Bury The Hatchett.

It’s quite possible to say that Perry Hatchett is responsible for the some of the most important changes in surfing history. Perry spent ten years behind the wheel of the ASP’s Judging Panel and implemented numerous pivotal changes to the judging criteria. Perry’s plans were to take surfing to new heights but were cut short with the ASP’s decision to not renew his judging contract.We decided to get in contact with Perry to talk about the ASP’s decision, if there was any tension and where he sees the tour heading in 2011.

First and foremost, were you shocked when your contract with the ASP wasn’t renewed or was it something you were expecting?
“As far as I was concerned, I never had a contract with ASP. It is my understanding that no judges do. Yes, I was totally shocked. After a successful finish in Hawaii, I received a phone call on Australia Day in the middle of a barbeque I was having at my place. Brodie basically told me I didn’t have a job. It seemed surreal. I had no idea what so ever that it was coming; I had already started the year with the WJC at North Narrabeen and had only just implemented the new criteria for the ASP, which I had worked on for the last part of 2009. Brodie stayed next door to me in Hawaii only weeks before and never alluded to the fact that I was about to get sacked. When I spoke with some of the surfers and board members, they were in the same position as I was, shock. They reckoned that they had no idea it was coming or they knew and they weren’t allowed to say anything to me. It took me quite a while to get it into my head what just happened and till this day, I still don’t understand it. My sons Koa and Kila were devastated and if I hadn’t had the support of my wife Rachelle and friends I probably would have lost the plot (laughs). My sons were born onto the tour and that was their ‘family’. It affected us all and there wasn’t even a chance to speak out about it. The decision was made and I was cut off. Even the ASP judges and staff who I had worked with for 20 years were told they were not allowed to contact me by phone or email. I didn’t understand why I wasn’t given some sort of warning or a chance to evolve in a job that I was and am so passionate about. You know, I worked hard at my job for 20 years and in that time I won so many awards as an official for the sport of surfing outside of the surfing circle.”

Do you know the reason behind the ASP’s move?
“To be honest, no. All I was told it was in the best interest of the sport. I felt like it was similar to someone who was being jailed for an offence that had no clue about or even a chance to defend themselves.”

Perry and Kieren Perrow make the call.

Pic: Courtesy of the ASP

Could you say there was any tension between you and the ASP?
“To my knowledge, no. I was there to do a job, to be there for the judges, to stand up and work with the surfers. I was there to better the sport as a whole. Anyone in the industry and on tour, who share the same passion, knows that we are a family. I believe in the time I spent with the ASP, I was able to make a big difference and I enjoyed what I did. When I got the phone call of my termination, my mobile phone and email were cut off as well and no one was able to get in touch with me to query what had happened. The ASP even went into my email account and read my personal emails. I am sure that there are quite a few people out there still that are just as confused as I am.”

Are you proud of the changes you had implemented for the tour?
“Definitely. I was a full time judge for 10 years from 1990 and the Head Judge for the women since 1996. I then became the International Head Judge of the whole Tour from 1999 – 2009. I changed the criteria three times of my own accord for the best interest of the surfers after watching and listening to so many of there concerns and protests over the years. Changes had not been made since 1983. I still remember implementing the best two waves for the first time in an ASP event at the Margaret River WQS. It in the Rnd of 64 and how we switched back to best three for the Rnd 32 due to some surfers being unsure about the whole deal. At the end of the Rnd 32 many surfers came up to me and said ‘Wow. Let’s go back to the best two.’ Since that day, the best three system has not been used at an ASP event.”

The room where all the big decisions took place.

Pic: Courtesy of the ASP

Where were you going to take judging on tour if you were still in the same position?
“Each year was a step at a time to help the sport and do the best I could for the ASP Internationally. Who knows where we would have gone next? I had plans and my passion would have allowed doors to open. One thing I was hoping to do was set up judging clinics around the world to help people understand the whole deal of the scoring system. I’m still looking into that at the moment working with some ex-pro surfers and an international association called ASI (Academy of Surfing Instructors).”

Do you still watch the tour events and criticise the judging?
“I haven’t watched an event all year, funny thing is though I’ve copped quite a few emails from people around the world asking me questions about heats and the judging, They all want to know what the hell is going on. Bottom line is that the same judges are still there and at the end of the day they are the ones who put down the scores.”

What was the greatest heat you witnessed first hand?
“There are too many to mention. I’ve loved watching all the surfers, both WQS and WCT over the years. They have all had fantastic heats and I was stoked to have been involved with them. I’d like to say congratulations to all of you who have pursued the career you all love so much. You all have unique styles and at the end of the day it’s a pity you all aren’t rewarded the way you should be.”

Where do you see the tour heading in 2011?
“I can’t personally comment on that. I guess the tour will go where it goes, and with who is at the helm and leading the way who knows. Let’s hope that it doesn’t lose the essence of what surfing is all about. I think the one thing that seems to have gone is the good old saying ‘Only a surfer knows the feeling.’ It’s entirely up to the ASP but on one note I would love to see the WPS (World Professional Surfers) involved and have more impact in the sport as a group. I’d like to see all the surfers from WQS and the WCT making decisions. Not just a couple of CT surfers making them with pressure on them from their sponsors at the same time. Last of all I would like to pay my condolences to all of the Irons family, in particular to Lindy and Bruce. Andy was a fantastic ambassador and a great person, rest in peace mate we all love you.”

Tags: ASP, Perry Hatchett