WSL Lennox Event Ditched By Ballina Council
And will Bells even run? The whole CT thing just got even more complicated.
Lennox Head, NSW, Australia. Photo: Jeremiah Klein
Nick Carroll
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The World Surf League’s plans for the Australian tour are in some disarray after Ballina Shire Council voted on Wednesday afternoon to reject a mooted Championship Tour event at Lennox Head.
The event had been dialed up only last week as a fourth CT for Australia an attempt to capitalize on the pros’ presence in Australia for CTs at Bells, Margaret River, and Snapper Rocks.
Lennox Head rejects Championship Tour event
February 4, 2021 |
Surfing
The Australian seaside village of Lennox Head will not hold a Championship Tour (CT) event at Lennox Head, New South Wales.
The Ballina Shire Council rejected a World Surf League (WSL) competition at the iconic point break.
WSL wanted to add an extra venue to this year s Australian CT leg, but the authorities voted against it after several protests from local surfers and residents.
The decision not to provide support for the event was based on the risk of spreading Covid-19 and the negative impacts caused by overcrowding during the holiday period and loss of amenity.
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Update, 2.25pm: Ballina Shire Council has called an extraordinary meeting to discuss the World Surf League s plan to hold an event in Lennox Head. General manager Paul Hickey said the meeting would be held at 4pm on Wednesday. The aim will be to clarify what is proposed for the WSL event and whether the council supports it. Mr Hickey said the council and councillors had received positive and negative feedback about the WSL proposal. Cr Keith Williams said the proposal was a major event that needed careful consideration . I understand the Lennox event is a one off replacement of Bells Beach due to the potential disruption caused by state borders at the moment, he said.
Surfing South Africa’s quest to get back in the water Updated
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Surfing South Africa has approached national government with a request to consider allowing a return to training for its surfers.
Image: Instagram / Snehlanhla Makhubu
Surfing is not allowed under the current lockdown level three regulations, but it is having a big impact on the sport in the year in which surfing is scheduled to make its long-awaited debut at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Port Elizabeth-based Surfing South Africa President, Johnny Bakker, says they had yet to receive a response from the government, but are hopeful of a positive outcome.