Longboard Open dumped for this year

A LACK of funding has forced a popular surfing competition to be cancelled this year.

The Australian Longboard Surfing Open was to be held from May 30 to June 2 at Kingscliff but organisers have decided to sit this year out.

Event director Sean McKeown said significant funding had not been secured.

“We decided if we can’t do it properly we’re better to hang off a year, regroup and come back next year,” he said.

Mr McKeown said funding usually came from sponsors and Destination NSW.

“Destination NSW changed hands and the new tourism people are still trying to find their feet,” he said.

Sponsorship is needed to help cover everything from prize money to administration costs. It was first held in 1984 and is now a premier World Surfing League event that attracts hundreds of surfers from around the world .

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