Breaking: World Surf League almost certain to cancel Outerknown Tahiti Pro as French Polynesia bans sporting events! “The situation is dramatic,” says French prez Emmanuel Macron

The new-look COVID variant, Delta, has hit our brothers and sisters in French Polynesia real hard, hospitals "saturated" etc.

Straight from the desk of the WSL is news that the hotly anticipated Outerknown Tahiti Pro, an event sponsored by and tailored to its master Kelly Slater, will likely be cancelled as French Polynesia prepares to close its borders from this Sunday. 

The new-look COVID variant, Delta, has hit our brothers and sisters in French Polynesia real hard, hospitals “saturated” etc.

Authorities have announced a nine pm curfew but in classic island form, the territory’s president Édouard Fritch was seen playing guitar at a wedding party with hundreds of unmasked guests, Papeete’s mayor Michel Buillard providing the vocals.

In a message to competitors from the WSL’s Head of Competition Jessi Miley-Dyer, 

“Wanted to make you aware of the latest information out of Tahiti. There is currently a press conference happening in real time or about to happen, saying they are closing the border on Sunday. 

“It’s unclear what this means for us at the moment but the team is going to work on getting clarity tonight. We are just getting the information now. 

Please give us the night to gather what’s happening. We will hopefully have an update for you tomorrow evening.” 

Don’t look real good for the Ok Pro, and bad news for any vaccine sceptics who might’ve bitten the bullet and taken the hit just to get through the gate and into Tahiti.  

Update: contest cancelled, obvs, although Tahiti tourism wanted us to clarify, no events, but borders open.