WSL Suspends Pipe Masters After Event Crew (Including CEO Erik Logan) Contract Coronavirus - Stab Mag

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

156 Views

WSL Suspends Pipe Masters After Event Crew (Including CEO Erik Logan) Contract Coronavirus

Oh. my. god.

news // Dec 14, 2020
Words by Stab
Reading Time: 2 minutes

Certainly, not the news we wanted to hear (or share) on a Friday evening, but here it goes. 

From the WSL:

The WSL has decided to suspend the Billabong Pipe Masters presented by Hydro Flask competition as a result of positive COVID-19 tests within the WSL staff, including WSL CEO Erik Logan.

The WSL is committed to prioritizing the safety of the athletes, staff and surrounding community above all else, and is working closely and transparently with the Hawaii State Department of Health to determine the path forward. 

As part of the league’s COVID Safety Plan, anyone who has returned a confirmed positive test is self-isolating until they are cleared, and contact tracing protocols have been fully implemented. The WSL does not believe that any athletes have been exposed and will continue to execute the safety protocols.

We’ll update this story with more info as it comes.

UPDATE 8:15 pm PST

We’ve come to learn that this “suspension” might not be as drastic as it first appeared.

Here’s the deal: In order to align with covid precautions, the WSL had to get a filming permit rather than an event permit to run the Pipe Masters, which is why they’re able to keep all bystanders off the beach (as it’s essentially their “film set”).

The thing with filming permits, though, is that if any of the crew contract covid, the entire production needs to shut down immediately to comply with Hawaii state laws. From what we understand, there is a single crew member (who is not a WSL employee) that tested positive for coronavirus, plus, amazingly, Erik Logan, who is obviously the CEO. 

Essentially, everyone else that’s part of the production now needs to isolate and be re-tested. If everyone tests negative, it’s likely they’ll be able to get the event up and running again within the original event window. If not, the WSL is considering the possibility of an extension. 

The main point is that, while unfortunate, this news does not spell the end of the WSL season, or even the Pipe Masters. This protocol was very well understood before the event started, and the WSL was fully prepared to handle such a situation. 

For now, all we can do is wait and hope that no other WSL production members, staffers, or surfers have tested positive. 

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

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

A few more foam craftsmen worth keeping on your radar.

Jul 14, 2025

Watch: Rip Curl Mobilises Its Teenage Army In ‘Dunno’

A 30-minute surf film by Vaughan Blakey and Nick Pollet.

Jul 14, 2025

There’s A New Number One Surfer In The World

And it feels so right.

Jul 13, 2025

Controversial Opinion: No One Needs To Yoga In Boardshorts

8 Trunks for the traditionalist.

Jul 13, 2025

Stab Edit Of The Year: Sam Piter Stars in ‘Rogue DNA’.

French blood, thick water.

Jul 13, 2025

Matty McG Skydives Into CT Heat, But Jordy’s Still The Main Event

A full day of heats at J-Bay, and only one shark warning.

Jul 12, 2025

Correction: J-Bay All Foreplay, No Climax

Slim pickings on Day 1 of the Corona Cero Open J-Bay 2025.

Jul 11, 2025

What Do Hollywood, Surf Lessons, Michael Jackson And Traction Pads Have In Common?

A Stab Interview with Teva Dexter, the man behind surfing's hardest new hardware brand —…

Jul 10, 2025

Surf100 Challenge Series Presented By Pacifico: Episode 3

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

Jul 10, 2025

How Josh Ku Nearly Died Trying To Cross From Ulus to G Land by Hydrofoil

“If someone finds me dead at least they can find my phone and know what…

Jul 10, 2025

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
Advertisement