An official response has been issued after Tracks broke the news on Friday that the WSL, in conjunction with Surfing Western Australia, were considering Kalbarri and Gnaraloo as potential locations for a WCT event. While the language below is non-committal in relation to any particular location it does indicate that the two surfing bodies are definitely weighing up their options.    

See the official statement below.

“There has been considerable commentary in the media recently about a proposed World Surf League event to be held in Kalbarri, in the North West of Western Australia.

Surfing Western Australia is currently in partnership with the World Surf League (WSL) and Tourism Western Australia (TWA) to deliver the Margaret River Pro in 2019.

The Margaret River Pro is one of 11 events on the annual WSL Championship Tour (CT). Both the State Government and Surfing WA are long-term partners with the WSL.

The Championship Tour is committed to delivering the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves and that involves continually evolving the inclusion of a variety of challenging surf breaks across a number of continents.

“The WSL continues to work with event organisers and local communities in the development of the Championship Tour calendar and surfing more broadly,” said Dave Prodan WSL spokesman. “We’re exploring a number of options including our event in Western Australia and we’ll be making further announcements when appropriate.”

Surfing WA is currently exploring options with the WSL to achieve our mutual objectives.

“Our aim is to maintain a CT event in WA into the future and we will continue to work with local governments and other stakeholders to achieve this,” said Tim Thirsk acting Surfing WA CEO.

The World Surf League is actively pursuing world’s best environmental protection strategies such as plastic free surfing tournaments, plastic free oceans, and minimising their event footprints as much as possible.

Both Surfing WA and the WSL work collaboratively with local communities in each region, respecting their surf breaks and endeavouring to deliver positive outcomes for all West Australians.”