Wipeout! Why Gold Coast was locked out of World Surf League bubble
The World Surf League will not compete on the Gold Coast in 2021 with this year’s Australian championship tour events to be held in quarantine bubbles in NSW and Western Australia.
Surfing, fishing and mountain biking are among the pastimes threatened by climate change - causing high anxiety for young Queenslanders (Source: WSL/Sloane)
The WSL on Tuesday confirmed the dates and locations for its Australian swing, beginning with the Newcastle Cup from April 1.
A second event will then be held at Narrabeen in Sydney’s northern beaches from April 16 to 26 before the championship heads across the country for the Margaret River Pro from May 2.
A final event will then be held at Rottnest Island from May 16 to 26.
WSL Asia-Pacific general manager Andrew Stark said the regular stops at Snapper Rocks and Bells Beach in Victoria were unviable due to the need to establish quarantine bubbles for each event.
Concern over lockdowns, state border restrictions and event cancellations meant neither event was possible in the tour’s opinion.
“This year, the Aussie CT leg is looking very different to what we’re used to due to COVID-19,” Stark said.
“Although it’s genuinely disappointing to miss locations like Bells Beach and Snapper Rocks this year, we are stoked to add Newcastle, North Narrabeen and Rottnest Island to the schedule.”
Overseas competitors are set to arrive in Australia on a chartered flight from Los Angeles next month before athletes and support staff enter a mandatory 14-day hotel quarantine period.
Only once an athlete has received medical clearance will they be allowed to enter the general community and prepare for the opening event in Newcastle.
Rottnest Island will remain open to visitors during the WSL event window although spectators won’t be permitted at Strickland Bay where the event is being held.
