But only change to 2016 schedule…
It’s a small tweak, but significant enough. The Margaret River event, number three on the schedule, now has the ability to move, not just to the Box, as we saw last year, but to North Point.
In case it doesn’t ring bells, here’s what North Point looks like from the world’s tiniest helicopter.
North Point Drone from Taj Burrow on Vimeo.
Makes Main Break, Margarets, look like the superseded wave it is, don’t it?
Apart from that, the rest of the tour stays the same, including Jeffreys Bay, which is really seizing the day, I think.
Will there be a terrible anxiety among the surfers? Maybe psychologists and chaplains to deal with any not-so-unexpected consequences?
Will the WSL employ Reunion Island’s vigie requin to patrol the Great White-infested lineup, as I suggested to the WSL’s media guy Dave Prodan?
From the WSL Commissioner Kieren Perrow: “Athlete safety is a top priority for the League. We have been in constant discussions with our athletes, event organizers and administrators regarding the future of this event. The WSL has made significant investments in the areas of surveillance and response for all current and future Tour spots, and we are currently working with a number of firms specializing in mitigation technology that focus on both athlete safety and the safety of the marine environment.
“The strides we’re making in the areas of surveillance and response are significant, but there presently exists no technology that has been proven to be 100% effective. Our athletes are aware of this, as they have always been.”
In other words, we’ll have a swing at keeping the sharks out but, really, we ain’t superhuman.
And life’s about taking chances…
2016 World Surf League (WSL) Samsung Galaxy Men’s Championship Tour
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast – March 10-21, 2016
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach – March 24-April 5, 2016
Drug Aware Margaret River Pro – April 8-19, 2016
Rio Pro – May 10-21, 2016
Fiji Pro – June 5-17, 2016
J-Bay Open – July 6-17, 2016
Billabong Pro Teahupo’o – August 19-30, 2016
Hurley Pro at Trestles – September 7-18, 2016
Quiksilver Pro France – October 4-15, 2016
Moche Rip Curl Pro Portugal – October 18-29, 2016
Billabong Pipe Masters – December 8-20, 2016
Same again, is this, though, a clear victory for the WSL?
Hasn’t the whole surf world been waiting for events to drop off the calendar; the Tour to be nibbled away piecemeal until it collapses from lack of interest/dough.
What if Speaker is right? What if he’s right? What if this thing can fly, nazi drone tactics and all.
In that sense the status quo preserved is the greatest offensive play the WSL could conceive of.
“added” and “added as alternative site” are two different things.
Do we know why France has asterisks?
If QS goes bust then Volcom should step in and sponsor another event in NY and skip France or Portugal.
Kelly and Taj can both announce their retirements on the Today show and then surf the semi’s against each other again.
There’d probably be a pithy Asterix the Gaul quip in there somewhere if I hadn’t just drunk five pints of San Miguel on an empty stomach. Ah well
Any relation to Charles de Gaulle??? The person…not the airport. What the hell…include the airport also.
Asterix, as in the comic character, from Gaul, the region. Beloved of Francophile and Anglophile children everywhere http://asterix.com/index.ph…
See…I can actually learn something on BeachGrit.
Unfortunately, probably nothing useful
But isn’t that what this site is all about? Uselessness?
I guess Derrick didn’t forward them any of our ideas from the Beachgrit “Win Some Shorts” contest. Oh well.