WSL pursuing other options after city denies permit - Hawaii News Now - KGMB and KHNL

Hawaii surfers may have to travel farther for some WSL competitions next season.

On Thursdsay, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell met with World Surfing League officials, where they discussed the future of event permits. Ultimately, the city stuck to its initial decision to leave scheduled events unchanged.

As a result, WSL has begun looking at venues outside Hawaii to host its 2019 Billabong Pipemasters competition.

"I hope they will keep an open mind and reconsider for the sake of giving Hawaii's young local surfers the opportunity to compete on the world stage," Caldwell said, in a news release. 

WSL says that although its permit for the 2018 Pipemasters was granted, the 2019 permit was declined. The city awarded the popular surfing league six events for the upcoming surf season, more than all other applicants, according to Caldwell.

“We are disappointed we will not be able to run the 2019 Billabong Pipe Masters," said WSL CEO Sophie Goldschmidt, in a news release. "However, we are pleased that the Mayor recognizes that fundamental changes are required to the permit process that will benefit Hawaiian surfing, the surfers, the community and other stakeholders."

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