In California, there’s no such thing as a CT contest you can watch for free. Not in 2018, at least. Image: Founders’ Cup
As you may or may not be aware, legislators in California are currently debating whether surfing should become the state’s official sport. That’s right. California quail (state bird). Redwood (state tree). Golden trout (state fish). And soon, surfing.
Personally, I disagree with the move. (Read more here!) Still, besides Hawaii, it’s impossible to argue any state in the union has done more to elevate modern surfing’s visibility than the state of California. And Southern California, especially, is widely regarded as the heart of the industry.
So, it’s a shame that in recent years professional surfing’s most elite display, the Championship Tour, has maintained three Australian contests on the schedule, with just one event in California – the Hurley Pro at Trestles. Still, at least in years past, there was an opportunity for groms and groms-at-heart alike to see the world’s best descend on Lowers. And better yet, it was free.
Following a retooling of the CT schedule announced late last year, the only official Championship Tour event taking place in California in 2018 is the upcoming Surf Ranch Pro. Worse than the fact most fans hoping to attend will have to brave the stench of cow dung in the heat of one of California’s notorious Indian summers, the World Surf League recently opened pre-sale for tickets, and (surprise!) they aren’t cheap.
If you’re an adult hoping to watch all three days of surfing with bonus entry into the Friday night concert, you’re looking at $200 bucks for the whole kit and kaboodle. Single-day tickets will set you back $100 each. So if you’re hoping to go two days, you might as well pay for all three.
Tickets for groms (age 10 and under), by comparison, are very affordable. Just $25 for the whole event – either because no 10-and-under kid is driving to Lemoore by himself or herself, or because he or she probably isn’t going to be able to see over the wall that surrounds the tank.
Charging surf fans to watch the action in the pool isn’t new, of course. The WSL charged plebes $150 for a two-day ticket to the Founders’ Cup earlier this year. Still, that was an exhibition event, and this is a CT event – the kind Californians used to go watch for free.
What’s more, like the Founders’ Cup the WSL has rolled out both a VIP experience ($499) and a “Surf Ranch Experience” that’s still priced at a cool $9500.
$200 bucks to watch the pros? No thanks. Photo: WSL
To be fair, WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt has expressed interest in getting Trestles back on tour for next year. Until then, California-based surf fans must either head to Lemoore to watch their favorite surfers live, or watch the webcast (now exclusively on Facebook!) just like everyone else.
