AUCKLAND, New Zealand, (Monday, April 12, 2021) - The World Surf League (WSL) has announced that the 2021 Challenger Series (CS), the ultimate battleground for surfers attempting to qualify for the elite-level Championship Tour, will include four stops this condensed season with events in California, Portugal, France, and Hawaii.
With the 2021 CS season being condensed and focusing on the Northern Hemisphere, the Piha Pro CS event will be postponed for this year but aims to return in 2022.
"Although we are disappointed to not be heading to New Zealand for the Challenger Series event the Piha Pro in 2021, we are excited to be working towards delivery in 2022 and beyond," said WSL APAC General Manager Andrew Stark. "With the COVID-19 pandemic continuing to put massive restraints on global travel, the series will be held across four events and three countries in 2021. We'd like to thank our partners at Auckland Unlimited along with the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) for their understanding at this time. We look forward to heading to Piha in 2022."
Auckland Unlimited Head of Major Events, Richard Clarke, said: "We understand the reasons why this year's Piha Pro cannot go ahead but we remain committed to working with the WSL on an event in 2022."
MBIE Manager of Major Events, Susan Sawbridge, said: "While the cancellation of the Piha Pro in 2021 is disappointing, given the continued challenges the global COVID-19 environment, we understand why this decision was made. It gives the competition its best chance to be held in New Zealand in the future."
Stay tuned to www.worldsurfleague.com for more information on the 2022 WSL Challenger Series Calendar and the inaugural Piha Pro.