The request for funding is set to go through City Council on Tuesday May 24th 2011.

 The local surfing community as well as the Surfing Association of Nova Scotia was not consulted by O'Neill prior to the decision of hosting the event in Halifax. The main concerns for opposing this event are: -Feasibility: the event requires 5 days of surf conditions over a 7 day window. It is statistically and logistically impossible to achieve. In 2008, the ASP sent judges along with O'Neill representatives to reach this conclusion. -Impact: the event is too high impact with too many professional surfers and their entourage showing up with little or no benefit to the local surfing community. -O'Neill was acquired by Logo International B.V. of the Netherlands, a multi million dollar corporation. Why should HRM taxpayers provide funding for an event which promotes their product? -Halifax as plan B? O'Neill has been shopping around this event to several other venues and last year's host city Tofino is not willing to provide the full funding requested by O'Neill. -During last year's event in Tofino, a professional surfer in the competition was arrested and charged with indecent exposure in front of children. It's no wonder they are considering moving the event to Halifax this year.  While Nova Scotia is a great destination which offers great waves for local residents and travellers alike, this event will be first nail in the coffin of "Tourism Suicide" which has plagued so many other surf rich destinations. What makes Nova Scotia special is the ability to surf in relatively uncrowded waves. This event is not feasible nor sustainable and the funding would be much better spent protecting our beaches, coastlines and access to surf spots to harbour residents and visitors who want to continue to enjoy what surfing in Nova Scotia has been for the last 45 years.  

Proposal submitted to HRM:  www.halifax.ca/council/agendasc/documents/110524ca1051.pdf