Top surfers from the region to take part in three-day competition

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SURFERS from this region can show off their skills at the Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event Surf Contest 2011 from Dec 2 to 4 at the Batu Burok Beach, Kuala Terengganu.

Surfers from all over Southeast Asia are expected to compete in four divisions — Men’s Short-board Open, Women’s Short-board Open, Master Short-board Open and Body-board Open.

The competition offers a prize of US$10,000 (RM32,000). The Terengganu government will offer cash prizes to the top eight positions. Registration fee is RM50 for each division.

Surfers from Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, Australia and Maldives will compete in the three-day competition.

The contest is endorsed and supported by government and public sector organisations.

It will provide local surfers the opportunity to gain valuable experience competing at an international level, be familiar with the rules and regulations of Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) sanctioned events and have the chance to compete in ASC competitions held throughout Southeast Asia and the world.

Surf’s up: (from left) Ng, Choo, Nik Mohd Syahrom, Monkman and Tipi Jabrik posing after the press conference on the surf contest.

Terengganu Quiksilver Best Event event director Bryan Ng told a press conference that the monsoon season between November and March was ideal for surfing (surf season).

“While it is the low season for some; for surfers, it is the high season.

“There is not enough exposure about the sport and we hope to introduce surfing and introduce Terengganu and Malaysia as a surfing destination.

“Such events benefit the young generation. They will learn how to surf and live a healthy lifestyle,” he said.

As for concerns about safety, he assures that there is a leash attached to the surf board, which acts as a floating device.

“Every sport has its risks. Learn the right technique from a surf school,” he siad.

Quiksilver Malaysia chief executive officer K.C. Choo said there was an increase of active surfers in Malaysia.

“In the past years, we have attracted spectators by the thousands to surfing events. I am confident that Batu Burok will be a popular tourism destination,” he said.

ASC chief executive officer Tipi Jabrik hopes to see more of such competitions and is confident Malaysia will have a good future in surfing.

“I hope this sport will grow in the region and that there will be collaborations with the (respective) local government,” he said.

Quiksilver Pro Surfers Ry Craike from Australia and Dedde Suryana from Indonesia will be demonstrating their skills at the expression session.

There will also be a Quiksilver Surf Clinic for tourists and visitors, surfing demonstration by Quiksilver Surf Team, games and beach activities.

Also at the launch were Terengganu State Secretariat Office events management and promotion manager Nik Mohd Syahrom Nik Md Hashim and Quiksilver Southeast Asia marketing executive Holly Monkman.

According to Ng, there is no official website for the contest but those who want to know more can go to their Facebook page.