Stab Magazine | NSW, You Are The Weakest Link

Live Now — Episode 3 Of Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico

114 Views

NSW, You Are The Weakest Link

There’s been a breakup! The Australian Open of Surfing will not take place in 2018!

news // Nov 9, 2017
Words by Stab
Reading Time: < 1 minute

Yesterday, Destination NSW laid the Australian Open of Surfing to rest. 

Since 2012, the AOS’s has charmed us with performances by Dane Reynolds, Julian Wilson, Kolohe Andino, Andriano De Souze, plus loads more decorating the North shore.

Just like that, it is gone. The AOS confirming the cancellation of 2018’s event after beating around the bush in regards to the retraction of government funding, which was meant to be a 400K commitment, with this Facebook post:

The Australian Open of Surfing will not take place in 2018. IMG and our supporting partner Destination NSW have enjoyed bringing this world-class event to the iconic shores of Manly Beach for the past five years and thank the Manly community and everyone involved in the event for their support. IMG remains committed to action sports and we look forward to sharing more about our plans for this event in the future.”

This competition cashed in an estimated 2.5 mil annually for the community (and provides QS hopefuls with the early opportunity to snag 6000 points). In February, Jesse Mendes took out the competition, which catapulted his impressive year on the Q, which should see him on tour in 2018.

Which begs the question, what will the World Surf League do to combat this? How will 2018 look with only four 6000 events? And will they announce another competition to serve as preparation for Snapper?

“This has been a great event but I’m not going to take my foot off the gas at all, I’m going to keep getting ready for Snapper.” Kolohe Andino acknowledged to us after his win in 2015,

This supposed future commitment feels unlikely, but let’s wait and see if this NSW Gov can piece together a suitable replacement.

Comments

Comments are a Stab Premium feature. Gotta join to talk shop.

Already a member? Sign In

Want to join? Sign Up

Advertisement

Most Recent

Expect No Kiss, All Climax At The “World’s Most Perfect Pointbreak”

A Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025 preview.

Jul 9, 2025

SEOTY: Liam O’Brien stars in ‘Friction of Perception’

"Hopefully I don’t come across like too much of a peanut."

Jul 8, 2025

10 Shapers To Watch In The Next 10 Years — Part One

“It’s like a drug empire, man. Cut the head off the snakes, and more will…

Jul 7, 2025

Mason Ho Joins Ritual Vision, Releases Remix Of Greatest Hits

Dion Agius riffs on the eyewear brand’s U.S. expansion, Ritualistic Tendencies, and the new stars…

Jul 7, 2025

Is It Time For A New Judging Format?

We have a modest proposal — a WSL head judge disagrees.

Jul 7, 2025

Luke Thompson Turns Last Year’s Priority Disaster Into Ballito Gold

+ earns himself a wildcard into Jbay.

Jul 7, 2025

Fiji Has Its First Professional Surfer, And He’s Unbelievable

16-year-old James Kusitino’s incomprehensible tube lounging leads to a deal with Former.

Jul 6, 2025

Laird Hamilton on The Limitations of Being a Purist, Invention vs. Ownership + Why He Never Had a Sticker Deal 

Untold stories from his How Surfers Get Paid interview.

Jul 4, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

"The tribe has spoken," Dane Reynolds pronounced, and a surfer's torch was snuffed.

Jul 3, 2025

When Surfer’s Eye Is Actually Cancer

Erin Campbell's brutal journey from surf camp dreams to chemo drops, cryotherapy, and surgical horror.

Jul 3, 2025

Surfing’s 2025 Q2 Report

An assessment of surfing's vital signs throughout the second quarter of 2025.

Jul 2, 2025

What Actually Happened to Occy’s Mad Max Plunger Pool In Yeppoon?

Surf Lakes’ brass talks: internet hecklers, the unplugging of the plunger, and the Tom Curren…

Jul 2, 2025

Poor Goofy Foots 

Data shows that the world is stacked against goofs — they even make 15% less money than…

Jul 1, 2025

Britain’s First Wavepool Has Closed — What Really Happened?

Bankruptcy, social media hackings, debts unpaid — and yet, reopening looms.

Jul 1, 2025

Watch: Was Matt Meola’s Air Actually Better Than Hughie’s?

Watch the full Swatch Nines highlight reel and decide.

Jun 30, 2025

Houshmand Bludgeons Field To Win Second CT — Molly Picklum Tastes Blood, Snatches World #1 In Brazil

You can't argue with big surfing — that's Saquarema wrapped.

Jun 29, 2025

37 Years Old And World #1 — What’s Changed For Jordy Smith?

On rediscovering decades old surfboard templates, having a personality on the CT, and why this…

Jun 27, 2025

Tom Lowe Stars in ‘Let Me Live’

The wild, improbable ascent of Britain’s best big-wave surfer.

Jun 27, 2025
Advertisement