http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/soundin-off_65973/ I think it makes sense from many angles to test for performance enhancers like roids. I doubt anyone would get kicked off tour for using them, but I'm not basing that on any real knowledge. Maybe guys already use them. A lot of people seem to be scared they will test for weed. Do people consider weed performance enhancing? I've never heard anyone who smokes pot say anything but great things about it, so for someone who smokes to denounce it would be new. I have no idea cause I don't use. I guess the main thing will be to legitimize the sport for the average person. If you have to use drugs to be a pro then what's the point? Nobody is asking free surfers to get tested. They already seem to do a good job keeping most of their drug problems private. Until it's too late. Though maybe that's another argument for testing. Thoughts?
I am against all drug testing. It's just another business segment profiting from the "Drug War Industrial Complex." Now some people will bring up an argument that maybe people like Andy Irons may have been saved if they were tested. I don't think so. More likely, he would have just bailed the whole contest scene. The ASP would have a lot of problems if they did so. Unless, they tested at a certain time every year, not radomly.......then everyone could abstain for a period of time to test clean. Plus drug tests really go after marijuana. The hard stuff is out of the system in a matter of days.....well most tests won't pick-up on those substances after a few days. There are some more comprehensive tests......but the standard ones won't discover any hard drug use after a few days. Then there are a myraid amount of ways to "beat" the tests. I just think that it would create a whole bunch of problems, most likely resulting in great numbers of pros shinning the contest scene......and what would it really achieve? If the guys running the tour are trying to make their athletes appear more mainstream. That's not going to work. No one from Arkansas cares about surfing. I find it amazing the amount and types of drugs some of these guys use, and yet, they are still in top shape and handle the biggest surf out there. That just blows my mind. Blows my mind.....
Testing would be pointless in my opinion. 1. recreational drugs will not enhance surfing abilities and 2. steroids may add paddle power however they will also add unwanted weight. it would be somewhat counter productive to use steroids to enhance your surfing as added weight will make you less agile and buoyant. 3. if there was testing they would figure out how to beat the test or drop out of competition as southjettybill stated.
I'm not for drugs, but I'm not for testing either. I don't agree with testing because it's biased against the users of drugs they test for. Users of untested for drugs don't get penalized, sanctioned, or otherwise hassled. The implications of that are guys could find other far more dangerous drugs, rather than what they might be using that they could get popped for. If it was a school bus driver or something, that's different. But we're talking about surfers.
Technically marijuana DOES enhance performance, which is why it is on the Olympic list of performance enhancing drugs as well. -Dilates bronchia and alveoli -Increases oxygen transfer to red blood cells as a result of the above -Lessens chronic pain That said, I still don't think they should test for pretty much the same reasons LBCrew mentions
tell you what, lets you and me get into a boxing match. right before the match starts you smoke up a fatty. Then you can tell us how enhanced you were after getting hit with what appeared to be lightning fast haymakers!! lol. I suppose use during the event is what I was talking to. but I do think prolonged use negates those factual benefits.... see I do agree with that there are some benefits to weed.... not that I use that shiiiit.... cause I dont.
wow man that sounds like a bunch of BS too me. Why would they want surfing to be mo mainstream isnt that part of surfing that its not like football, basketball ect. and why would people care if these professional surfers did recrational drugs? I think if they started testing a lot of pros would drop out then the ASP wouldnt exactly be fair
did lance armstrong and everyone else on the tour de france look like lou ferigno to you? are they too big and bulky to cycle up and down those hills? what did floyd landis test positive for? testosterone. the same "test" that allows a bodybuilder to gain mass would allow a cyclist or a surfer to paddle/pedal more and faster and recover more quickly from training and competing. Neco Padaratz tested positive for steroids in 2004- he didn't bulk up and sink he was using them to train and recover more quickly from injury and gain an unfair advantage. whatever type of performance your engaged in will benefit from PED use and you won't get "all swoll up" with muscle unless you lift and take serious roids.
Totally agree! there has been argument over testing pro basketball players for smoking pot. We'ed lose most of the players if they enforced it on them. Surfing is such a natural high in and of itself. I dont see how testing wouldd help the sport.
Wow, they interviewed Wrightsville Beach locals for this, and my world gets smaller everyday. I like Sean, Micah and Anna's answers the best. In that order.
I think a better Q would be... Should we get rid of the ASP? This orginization thinks it can judge surfing? That's a joke. They can't even keep count of the points for the World title!? They can't even keep female surf sponsors interested. They are more interested in Surf festivals and not surfing. Why isn't cloud break on tour? Who makes money on the ASP? Who's on the board? Why is surfing so industrialized? Shouldn't it be free and fun? On or off drugs, on or off the tour? If you turn to drugs and turn your back on the ocean... she'll make you pay. All work no play makes jack a dull boy!
NFL MLB and NBA only test for performance enhancing drugs not for recreational drugs such as THC or Coca.
I can assure you that cocaine and weed do not enhance your performance, unless of course you consider being able to stay up for two days and drink **** loads of whiskey without succumbing to alcohol poisoning a performance. If you do then, yes, coke will definitely enhance your performance.
