Defending world champion Carissa Moore says she is hoping, “There is some good swell on offer and we can put on a great show for (fans),” when the World Surf League women’s and men’s championship tour seasons begin here next month.
But, in a sign of the COVID-19 impacted times, those shows — the Dec. 4 Maui Pro at Honolua for women, on the North Shore for the Dec. 8 Billabong Pipe Masters for men, and the Jan. 19 Sunset Open, featuring men and women — will be “broadcast-only” events with no accommodation for fans at the sites, officials said.
The WSL will be operating under a film permit, so there will be no announcer commentary or staging, the event site will be housed entirely on private property and while there will be ocean access, people on the beach will be permitted only in accordance with state and county guidelines at the time, the WSL said.
“It is the new way of doing things (in the pandemic), I mean, we’re watching the University of Hawaii football team without fans (in the stadium) and it is going to be the same thing with surfing,” said state Sen. Glenn Wakai (D, Kalihi-Pearl Harbor). “I think it is a real plus for the state and it would have been a real shame not to have the Pipe Masters on its 50th anniversary.”
Competition will be streamed on the WSL website and shown on Spectrum, the WSL said.
“The best way to think about it is that it is a film production of the competition, not much different than if it was a filming of ‘Magnum P.I.,’” said Erik Logan, WSL CEO.
In addition, the Vans Triple Crown will go digital for the first time with eligible competitors submitting video of their two best waves each from Sunset, Haleiwa and Pipleline for judging consideration, a spokesman said.
The WSL announced the cancellation of its 2020 championship tours in July due to the pandemic and in re-imagining a format that has historically meant ending its seasons in Hawaii, Logan said, “We felt it was an amazing opportunity to start in Hawaii. That was, part and parcel, because we were going to end with the WSL Finals in September (at Lower Trestles at San Onofre State Beach, Calif.).”
Logan, said, “We’ve been working really, really closely with state and country officials, Mayor (Kirk) Caldwell and Mayor (Mike) Victorino, everything from parks and recreation, natural resources, health, emergency management and the film commission, on a pathway to try to do this.”
Logan said local surfers John John Florence, Seth and Tony Moniz, Zeke Lau and Moore, “Spoke up on behalf of the (WSL) and shared with community leaders their experiences during the pandemic.”
Caldwell said, “Surfing holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the people of Oahu. Thanks to a collaborative effort by our city team, in conjunction with the Department of Parks and Recreation, our Honolulu Film office and the WSL, we were able to come to an agreement to go forward with these broadcast-only productions under the City and County of Honolulu’s rules for film production.”
In its 53-page “COVID Safety Plan” which draws on its experience with eight events across five countries and more than 100 surfers in its Countdown Series this summer and fall, the WSL said competitors will be tested prior to their arrival in Hawaii and undergo “multiple” tests during the event window as well as be required to wear masks and practice social distancing.
Victorino said, “We’re confident that the extensive COVID Safety Plan that the WSL will implement, in collaboration with Maui County and state officials, will protect the health and safety of the athletes, staff, and local community.”
Wakai, who chairs the senate committee on Energy, Economic Development, and Tourism, said airing of the events, “Is important for our tourist industry. Only surfing and golf, in terms of TV coverage, have a beauty shot of Hawaii in every shot.”
The WSL said the average global audience of a championship tour event in 2019 across all platforms was 10 million.
Moore said, “Hawaii is such a big part of surfing history and culture and there is no better place to start a season and end a challenging year on a positive note. I want to express my appreciation to everyone involved in making these events happen including the WSL, state of Hawaii and all the amazing fans for your support.”
