2 December 2011, Terengganu-Malaysia: The inaugural Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event Surf Contest 2011 got underway today at Batuk Burok Beach in the coastal town of Kuala Terengganu with big crowds showing up to check out the surfing action, play some games, participate in a surf clinic, and generally have an out-of-the-ordinary day at their local beach.
After the 97 contestants from 10 different countries including Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Taiwan, Australia, the Maldives, Japan, Egypt, and the USA had registered themselves to compete either the Men’s Open Division, Women’s Division, Masters Division, or Bodyboard Division, the surfing action got started with the bodyboarders first taking to the 1-2 foot waves.
They surfed through 8 heats before taking a break for the traditional religious Muslim mid day Friday prayer time, and then the Women’s Division had their chance to paddle out and do battle in the testing low tide conditions. The highlights of the women’s surfing was first Indonesia’s Yasnyiar “Bonne” Gea pulling off an amazing layback top turn to win her heat the day’s highest scoring wave, and then Thailand’s 13 year old Annissa Flynn getting her heat win and the second highest scoring wave of a 4.67.
“It was kind of hard out there,” said Annissa. “I was lucky to get a couple of good waves and win my heat, because the current was strong and it was difficult to stay in a good position. But I’m happy to get through this heat and advance, and I’m really looking forward to my next heat…after I get some rest tonight!”
Event organizer and Quiksilver Malaysia Surfing Ambassador Bryan Ng was nothing but pleased with the turnout on the first day of the event, saying “This event has become the talk of the town, and today everybody has been showing up today, both the public and the media, and I couldn’t be more happy about it. Surfing is very new to this town, as they have only been doing it for the last 3 to 4 years, so this is quite a big deal for the local population, to have some many international surfers coming to their beach and see so much activity. We are off to a great start and I’m grateful to Quiksilver and the ASC for all their help in makng this event a reality.”
ASC CEO Tipi Jabrik was also very happy with what he saw today. “The waves were certainly contestable today, good enough to start things off for sure, and we’re anticipating increasingly good conditions over the next two days. Everything was set up very well going great. I’m especially glad to see the local government give such great support to this event, and also to hear that the Maldives government sent several of their surfers here to compete. I hope that this sets an example that other countries will follow, sending their best surfers to other ASC events to help grow the sport of surfing throughout Asia.”
Tomorrow will see the Men’s Open and Master’s Division surfers take to the waves, as well as more fun games on the beach and an special expression session and poster signing by Quiksilver pro surfers Ry Craike from Australia and Dede Suryana from Indonesia.
Both surfers took the opportunity today to get a couple of waves, being towed behind a jet ski and attempting to outdo each other in trying to launch the biggest air. “The wind was super strong down by the jetty where we were surfing, which made it hard to land our aerials, but it was very good fun,” said Suryana. “I’m really looking forward to surfing in the competition tomorrow, and I’m having a great time here,” he added.
The Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event Surf Contest 2011 is a 3-star Asian Surfing Championship event, stop number 7 of 8 events in the ASC’s inaugural 2011 season. The contestants will be competing in 4 divisions of competition, Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Master’s Open, and Bodyboard Open, with a total combined prize pool of over $10,000 USD (RM 31,000) coming from the State Government of Terengganu. In addition to cash, the finalists will also be receiving trophies and prize packs from Quiksilver, Roxy and other sponsors, as well as valuable ASC Championship points.
Though not widely known as a surfing destination, Malaysia’s east coast is rife with points and beach breaks that can offer up super fun and high performance waves when the South China Sea turns on its charm during the “Monsoon Season” months of October through March each year. This time of year is typically quiet along the coastal beaches for non-surfers, but for those surfers in search of uncrowded waves the “Surf Season” is welcomed with great anticipation.
The Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event Surf Contest 2011 is sponsored by the State Government of Terengganu, Quiksilver, Roxy, the Ministry of Tourism Terengganu, Tourism Malaysia and the Marang Village Resort & Spa, in conjunction with event organizer EC Extreme. The Sumai Suite Hotel is the official hotel of the Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event.
For more information see http://quiksilverroxymalaysia.
Media Contacts:
Michelle Teh
Quiksilver Malaysia
Phone: 03-92848078/012-3133815
Email: michelle@quiksilver.com.my
