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The Association of Surfing Professionals to Begin Drug Testing Wave Riders in 2012

Since the 1960's the sport of surfing has always been surrounded by the negative bad boy image of partying, drugs and alcohol. The partying atmosphere has taken its toll on surfers throughout the generations leading to last years overdose death of surfing great Andy Irons.  The Association of Surfing Professionals  (ASP) will begin substance abuse testing next year in hopes of protecting their members and overall image.  What type of drugs will be tested and what methods have yet to be determined.  “It’s been a long time coming,” said Hawaiian event representative Randy Rarick. Details are vague, but the testing is expected to be in place for the Quiksilver Pro on the Gold Coast, the first event for 2012.

Drugs and Surfing
Jeff Hakman Born in 1948 in California. At only 17 years old, he beat some of the world's best surfers and found International fame, and in 1966 he was proclaimed the world's top big-wave rider. In the late 60s to early 70s he launched the Quicksilver brand in the US. The companies success in the States was rapid and huge. Unfortunately Jeff developed a drug problem, which got the better of him. He sold his interest in Quiksilver to pursue drugs and was eventually kicked out all together. Jeff's heroin addiction was so bad by this time that he ended up in rehab in the late 80s.

Surfer Chris Cahill, a member of the legendary 1970s Zephyr skateboarding team formed in the section of Venice Beach, Calif. known as Dogtown died of acute cocaine-morphine (heroin) toxicity in 2010.

Surfer Josh Persoff, a recovering addict created the Surfer's Code for Recovery. Persoff explained in a 2011 interview with ESPN that the Surfer's Code for Recovery is in addition to -- not a replacement for -- traditional recovery programs. "This is a way to translate traditional recovery programs into the surfer language," said Persoff. "I will watch out for other surfers. Surfers are a unique population, a tribe. Most of the education needs to come from within the tribe, like any cultural group," said Persoff. He takes surfers in recovery back out on the waves, and provides surfboards and gear, like Persoff's sponsor provided for him.

Mobile Medical Corporation (MMC)
National Provider of Substance Abuse Testing Services
www.mobmed.com
888-662-8325
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