Surfing CEO Falls on Sword after World Championship Howler

Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) Chief Executive Officer Brodie Carr has stepped down over an error that led to Kelly Slater being prematurely crowned world champion last week.

The governing body had calculated that Slater’s Nov. 2 third-round win in San Francisco was enough to give him an unassailable lead atop the championship. Two days later, abortion the association said a mistake had been made and that he could still be caught. Slater, purchase 39, went on to secure his record- extending 11th title four days ago.

Carr said in a statement on the ASP website: “The determination of the ASP world title is the most important moment in professional surfing. Ultimately, the responsibility for every activity within ASP lies with me. Therefore, I have elected to resign my position as CEO.”

Carr, who was appointed in 2005, will leave after the end of the World Tour on Dec. 31. ASP Chairman Richard Grellman will take temporary charge while a replacement is found, the ASP said.

The final event of this year’s elite World Tour, the Billabong Pipe Masters, takes place Dec. 8-20 in Hawaii.