Ten world surfers in Mentawai

PADANG, West Sumatra (JP): Ten surfers from the United States and Australia will compete in the OP PRO Surf World Contest final in Mentawai, West Sumatra, from June 12 to June 23. The surfers -- four of them women -- qualified from two series in Tahiti and Phuket, Thailand.

Paul Talieb of American-based LXD tourism agency said that Mentawai was picked to host the final round because it had good waves.

Mentawai Regent Antonius fully supports the event, saying that staging an international event would promote Mentawai as a tourist destination. (28)