The World Surf League (WSL) has withdrawn its application for the permits required to hold the big wave event in Mavericks, California because the California Coastal Commission (CCC) and the State Land Commission (SLC) require parity in the distribution of cash prizes at events held in the state, local media reported. Mercury News last Friday in a note titled: "Equal pay or nobody plays."

The event's waiting period was scheduled to begin on October 1, but the WSL withdrew the application last week, the day before the SLC meeting. The SLC will now not meet again until October 18, putting the start of the period in doubt.

Since the WSL resumed the event a year ago, a women's series has been introduced, a requirement imposed by the CCC, thanks to lobbying by the Committee for Equity in Women Surfers (CEWS). In July, this group denounced the discrepancy in the Surf League's payments; at Jaws, Paige Alms earned 40% less than Ian Walsh.

The committee's legal representative, Sabrina Brennan, said that if they (the WSL) fail to meet this requirement in their permits, they will not be allowed to hold the tournament.

Commenting on the event, WSL officials said: “The WSL is a huge promoter of women’s surfing and has consistently pushed the boundaries of what is happening in terms of competitions, more and better event venues, athlete development and increased prize money and marketing support. The WSL works closely with representative female surfers across the tours to ensure all interests are covered in a commercially sustainable way, including venues, athlete development, financial investment and marketing opportunities. We will continue to invest in all aspects as we celebrate the unique attributes of the sport as well as our athletes. In regards to the Mavericks permits, the criteria have recently changed so we will be resubmitting our application in due course.”

The WSL's claims that the men's event has more competitors have already been denied by state government officials, forcing the WSL to reiterate its claim.

On July 9, the CEWS also sent a letter alleging that the WSL has a history of gender-based discrimination and stated in the letter that “it is difficult and sometimes impossible for female professional athletes to compete without an equal opportunity to earn money.”

The official announcement from the WSL is still awaited, confirming or changing the dates of the event. On the website, the event dates are still listed as starting on October 1 and ending on March 15.

While the issue of pay parity has been on the agenda for as long as professional surfing has existed, a youth event in South Africa two months ago sparked a number of anti-WSL organizations, causing the WSL to come under increasing pressure from gender equality groups.