Surfers wait with anticipation
THE year 2020 has been crazy for everyone.
It might be the most socially altering that most of us have experienced. Social change has rightly become on top of all our minds.
The global pandemic has gripped the planet for the past months, tearing at the landscape of both industry and sport.
This year will pass without crowning a World Surfing League (WSL) world champion.
With no events other than several exhibitions in the works, the WSL 2020-2021 season will officially kick off in November on Maui for the women and December on the North Shore for the men.
The WSL schedule has certainly been altered – with two significant additions. They have announced that G-Land, Java, will be back for the first time in years and Lower Trestles, USA, will be back.
It appears the WSL hopes to capitalise on the momentum that could come with running the last event of the year with everything on the line. In 2021 the WSL will have a brand-new format including a single-day event to determine the World Champion.
Here are some pros and cons of the new WSL format:
Pro: There's always something on the line, and therefore, always a reason to watch.
Con: Top seeds are going to run the show. At first glance, the tour's new seeding system for “The WSL Final” looks like it heavily favours the top seed with a shorter path to the championship.
Pro: The final’s day in 2019 wasn't just the one or two heat outcomes, it was that the event started with multiple players who could win.
Con: It's not happening at Pipeline.
Rule changes, location selection, judging calls, or even the correct enforcement of an existing rule isn't just cause for debate with surfers.
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