Martinez goes off at NY surfing event

Martinez goes off at NY surfing event

Published Sep. 7, 2011 1:00 a.m. ET

An expletive-laden tirade ambushed surfing's richest ever event Wednesday, with Bobby Martinez disqualified for blasting officials during a publicly broadcast interview at the Quiksilver Pro New York.

The outspoken Californian has been a long-time critic of the Association of Surfing Professionals' convoluted rankings system, but his profane rant — streamed on beachside big screens and over the internet — left organizers furious.

"I don't want to be a part of this f***ing dumb wannabe tennis tour," Martinez said.

"I'll tell you right now, if my sponsor wasn't here, I wouldn't be here for this dumb contest.

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"ASP? Surfing's going down the drain thanks to these people.

"This is my last one [event] because FTW, my sponsors, are here and I just tell it like it is.

"I don't like the tour. . . . Who gives a f***? You know what I mean?"

Disillusioned with a world No. 22 ranking that left him in danger of being relegated to surfing's second tier after the $1 million event, Martinez had already announced New York would be his swansong.

Read more here.

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