The World Surf League has just confirmed that there will be no stage in Bells this year because the state of Victoria was not able to provide the organization with an appropriate bubble nor guarantees in times of coronavirus, it reported in a statement.

However, they point out that they have signed a contract for three more years of the event and that "by contract" they will return in 2022.

Days ago, Andrew Stark, WSL manager for Australasia, had reported that the chances were still open to holding the event between April and May, despite local press reports to the contrary.

The impact on the local community is huge, Australian media reported, estimating that the event brings in around eight million dollars for the commune of Torquay, where the legendary Bell Beach is located.

The WSL itself titled its report that there will be a tournament in Merewether, Newcastle as the fourth of the Australian leg, adding one more tournament to a CT that appeared after the cancellation of Santa Cruz and Sunset as the shortest since 2001, with eight events.

Now, with the recently cancelled Bells stage, the 2021 CT remains with eight events.

For the Australian leg, hopes remain alive of holding the Margaret River and Gold Coast events with the already announced restriction on entry from state to state within Australia.

A charter flight will depart for Australia on March 8, and surfers will have to quarantine for 14 days to be able to move freely in New South Wales, where the waiting period for the Newcastle Pro, stage 1 of the confusing 2 Championship Tour, will begin on April 2021.