Nias to host int'l surfing championship<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Approximately 100 surfers from 13 countries will
\ntame the notorious waves of Sorake beach at Nias island, North
\nSumatra in the second Indonesia Open international surfing
\nchampionship in July.<\/p>\n
Committee chairman Yopie Batubara told reporters yesterday
\nthat a pack of world-rated surfers from Australia and Hawaii are
\nexpected to highlight the 5A-level championship, which offers a
\ntotal of A$20,000 in prize money. Other participants will come
\nfrom the United States, Brazil, Germany, Canada, Spain, England,
\nFrance and Japan.<\/p>\n
\"The world's best surfers, who finished in the top ten last
\nyear, are obliged to compete again in Nias, unless they drop
\ntheir ratings,\" Yopie, a local tourism businessman from Medan,
\nNorth Sumatra, said.<\/p>\n
Last year's winner Paul Paterson, runners-up Justin Cook, Jake
\nPaterson and Josh Palmateer and amateur world champion Luke
\nHitching will lead the Australian charge against international
\nand local surfers during the July 20-23 pro-am event, sanctioned
\nby the Australian Surfing Championship Series.<\/p>\n
Bali's I Made Suwitra, a semifinalist last year, will lead a
\nfield of local surfers to steal a little thunder in the
\nadventurous sports event.<\/p>\n
In the women's 4A-level category, Australian surfers also set
\ntheir sights on another success in their second trip to Lagundri
\nBay, at the southernmost part of Nias island.<\/p>\n
Tournament director Clement Gultom said five international
\njudges from the Association of Surfing Professionals will manage
\nthe championship, with back-up from two local judges.<\/p>\n
\"We are learning to hold a world-class tournament,\" Gultom
\nsaid, adding that the organizers have launched a bid to include
\nthe annual championship in the world series next year.<\/p>\n
\"The current infrastructure in Nias cannot cope with the
\nworld-rated championship,\" Gultom said.<\/p>\n
The North Sumatra local administration initiated the event
\nlast year, but from this year on it is fully funded by private
\ncompanies. Yopie said the championship will cost the organizers
\nRp 450 million (US$204,500).<\/p>\n
Waves at Sorake beach, the crests of which reach an altitude
\nof 12 feet, are dubbed the most notorious right hand reef break
\nin the world.<\/p>\n
Surfing had been a ritual sport in Hawaii, before it was
\nintroduced in Australia in the 1950's. Both Australia and Hawaii
\nhave come out as the world's strongest surfing powerhouses.(amd)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/nias-to-host-intl-surfing-championship-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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