face it, it’s lot more fun to watch a sporting event with girls around cheering!
Good luck to Aptos High School in the Championships at Upper Trestles June 6-7!
Special Thanks:
Timmy from Aloha Grill,
Atul and Mandy from Alli
Dante Giuliano and his crew, Kieran Horn for letting me borrow his board.
Kim Clary from The Core, Small talk Steve (SOS)
So long Santa Cruz, See you all next year.
