Brad Gerlach

My Pops first created this unique format in 1993 just after I quit the ASP World Tour. He called it “How to make surfing a spectator sport.” In 1998, when I returned to competition I got bored quickly and revisited his idea. I took this format to all my pro surfing friends (Parsons, Machado, O’Connell, Knox, Weatherley, Larson, Drummy, Todd, Bennett, and a ton of others) and in 99 we started practicing and modifying it. We called it “The Game” and modeled the rules off of MLB, NHL, NBA, and NFL. Major League Spectator Sports.

I found competing fun again because The Game is very similar to what draws many people including myself to surfing in the first place; surfing with friends. A positive, competitive atmosphere where one naturally tries to out “rip” the other. A place where one never has to compromise dignity. After only a few practice games we found there was immense pressure to perform. This was due in part to not letting the team down and getting praise from other respected surfers which made it really fun and compelling to watch. Like who’s gonna choke? or who’s going to lay it down?

We have now run over 200 games in all different kinds of conditions, with the top male and female pros to highs chool kids to celebrities. Some of these games have come down to the wire, some into over time, and some were total blow outs. That’s sports for you.

I’m proud of what we have accomplished and would love to someday put on The World Cup of Surfing, modeled after the World Cup of Soccer. A competition that takes place every 4 years. A competition with really high stakes.

Here are some photos from the Brazil VS America game in 2008:

Pictures of NSL evolvement.

“The Game is totally exciting to watch and alarmingly fun. Even though it's way more competitive and has way more action than the conventional surf contest, it's so much closer to what surfing's about—going out with your friends and having a good time. It also raised a few questions about the surf industry for us, like, why is everything so conservative? Why are conventional contests so boring? Why is it so hard to try something new? Why aren't all surf contests like this? Those sort of questions.”

~ Jake Burkheart, ViceTV