The annual Billabong Pro surfing contest at Supertubes in South Africa's surfing Mecca, Jeffrey's Bay, has been canceled for the first time in 25 years. Billabong, the event's main sponsor, had to withdraw all its funding as the surf and skatewear brand is currently facing financial troubles. The Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay event, which usually attracted some of the biggest names in international surfing, used to take place in Jeffrey's Bay every July. Due to the cancellation of the surfing event, the coastal town stands to lose an estimated 15 to 20 million rand in potential revenue. Last year Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay was already downgraded from World Championship Tour status and to a 6-star rated World Qualifying Series event. The good news is, that, according to Billabong SA marketing manager Chad D’Arcy, there are very serious discussions taking place at international board level to ensure that big time surfing does return to Jeffrey's Bay, either in 2014 or in the year thereafter. Hopefully!
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