Traders are bracing for six-figure losses after it emerged Bells Beach's annual Rip Curl Pro will not take place over Easter, but surf industry figures believe there are plans to hold it in winter to save the economy and boost competition.
Alana Blanchard has slammed the iconic surf brand after their longtime partnership ended shortly after she became pregnant.
Gary Dunn, a long-time surfer who has worked for Rip Curl for 15 years, said the event, which is usually held over Easter, would likely return to Bells Beach later this year.
“The reality is, anywhere in the world, the best surfing happens in the winter,” he said.
“That's when the biggest storms develop and ultimately produce the best swells.”
The World Surf League (WSL) has announced that its Easter events will be moved to New South Wales.
“My understanding is that the event will go ahead as scheduled (at Bells Beach), but at a later date (this year),” Dunn said.
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“Having the event take place (later in the year) is better than not having it take place at all. Not having it take place over Easter means there may be fewer people attending the event.”
Beach Hotel owner Jamie Collins said lost revenue at Jean Jacques' establishments could reach “six figures”.
“Coffee shops and restaurants all depend on foot traffic,” he said.
“Surfers and support staff can stay here for two weeks, not just four days over Easter.”
He said the Beach Hotel can currently accommodate 188 people indoors and 80 outdoors, but that the number of people dining at its nightly events has “tripled” during the Rip Curl Pro.
“The whole region (Torquay and Jean Jacques) are fully booked up for this event, with places like Anglesea and Geelong also seeing increased bookings,” he said.
Gary Dunn. Photo: Glenn Ferguson
Liberal Member for Western Victoria Beverley McArthur said the decision was another blow for Victorians.
“The Australian Open has been able to go ahead but this event in regional Victoria has been unable to go ahead.”
“That's not only hypocritical, it's a total disgrace.”
She said she was concerned other events would also be snatched up by NSW.
“New South Wales won't close its doors or its borders, it will open them. It will make things happen. It will address problems rather than postpone them.”
Dan said the Rip Curl Pro gave local surfers a unique opportunity to compete alongside the best in the sport.
Harry Mann competing in the 2019 Rip Curl Pro Victorian Trials (Photo: Liam Robertson/Surfing Victoria)
“As a driver, I can't jump on to the Albert Park F1 track and race against the F1 drivers or jump on to the Melbourne Park (tennis) courts and play against Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic, but in surfing I can surf with the pros because they train (at Winkipop).”
Torquay Boardriders Club president Harry Mann, who competed in the 2019 Rip Curl Pro, predicted four WSL events would be held in NSW before the championship tour moves to Bells Beach in June or July, when there will be “perfect surfing conditions”.
The WSL revealed over the weekend that the Easter Bells Beach event would not go ahead after the state government did not approve plans to organise international charter flights to Melbourne and make quarantine arrangements for competitors.
A government spokesman said the government could not guarantee the WSL quarantine places for overseas surfers “within the timeline they are requesting” because accommodating returning Australians was a “priority”.
