Fiji Pro: The World Surf League is the global home of competitive surfing, crowning the undisputed World Champions since 1976 and showcasing the world’s best surfers on the world’s best waves. WSL is comprised of the Tours and Competition division, which oversees and operates more than 180 global competitions each year; WSL WaveCo, home of the world’s largest high-performance, human-made wave; and WSL Studios, an independent producer of unscripted and scripted projects.
Fiji Pro and Cloudbreak Tower Rebuild Honor Tabanivono i Wai Community
Press Release: The World Surf League (WSL) and the Fiji Government last month announced the highly anticipated return of the Fiji Pro to the elite Championship Tour (CT) schedule in 2024. In addition to this exciting news, the WSL is deepening its commitment to the local communities that play an integral role in making this event a reality, via a significant donation of FJ$60,000 to the people of Tabanivono i Wai (Nabila & Momi villages) as a goodwill contribution for their support for the event and to facilitate access to the rebuilt Cloudbreak judging tower and reef annually.
The Fiji Pro is not just about world-class surfing; it’s about the deep connection between sport and community. This year’s announcement is even more special as it signifies the rebuilding of the Cloudbreak judging tower, which was destroyed during cyclone Harold in 2021 after standing tall for over two decades.
To mark this occasion, a traditional welcome and sevusevu ceremony was held today at the Nabila community hall. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka was welcomed by the people of Tabanivono i Wai (Nabila and Momi village), followed by a sevusevu where WSL paid respects and expressed gratitude to the local community for their support in rebuilding the Cloudbreak tower.
The World Surfing League‘s return to Fiji is making a positive impact on the community, boosting the economy, creating jobs, and fostering local pride while promoting environmental conservation
“Giving back to the local community and traditional custodians is an important part of tourism. In this case, we are empowering the people of Tabanivono i Wai who stand to benefit from commercialising the soon to be built Cloudbreak Tower,” said Hon. Gavoka.
Tourism Fiji CEO, Brent Hill highlighted this event as a crucial moment of recognition as to how tourism benefits and rebuilds the local communities.
“Events like the WSL not only boost tourism in Fiji but also forge meaningful connections with the local people, culture, and environment. We take great pride in collaborating with WSL to make this event a reality, generating a wide range of economic activities.”
WSL will cover the entire cost of constructing the new tower and donate it to Nabila and Momi Villages. A local working committee will be established to manage the tower, exploring opportunities for revenue generation outside of the event windows. This initiative aims to benefit the local communities year-round, ensuring that the tower’s operation adheres to the highest Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) standards.
Andrew Stark, WSL APAC President stated that “the WSL is grateful to the Fiji government and the local community for having the event back next year as it is a very exciting time for all involved and we look forward to working closely with the local community to create a lasting positive impact.”
He further added that “the WSL is committed and focused on community impact through our events. The rebuilding of the tower along with the initiative for Tabanivono i Wai to use the tower asset as a source of income throughout the year only compounds our commitment to Fiji and its people. We are also proud to make this FJ$60,000 donation to the community along with the positive economic and social impact that will flow through the tower building phase and through the event.” (Full speech below)
As the world’s best surfers prepare to take on Cloudbreak’s perfect lefts in 2024, they do so with the knowledge that this event goes beyond competition – it is a positive commitment to both the sport and the communities that make it all possible.
Traditional Welcome and Sevusevu Ceremony
On Monday 9th October, a special ceremony was held at the Nabila Community Hall with the people of Tabanivono i Wai (Nabila and Momi Village), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka, and World Surf League APAC President Andrew Stark. The essence of the occasion was to signify that the World Surf League (WSL) is committed to the Championship Tour event’s return to Fiji and the local communities in which the event is run.
As part of the special ceremony a traditional welcome and sevusevu ceremony was held and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation, Honourable Viliame Gavoka was welcomed by the people of Tabanivono i Wai (Nabila and Momi village), followed by a sevusevu where WSL paid respects and expressed gratitude to the local community for their support in rebuilding the Cloudbreak tower. At the ceremony WSL presented a whale tooth to the people of Tabanivono i Wai (Nabila and Momi village), which is the ultimate sign of respect in Fijian culture. WSL also gifted the Kava and mats that were used for the ceremony, which is a Fijian cultural custom.
The WSL has committed to build a new tower at Cloudbreak.
The Cloudbreak judging tower was unfortunately destroyed during cyclone Harold in 2021 after standing tall for over 20yrs, thus requiring a new improved tower to be constructed. The WSL has allocated FJD$60,000 to the people of Tabanivono I Wai (Nabila & Momi villages) as a goodwill payment due to the new tower being constructed and for access to the tower and reef annually.
WSL will in addition cover the cost to construct the new tower and donate the tower to Nabila & Momi Villages. A local working committee to manage the tower will be formed for other revenue generation opportunities for the local Nabila & Momi villages outside of the event windows every year along with ensuring that the OHS practices are adhered to when it’s in use. [Press Release PDF]
FURTHER READING: For those interested in exploring this topic further, additional resources and in-depth materials are provided below when available; otherwise, no further reading is included at this time.:
REFERENCES: This guide is based on over a decade of research and firsthand experience living in Fiji. It incorporates extensive knowledge gained through long-term residence and ongoing engagement with the region. Images and text have been sourced from official references, which are acknowledged below, to ensure accuracy and comprehensiveness.
FOOTNOTES: Additional details, clarifications, or sources referenced in this article are included as Footnotes below the text when applicable; otherwise, no Footnotes are provided.