Brad Gerlach Profile - 1987

Profile from TV in the late 80's. Gerlach was the polar opposite of the other top ten Californian in the late 80's: Tom Curren. He loved the limelight and at this moment in time, he loved the tour:
"Over the past two years on the World Tour there's been a minor backlash, mainly in regards to the to the ASP's erratic contest scheduling. Some surfers have been openly critical, claiming, among other things, that an 11-month season is just too wearing. "After the first couple years" says Martin Potter, "It's a job." Richard Cram and Jim Hogan, dissatisfied beyond words, gave up their Main Event seedings. Some young pro surfers, Brock Little, for example, are foregoing a total ASP commitment to conecerntrate on other facets of their surfing careers.

Brad Gerlach loves the World Tour. He says nothing in the world- not money, movie contracts, his own tv sitcom, nothing- could take him away from surfing full-time on the circuit. "To me, the Pro Tour is total happiness.""
"The surfing-world-at-large digs where he's coming from. There's no shortage of standard-issue rebels...there is a shortage of rebels rich in both raw talent and natural charisma.
"Total happiness," indeed. Brad Gerlach is young and famous, signing off all expenses, and winning ASP heats in contests around the world. And as far as he can predict, it should be just as good- if not better- the next couple go-arounds. The Pro Tour has too many more things in store for him. Too many more good waves. Too many more contests. Too many more "cultural experiences."" (Surfer Magazine - August 1987)


This video was uploaded strictly for enjoyment and to document surfing history.