July 1, 2008 - After five years as a regular fixture of the Summer X Games, surfing has been dropped as one of the featured events. This year’s X Games will host several new disciplines, including Women’s Moto X Racing, but surfing will not be included in the world’s most visible action sports gala.
Slated to go down at Puerto Escondido over a four-day waiting period this week - dates that overlap with the Billabong Pro J-Bay - the X Games surf competition apparently was unable to get the big WCT names they wanted. And by big names we mean Kelly (Slater), Andy and Bruce (Irons), Taj (Burrow), Mick (Fanning), Dane (Reynolds), and Jordy (Smith).
No mention of the ladies, who were finally added to the event last year. The 2007 U.S. vs. the World format featured legendary surfers Lisa Andersen and Layne Beachley as opposing coaches. The former is a four-time world champion and the inspiration behind the Roxy brand. The latter is a seven-time champion from Australia.
Guess the move to the Mexican Pipeline in search of gnarlier waves, nor the addition of the ladies, was enough to save the event.
Although surfing at X Games is definitely off for this year, it may be revisited next year. Stay tuned.
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[…] is still the heart and soul of the event but sadly, surfing, perhaps the perfect action sport, is not part of the competition this year. The X Games is still primarily targeted to young, male viewers but there are a couple of events […]