HUNTINGTON BEACH, California (Wednesday, October 14, 2009) – The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) is close to capping off the 2009 season and with the exciting changes set in place for ASP surfers for next year and beyond, Brett Simpson (Huntington Beach, CA), 24, current ASP WQS No. 6 and ASP Dream Tour hopeful, took a minute to express his thoughts on how the landmark changes will benefit his sport.
Simpson has been a standout in several international events on The Grind this year and is in excellent position to potentially qualify for the prestigious ASP World Tour. The progressive regular-footer is looking forward to being a part of the new face of the ASP Dream Tour set in place for 2010.
“I think the 32-man format awesome for the sport,” Simpson said. “This is the kind of progression we needed to build or sport and take it to the next level! I already think it’s a pretty prestigious class of guys, but by the middle of next year there will likely only be 32 guys and that’s a huge honor if you’re a part of that.”
Simpson is also looking forward to the simplification of the one-world rating slated to take place for next season, making it perfectly clear as to where each surfer sits on a global scale.
“The one-world rating is huge for us surfers too,” Simpson said. “Somebody will ask me what I’m rated, and I don’t even know what to tell them because I’m sixth on the ‘QS but there are still 45 guys ahead of me on the World Tour, so now it will be a much more clear answer.”
The Orange County local, who won the richest ASP WQS prize purse in surfing history when he claimed the Hurley U.S. Open this year, is also out to claim his piece of the financial boost set in place for next year’s ASP World Tour as well as the top level ASP WQS events.
“I’m always motivated and hungry, but the increased prize purse definitely helps us surfers out a lot,” Simpson said. “The more money we can make just helps us in the future. It’s an awesome bonus and great that the sponsors and ASP are really backing the surfers.”
Simpson will be out to solidify his spot on the ASP World Tour at the upcoming ASP WQS 6-Star O’Neill Cold Water Classic which will run from October 25 through 31, 2009.
For Simpson’s profile log on to www.aspnorthamerica.org
