It’s been a rough year for the World Surf League, that’s for sure. It’s been a rough year for just about everyone on the planet, really, but we’re just here to discuss the roughness of the WSL’s year in particular. Turns out that a global pandemic that makes traveling dangerous is bad for a tour that has stops all over the world. Who’d a thunk it?
It was back in March of 2020 when the WSL announced that all events would be canceled through May. As things with the pandemic changed, so too did the League’s approach. Then came Hawaii and the Pipeline suspension, not to mention a handful of employees testing positive for COVID-19. Then Sunset and Jaws were canceled. Earlier this week, the League was forced to cancel the Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, which leaves three events on the Australian schedule. It’s looking likely that this season will be an abbreviated one.
So with the lack of events, the question is obvious: how does one crown a world champion in a time when events don’t really work? That’s just part of the debate that Mick Fanning and Ross Williams have on the most recent installment of Getting Heated.
See more from the World Surf League here.
