World Surf League set to renew commitment to Margaret River Pro despite business fears

The World Surf League has poured cold water on renewed speculation the future of the Margaret River Pro is in doubt. The concerns were in part sparked by the end of the WSL’s five-year agreement on permits for the Pro, but a Shire of Augusta-Margaret River spokesperson said discussions were now underway with the event organisers for a five-year licence renewal. Prominent business figures who asked not to be named said they were spooked due to past talk about the WSL aiming to cut one of three Australian legs from its Championship Tour, with the Bells Beach event considered sacred. The Pro’s benefit to the local economy at the onset of the quiet winter trading period was also seen as a crucial boost, with past State Government sponsorship awarded. Doubts about the Pro were also stirred by the hasty exit of chief executive Erik Logan earlier this year and ongoing contention among professional athletes about the midyear cut introduced during the 2022 Pro at its Margaret River stop. The midyear cut boosted attention on the Margaret River leg, helping WSL, but came under fire from local critics including the Margaret River Recreational Surfers who wanted more input during future talks around professional surfing events. “The general feeling worldwide regarding the WSL is going negative due to the low-key surf areas that a lot of the contests are held in and the dismal corporate management style of all events,” Rec Surfers president Jim Ross said. “Margaret River, Bells Beach and the Super Bank are important to this mob to remain credible with the public. “However, due to corporate wrangling for revenue, the WSL is concentrated towards areas that subsidise costs, hence their direction towards the money and not the quality of the surf.” A lucrative funding deal with Tourism WA helped secure the Margaret River Pro previously, and the State Government agency said talks were underway to keep the Pro on the CT “beyond the current term of the agreement”. Surfing WA chief executive Mark Lane said he was confident those talks would safeguard the iconic WA event, but WSL would now lead negotiations around local permits directly. “The new licence agreement will have to go under the WSL so it is up to them (the Shire) to negotiate with WSL, though obviously we are very supportive of that,” he said. “That is ongoing at the moment.” The Times understands the new agreement would continue to explore ways to integrate the Pro with the community, including support for up-and-coming surfers, juniors, and more landcare work with groups like Nature Conservation Margaret River. Although a WSL spokesperson was adamant the Pro was safe, no firm commitment was made beyond next year. “We will continue conversations with our partners in WA for 2025 and beyond,” they said. Mr Ross said any new contracts had to maximise benefits to grassroots surfing and not at the expense of surfers who lived in the region and paid rates.