Pro Tour Formats

Here's an idea for the pro tour.

For the pro men, have two fields. The usual field (DRIVE scoring) and then an Expression Session field (80% subjective; 20% technical); or 100% subjective.

This is just an idea, but maybe have a rule were if you have EVER placed top 10 in end of year pro tour standings (or maybe a rider vote), you are eligible to ride expression session. Have a separate prize package (dependent on event) and rotating judges.

This way riders like Vandall, Parks, Lyman, can go out and put together impressive runs at events, without worrying about the scoring. Payout would be less, but exposure would be greater (so more individual sponsor incentives).

There used to be real expression session contests...what happened?

You cannot ride in both fields. The motivation is two-fold. 1. maybe you're a top rider but dont' like contests; 2. maybe you've dominated contests and don't care to repeat past performances just to watch others try and match (ie. danny harf). With relatively static competition formats, why repeat in 2009 what you already did in 2008 (or 2007, or 1997)? If the level of contest riding TRULY changes, then I can understand wanting to re-join the regular ranks...but otherwise, why bother.

How many pro and amateur contests are there in the US? Any sites list them? Like to get next years calendar started?

cheers
Darrin
WakeSurfSkate.com

Darrin- The King of Wake has 9 events that is considered the main pro events. There are a few others such as the World Cup and World Series but they don't have the depth of riders the KOW has.

Charles- Have you been to a pro stop lately? Pretty impressive riding there. I don't think you are going to squeeze more $ out of anyone and the payout is ridiculously small now, only paying the top 6 riders. I would not be for anything that cuts into the pockets of the riders trying to make a living.