Chaos as Snapper Rocks in jeopardy
The long-running CT event at Snapper Rocks is at risk as a funding disagreement between the Queensland Government and the WSL worsens.
The Gold Coast Bulletin is today reporting that the WSL is approaching towns in NSW to host the event after QLD refused to foot the WSL's quarantine bill.
The issue is a result of differing responses to COVID at state government level. NSW has been willing to use public money to pay quarantine bills for athletes, while Queensland (and also Victoria) have stood firm on forking out.
Last year, the AFL grand final and various NRL matches were held in QLD with the respective leagues paying their way, however the World Surf League are prepared to find another venue if a state government will foot the bill.
The Queensland Government is understood to have offered the WSL $500,000 towards staging the event, but NSW and WA have offered upwards of $5 million.
Speaking to the Gold Coast Bulletin, State Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe couldn't conceal his frustration with the WSL.
“I am less disappointed with the NSW Government than I am with the World Surf League’s decision to chase short-term dollars at the expense of surfing tradition,” he said.
“The WSL made it clear holding the event at Snapper Rocks this year was conditional on the Queensland Government picking up the quarantine tab for the WSL’s international competitors.”
Mr Hinchliffe also hit back at the NSW Government.
“Quarantine expenses for sporting events have always been the responsibility of the organising body,” he said.
“If that’s what NSW has agreed to pay to lure the WSL, then NSW taxpayers who have paid for hotel quarantine out of their own pocket should ask for a refund.”
Andy McKinnon said the WSL’s reluctance to foot the bill likely came from a strained financial position.
“We didn’t have a world tour last year and the WSL is probably facing some pretty big problems as far as keeping afloat,” Mr McKinnon said.
“I know how much it costs to run one of these events – it’s around $4 million.
“Obviously this is really costing WSL and they’re probably really dependant on government support.”
“Maybe it’s still a bit premature to try and go ahead with a world tour in 2021.
Comments
Oh well. So typical of the Wozzle to storm in and demand that the local community pay for their shit show. Any marketing benefit of the event is a moot point now with zero international travel. Pretty sure everyone in Australia already knows where Cooly is so the only beneficiaries would be the US based Wozzle and Belgian owners of Corona and there's no reason Qld taxpayers should have to cough up for either...
Let Wozzle hold all events in the US. They can call it the World Series of Surfing, like they do with Baseball.
https://www.mygc.com.au/gold-coast-set-to-lose-major-surfing-event-over-...
Ha! Great! Why should the tax payers foot the quarantine bill?
Why is there a QLD quarantine bill if everyone has already completed quarantine in NSW? Do they need to do another 2 weeks in the hotel when they cross the border into QLD? I don't get it......
Spot on peabo Q is done
farrrk - we're worried about tax payers footing athletes quarantine bill.
That great.
While we're at it, should we kick up a stink for the BILLIONS upon BILLIONS we're paying corrupt nationals and libs pollies for stealing and selling the country's freshwater.
78.5 Billion TAXPAYER D O L L A R S alone just here:
Yeah...wake the fuck up. Don’t let your bias show. Labour are just as bad at flogging off water assets.
100%. I would not vote for either side of the business party.
It is just the hard evidence that is currently on the table is pertains to nat/libs.
corruption in the unions is possibly the biggest slight on Australian communities ever because it goes to the root of empowerment of the working class.
But if you want to be rude and disrespectful I'm happy to abide by slapping you down.
Slap away....your last comment was softer than the weakest wet cloth imaginable.
Great, just what the world needs now is another politically ignorant, emotionally retarded and intellectually backward slack jaw mouthing off on SN. IMV, any human does the community a favour by slapping the ignorant smarmy smirk off the face of a dog such as yourself.
Because dogs like you can’t learn, you just fester, bite and infect those around you.
Hmmm, how to replace a great right hand pointbreak for a comp? Can anyone think of a great right hand pointbreak in NSW that might do? FR?
The sand-cordoning people are easily startled... etc etc
FR?
Just a quick google nothing initialed FR sprang to mind.
perhaps fairybower rocks?
https://maps.roadtrippers.com/trips/19372245
this list of great NSW pointbreaks includes such classics as DY point and Bondi. :):)
"Home of the infamous Bra Boys – a surf gang that terrorised the line-ups before finding movie fame, peaceful activism and then Islam, Maroubra is the quintessential Aussie beach experience."
Seriously?? Who wrote this.
Made me laugh...
Yeah nearly spat coffee all over the monitor. Pure comic genius...
talks have involved Sandon Point, Ulladulla for NSW....even tough its left!
Public should not have to pay the quarantine bills.....die WSL die and be gone once and for all FFS!!!
So the WSL have lost all their Australian events but are coming here because this is the place they can get the tour back on track? Makes perfect sense.
Say goodbye to the WeaSLes....
From a distance Australia appeared as the saviour for the CT owing to our succesful COVID response, but the on the ground reality is proving very different.
Bells gone, now Snapper, and Margs very likely as McGowan has a trigger finger, which, if it happens, would mean the only Oz CT is Newy and time is short to find another location.
The very things that made us a success - not just geographical isolation, but our states further isolating communities - is making it difficult to stage a roaming global sport.
Reckon Andy Mac might be right about the tour being premature.
But theyve given it a good shot to get it going
I enjoy watching the tour when it's here but getting the taxpayer to foot athletes bill is taking the piss.
I am suprised to learn the tax payer is paying in other states when struggling families have to pay themselves. The double standards during these times makes it hard to respect government decisions.
Yep. And the vague statements of the tourism / economic benefits are extremely suspect and have never been proven. The main thing that the Snapper / GC event does is bring hordes of van life Euros and Brazzos to the Goldie. And the pro -hangers on.
In terms of economic benefits, I woudl think that a typical school holiday period would dwarf anythig the WSL can bring to the table. There was a massive spending boost to the region when the border first opened to Victoria after their shutdown.
who gives a fuck about those spoiled pros , and do you think some small nsw town going to folk out the bills for these sorry brats . get fucked wsl .
Can someone explain the issue a bit more clearly? The athletes are coming to NSW for the Newcastle event first and they are quarantining there at the NSW gov expense. I would have thought after entering the country and quarantining for 2 weeks, they'd be fine to move around state to state as long as the current border restrictions allow it. Currently it doesn't appear there are any restrictions between NSW and QLD (although that could easily change). So what quarantine costs are the QLD gov referring to? Or is the quarantine thing just a tiny (no longer relevant) issue compared to the $500k vs $5m funding difference?
My thoughts exactly. Once in no need to quarantine unless they close the border
peabo : WSL Covid Plan's are isolated from State Quarantine
(WSL need o/s Quarantine Flights / Interstate Bubbles')
Pacific Labour Scheme / Seasonal Workers Program now spans 'Tourism'
Govt's spoon feed foreign pickers so need to excuse their Farmer's rorts.
Scomo decides which Farmer (Donor) gets free Slaves (Cold Hard Fact)
'World Governing Bodies' can seek dire relief as WSL can!
Just saying coz Vic Govt fell for exact same thing with Tennis...makes ya cry!
Govt Paid PLS / SWP Flights + Quarantine for farmers.
NSW+WA 100% > SA $4m all > Tas Q/F > Vic Q/F > NT(Q) > Qld $1m all
Note Qld are the exception by insisting Farmers must pay 100% Flights+Q.
Qld + now NT offer flexi Farm Work-Quarantine to save time/costs & labour
Kinda like Tennis Courts & Secret Surf Spot access for training. (Below)
No! NSW / WA don't offer flexi Quarantine...(Yet!)
Other states are further from Labour Source so pay for Farmers Slaves.
Each State must hand out = ratio no matter or be seen as Unaustralian
If NSW gives free flights & Q to ( Pacific Pickers = WSL Oceania-Tourism)
Q Flight =25% cap = $100k min hire > Oz examples
China (full) $1,000 / Vanuatu Pickers $1,204 / Asia Students $2,500 (2 flights)
Quarantine needs iso Surf Access to keep Athletes match fit (vs) injuries.
AO VIP Court hit outs were by Doctors Orders for healthy Athletes.
Starky has no Govt approved daily secret spot Quarantine Surf Shuttles.
Fly from LA (Festering Covid Factory for Avalon & AO Outbreaks)
"14d Q + Test before preparing for comp?" (No daily Q surfing?)
NSW approves Starky's #1 viral Airport + Surfer neglect Covid Plan.
How the fuck have these people got jobz! Just make up shit they do!
Foreigner's Oz interstate Bubble overrule - surrenders national sovereignty.
AO were given this power & played thru the Vic Mutant Lockdown.
[VOTE]
1) WA/NSW pay WSL to sell off WSR / NSR's thru Covid Lockdowns
2) Team (QLD /Vic) banish WSL from our shores.(Like forever!)
Australia hates the wsl
Didn't the taxpayer pay for a heap of quarantine accommodation at the start of covid 19...
Anyway who can plan anything ATM. I know my parents have driven half way around NSW and Vic in the last 5 days at a failed attempt to attend my niece's 21st. The entire regulatory risk profile is off the charts, be it federal, state or whatever. Holiday within state boundaries, local sporting competitions only, until we get some certainty at least.
That’s it in a nutshell belly
The WSL is such a beacon of soul and really representative of the spirit of surfing.
Said no one ever.
I agree
some people get so caught up in surfing competitions and news of surfing competitions.
i wouldn't even know (or care) if occy or jack johnson is the world champion
If the athletes and hangers have already landed and quarantined in NSW based on current rules they don’t need to also quarantine in QLD do they ?
My guess is the Lennox event was never going to be a extra event but a replacement for Snapper
Absolutely the right move by all state governments (excluding NSW) to not fork out for quarantine costs of the WSL. The idea that these events are bringing in all this economic boost right now is absolutely fanciful. No international visitors, and likely barely interstate visitors as it is with these snap border closures, the humble taxpayer will be getting shafted as usual if we pay for quarantine costs.
I'm guessing that like most billionaires Ziff has massively increased his wealth during Covid, which makes this naked rent seeking even more on the nose.
An IDEA - WSL Shipple Crown at Manly.
Just like a triple crown only in shit waves. Three events - 1) Queenscliff and then 2. North Styne, then 3. South Styne. Then crown the Winn by running a soft top mid length final at Fairy Bower where front zipper wetsuit vests are mandatory and leg ropes are banned. Run all over 2 weeks, call it a arts, environmental, grass roots, oragnic, conforming to conform, film event. Everyone get to sign some dick pertition to feel good about something or other.
They could run two events in onshore waves at North and South Steyne and award the inaugural Shit Steyne trophy to the winner.
10/10
It amazes me that such a small beach has three seperate surf life saving clubs and they really are three different surf zones for Surfers.
Crown Shit Pipe Master perhaps ?
Haha.
Nice one Zen!
Quality, Zen
What company tax rate does WSL and its corporate sponsors pay? Probably far below the legislated 30%. So how then WSL can the tax paying citizens of Australia be reasonably expected to subsidise the corporate oligarchs?
If the company is structured in OZ then 30% is standard if they turn a profit, but it doesnt mean anything anyway because anyone in business knows that paper loss profit is speculative at best.
To answer the second part of your question, the QLD GVNT just like any business will weigh up the economical benefits from the event and calculate the p&L from it.
BTW I am not a fan of either, in fact, I can't
stand the QLD government and how it is obliterating the QLD economy, I wish more people would see this, but I just wanted to raise that point
Qld govt has paid for sporting events during COVID. Rumoured 5 mil for AFL final and then there was the Horn fight in T’ville. They just won’t tell anyone how much they paid - it’s our money but it’s ‘commercial in confidence’. Agree we shouldn’t be paying for athletes and heavily backed sporting events, but Anna’s record isn’t as squeaky as they are purporting
It's a train wreck in slow motion. Possibly even worse. Ham it up a bit and WSL has a great doco. I will mis seeing JJF carve apart bells and margs though, but not for long.
I’m amazed that the WSL has even bothered with Oz at all. It’s pretty much a given amongst my mates that there’s no point booking interstate holidays because they’re likely to be cancelled on you at the last minute...surely the WSL can figure that out as well.
And two points:
1. Freeride, you really think crowds at Lennox will be worse with a comp?? It’s been crowded for at least 20yrs before you moved there
2. Why hasn’t the WSL moved the whole comp to Indonesia? Has something changed since all those pro surfers went there last year on work visas? They could hold 3 comps on Bali and 3 more at the various resorts east and west of there, and maybe even a boat comp. Am I missing something?
no comment on the first question.
Second, I have no idea. An Indo leg would tick so many boxes and supply a credible world champ if all they could run was Pipe/Indo/Trestles.
Interesting "no comment" reply...thought about going into politics?
Just don't see how a comp at Lennox could make the subsequent surfing experience for the locals any worse.
Lennox point was packed in 1994 when I first visited and the rock jump off and rock exit keeps crowds down not to mention the hierarchy at the top of the point.
Plenty of good Goldy surfers (and travelling surfers) are out there every time it's half decent and the local businesses would undoubtedly benefit from a comp. Just don't see objective reasons why a comp would be detrimental in any way shape or form.
Plus...Lennox has been in plenty of high profile videos for many a year
nah, the business case is BS, especially at easter. Things are already at over over capacity then.
throwing in thousands of van lifers and Brazilians, who make up most surf fans, will just piss people off and create bad will around people who came here on holidays and find dysfunctional businesses who can't meet demand.
it's the worst time to hold an event and the weakest time to mount the business case.
as for crowds, people will have different subjective experiences and thats why I prefer not to comment.
personally I think it will create much worse amenity for locals and visiting surfers.
ie kill any of the golden goose left surviving.
But again Freeride, how does a bad business case cost the locals or local businesses anything? Surely that’s only relevant to whoever’s funding the contest.
Easy fix if the local businesses feel like they can’t benefit...jack up prices all round.
Holiday makers would almost certainly love the fortuity of happening to see the best surfers in the world turn up at the place they’re having their holiday. And I’m guessing most of those same holiday makers would be next to no chance of getting a wave at the point comp or no comp AND almost certainly would be back next Easter for their annual holiday.
And 1000’s of extra van lifers etc because of the comp??? Clutching at straws there.
I think the locals took a stand to make a point because they could but the reality is there would have been many benefits and one week later they would have had the point back to normal...and I think deep down you know this
In good faith I completely disagree.
And seeing what goes down at Snapper every year makes me think I have good reasons for this.
So old mate who has been coming for years, now with his kids, and get a few surfs at the Point , doesn't get much but he gets one or two, now can't surf it at all because it's fenced off, can't even watch because of Covid, is going to be stoked?
nah mate.
His wife can't get a coffee, can't get a seat in a cafe, town is a total shitshow, she is happy?
nah mate, complete opposite.
People don't come here for the Gold Coast.
agree totally, FR I am that old mate that has been going to Lennox for years to get a few at the point and nearby....... I am based on the GC, and the vibe is so different and so much more supportive of the real (non-contest) side of surfing. Whereas the GC is so pro / wannabe focused... Vid from Tim Bonython showcaes that.... having a comp at lennox will just bring all those muppets to town... They also don't leave......
And selfishly I will find it even harder to get a wave at the point....
From your earlier comments and a few on the other website sounds like they’re not getting a seat at the cafe contest or not. Old mate who comes along for his holiday and gets a few at the point...or sits 20 deep while the locals get everything perhaps?
Did the Fanning session that won the award(s) 20 years ago objectively increase crowds?
Would hundreds if not 1000’s of people visiting Lennox over Easter who would never go out at the point no matter what enjoy watching the comp more than a few “old mates” missing a couple of waves?
Just questions mate, that heat under your collar is emotion not objectivity
Same with you.
I'm trying to answer in good faith.
you seem to have a weird little resentful bee in your bonnet over it.
I'll say it again: to the best of my knowledge, people don't come here for pro comps. And the people that live here don't want it either.
You can accept that or reject it, but the only objective evidence we have- an 8-2 council decision against and a strong community campaign- very much supports that proposition.
Unless you can bring forth other evidence other than your own tired personal anecdotes from over 20 years ago?
I'm all ears if you can.
I just had a fun surf, the only emotion I'm feeling right now is stoke.
WELL SAID FREERIDE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
So what ? Surfing is 95 percent emotion. If you don’t respect the deep emotions crew have invested in the point then you are no better than the WSL who see it as nothing more than dollar signs.
Arguing against Aussie locals about their home break on behalf of a US billionaire who wants to bleed surfing of every bit of life if it means another couple of surplus coins in his pocket. You should give yourself an uppercut bloke.
The community and local businesses could have benefitted massively from that comp, even if the town is so called “maxed out” over Easter or not. And the crowds one week after the comp would have been exactly the same.
So what’s the negatives in holding the comp??
Either way, Lennox Point has been splashed all over both the surfing and mainstream media. One way or another the locals put it on the map!
As an example, I went to J Bay 13 years apart, with 13 straight J Bay contests in between. Crowds were exactly the same both times.
Good luck Lennox!
Jbay is almost 8hr drive from Cape Town, 12 to Durban.
Lennox is under an hour to Coolangatta, 2 hrs to Brissy, 6 to Newy. Not really comparing apples there.
But 1hr to PE.
Mate, Mick Fanning's session at Lennox won an international award 20 years ago and it didn't ruin the place. Every business from Ballina to Bangalow to Suffolk would have benefitted from the comp. Would a comp really have ruined the place? I doubt it but we'll never know. The kerfuffle has certainly has made the mainstream media one way or another
It's OK, you can have your opinion.
As I said , the only facts in the case are an 8-2 decision by council against, and a petition for and against. Those councillors are local business owners and they represent the wishes of the community.
The petition for got 29 signatures.
The petition against 617.
Thirty times more people didn't want it than did want it.
Everything else you are saying is just white noise at this point.
You made an appeal to objectivity before, maybe you might care to take your own advice.
Hhmm 617 and 29 signatures suggests the spiral of silence theory may be strong within the community on a seriously divisive issue. I am not surprised really. The population of both towns far exceed the signatories so something more is at play and the data isn't as conclusive or accurate as it could/should be and there are some absolutes being thrown around very liberally. Maybe a referendum is what is required to truly get to the bottom of this conjecture haha . Either that, or the every day community man, woman or child really dont give a fuck as much as people who are into surfing and into surfing and living in Lennox are.
To put it in perspective TD, how would you feel if WSL proposed a comp at Box Head??
You got a bee in your bonnet years ago on here when it was discussed. That would be how Lennox locals feel.
I have a really hard time believing that you read the book and really understood the character of Tyler Durden, who was actually logical and Buddhistic in nature, though at a surface level appeared to be nihilistic and cool... here's a few things your namesake said.
"Reject the basic assumptions of civilization, especially the importance of material possessions."
"You are not your job, you’re not how much money you have in the bank. You are not the car you drive. You’re not the contents of your wallet."
"Nothing is static, everything is evolving, everything is falling apart."
Project Mayhem, and the fight club that carried out it's aims, was merely the river of shit that had to be crossed in order to reach salvation. The vandalism and violence was only there to induce suffering, and the suffering was the vehicle for the fighters emancipation from the material wants and things that trapped them into a meaningless existence.
And yet, here you are as Mr Durden, barracking for a billionaires plaything to be embossed like a boot print on one of Australian surfing's sacred places.
It doesn't matter that there have been videos made there, it doesn't matter if the local boardriders hold a comp there, WSL is a different beast altogether. That place is sacred if the Australian surfing public say it is, and they do say it is. That gives them, as a community, the rightful place to tell people like you that you don't represent the views of the community. You are certainly welcome to your opinion, but to put dollars and a webcast ahead of something that people hold as hallowed and special, well, that would go against everything that Tyler Durden stood for.
"The community and local businesses could have benefitted massively from that comp,"
I don't think the town's doing so badly, nor the people in it. Seen house prices? The change in businesses over the last 10 years. I think the only people that would really benefit would be the 2 grommets/wildcards that get slots in the main event. For everyone else that lives there and surfs there, it sounds like a massive pain in the arse. Could be wrong, and i don't care too much either way, but i'm guessing all the locals that turned out at council turned up for a reason. At the end of the day, it was all rushed through too soon with no real preparation for a major event.
so where is your local beach @Tylerdurden ?
Closest geographical patch of sand is about 200m away, almost exactly between Queenscliff and N Steyne. Don’t consider myself a local at either, probably surf more at North Steyne. Surf a fair bit at North Narra too.
Freeride, what’s your solution to the WSL? Get the best surfers in the best waves just not at Lennox? Where then?
I wouldn’t care about a comp at Box Head, it’s nearly as crowded as Lennox.
Finally, NSW govt funding of events doesn’t make money directly for the govt. Locals businesses are the ones who see the profit.
Lennox businesses couldn’t have benefited from the comp? Follow the laws of supply and demand and jack up prices, eg 50% holiday surcharge etc or maybe Freeride Airbnb your place for $5000-10000 for the week and go rent an apartment in Burleigh for $250/night.
It’s always the city surfers who are willing to open up the regional breaks to gain less promotion and exposure.
Mr Durden please address my comment regarding your name above.
https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/what-does-juliet-mean-when-she-says...
Interesting response. Though I was looking forward to a bit more than a name is a name. Tyler Durden is a very emotive and intentional one at that.
+1
Remember talking to the Warung owners at Ulu's when they had that one that Brucey won and they said it was a dud. None of them could open and the ASP controlled the whole thing. They lost money on the event so I don't think they would be real keen to take it on. Corporate yanks have no idea how the rest of the world works they think if they pay they get and if they don't they will bully. Remember that guy from Telstra trying to tell Little Johnny Howard what to do, ran back to US with his tail between his legs. Governments still control Oz not big business as in the US.
NSW are the Winners. WSL have covered their arse with Newy and anything beyond that is a win. Run all events in NSW. Wollongong would love it and Narrabeen would Lap it Up. Job Done. Congratulations to WSL at least they can Negotiate an Outcome that Works for all Stakeholders.
Excellent a WSL beach break world champ what more do you want?
‘Narrabeen would love it’
I live down the road, pretty sure opinion would be divided
So they've lost Bells and they've lost Snapper but they have Newcastle ... and that's a win?
Some strange logic going on there buddy. You might wanna go see a doctor about that!
Click bait. Don't buy into it.
Starky’s comment from last week re Vic doesn’t match up to the above, hmmm?
But he’s proved he’s full of shit in the past so I doubt anything that comes out of his mouth at this stage.
“We were [offering] to pay for our flight, all our own quarantine, we weren’t asking the Victorian government for a dollar, we just needed them to allow us to land a plane and go through their quarantine system and they said no.”
Good pick up Doggy
WSL
The rancid turd in the swimming pool that everyone tries to get away from but it just keeps getting sucked along in the wake.
Was a funny movie, Bill Murray killed it.
Destination NSW (government agency) has $130 million each year to spend on events like surfing comps, State of of Origin etc etc etc and with Covid they are struggling to find events hence surf comps.
Is this sentiment towards the WSL an Australian thing or is it just the SN demographic? I'm genuinely interested to know, as my sentiments are similar to the majority of comments above.
I wonder if there are other countries that feel the same and why is it that the WSL are so intent to come here when you look at what happened in the NW years ago, Lennox the other week, etc.
Is Starky's head so far up his arse that he can't see the lack of support?
I really wonder about that too Fitz.
I understand there's a broad spectrum of sentiment, with Woz fan boi (or fan gyrl) at one end and the burn-it-all-down terrorists at the other, and it's always been hard to assess where the majority lies.
We all carry around our own bias, and we operate within certain echo chambers, so breaking outside of those restrictions and getting a gauge on how other people are thinking is difficult.
However it 'feels' like the needle is shifting towards the negative in regards to Wozzle sentiment. I get this from reading across the sites, plus a deep dive into social media platforms.
I doubt it's terminal. Surfers are a capricious mob, with a few wins on the board the Woz could work its way back into our hearts. Yet at this juncture I just don't see where those victories can come from.
I even wonder at times if we're approaching a post-Woz period. That Big Ziff's vanity project will simply prove too hard.
negatives and when you talk to people who have worked with Starky , there is always Bully , his way or hit the highway, he is a political animal , so not many people close to him have a good word for him and he has been given a job to make the Australia tour work....or no-ones got a job on the WSL gravy train!
Hey stunet - maybe SN could run an online survey or two from time to time- not necessarily just on this issue ...
Course it would be swellnet centric but I often find myself wondering what the consensus on issues like this are ...
Just a thought...
Can I vote more than one time, or under multiple aliases?
It's picking up steam in other regions. Quite a few Americans were pissed off at the recent announcement by WSL supporting the 30x30 initiative, as it they see it as unfairly targeting recreational fishermen over commercial.
Well theres always Collaroy or up the beach at the Gardens...all time..
Inside the heads on a big swell? All time.
Shhh Mem, apparently its a secret spot, only 80 guys out on the last swell
D'Bah woulda still been a backup venue for snapper, right? Why not just have running it there again as a backup plan in case the nsw/qld border closed again?
The big day at Deadies last winter was epic.
2 month waiting period. Cut it down to 16 or 32 surfers. No heats, send them all out at Deadies together. Judge the video that night or next day. Highest score made up of 3 best rides wins.
Chris Lougher World Champ!
2 month waiting period won't cut it for chasing a 1 in 20 year session
If that's their only reason for not holding it Snapper it's a faarking weak one. Sacrificing a few corporate dollars to retain some event integrity regarding world class spots wouldn't break them . Greedy corporate pigs are selling what's left of their shitshow to the highest bidder. No real surprise to me. faark em.
“I know how much it costs to run one of these events – it’s around $4 million."
That's just nuts.
And another thing, the WSL has already proven they can't implement a COVID plan effectively. Exhibit A: Pipe Masters recently. So that doesn't instill much confidence for us to extend our welcome with open arms.
Look at the bitching and whinging from a select few of the tennis players for the AO. You can just imagine how the likes of Medina and follows are going to carry on. And if they aren't held under constant security, do you really trust that they will actually isolate and quarantine? Knowing what most surfers are like, I highly doubt it. And the Aus public will go into melt down if there is community spread from a few "surfers" and we have to go into lockdown because of it.
Turpells voice gone for ever? Fuck I hope so
we can only live in hope
Has anyone actually looked at Snapper lately? No sand bank. No Waves = NO COMP. It would end up being moved to Dbah again. No mater what the surf cam websites say. DBAH IS IN NSW!!
Sand would have been pumped.
congrats to qld and vicco gov for not paying for the surfers quarantine.. shouldn't the athletes pay for their own quarantine costs..
Blah Blah Blah
Now if ziffy had just put his WSL money into bitcoin...........
As a NSW tax payer it pisses me off the NSW Government is funding the WSL.
For one reason only - the return on the "investment" is just not there.
It would be a much better use of money - to go fund - a tri-athelete comp, or bunch of kayakers, or even go fund the clubbies boats - at least that demographic spend coin in the regional area. Or do a wine-n-cheese-arty-fancy-pance-BMW-attracting event.
And more to the point - regional locals want those events in their town. Port Macquarie seems to have that figured.
For the Government to be funding events, that locals don't want (see Lennox, see any town south of Kiama), that provide only cents return in the dollar - is madness and needs to stop.
Pleny of waves & sandbanks in NSW atm.
Search & best of 3 video comp format is great to watch.
though I like the occasional circus,....just change the ringleader/s
(eg. Ex-pro B.Lynch is entertaining insight & enthusiasm!) and....
WSL pleeese ...equal weight for style vs acrobatic tricks.
.
.
the way I see it is if all the billabongs , ripcurl and other surf companies want to run a show globally well its your show , the accommodating country , town , city will accommodate your venue at your expense , why by the life of me dose the tax payer have to fork out money for an event 95% of tax payers are not interested in , same as tennis , golf , rugby and so on . these companies are global as mentioned above, nike , adidas the list goes on multi million $$ companies , you want to play in the best suited venue for your sport WELL YOU HAVE TO PAY TO PLAY end of story
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-poaches-iconic-surf-event-fro...
Wow, and these quotes..
"But Mr Stark said the WSL was paying for the hotel quarantine in NSW.
He said the WSL had made the decision to cancel the Snapper Rocks event and stay in NSW after Queensland refused to guarantee the border would be open to its athletes.
“This is not a financial decision, this is a decision around how we run events,” he said. “It’s too risky to just gamble whether the border is open or not ... we had to de-risk our sport.” "
Narrabeen = Dooma + TC. WTF?
Presumably will run at northy? See if the banks and swell cooperate, Southey was shut down city last week when I went there although there was the odd one. Could be fun to watch the worlds best getting flogged in 6’ close outs.
Pretty sure we’ve seen that a few times at supertubos
Be just like watching supertubos... ;-)
Supertubos the gift that keeps on closing out
How's the spin!
NSW state gov claiming that they've 'poached' Bells and Snapper from the other states and they're the 'sporting capital' of Australia. FFS! Does that Barilaro kook really think people are that stupid?
You only got the WSL because no one else wanted to touch the failure ridden fuckwits with a 10 foot pole.
“Northie is a better wave than Snapper anyway..” R.Stokes, NSW Planning Minister, ABC radio, an hour ago.
I mean, he kinda had to say that, didn’t he!
I know Rob. He's a good bloke with a sense of humour (despite the unfortunate character flaw of being a politician)... I'd bet that was said firmly tongue-in-cheek.
Stu...didn't the NSW govt pull funding from the 6 star Manly/Vissla pro Last year, I think it was $300 K as they said it could be spent better elsewhere...same Govt????
Now it's like NSW discovered surfing and spending millions at Newcastle( yeah like people are going to start taking their holidays in Newy!) and more possible events because there is now some kind of upside to surfing events bringing $'s into local economies?
Dan Andrews (Vic taxpayers) spending $12m defending his govt in the Hotel Quarantine 'Inquiry' doesn't raise an eyebrow on swellnet but the NSW govt offering to spend far less to win an event which is of interest to many gets bagged mercilessly? Heaven help us.
D-Rex...and the Feds spent $9 billion on refugee detention, not an eyebrow raised
https://www.kaldorcentre.unsw.edu.au/publication/cost-australias-asylum-...
Those two issues above are to be argued about another time. This is a surfing website and the subject of this particular chapter is WSL/international comp surfing in Aus.
Start another thread if you wanna debate that other stuff which is obviously important and highlights continued fed and state government incompetence.
Government Kooks spending my tax on kooking up the line up. Fuck off
Yessir, ringa! Wouldn't want political issues creeping onto swellnet forums would we?
BTW my issue is quarantine-related as is the contest issue.
23rd March GC Bully : "Starky & GC Mayor kiss & make up!"
Southern Chamber of Commerce urge GCCC to bid for WSL event.
Photo of Steph shreadin' Snapper...can we see that...
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/7d6f5755c7c47d6a76d4e4cdc3768165?wid...
Mayor admits.." it was only lost due to lack of assistance on Covid restrictions. (reads breach!)
Mayor had private talks with Starky...Good news is it was only short term decision. (reads Back Stab!)
I will be catching up with them...(12 months) We will still want the WSL event back here.
In the meantime there is a rival event...
There is another tier of surfing, and we want to get that one as well."
(The Gold Coast Open May 1st -3rd)
https://surfingqueensland.com.au/pro-surfing-returns-to-queensland-with-...
https://surfingqueensland.com.au/gold_coast_open_21/
GCCC ordinary meeting No 800 - 10am...results in lengthy WSL session behind closed doors!
(tbb - Can you show Tuesday's behind Closed doors meeting...just the doors if you don't mind!)
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/bc13d59a24624fa48141d34ac5287c5b?wid...
Yep! They do look pretty closed don't they! ("All say Aye!")
Of interest is that this was the GCCC new CEO's 1st Meeting as Mayor's right hand man.
tbb - Can you show the GCCC CEO massage the Mayor's new $100,000 WSL comp deal.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6008a92e120279108753d9572d5c0ea1?wid...
This was an executive decision to shift the WSL Event/s into Mayor's Major Events Portfolio!
Seems important to share that...usually a whole of Council tiered Tourism / Events - nondescript funds
These secret meetings hide the full spend & assist package. (Mayor's own WSL Comp is plain creepy)
tbb can have a crack at that as All Mayors hold Executive Comp Powers not Premiers...Huh!
Mayor holds Emergency Covid Powers over the WSR Beaches / Lockdowns...(Decides Open/Close)
Emergency Powers during a Competition is Commercial in confidence & warrants Closed Door Session.
Explains why meeting was so long as new CEO read out Council Emergency Powers ( Qld / PNG covid )
GC Mayor : "Major Events build City Reputation!"
GCCC voted to stoke an extra $100,000 into "The Mayor's Major Events Budget"
The Report & The Event were not revealed & details remain on confidential papers.
recap: Only the Mayor holds Emergency Powers to run a Covid Surf Comp. (Crew got that!) Check!
Cr Tozer welcomed the Mayor's personal contribution saying, " it was significant and made a big difference to some councillor's concerned about the funding. We are open to diversifying the mix of events that we have. This event is our "Core Business", it's the kind of thing we do all the time, it's absolutely central to what we do as a city."
Pause: Why say GC is open to diversifying the mix of events as Comp has been anchored for 20 years?
Southern based Cr Gail O'Neil, who moved the recommendation, also thanked the Mayor, saying "it will be welcomed by all of the community."... increasing speculation that the border event will return.
"This sporting event will be accepted for years to come as it has in years gone by. I just want to thank you so much, this is so important to our sporting culture and events culture."
Again, tbb thinks the Councillors were asked to vote on Mayor's Covid Emergency Event Portfolio.
As in ...which beach has Quality Pro Surf + Able to Lock down with GCCC crews & Cameras etc!
SLSA lock down (Intruders) with speed to continue events & WSL Comps would adapt similar.
This means a default Lockdown procedure underlines the event site in order to lockout Crowds.
Mayor is asked to underwrite extra labour to secure Hot Spot Comp Lockdown continuation.
Game has changed since Feds prioritize 'National Interest' Olympic Flights / WSL Tour / Vax Jump.
Feds : You can't say no to VIPs - Govt's / Councils must suck harder to Nationally significant WSL Pros.
Official court jester Starky milks this...that's why the deals are goin' down, sign here & here & again here!
WSL (Approx) Council's Price Guide : QS $15-$50K / CS $50-$100K / CT $50-$150K
WSL Qld plans ( Snapper CT > Sunny Ranch + Bhds QS > CS)
Why Diversify & there is another Tier & what's Confidential ?
Closed door reveal of diversifying a WSL event & details remain confidential.
WSL / Similar Money / South GC (Often Includes Bhds) are the only constant.
(Starky / GC Mayor / CEO) locked in this new diverse deal without WSL / Qld Govt.
Surfing Qld tried to extort the Bhds CS upgrade & loose Snapper comp to Sunny.
Extra Goldie Comp reading swellnet Stu : Surfing Qld sidelined in WSL dispute
https://www.swellnet.com/news/swellnet-dispatch/2019/11/08/surfing-queen...
The feeling is pretty clear - Wozzle isn't wanted. When they pulled out of Bells I and many others on SN were happy, now's the same thing. This goes to the real problem - competition surfing is a flawed concept.
To be fair this forum isn't necessarily representative of the views of the general surfing populace. It's a bit of an echo chamber for the anti-Woz brigade. (of which I am a card carrying member by the way.) Would be interesting to see the results of a survey conducted across the entire spectrum of surfers.