The 2018 Margaret River Pro has been cancelled, with the World Surf League citing the risk of shark attack on competing surfers as the reason behind the decision.
Two attacks on surfers – one an employee of the competition – were reported on Monday morning, with the event halted temporarily while a safety assessment was made.
Unfavourable conditions had paused competition during Tuesday and surfing was expected to continue later in the week until the cancellation was announced.
“Today, the WSL has made the difficult decision to cancel the remainder of the Margaret River Pro, as a result of exceptional circumstances surrounding this season's event regarding sharks and the safety of our surfers,” said WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt in a statement released on Wednesday morning.
She said the decision had been reached after “many hours of consultation with a variety of stakeholders and experts.”
“The WSL puts the highest premium on safety. This cannot be just talk, and it cannot be compromised.
“Surfing is a sport that carries various forms of risk, and is unique in that wild animals inhabit our performance environment.”
Competing surfers Italo Ferreira and Gabriel Medina yesterday voiced their concerns on social media, saying they did not feel safe training or competing in the location.
Ms Goldschmidt said that the risk of sharks in the water was something surfers were familiar with.
“Sharks are an occasional reality of WSL competitions, and of surfing in general,” she said.
“Everyone associated with our sport knows that. There have been incidents in the past – and it's possible that there will be incidents in the future – which did not (and will not) result in the cancellation of an event.
“However, current circumstances are very unusual and troubling, and we have decided that the elevated risk during this season's Margaret River Pro has crossed the threshold for what is acceptable.”
WSL chief executive Sophie Goldschmidt
”We are committed to being as prepared as possible for what nature throws at us.
“However, the threshold has been crossed for the organization and if we decided to continue the event under the current circumstances, and something terrible were to take place, we would never forgive ourselves.”
Ms Goldschmidt acknowledged the impact the cancellation would have on the local community and spectators as well as the surfers themselves.
“We are painfully aware that this decision will have commercial ramifications for the local community, and will disappoint some of our partners, fans and athletes. We sincerely regret that.
“We are not giving up yet on somehow completing both men's and women's competition this year, and will communicate our thoughts on that when we know more.
“Margaret River is a special venue, with incredible partners. It has produced many memorable moments over the years, and at the moment we have no plans not to return in the future.”
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