Innovator: Brad Gerlach, Introduction of National Surf League’s “The GAME” format to competiti

Competitive surfing has taken its fair share of abuse from all angles, for its “me against the world” survival mentality, to the “soul surfing” detractors who think surfing is stifled under structured competitive formats.  But then there are those creative and talented individuals whothat focus on only the positive aspects in each situation, who realize supporting and promoting these positive attributes will manifest a better situation for everyone involved, from the excited spectators to the competitive athletes, along with everyone in between.  Brad Gerlach is this type of individual.
With immense talent, the young, 19-year-old prodigy made his pro debut straight out of the amateur ranks into his first professional event -- the 1985 Stubbies Pro in Oceanside, California.  The aggressive, go-for-it attitude and flair in his surfing upset the established pro surfing contingent, and the fired-up underdog took out the event earning his first major professional victory, signaling a changing of the guard.  
This dynamic surfing approach was coupled with a focused and determined, competitive mindset, and in 1991, with event wins at Australia’s Coke Classic and South Africa’s Gunston 500, the end result was a runner up finish to the World Championship Crown.  Despite finishing finishin second g 2nd in the world, the following year Gerlach almost immediately retired from the competitive surfing scene.  Disillusioned bywith the standard competitive format, Gerr began to travel and pursue free surfing and photo trips. But his , passion for surfing never subsided.  
In 2001 Gerr unveiled his new competitive team surfing format under the National Surf League, known simply as “The GAME.”  The concept maximizes spectator interest by taking about three 3 hours to complete, as opposed to a week long event going from sunrise to sunset each day.  The team structure focuses on all of the positives of competitive surfing, while eliminating the hassle of battling for waves.  Surfers on a team are in the water surfing together, able to help guide each other into good waves, hype each other up, and surf waves together with no interference.  
The structure is formatted similar to other team sports with a top and bottom of each quarter, and cumulative scores from each surfer added to achieve a team total for the quarter.  Head coaches are able to select time outs, where regulation time is stopped either until time runs out or a surfer stands up on a wave.  The coaches are also able to replace a starting surfer with an alternate if one of the starters is having an off day.  With team totals adding up each quarter, spectators are at the edge of their seats wondering which team will put together the highest total score.  Not only do you get to cheer for your favorite surfers on the team, but hometown pride factors in as well. The teams represent different geographical locations battling for bragging rights.  From hHigh sSchool teams, to state counties, to national coasts, and now the world, there is always the desire to see your home team come out on top.  
In 2003 the X-Games included surfing for the first time, and despite some disapproval by the ASP, they utilized the NSL’s “GAME” format which established an East coast vs. West coast rivalry.  The exposure again helped propel surfing into the mainstream limelight with this spectator-friendly structure.
Jeremy Sherwin, Head Coach for the San Dieguito Academy Team, this year’s Red Bull NSL High School Cup National Champions, knows first hand how much “The GAME” format helps surfing’s progress.  During the few years the California Cup pitted various California counties against each other, Sherwin was a star member of the San Diego Sea Lions Team, and he has taken that personal experience and incorporated his knowledge as a coach, passing on what he has learned to the stars of tomorrow with the current San Dieguito Academy Team. “The GAME format really helps bring the surfers together as friends, not as competitors against each other, and that camaraderie really progresses the level of surfing,” Sherwin said.
While the California Cup presented an amazing surfing display from the best surfers in the state, the Red Bull High School Cup has found solid support as the best structure for high school surf teams to showcase their skills.  With this year’s X-Games supporting the inclusion of a women’s team and an international field featuring the USA vs. The World format, every year keeps getting bigger and better.
Gerlach’s visibility has remained solid, with big wave tow-in missions with his tow partner Mike “Snips” Parsons earning him recognition through their assaults on Cortes Bank and Todos Santos.  In 2006, Gerr won the XXL Big Wave Award for riding the largest documented wave of the ‘05/’06 winter, earning a $68,000 payday.  But his contribution to the competitive surfing field with his innovative “GAME” format looks to be the true measure of his legacy.  With a variety of applications from the High School Cup to the world’s best surfing in the X-Games, Gerlach has created a format that keeps the spectators enthralled while fostering the team dynamic that progresses the level of surfing to new heights.  Gerlach’s contributions will benefit the sport of surfing for decades to come.