Pro Surfers Set to Begin Drug Testing

Professional surfers are set to join the ranks of most other pro sports and undergo random testing at events throughout the year for both performance enhancing and recreational drugs. The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) kicked off the testing last week at the Quiksilver Pro at Snapper in Australia. Although the guidelines haven't been published, the standards would be similar to those applied to Olympic athletes. Former state legislator and active surfer Fred Hemmings has been pushing for the drug tests since 1988. He says the primary purpose will be to help surfers identify any drug or alcohol problems. "I think all responsible sports are starting to do it now," he adds. "They do it in the Olympics and they do it in other professional sports, and I thought it would be adequate for surfing, too." Three-time world champion Andy Irons was the most recent pro surfer to succumb after his drug-related death in 2010, aged 32. While some surfers have anonymously admitted their concerns that marijuana is one of the drugs the ASP will test for, 11-time world champion Kelly Slater says he has no problems with the testing.