World Surf League is Giving up on Hawaii for 2019-2020 Surf Season

The World Surf League claimed/confirmed that it will not be running the Pipe Masters on the North Shore of Oahu in 2019.  This is because the City would not agree to let the World Surf League move the Billabong Pipe Masters from being the last event on the World Championship Surfing Tour to be the first event.  Many believe that as the birthplace of both  surfing and pro surfing that Hawaii should always have the honor of being the last stop on the world tour, the World Surf League believes otherwise.  However, it’s been difficult to find out where they want to move the final event too.  It’s hard for me to believe that the World Surf League is giving up on Hawaii.

Below is what is being called a “preliminary” schedule for 20018-2019.  My sources are telling me that it’s far from over with multiple parties filing contested case hearings with the City over the matter.  More as I get it.

WSL PRELIMINARILY PERMITTED EVENTS FOR HAWAII 2018/2019
HIC PRO – Sunset Beach – Oct. 27 – Nov. 9, 2018
HAWAIIAN PRO – Haleiwa – Nov. 12-24, 2018
VANS WORLD CUP OF SURFING – Sunset – Nov. 25 – Dec. 6, 2018
BILLABONG PIPE MASTERS – Ehukai – Dec. 8-20, 2018
SUNSET OPEN – Sunset Beach – Jan. 18-28, 2019
VOLCOM PIPE PRO – Ehukai – Jan 29 – Feb. 10, 2019