Even in normal times, surf contests are tricky undertakings. Despite the soft science involved in dodging summer flat spells, cross-checking long range forecasts, and rolling the dice on back up dates, the Void Pro/Am-Presented by Kona Brewing Co. has been held in quality conditions the last two years.

For this year’s contest, the uncertainty of the coronavirus pandemic is yet another factor Void had to consider when looking at dates for our (typically) summer-based Pro/Am surf contest at the Jax Pier.

So Void is moving the contest back a bit this year to August 8th and 9th, with September 26 and 27 serving as backup dates. While rescheduling the contest allows for more time to put in place the proper safety precautions related to holding an outdoor event during COVID-19, it also increases our chances of scoring quality surf–did somebody say “tropical system”?

Void will be strictly adhering to city-provided special event guidelines, staffing an onsite medical tent with EMTs, providing disposable masks and hand sanitizer, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, and discouraging those who are sick from attending the event.

And new dates + safety standards are not the only changes to this year’s contest. As was announced shortly after last year’s Void Pro AM, the 2020 contest will offer equal prize purses to the Men’s and Women’s pro divisions. Prize purses are based on the amount of sponsorship dollars, so a total estimated purse for 2020 has not yet been announced. 

About the contest: 
The Void PRO/AM is a community focused surfing contest held at the Jacksonville Beach Pier. The event features amateur divisions (including grom divisions), as well as the area’s top professionals battling it out for bragging rights and a chance to win cold hard cash.