COOLANGATTA, QLD / AUS (Thursday, September 24, 2020) - The World Surf League (WSL) has today confirmed that along with the 2020 Championship Tour, Challenger Series and Qualifying Series, this years World Junior Championships (WJC) will be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The World Junior Championships was due to run as part of the annual Taiwan Open of Surfing in Taitung County, Taiwan, this November, but with the health and safety of athletes, fans, employees, and the local communities remaining the organization's top priorities, it has been deemed the best decision for all involved to call the event off for 2020.
"It may not come as a surprise but the WSL has decided to cancel the 2020 World Junior Championships in Taiwan," said WSL SM of Tours and Competitions Travis Logie. "The good news is that it has been rescheduled to return in November 2021 as part of the Taiwan Open of Surfing. Qualification for the 2021 event will continue as usual, using regional qualification events in each WSL region, with events beginning from early 2021. We can't wait to return to the beautiful Taitung County and see what the future of surfing holds through the world's best junior competitors."
"The Taiwan Open of Surfing has always been about bringing people together in a natural, healthy and fun way," Said Taitung County Governor April Yao. "We can't wait to return in 2021 and will be working harder than ever to stage another world-class event. We've had great success working together with the WSL in the past and we hope that we will have a chance to collaborate with WSL for this world-class surfing event in 2021 and 2022. On behalf of all of us here in Taitung County, we wish everyone the best of health and that there will soon be a way to resolve this pandemic. Looking forward to our collaboration with the WSL for the next phases of events."
Unfortunately, due to the age requirements of the Pro Junior Series, results from events run in early 2020 will not count towards next season. All competitors at the 2021 WJC will qualify through their regional events in 2021.
The 2021 WSL World Junior Championships will run as part of the Taiwan Open of Surfing at the picturesque Jinzun Harbour in Taitung County, Taiwan in November. Stay tuned for the event dates to be released in the coming months.
For more information head to www.worldsurfleague.com or check the free WSL App.