Bad Luck Friday

HAPPIER TIMES: The GOAT comes out of his pen at a former Tahiti Pro. Photo WSL / Miller

The WSL announced the cancellation of the Tahiti Pro today following the declaration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) moving French Polynesia into a Level 4 zone and advising people not to travel. The WSL said they would not replace the event at such short notice, given the global health and safety conditions at the moment.

“Obviously we’re very disappointed but it’s really important that we keep those communities safe,” said the Senior Vice-President of Tours and Competition Jessi Miley-Dyer. “This is going to be our final event for the 2021 regular season for the championship tour. We still going to have the finals and we are going to have some updated qualification scenarois for the top five and for requalification for the next season.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody for supporting WSL and for supporting pro surfing.”

ROCK BOTTOM: An iconic photo from a past iteration of the Teahupo'o event. Photo WSL / Poullenot

The Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver will be the last regular-season event of the 2021 WSL Championship Tour season, and will now determine the WSL Final 5 who will qualify for the World Title-deciding Rip Curl WSL Finals at Lower Trestles next month.

Surfers were notified last night that there was an increasing possibility of this cancellation following the High Commissioner and President's press conference where the new protocols were announced, including the suspension of all sporting events in Tahiti. Prior to competition starting today, surfers were informed that the event has been cancelled.

The WSL will continue to work with our athletes and partners on safely completing the remainder of the Championship Tour and Challenger Series seasons and we will adapt as needed moving forward.

The WSL appreciates the ongoing support of our surfers, staff, partners, fans and the communities we visit around the world.