07/19/2022
It pains me to do this but with the event date fast approaching, I have no choice. For the first time in 10 years of doing the Grayland Open with no issues getting insurance prior to the pandemic, I am having a real problem getting insurance for the Grayland Open. We’ve been trying for months with no luck. As I understand it, there are other promoters having similar issues. This is why you haven't seen much promotion and action on the event from my media outlets over the past couple of months like normal. I have most of the other necessary logistics and funding in place. Permitting has gone just like normal but the delay in getting insurance has left me with no time to finish promoting and scheduling lodging, vendors etc... for the rest of what is needed to complete the event organization. I held out as long as I could but it’s to the point now that even if I had the insurance policy in place today, there’s not enough time to slam the rest of the event and advertising I had planned together to promote and finish getting things in place for the event. I held out on organizing many things I had planned because I didn’t want to spend event grant and sponsor funds not knowing if we could get insurance and have the event.
I’m very sorry to those that were looking forward to competing at the Grayland Open this year. I was too. Particularly for those that were making plans to travel long distances. I know this is not good news. I’ve never had this issue before. I am not sure what has changed in the insurance industry over the past couple of years. I’m very bummed to finally have the event brought to the highest level of competition on the IFWA tour only to be squashed by things that are out of my control. I was really excited to join the IFWA tour with the Grayland Open and looking forward to working with Louis and Carolanne on this and future tour stops for our sport to get it back in the spotlight. I'm confident that the IFWA tour will be making a comeback in the near future. There are some really great options being discussed for the 2023 tour. If it all works out, we will have a great IFWA tour in 2023.
I’m still going to be out that weekend riding and camping at the Grayland Hall as are many others. We still have the Hall rented and it will still be available for those that want to come camp out August 18-22.
