Wipeout in Hawaii
Wednesday 6 January 2020 The World Surf League has cancelled the big wave event at Jaws and the Sunset Open, after Hawaii yesterday suspended all surfing competitions until further notice.
ON THE WAY DOWN: Francisco Porcella takes the drop sans board. Photo WSL / Carbajal
The event at Sunset, scheduled for January 19-28, and the Big Wave Jaws Championship Pe'ahi (Jan 1 - March 31) have been cancelled, while the WSL has postponed the CT Santa Cruz Pro, which was scheduled for February 2-12, 2021.
"The decision to postpone the Santa Cruz Pro, the last planned event of the US leg of the Championship Tour, is based primarily on the surge of COVID-19 cases in California. The postponement is also heavily influenced by the length of time our athletes have been away from home, and by the complexities of global travel during this pandemic, which would have caused significant logistical challenges for athletes and staff to travel home and return to California for the event," the WSL said in a statement.
"It is a testament to our surfers, staff, and the local community of Hawaii that we were able to successfully complete both the men’s and women’s opening CT events of the 2021 season, and we 'Following many discussions with health and natural resource leaders of the State to find a way forward for future surf contests in Hawaii'would like to thank the communities in both Maui and Oahu for their support. We look forward to safely continuing the 2021 CT season with the Australia leg starting at the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in April."
The decision comes in the wake of this statement by the State of Hawaii, "following many discussions with health and natural resource leaders of the State to find a way forward for future surf contests in Hawaii, we have determined that the State will be suspending surf competitions at this time.
"The public health and safety of our communities, contestants, spectators and guests is first and foremost in this decision. Unlike other professional and amateur events held on private property, the enforcement of crowds and large gatherings on public property will be challenging. The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism consulted with the Department of Health, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Emergency Management Agency and the Governor’s office in making this decision.
"We respectfully ask for your patience, understanding and cooperation in these very challenging times as we all find the way forward together during this global pandemic."