"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.”
Money talks, as they say in the classics.
With one event confirmed for the supposed four-contest Australian leg of the CT tour, Merewether at Easter, either NSW or Western Australia will now claim Snapper Rocks’ slot after the Queensland state government refused to cover the cost of quarantining surfers and the WSL’s entourage.
The Gold Coast Bulletin is reporting that NSW and Western Australia have created “war chests” of up to five million dollars to snatch the event away from Queensland, which offered half-a-mill toward the running of the event, believed to cost around four mill.
State Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe confirmed the event’s departure, saying he was deeply disappointed.
“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 breaks at Snapper Rocks are highly regarded worldwide, as are those at Bells Beach in Victoria. 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.”
“We didn’t expect to be engaged in a bidding war with NSW and Western Australia who put together a war chest of taxpayer funds as a lure,” an industry source told the Bulletin. “Essentially the Government were hamstrung because Queensland, like Victoria, stood firm on forking out taxpayer funds to put up athletes. So now rather than keeping it where it should be, WSL are now trying to give the classic to the highest bidder rather than keep it on the Gold Coast which is the home of surfing.”
The teats of state governments in Australia have long been a source of nourishing funds for pro surfing, although as Longtom pointed out after the Lennox Head fiasco, “It looks like cheap rent-seeking for a product that few want in their backyards and a story that has never really made sense except for a few rare birds who live at an altitude the rest of us will never attain.”
And, “Without a functioning business model to wean itself off State Tourism bodies the WSL is locked in a prison of its own making.”
More tomoz after the WSL’s announcement.
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Oh man that press release is not gonna age well if there’s a covid outbreak associated with one of those comps. It’s not gonna age well at all.
I tell you it actually shows Rip Curl and Billabong are fucked buisness units , no cash in Surf brands dudes its all over , Pros better start looking for a new career.
There was an article just the other day how Kathmandu have done well through covid thanks to the Rip Curl acquisition. But they did buy it for chump change so I suppose that helps.
Surf labels are on the nose but on the other hand the local surf shops here have been doing a bumper trade. Maybe it’s the expansion areas that are losing money. I’ve seen Billabong stores in the weirdest places, like Surabaya and Doha.
Surf wear is fashion not function and fashion is fickle.
Narrabeen it is. No real surprise there. Where will the third one be in NSW or will it be WA hosting two events ??
https://www.smh.com.au/nati…
This is literally the best news in 2021 so far. The surf last year during the usual comp period was pretty decent. No closed carpark and no pros. The mood in the water was mildly ecstatic. Let pro surfing die already.
If I’m the WSL aren’t I starting to consider El Salvador, or an Indo boat instead of dealing with all this Aussie bullshit?
Look, stop being so critical, they’r doing things by their own criteria to maximise points.
Commitment and degree of difficulty.
Innovative and progressive maneuvers.
Combination of major maneuvers.
Variety of maneuvers.
Speed, power and flow
Don’t you see?
Now it makes sense why they dropped “style” from the criteria a few years ago.
I still think Slater is behind this whole thing though. Is it really just a coincidence that just after he lost his Olympic qualification, a pandemic unfolded in China WHILE the WSL were holding an event there, which led to a series of events culminating in the Olympics being postponed? Now he’s got the whole show heading to Rottnest where he’s hoping JJF and Kolohe will be picked off by sharks, leaving him in pole position to take their Olympic slots.
oooh Rottnest , bad JUJU for white fellas…not sure you know the history of Rotty ?
So they’re going to hold four events, maybe two of which are semi-locked in with a bunch of uproar about the rest. And they’re cancelling long standing events?
Got it.
Hope Qld just dont approve them for snapper next time they ask to do an event there.
What about NZ
I’m starting to think there is a bigger narrative at play here.
Maybe Gladys is gearing up to let Tourism NSW go an a spending spree in order to poach events away from QLD and Victoria as a big “FUCK YOU” for the shit storms they’ve generated over the past 12 months.
A fortnight ago the the QLD Premier was begging for interstate tourists and asking for an extension of government support to her embattled tourism industry (which was destroyed by her own stupidity at the fruther expense of NSW border residents). Now Mr Hinchcliffe is publicly shitting his pants because he’s just realised that NSW – who manged their economy much better – are now in a position to poach away any big state-funded international event they want.
And of course the end game for NSW is to be front and center when international travel resumes and every one is looking for a beach destination.
Completely agree with this.
That’s the name of the game, to be front of mind when the planes start.
well Easter is now Bells time slot for the next 3 years…unless of course the local community doesn’t like the new 3 year deal….as the last one included an unacceptable viewing Platform at Winki , which would have been the biggest platform on the Surf Coast…till waiting for yeas or no from the Environment Minister.
When WSL was negotiating with Vic to land their Charter flight, the WSL offered to pay all quarantine fees , now the fees have become a negotiating chip in the game of who the WSL can shake down the most….so the NSW Govt who are Liberal ( Republican equivalent ) and Qld is Labor ( democrats equivalent ) , WA is Liberal and , and Vic labor….it’s a game of politics…..but all out states are cashed up for sporting events..
.WSL is trying to survive and playing state against State…..it’s just $’s….amazing how all of a sudden NSW is wanting Surf Comps after they cancelled the Vissla/Manly pro…lack of funds!
Manly was the last big comp that ran before Covid… and is scheduled to go ahead again as part of the re-vamped QS Challenger series later this year. Far from canning it, they’ve upgraded it (and If I had to guess it is probably on standby for a WCT slot in case WA pulls out).
I got it wrong with the NSW Govt pulling out , it was Vissla who didn’t want to pay more to upgrade the manly Comp to a challenger series…
So it’s amazing that NSW is spending so much money to advertise …Tourism in Newcastle/Nth Narra and maybe Manly??
these are strange days…..and just for the record I wasn’t denigrating “The Nose” I actually love women with weird noses….no wonder I get called uncle weirdo LOL!
Surfing events are small change. If they were going to do real poaching it would be the Australian Open Tennis or Grand Prix (cars or bikes). They can’t really poach the Melbourne cup or AFL grand final.
I think it’s the WSL have realised the Covid restrictions mean they have to get the surfers into NSW and leave them there. They should have gone to WA first though. WA is trigger happy with border closures, probably the most trigger happy of all the states in fact.
Small change yes – but it’s a lifestyle and image they’re selling, not the event itself. They’ll be able to brand themselves as “the surfing capital of the world” or some bullshit like that and coax all the clueless euros and brazzos who are too lazy to do any holiday research beyond “best beach to visit in Aus” and will be bombarded with Tourism NSW-sponsored articles heralding the NSW coast home to “the most perfect beaches in the world – as proven by the world’s best surfers”.
I gave SOUND investment advice when I said short these f’rs!
What about Sydney?
Or is Pro surfing hated there as well?
north narra
They love the cock?
They could easily run 3 events in Sydney; Cronulla, Bondi and Manly. Take it back to the 80’s.
Jesus, mine collapse and die every two years.
Stop looking at tranny porn.
West Australia shuts the border down with states that have any community transmission within hours.
No ifs or buts.
If they had any actual incite into the history of state covid policy margys would be first on the list. And the fact wa has been virtually covid free, once margys is done they could move interstate for their next play without anymore iso time.
A second event in WA?
Where.
At trigg ?
Flat Rocks ? Lol.
Margys won’t let any other waves onto the tour. Kalbarri & gnarloo surfers will blow up bigger than the Lennox locals. It is not going to happen there without some seriously bad bad publicity.
The greenys won’t allow anything at ningaloo or exmouth.
The treatment of the goldy & bells shows arrogance from a completely incompetent organisation.
Why are they even trying to flex when the comp is teetering on failure for 2 years running?
Or are they crashing & burning this plane to bring in something else.
It just seems too dumb to be real.
My bets on rotto
The up north crew love a pro, they are always hanging arround them when they are up there every year making thier vids not to forget all the down south crew that call north home as well , comp would be way welcome.
West Australia is perfect hold 3 events Margaret River then Yallingup followed by the Barry perfect time year as well , and all the local boardrider clubs are in support.
Ha
I love how we all have the solution here…
How ’bout: BG hold a hackathon type event where we work together, or in groups, to provide solutions to deliver pro-surfing for the WSL?
At the very least it would be entertaining!
All my free time is devoted to providing free content for BeachGrit.
Really do have their heads up their own arses
Erik opens the door to WSL headquarters in Santa Monica and walks in, making his way through the hallway towards his office. Passing the kitchenette, he sees Dave Prodan plugging in the charger to his dead 2014 MacBook Pro, an overstuffed ploughman’s sandwich and a pair of white Beats EP headphones resting on either side. Apparently, he took Patty’s advice and really did just move things from his office, turning the new space into his workplace.
“Hey, uh, Prodie, we got a meeting with Starkey in t-minus 5 minutes or so. Is Patches here?” asks Erik, looking like a wreck, his perpetual Pennant Tan displaying as extremely painful today.
“No, he hasn’t come in yet,” answers Dave, quickly minimizing his forgotten about open tab with a forwarded email from Fatt asking to sign the Recall Gavin Newsome petition.
“When he comes in, tell him to get into the conference room, OK?”
“Will do.”
Erik walks to his office to grab his iPad to take into the conference room. A couple moments later, Pat walks in, venti skinny vanilla latte in hand, the cup giving off the appearance of any non-Carrollian person holding an old-school Double Gulp.
“Patches?” yells Erik from the conference room.
“Yes, Erik,” Pat says as he’s makes his way into the room.
“Hurry, hurry!” whispers Erik, so loudly he might as well have just said it normally, instead of making a farcical show of it.
Pat quickly pulls his computer out of his satchel, placing it on the table across from Erik.
“Why did we have to come in? This is a pandemic. And why can’t I do this in my office?” asks Pat, clearly exasperated.
“I need all my boys for strength.”
“Hey, Dave!” yells Pat.
“Yo, Pat!” hollers back Dave.
“SHHHHHHHHHHHHH!” shushes Erik, again way too loudly as to be overly performative.
Not a moment later, Andrew “Starkey” Stark’s troll mug appears on their screens.
“How’re we doing, my fellas?” asks Starkey.
“Great!”
“Well,” says Dave.
Pat struggles a moment to take himself off mute.
“I’m good,” he says.
“Blimey is that good,” slimes Starkey.
“So, what is this meeting about Mr. Stark?” asks Erik, apprehensively.
“Come off, ELio, boy, this is about the Ozzie connests.”
“What about them?” asks Erik.
“Snappah, it’s out.”
Everyone can see Pat is talking animatedly, but he’s on mute, again. Erik’s face appears like he’s seen a ghost.
“That’s a signature event for us,” responds Dave.
“Yes, it is.”
“Why is it being canceled?” Pat, finally unmuted, asks, heatedly.
“Ya bloody thick, ahn’t ya. Queenie won’t be giving us enough money to run. Not enough government teat to suckle off. Gianna Michaels Queenie ain’t,” blusters Starkey.
“What about the four events?” asks Pat, apparently taking the reigns of management as Erik sits despondent in his soiled underoos.
“Don’t worry about that, we’ve got options.”
“Like where?”
“Western Australia, New South Wales. They’ve offered us a ton of money. Truck loads. We can fund fully events there, with all the bells, no pun intended, and buh-naw-ners you could ever want.”
“I guess that’s good,” offers Dave, flaccidly.
They sit in silence for a few moments, no one really sure what to say.
“Why are you making the decisions? Who put you in charge?” pips Erik.
“Haha, really? You’re serious? I’m Surfing Australia. Head honcho. Numero Uno. If we didn’t have me, and you were responsible, nothing would get done,” bites Starkey.
“Well, I’ll have you know, we weren’t really expecting to finish the year after what happened with Pipe. We just want to keep up appearances,” sulks Erik through dampened eyes.
“No sheet, mate. We still looked like a jyoke from you. Now at least it looks like we’re being proactive and getting stuff done, and paid for I might add, instead of wishing something would miraculously save a season.”
Everyone again goes silent, unsure where to go. Starkey messes with the collar on his polo.
“Listen, look at me, I am the captain now,” he says gruffly.
Everyone falls silent again.
“Well, anyway, nice chattin with ya. Try to quit being buttplugs,” says Starkey, who then quickly leaves the virtual meeting.
“What the hell was that?” yells Dave to the other room.
Suddenly, he hears someone scurry across the hall and slam shut a door. He walks over to Erik’s office, Pat already standing there. Erik has locked himself in. Dave and Pat stand there, able to hear Erik sob through his shitty door and the paper thin walls.
“I’ll take care of this,” Dave tells Pat, patting him on the shoulder. Pat takes that as his cue to leave and shuffles out the door, laptop stuffed into his unfastened satchel.
“Erik?” says Dave.
“I’m here to help you.”
Excellent Aussie pronunciation of connest
2014 Macbook Pro. Yeouch.
Double up-vote
Just Move the theoretical border line theoretically 100m to the north and theoretically we have our solution. Problem solved.
Come on Anastasia we know you are a closet Pip groupie. Make it happen.
This solution was suggested by many QLDers recently – in reverse….due the border road check points.
Both state premier’s hands are tied on this proposal coz no bastard in either state (property owners) want to live/own property in the other state.
With 3 levels of government Australia is one of the most over governed and over taxed countries in the world.
The state border was decided and surveyed in 1863 and has absolutely no relevance to contemporary community and society. Get rid of the states!
Yeah, it’s just a historic artefact of Federation 120 years ago.
“The Tweed Heads Pro” – base the NSW-supported event at the boat harbour at Twin Towns, then ferry the competitors back and forth to Snapper via jetski. Camera coverage via drone, water angle, and a couple of cranes parked on the NSW side of Boundary St.
I mean, the bank at Snapper is technically NSW’s sand anyway!
You can’t script this