Quiksilver’s base camp the Allegria Hotel’s suffered flooding, but assured all they’d be operational as planned. Pic: Matt Clark
The story so far is this, at 5pm today (New York Time), local online media source the Long Beach Patch reported that the City of Long Beach had, “cancelled all the festival events (concerts and BMX, skate and motocross demos) but the surf contest would still go on.” Now, at 11pm, rumors abound on facebook and twitter that the entire event has been cancelled.
Tracks editor Luke Kennedy (who is set to fly out for New York tomorrow morning), spoke with Quiksilver’s Australian Marketing manager Troy Brooks less than an hour ago. Troy assured him the surfing competition [event six on the ASP world tour] was still on – but he reiterated that it would be officially confirmed in the morning, New York time.
With that we tried to be patient, but there were many surfing industry insiders declaring the City of Long Beach [Council equivalent] had called the surfing off too. Former world tour surfer Shea Lopez Tweeting, “100% confirmed #QuikproNY is cancelled”, and he was not alone.
New York City grom James Theobald pulling in. Pic: Matt Clark
But like a game of tennis, another insider answered back with a base line volley, this time it was Surfing magazine’s photographer, Jimmy Wilson “The #QuikproNY is not officially cancelled.” He tweeted. “Bob Mcknight is in NYC now pulling for the show to go on.”
What Tracksmag.com has discovered is there is a wave of anger among many locals in the area over the handling of what could be an exciting and important event for their local community and economy. Those few online commentators happy the event “may” be off seem only interested in the ease in which they can park their cars.
This comment, from a level headed local, was posted on The Patch’s website at 11:41pm on Monday, August 29, 2011
From GS
“The City Officials are using the storm as an excuse to cancel the events, they have stated that if residents are badly effected by this hurricane that it would be “wrong” to have the festival. So now they have their excuse. This is such an embarrassment! As a Long Beach resident who has now been flooded twice in the past two weeks, I can personally say that I have survived and will be ready for the QuikPro!”
Here’s hoping you get your wish, GS
Local surf shop Unsound have organised a protest at 9am at City Hall, their message is this “Silent protest on!!! We need every surfer, fan of surfing, long beach business owner, everyone you can muster to come show support tomorrow @ 9am at city hall to show how much we need and want this contest to happen. This is an event that so many have wanted for so long, and cancelling it will do nothing positive for our great city. So come out, bring signs, bring friends and let’s show them how much we need this to happen!!! 1 West Chester st long beach, 9am be there sharp!!!”
Stay tuned for the official call tomorrow morning here at Tracksmag.com
