The world’s best surfers, including a trio of Sunshine Coasters, won’t compete in two famous annual events this year after they were cancelled and essentially replaced.
The Corona Open Gold Coast at Snapper Rocks and the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach in Victoria were taken off the schedule by the World Surf League, due to COVID-19.
Sunshine Coast’s Julian Wilson, Keely Andrew and Isabella Nichols and other elite surfers from around the world will now prepare to surf at Margaret River (WA) and new venues Newcastle (NSW), North Narabeen (NSW) and Rottnest Island (WA), during April and May.
The WSL could not get approvals for quarantine bubbles in Victoria and Queensland in the short time, but it could get approvals for bubbles in New South Wales and Western Australia.
“This year, the Aussie CT leg is looking very different to what we’re used to due to COVID-19, with the addition of three new stops,” WSL APAC General Manager, Andrew 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.”
International competitors who board a chartered flight in Los Angeles will land in Sydney and once in Australia, all athletes and support staff will undergo a 14-day hotel quarantine.
They must receive a medical clearance from public health officials before entering the community. The Government is not funding the quarantine.
The WSL said it would implement a robust and thorough COVID-19 health and safety plan for each event, in accordance with federal and state guidance.
