IMG confirm cancellation of Manly’s Australian Open of Surfing

The organisers of Manly’s Australian Open of Surfing have confirmed that due to the withdrawal of NSW Government support the popular event will not go ahead next year.

First staged in 2012, Destination NSW withdrew its support for the annual event as a result of it having failed its expected performance targets.

Promoter IMG this week issued a statement advising that the event will not take place in 2018, advising “IMG and our supporting sponsor Destination NSW have enjoyed bringing this world-class event to the iconic shores of Manly Beach for the past five years and thank the Manly community and everyone involved in the event for their support.

“IMG remains committed to action sports and looks forward to sharing more about its plans for this event in the future.”

Local newspaper the Manly Daily reported last month that NSW Tourism Minister Adam Marshall and Destination NSW met with IMG earlier this year at which IMG was informed that key performance indicators - which were a prerequisite for funding - had not been met.

A NSW Government source advised “they were informed at that meeting that IMG wouldn’t be State Government funded.

“A number of sponsors also pulled out of the event and IMG made a decision not to run it.”

In 2016 the event attracted up to 6000 overnight stays on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and more than $2.5 million in visitor spending, according to Northern Beaches Council figures. 

Image: Crowds at the Australian Open of Surfing in Manly.

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