Lowers dropped. Surf Ranch and Bali on. The WSL just announced major changes to the ’18 world tour schedule. Photo: Sean Rowland/WSL
Amid rumors there would be significant changes to the 2018 World Championship Tour, the WSL officially made an official announcement about the men’s and women’s 2018 schedules on Monday, and it’s a doozy. In short, there will be no contest at Lowers next year, Tahiti’s on while Fiji’s off, the Surf Ranch (as we know) is on tour, and the Bali Pro has made it on the schedule. For the women’s tour, Bali is on the schedule, and the women will be joining the men with a concurrent event at J-Bay.
“The 2018 calendar has some of the most significant changes we have implemented in many years,” said Kieren Perrow, WSL Commissioner, in a press release. “While we sadly depart from some locations and say thank you to the communities who have supported us, we are also excited with the return to Indonesia and to hold the first ever CT event in a wave system at Surf Ranch. As the sport evolves we will continue to explore opportunities to enhance the schedule, collaborating with our stakeholders – Surfers as well as Partners.”
Athlete representative Ace Buchan expressed excitement about the changes. “As we move into a new era of professional surfing, it’s reassuring to have the support of WSL and commitment to putting the world’s best surfers in the world’s best waves,” he said in a press release. “Whilst we are disappointed at losing Fiji and Trestles for 2018, we are really excited to be returning to Keramas, Indonesia and for the inaugural Surf Ranch event. I have no doubt that the 2018 season will be injected with some fresh excitement from these new venues.”
The elimination of Lowers on tour means the one and only event in the contiguous United States – where the WSL is headquartered, mind you – will be at KS Wave Co.’s Surf Ranch. For now, no news from the WSL if the place will open its gates for spectators, but based on previous reporting, we can only assume.
The complete men’s and women’s CT schedules are as follows:
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Men’s Championship Tour:
Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, Australia – March 11 – 22, 2018
Rip Curl Pro Bells Beach, Australia – March 28 – April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia – April 11 – 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil – May 10 – 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia – May 27 – June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa – July 2 – 13, 2018
Tahiti Pro Teahupo’o, Tahiti – August 10 – 21, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
Quiksilver Pro France, France – October 3 – 14, 2018
Meo Rip Curl Pro Portugal, Portugal – October 16 – 27, 2018
Billabong Pipe Masters, Hawaii/USA – December 8 – 20, 2018
2018 World Surf League (WSL) Women’s Championship Tour:
Roxy Pro Gold Coast, Australia – March 11 – 22, 2018
Rip Curl Women’s Pro Bells Beach, Australia – March 28 – April 8, 2018
Margaret River Pro, Australia – April 11 – 22, 2018
Oi Rio Pro, Brazil – May 10 – 19, 2018
Bali Pro, Indonesia – May 27 – June 9, 2018
Corona Open J-Bay, South Africa – July 10 – 17, 2018
Vans US Open of Surfing, USA – July 30 – August 5, 2018
Surf Ranch Lemoore, California/USA. September 5 – 9, 2018
Roxy Pro France, France – October 3 – 14, 2018
Hawaii Women’s Pro, Hawaii/USA – November 25 – December 6, 2018
