2020 Championship Tour cancelled, new tour format announced

Stu Nettle picture
Stu Nettle (stunet)
Swellnet Dispatch

In news that should surprise no-one, the WSL has cancelled the remaining events in the 2020 CT season.

The announcment came via an overnight press release, which said in part:

“After careful consideration and extensive discussions with key stakeholders, we have made the decision to cancel the 2020 championship tour and qualifying series seasons due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said WSL chief executive officer Erik Logan.

“While we firmly believe that surfing is among the sports best suited for competition to be held safely during the age of unresolved COVID, we have huge respect for the ongoing concerns of many in our community as the world works to resolve this.”

The cancellation wasn't the only announcement the Woz made. They also outlined an overhaul of the tour, one they'd threatened to make for four years.

The 2021 tour will actually begin later this year, at the Pipe Masters for men and Honolua Bay for women, then follow a ten-stop tour, again the same for men and women, up until September. Then, the top five placed men and women will have a one-day surf off. 

When the idea was initially floated by then-CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, the surf off was intended to be in the Mentawais. As yet, the location is unknown. In fact, most of the locations are still unknown as each country deals with its COVID strategy independently.

Two-time world champion Tyler Wright said of the new schedule: “I’m really excited about these new format changes. As someone who has spent a lot of time out with injury and on the couch these last few years as a professional spectator, I feel that change is good and needed."

“Having Tahiti come back on the schedule will be interesting and challenging. It will take us a few years to get our feet in. However, with the next generation of strong and talented women coming through, I think we’ll some have Tahiti specialists.”

The WSL will also host a series of regional, pre-season exhibition events featuring CT surfers in the USA, Australia, France, and Portugal called The WSL Countdown. 

In the US, Surf Ranch will host Rumble at the Ranch, a special mixed-gender team format event in August. In Australia, the Australian Grand Slam will feature 'strike mission' events at the Gold Coast and Margaret River over the months of September and October. In France and Portugal, the Euro Surf Cup will feature regional CT stars in late September and early October.

2021 Championship Tour Season*:
* All events and dates subject to change due to applicable COVID-19 related restrictions, including global travel restrictions

Shiseido Maui Pro presented by ROXY: Maui, Hawaii
November 25 - December 6, 2020
Billabong Pipe Masters: Oahu, Hawaii
December 8 - 20, 2020
MEO Pro Portugal: Peniche, Portugal
February 18 - 28, 2021
Corona Open Gold Coast presented by Billabong: Queensland, Australia
March 18 - 28, 2021
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach: Victoria, Australia
April 1 - 11, 2021
Margaret River Pro: Western Australia, Australia
April 16 - 26, 2021
Oi Rio Pro presented by Corona: Saquarema, Brasil
May 20 - 29, 2021
Surf Ranch Pro: California, USA
June 10 - 13, 2021
Quiksilver Pro G-Land: Indonesia
June 20 - 29, 2021
Corona Open J-Bay: South Africa
July 7 - 19, 2021
Outerknown Tahiti Pro: Teahupo’o, Tahiti
August 26 - September 6, 2021
The WSL Finals: Location TBD
September 8 - 16, 2021

Comments

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 6:16am

First observation - two tour stops (and the yet-to-be announced Finals) have no sponsor: Margaret River - who had Boost Mobile down for 2020, and the Surf Ranch - which had Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold.

But, Outerknown are back on the board, in Tahiti.

radiationrules's picture
radiationrules's picture
radiationrules Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 10:59am

Ben > I imagine WA gov't will underwrite MR Pro as they are/will continue to be very keen to reinvigorate tourism industry. > RR

stoner's picture
stoner's picture
stoner Wednesday, 22 Jul 2020 at 2:07pm

Not if their borders are still closed

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 6:50am

I personally can’t see a lot of that roster going ahead.

Robo's picture
Robo's picture
Robo Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 6:58am

Aussies won’t be going to Hawaii in November.

Howie66's picture
Howie66's picture
Howie66 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:49pm

Yep. And if there’s no vaccine nobody will want to go to Brazil or USA in May/June.

drodders's picture
drodders's picture
drodders Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:05am

If you have a free schedule why wouldn’t Pipe be in February?

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:18am

Pipe is already locked in for the December slot until the end of next year. Any changes would require negotiating new dates with the Hawaiian authorities, which kinda came unstuck a few years ago (which I'm sure the WSL don't want to revisit). See these articles:

Sep 2017: Big changes afoot for the WSL

Early Feb 2018: Hawaiian CT Events In Jeopardy Following Permit Issues

Mid Feb 2018: Pipe Masters canned for 2019

Jan 2019: WSL locks in December Pipe Masters for three more years

 

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:15am

"Rumble at the Ranch"?

Is that what their best marketing minds put together?

Oh man, what's happened to you surfing, you used to be cool...

Howie66's picture
Howie66's picture
Howie66 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:50pm

Corporate non-surfing fuckwits got involved

Kalani Vdp's picture
Kalani Vdp's picture
Kalani Vdp Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:24am

:)

crg's picture
crg's picture
crg Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:31am

Paging the Ding Alley boys...response please.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:33am

Rumble at the ranch?

Check the bearings. They may be worn.

simsurf's picture
simsurf's picture
simsurf Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:36am

December? The CEO of Qantas already said international travel is probably off the cards until July next year.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:03am

And you can bet that Qantas being Qantas, Alan was able to have a quiet little chat with Scott and Brendan asking some big questions on where this is expected to lead, so they could in turn make some big decisions.
“July 2021 at least” would in actual fact have been sourced from Brendan and Scott’s expectations of required management.
You just won’t hear that from the PM right now because, you know, panic

sc1southern's picture
sc1southern's picture
sc1southern Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:48am

Looking like 2021 will be as pathetic as 2020..... Time to pack the van and head to the desert and leave the rest of the world to fight over the scraps of professional suffering.......

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:18am

Funny that the Woz think this is going to happen.

Over60yrs's picture
Over60yrs's picture
Over60yrs Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:23am

So just say no Aussies can get to Pipeline/Maui with borders still closed/quarantine on return/chance of infection, what happens then ?

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:26am

Australia to run its own rebel league in Aus waves (maybe NZ too) and also call the winner World champion.

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:43pm

the only way any current ozzies are going to be 'world champion' while jjf medina toldedo italo are around :)))

ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko's picture
ojackojacko Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:43pm

the only way any current ozzies are going to be 'world champion' while jjf medina toldedo italo are around :)))

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 4:20pm

Well, PT did it haha

groovie's picture
groovie's picture
groovie Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:24am

Pro surfing (competitive) will be dead in the water until a vaccine for Covid 19 is found (if found).

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:29am

Just noticed they've pulled Hossegor.

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:36am

12degree water at hossegor when they’re in Europe.

Then the finals are the time of year they’re usually in Europe, or have been in the past.

But they are saying it’s a Southern Hemisphere location for finals.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:40am

Water temperature would be an odd reason to pull an event of such prestige and history.

lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy's picture
lostdoggy Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:03am

Just saying it’s mid/late winter Europe. Not the time they’re used to holding there. Maybe they have it as one of the possible final spots.

Phil Jarratt's picture
Phil Jarratt's picture
Phil Jarratt Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 12:07pm

Agree, Ben. And when it comes to surfing anywhere in Europe in February, I know I'd rather be in Hossegor than Peniche.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:33am

Strange that wsl releasing this news as Hawaii news reporting covid cases increasing as of late.

Solitude's picture
Solitude's picture
Solitude Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:34am

I think a domestic thing (similar to what super rugby has done)would be fun. Only problem is who would actually fund it?

belly's picture
belly's picture
belly Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 8:38am

Portugal will be chilly in Feb.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:01am

This is pretty hopeful, cant see it happening.

I thought maybe if 2021 ends up the same as 2020 covid wise they would take it to Indo for a few month tour, with say 5 events plus finals.

Get everyone tested on entry and must be tested for flights and then keep them in bubbles in remotish locations, G-land, Mentawais, Lakeys etc

Maybe still hold finals in Hawaii

Completely realistic, low risk, guaranteed pumping waves.

Kind of glad they aren't going to do it though.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:10am

Not a bad idea Indo. Make for good viewing.

For me though, just isn't a tour without J-Bay. Best stop on the tour.

Cloudbreak was awesome too.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:47am

J-bay probably my fav comp other than pipe, but how realistic is this schedule?

Just cant see this Covid thing ending and this schedule happening, but it would totally realistic to take it to Indo and run it in a bubble type situation to keep likelihood of infection low, and the maybe still end things at Pipe

But i guess it comes down to money/sponsors etc

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:02am

I agree the bubble idea is the only realistic option for next season

gsco's picture
gsco's picture
gsco Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 4:20pm

Something similar to what the UFC is doing with fight island in Abu Dhabi might work.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:09am

Strike mission to the Goldy in Sep/Oct?

During spring northerlies?

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 9:12am

The Spit will be sideshore.

Yew!

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Wednesday, 22 Jul 2020 at 9:39am

Yew! zenagain is on the money...so damn close...missed it by a Yard Arm...Shh!
Goldie crew can bend the rules for swellnet ...closest call is near enough Ok!
Ultimate Grand Slam VIP WSL Water Taxi Queue jump is reserved for zenagain.

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Wednesday, 22 Jul 2020 at 9:46am

Cheers TB, thanks anyway but I always paddled the Seaway on principle.

david 24's picture
david 24's picture
david 24 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 11:54am

Exactly what I though,

memlasurf's picture
memlasurf's picture
memlasurf Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:02am

Won't be any Brazilians around thats for sure and if there is no vaccine there is no air travel. Might as well shut up shop, close the Wozzel and start again in a lighter, brighter, more grass roots format. No one outside of surfers really care if surfing lives or dies unlike footy and cricket. Someone like Colapinto who has done bugger all on the WSL has that much cash he doesn't even need to compete; Kelly can pull the plug at any time; Julian can have more kids and enjoy life; the top Zillas are home and hosed; the lad is fine; and the rest will need to get a job. Maybe try to get the band back together for a month somewhere which has ridiculous waves once a year and the rest is movies and clips.

Coops70's picture
Coops70's picture
Coops70 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:02am

Wishful thinking wozzle, always again and again trying to get middle America into watching surfing. It’s never going to work. The pros know it won’t work they are just milking what they can out of it and won’t rock the boat. You can’t blame them. I would, but it’s still the same old shit. Shorten the amount of surfers and shorten the event windows and hold the event when the swell runs for two days and it’s done.

andosbf's picture
andosbf's picture
andosbf Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:12am

Haha strike mission to the Gold coast September/October you couldn't pick a worse time of year.

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:25am

Strike mission = one or two days. Not a big ask within a two month waiting period.

freeride76's picture
freeride76's picture
freeride76 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 12:51pm

except if that waiting period is right in the spring northerlies.

You might get swell but it's likely to be ripped apart by mid-morning.

A half day is likely, a full day maybe, two full days in a row, highly unlikely.

But stranger things have happened. We got two pumping days in Oct last year.

benjis babe's picture
benjis babe's picture
benjis babe Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 1:27pm

they could bring it up to sunny coast..we r pretty good in northerlies...pumping 2ft wind swell at the pocket.. bring on the strike mission

zenagain's picture
zenagain's picture
zenagain Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:16pm

Or they could run it in heaving one foot, offshore Happy Valley.

SA Wetdog's picture
SA Wetdog's picture
SA Wetdog Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:32am

I don't know if it's a getting old thing but in my view the tour was nearly over when the likes of Taj retired and completely faaarkin dead when Mick retired!

redclement.'s picture
redclement.'s picture
redclement. Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 10:57am

Rumble at the ranch could be good. A converging left and right. Surfers with jousting Lances!

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 11:24am

Dream on.
Australia isnt going to let Americans and Brazzos in anytime soon, if and when they do start it will be 2 week quarantine every time you cross a state border
As for more than one event in Margaret River (one is too many) - Get Fucked! Strike mission ? Got to get your permits all through beginning of financial year with exact dates for any events in the Shire -fuckwits
Elos shuffling the chairs on the titanic .

Eugene Green's picture
Eugene Green's picture
Eugene Green Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 12:00pm

Blah blah blah
Pointless announcement

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 12:09pm

hahaha!! Yep!

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 1:13pm

Tyler Wright still saying the same old excuses about how the women won't be able to surf Teahupoo properly?
The world has known about this wave for how long now?
And 99% of the top women surfers in the world won't be able to surf it. I find that fascinating

benjis babe's picture
benjis babe's picture
benjis babe Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 1:36pm

well actually..... vahine, Bronte, Carolyn, sal, Tati, Joanne, Courtney and prob a few more will all charge and they will all surf the wave legendary... so I beg to differ from your opinion gf... check out vahine Fierro insta and check out how this chick shreds Teahupo'o.... I also find it fascinating that u would comment without knowledge...

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 1:42pm

I didn’t know Vahine was on tour?

And I’m willing to put money on if it’s over 6 foot they won’t be able to surf it.

Yeah Marks clip of her surfing it when it was 3-4 foot was good. But it was 3-4 foot.
Whaddya say, $100 on it?

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:21pm

Well said. Vahine is incredible. Been charging all the big swells there lately.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 4:40pm

She’s amazing! But not on tour is she?
She’s a chopes specialist like Pipe has its own specialists who surf better than a lot of the world tour guys out there.

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 5:22pm

Nah not on tour goofy. Not yet anyway, pretty young i think...although maybe a wildcard in the making. This chopes comp could be a good shakeup for the chicks tour...bring a new breed of chargers onto the tour.. Not sure they'd throw them out into big chopes for the first year or so though, which i think would be understandable.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 5:46pm

Totally agree about how it could be a good chance to shake it up and get some chargers in there. I’d love to see it. There’s plenty out there surfing Jaws, Mavericks, Waimea etc.
that Moana girl surfing Pipe is really good. So they can do it for sure

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 5:54pm

Yeah, Moana's so sick! Would love to see her get a wildcard at Chopes,...not sure she'd take it though. Full underground.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 3:16pm

WSL always release next year comp calendar with a minute to spare.
Even months on into 2020...(4) CT Events were without Sponsors.

Strikes one a bit odd that in a least uncertain year they release Tour Comp calendar earlier?
As you'd expect ...
2021 Mystery M/W Tour (No Sponsors) *Snapper / *Margs / Surf Ranch / **Teahupo'o.
Same 3 *2020 Comps struggled to gain a sponsor (**2020 Unsponsored).
WSL/ISA/IOC drum up Tahiti...(No to colonialism x2)..in lead up to 2024 leis...Hmm!



tbb has read about the OZ leg demotion to CS > North Ocean CT + Rio / Chopes ring ins!

So why ELO's premature half naked reveal ? ("tbb did not just say that!")

Quite a few here tipped a WSL ranch Comp...mostly coz it's immune from covid.
(US 'Private Pools' never closed Down, allowing US Olympians to keep training)
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/09/23/see-you-next-...
Hawaii locked down the same day as Florida reopened during US 24/7 Covid Surfari.

Team USA (Aquatics) are [Olympic Virus Cheats] breaching IOC Lockdowns.
Many world swimmers said US retained positive focus + 6 months jump on others.
World Olympians were banned from Wade Pools, Lakes & Oceans for months.

Australian correctional Rec Pools + Private / Therapy Pools also remained open. Shh!

SA > Qld + WA are running 1st post Covid (State Grom Comps) this Weekend.

Plenty of new rules ...(No 'Share' Comp Singlets & Wax / Glove > Wetties)

{ Winner Chariots are banned } : tbb's beach hire saves surfing....

https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2020/03/12/coronavirus-p...

Qldurrz are now hosting AFL/NRL/WSL Finals + G1 + Chinese Peace Stand Off.

Burgess's picture
Burgess's picture
Burgess Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 1:11pm

If the chicks get Chopes solid, it'll be flatstick carnage. They'll probably swing and go.. Won't be many sticking the drops though

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:03pm

If there isn't a vaccine, the chance of that schedule going ahead with all the top pros attending is .0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001%.
And I think that's being very generous.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:35pm

Pretty sure most WSL Chix + Men are scared of "Olympic standard" Teahupo'o .

WSL event rewards Shoulder priority of 2-3...(Deep Surfing is prohibited by penalty).
This event is slowed to suit weakest link as #1 Surfer Camps forever in the channel.
Meaning! A challenging surfer can only win from a wide channel shoulder...(Yawn!)

Olympic Event prioritises deepest position of 2-5 (Shoulder Hopperz are outta here!)
Line-up acid trip...pits fittest Olympians to race & push deeper for Priority.
Meaning! Only the best Tube surfer can win...No WSL pantomime here! (Real Deal!)

WSL Chopes is for Girls (vs) Olympic Chopes is for Hellmen in seriously deep trouble.
Dangerous enough for surfers to demote WSL rank to skip Tour of Duty?

bluediamond's picture
bluediamond's picture
bluediamond Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 2:26pm

I notice nobody on here is sad that this years tour has been cancelled. And it seems no one is really fussed if next year goes ahead either. Says it all really. Would love to see surfing put back into the right hands and the right direction. Seemed good when Rabbit was at the helm.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 3:19pm
Taylor John's picture
Taylor John's picture
Taylor John Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 3:23pm

Pro surfing turned to custard over the last five years sadly, still enjoy watching it, but it's slowly becoming a drag. Cut off format didn't work the first time around (god damn tennis tour), why do it again? Top 5 surf for the world title? Lame. All those intense / amazing heats the Top 5-10 surf against the wildcards at Pipe over the years always make for great viewing for any surf fan, especially with priority or Requalification
etc coming into play.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 3:39pm

From TBBs link above

“There will also be no room for error in the opening half of the season with the men's and women's fields to be cut from 36 and 18 to 24 and 12 respectively after five events”

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 3:47pm

Yawn. Poor buggers.

gsco's picture
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gsco Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 6:20pm

Doesn't seem to make sense for the wsl to announce a plan for a tour that has no chance of going a head in the current environment and very little chance in the projected environment over the next year or so. They're just setting themselves for a likely scenario of having to renege on the tour and being left with no tour again.

It would seem wiser to develop and put in place a plan that they'd be able to pull off even right now in the current environment, and not worry too much about if in hindsight they could have ended up doing something more like the usual tour.

So their announcement doesn't make sense from a risk management perspective. It seems better to risk just missing out on the usual tour but have something concrete in place that can definitely go ahead, than to try for the usual tour but risk having nothing at all.

Also, in having to be creative and come up with something quite different due to the current global circumstances, who knows they could even come up with something even better than what they've previously had. The current global situation could be the perfect opportunity to try something different, even radically so. Their mindset seems to be rooted in a model that could be viewed as getting more boring each year, and I really don't think their final 'surf-off' for the world title shows much innovation or creativity at all.

Actually, I think a surf-off to determine the world champions could be quite unfair due to the venue chosen suiting particular surfers and/or disadvantaging others whose style does not suit the venue. I thought the whole point of a world tour was to largely negate this style advantage/disadvantage and crown the most well rounded surfer.

Btw I like the idea of sending the women out at Teahupoo. Some exciting carnage to sit back and watch.

indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming's picture
indo-dreaming Saturday, 18 Jul 2020 at 7:30pm

Agree 100% extremely unlikely this will ever happen too many little things need to go right.

Thats why IMHO it would have made more sense to have half a dozen comps in Indo over four to six months and then maybe finished it in Hawaii with the triple crown.

Not only would this be completely feasible as Indo is going to open up to people before places like Australia if people still need to quarantine on arrival fir two weeks, it would be worth it for that period, most locations are remote, you could virtually hire out resorts in places like G-land etc and ensure virus free and it would also be cheap for guys on tour plus what surfer doesn't want to go to Indo for a few months, sponsors would also be keen on it sending guys on trips in between comps to shot pics and video etc

And like you said it would actually be a much better spectacle, it would be the perfect opportunity to try something completely different.

Ideally you always want to finish things at Pipe so you would pencil a Hawaii finish in and being late in the year chances are more realistic of it happening.

However if you are approaching the last Indo event and Hawai isn't going to happen for some reason you would then have one more comp on standby for the finals with a longer waiting period to get a real good swell.

Not to mention even next year any comp is not going to be about crowds/spectators on the beach the whole thing is going to be about the online audience.

gsco's picture
gsco's picture
gsco Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 6:38am

Makes sense to me indo-dreaming. I definitely wouldn't get any work done on my computer if the tour involved the guys battling it out in an assortment of pumping indo waves.

The wsl needs someone like Dana White at the helm. He found a way to make it happen regardless of the global circumstances. If the ufc can do it then so can the wsl, with the right leadership.

Instead of focusing on producing internet content, the wsl could have focused on finding a way to produce high quality professional surfing events in epic waves. The ufc is currently able to fly in competitors from all corners of the globe to their events.

But a quick scan of Erik Logan's insta junk reveals a quote by him that sums things up perfectly and says exactly where their heads are at:

"Even while we are on COVID-19 “Hold” , we are spinning up more content."

There is so many things wrong with that statement I wouldn't know where to start.

Spuddups's picture
Spuddups's picture
Spuddups Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 9:20am

I’d much rather watch cricket than pro-surfing. My care factor these days is very low. There’s definitely a bit of Schadenfreude in play here if I’m honest with myself. I actually want to see it fail. It’s probably a cultural thing but the way the thing is run now repulses me. The turning point was probably when they sacked Jake Patterson. Get Someone like Greg Noll on as a consultant I reckon. He’d sort them out.

batfink's picture
batfink's picture
batfink Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 5:28pm

I liked the old format, although Brazil and Huntington Beach wouldn’t see me make the effort of turning my computer on, but Bells, Teahupo’o, Jeffreys Bay, Cloudbreak and anything In Hawaii would catch my interest, and a world wrap up in Pipe is perfect. Of course that’s two years away at least, but why fiddle with what was good.

On the other hand, I was interested because I was at my desk doing work, and having the surf comp on in the background was a great way to get through the day. But if it was a choice between going surfing and watching other people surf, well that depends on how good it was here. Generally I’d prefer to be in the water myself.

tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter's picture
tubeshooter Sunday, 19 Jul 2020 at 10:27pm

Faark the wozzle . . I don't miss the the sound of Joey Turpels voice one bit Or Pottz reminiscing about the glory days and the endless rhetorical question he asks after every stupid little thing..,,"why .. because" .

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 3:06pm

Jo T is a decent enough bloke, but his voice is painful. How Pottz keeps his job is just mind-blowing. All up, professional surfing is presented to the viewing public in a very shabby fashion. Whenever there is a slow heat (which is often) the gaps are filled in with repetitive advertisements and waffling commentators.
Compare surf broadcasts to the Tour de France. It's 4-5 hours on a bike for three weeks straight. That's literally hours where the racing isn't intense, but the broadcast is still extremely watchable. ABC radio cricket coverage is the same. Commentators manage to keep their audience engaged, even when it's a two run an over snoozefest.
You can only watch so many Jeep ads and listen to x number of Pottz's stories before the TV gets switched over.

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 12:11am

Salute to Vic Local...needed to be said!
tbb craves #1 swellnet live arena dirty hits.
mmmore #1 swellnet webcasts for tbb please! Drool_

frog's picture
frog's picture
frog Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 8:33am

The commentary of Pottz and Turps is so inane and repetitive because surf contests have so much blank space to fill waiting for action. Imagine the commentary drivel in a tennis match if there were a five or ten minute wait between points whilst the player went around picking up the balls, sitting on the chair for a rest and walking a few laps of the court.

I am sure the wozzle has metrics showing that the moment the commentary stops half the viewers realise that they are just staring at two dots on an empty ocean and switch channels or check their emails. The commentators have been instructed as follows by wozzle on pain of electric shocks wired to their chair:

"NO MATTER WHAT DON'T STOP TALKING"

Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano's picture
Bob Sacamano Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 9:05am

As long as any plan hinges on international travel the wozzle has no chance. Elo needs to go roll another five-papery and think a bit more about this. They're embarrassing themselves. I guess his pay cheque hinges on content and sponsorship hence the overly optimistic announcements, but the longer we go without the wozzle the more we remember the less we need or want it.

Vic Local's picture
Vic Local's picture
Vic Local Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 2:51pm

Spot on Bob,
I have no idea why the wozzle announced dates given the virus situation is just getting worse, especially in countries where most of the CT surfers come from. These idiots couldn't run a bath.

Trentslatterphoto's picture
Trentslatterphoto's picture
Trentslatterphoto Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 10:16am

fuck the tour i just want to see the best waves with best surfers

Where-is-albo's picture
Where-is-albo's picture
Where-is-albo Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 2:26pm

There is almost always a clear advantage to either goofy or regular foot on any particular day. Being either wave related or judge bias. I can’t see a “Super Bowl” style finals day, being run at one venue, providing a fair opportunity for all surfers.

shoredump's picture
shoredump's picture
shoredump Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 4:39pm
Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 6:00pm

Great surfers in great waves on the CT.....but...
QS will be held in shit beachies meaning the same type of grovelling air guy will like filepe and even banting will be making it to the CT and underperforming.
Good for guys already on tour like jack and young moniz i suppose but how does the next barrell hunting rail grom get on tour? A young grom that could challenge in waves of consequence??

lost's picture
lost's picture
lost Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 6:23pm

I haven't been anywhere near a fight since grade 4, don't train any martial arts and am not a violent person yet i love the UFC. I just can't every imagine anyone but surfers watching surfing. Its just not that exciting to watch. (except maybe a 10 sec clip of giant wipeout)

___seal___'s picture
___seal___'s picture
___seal___ Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 8:22pm

Does this make Joel Tudor Wozzle Longboard World Champ ?

Aged 44 ?

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 8:58pm

Story on ABC Southwest today from Anthony Pantsdown about a new idea WSL " Locals only" contest spruiked at Margaret River for september , pretty much a wank on about west Oz pro surfers having a "who is the best at Margaret River" style event . It will give the surfing WA mongs something to do and try to justify prove their existence and extend their not for profit Gov cashgrab not to mention drag out all the WA sticker crowd and make them have to surf the point and practice for months beforehand much to their (and the locals) dismay.
Better off just giving Robbo the trophy (best surfer from WA -ever), save the locals from the hassle of losing our spot while sponos who hate surfing there have to embarrass themselves for being undergunned (again) . September southerlies.
There has always been the Margaret River Classic in september for anyone who wants to show how great they are down here anyhow - yawn yawn , you can put lipstick on a pig but its still a pig.
Or maybe just move it to Northpoint? Gracetown crowd love a contest.

goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot's picture
goofyfoot Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 9:11pm

“ Better off just giving Robbo the trophy (best surfer from WA -ever)”

Big call!! Better than Taj?

Edit: I do tend to agree with you. Just interested to hear your thoughts on the comparison

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Monday, 20 Jul 2020 at 10:55pm

Well that Jack bloke pretty much won at 'The Box' last year, .. 'North Point' the year before...

May as well give it to the man... surely no arguments there!

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 9:50am

Jack surf Margarets regularly too which is something no other WA pro surfer (except perhaps Big Mitch Thorson) has ever done except perhaps when they are blessing everyone with their presence practicing for upcoming contests, He also respects the old boys and even goes left on occasion!(hot tip; the left is actually better than the right despite what goes on during the surf pro).
Taj was /is great but hes also from Yallingup (50km away) and dont remember ever seeing him surf the point out of a jersey.

Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 5:45pm

Hardly a regular, and mitch didnt surf it that much once he turned pro.

mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207's picture
mikehunt207 Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 9:43pm

Maybe just more of a regular than you fontle? I,m not talking about 2 ft southsides either so you might have missed it, for a spono he surfs the point a bit and not just contest warm ups and thats heaps more than any other compy boys(or girls) I can think of atm, as for big Mitch it may just be before you blew into town but he and Damon did a lot of groundbreaking on this coastline , still out there these days too.

Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy's picture
Faunt Leroy Thursday, 23 Jul 2020 at 12:06am

I didnt blow into town matey, settle down a bit. Sounds like you might be a company boy, wearing a west no doubt.

Remigogo's picture
Remigogo's picture
Remigogo Tuesday, 21 Jul 2020 at 10:11pm

WSL would only need to run one heat.

Make it a long one...

Jack Robinson vs John John Florence.

North Point... Solid swell.

Pay per view.. that'll be a bit of an earner.

kang's picture
kang's picture
kang Wednesday, 22 Jul 2020 at 4:52pm

Dont get the hate on the wozzle. I've missed watching the tour. The finale format could be fun (probs gonna suck though). Nno way is 2021 going ahead. Indo bubble's the only way

Ryno88's picture
Ryno88's picture
Ryno88 Sunday, 26 Jul 2020 at 4:32pm

If Julian makes the top 5 shoot out (assuming this madness ever goes ahead....) could be his chance with abit of luck of course to raise the Cup!

thermalben's picture
thermalben's picture
thermalben Saturday, 22 Aug 2020 at 6:23am

Hawaii's border closures have been pushed back to Oct 1. There's no guarantee they'll open then either (they've been extended a few times).

truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher's picture
truebluebasher Monday, 7 Dec 2020 at 2:32pm

[ ATTENTION ] Many Tour Changes

* 10 Nov 2020 (Covid Updates for featured 2020/21 lineup)

All crew know this new updated list may yet change again.
https://www.worldsurfleague.com/posts/459912/2021-championship-tour-sche...

Here's the current List....
1.Dec - Maui / Pipe
2.Jan - Sunset
3.Feb - Santa Cruz
4.Mar - Portugal (Postponed)
5.Apr - Bells
6.Apr - Margs
...................................................................................................................................................................
https://support.worldsurfleague.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051762793-Intro...
Mid season strike extortion > mens 36 > 24 surfers + womens 18 >12 surfers
Goldie Fans lose all their Idols until Kelly's Blue Heart Attack gets WSL Tick... Got it!
................................................................................................................................................................
7.May - Goldie > (coming soon $1.1b Ranch Turn-$tyle CT + Bhds Turn-$tyle CS)
8.TBD - G Land
9.June - Brazil
.............................................
QS - Tour Ends/Starts
.............................................
10.June/July - J.bay
...................................................................................................
Aug - CS Tour Starts (m-94 surfers / w-66 surfers)
...................................................................................................
11. Aug - El Rancho
12 Aug/Sept - Teahupo'o
(Mid year cull cuts down on virgins for Charlie's Top 5 Final Chope's Sacrifices)
.........................................................................................................................................................
Final Surf off ~Sept - (Original Mentawais) > Trestles (L/R) Top 5 m&w > (#1 seeded)
WSL > 5 surfers? / Tracks > 6 surfers?
Elo is dreaming of a [f] Judge Off for best teary eyed bitch faced selfie!
https://www.tracksmag.com.au/news/wsl-announces-sweeping-changes-for-202...

CT Relegation to CS - (22 surfers re: tracks above ) > Guessing - m 14 / w 8...
.........................................................................................................................................................
Dec- CS Tour Ends > CS Promotion to CT - m 12 / w 6
https://support.worldsurfleague.com/hc/en-us/articles/360060171753-How-d...
.....................................................................................................................................................
Notes: Seemingly a frugal Pro Tour that trims as year goes on to pay for CS.
As season heats up fans die off as big meanie WSL kills off more & more surfers.
Winning Couple get to compete on Ultimate Surfer.

WSL relegation.
Will ex CT Pros be stripped of Jetski caddies, massages, gym, hair salon + # Lockers.
WSL Dance troupe spins CS Grom off his treadly to further knot his $5 Leggie.
WSL VIP Pro : "So sorry Grom...I'll have my mini me sign a sticker for yer Leggie!"

Should WSL strip VIP Pro of Pure Shop Cart + clip wings on Pro's CS flybys ?
WSL VIP Bully kicking stickers in Groms face is as equal as CS gets...Me Too!
Magz have all pre labelled CS as a cushy Pro Promo Lay Year to lock up more seachange.

WSL now bitch about their heavy load of 365 day endless summer timeshare beaches.
Crew can't imagine such suffering ...salute WSL for relieving locals of such burden.

Blowin's picture
Blowin's picture
Blowin Monday, 7 Dec 2020 at 6:04am

Whilst the entire post is worthy , I believe this quote is strong enough for stand alone recognition :

“Elo is dreaming of a [f] Judge Off for best teary eyed bitch faced selfie!”

Hats off to TBB.