Billabong Azores Island Pro: Fail

Wilko, Yadin Nicol and Glen Hall came to the party, but the waves didn't. Pic Greg Weatherall.

“Well that was a fucking waste of life,” reads Matt Wilkinson’s status update. The Billabong Azores Island Pro had been cancelled due a complete lack of swell. Not even a ripple. All contestants were awarded $600 (US) for their trouble, but after shelling out an estimated $2000, many were forced to break out the plastic. A fifty hour round trip fuelled by burning money. No one was happy.

“They put a six star prime in the middle of summer in a place that gets no swell during summer?” steamed Wilko, talking to ASL. “Last year they were super lucky to have swell and the waves still sucked. I don’t know who they asked, or how they decided that it would be a prime but they were tripping. It’s ridiculous, every person from there, or that knows anything about the Azores, was saying that in summer it goes flat for long periods.”

“Asswhores has been great except for the lack of waves. The ASP has to have a look at the $600 we've been compensated for coming here! Brodie?” tweets Dayyan Neve. According to Neve there was a rumour circulating that the $145,000 prize money was to be spilt between all contestants, which would have amounted to roughly $1500 each, but it wasn’t to be.

“The ASP rulebook on the other hand states that if an event is cancelled, all remaining surfers get last place points and prize money for that round, which is $500,” says Dayyan.  “There is a concern about the lack of support the ASP has, and how they are looking after their athletes in these situations.”


It wasn't all bad in Azores. Pic Greg Weatherall.

From September to November surfing in Europe is a delight. Sometimes cold but always worth it. July and August not so much. Sure the sun’s out, the days long and parties plentiful, but swell is in short supply. Thousands of Euros flock to the beaches but it sure ain’t the right time for a surfing contest. “They don't need bums on seats at these events anymore due to the webcasts,” says Dayyoof. “They need to be placed when there’s the best chance of swell.”

Although it’s rare for events to be cancelled, it does happen, and generally when organizers decide to stage events out of season. An event in Anglet, France was cancelled the same way seven years ago, which brought light to the compensation issue for contestants. “Most athletes assumed something had been done about this rule,” says Dayyan, “but obviously nothing was put in place and we're all still waiting for the ASP to step up.”

“The cancellation of this event has hurt everyone,” explains Wilko. “The guys struggling for coin have lost a few thousand dollars, and the World Tour guys didn’t get to go to Teahupo’o early.” So what are the chances the ASP will reimburse the surfers? “Ha!” snorts Wilko. “What are the chances I’ll go right at Chopes?”