The mega swell that has rocked Indonesia for the past week continued to fade for the opening day of the 2009 RipCurl West Sumbawa Pro, however there were still plenty of chest to shoulder high waves rolling through over the reef to provide action for the morning heats. Contest directors were able to run the first two rounds of competition before onshore winds came up and it was decided to put the event on hold until Sunday morning.
RipCurl team rider Mega Semadhi provided a glimpse of what the future of Indonesian surfing holds, posting the highest wave score of the day, earning a 7.5. The 19-year-old from Uluwatu, Bali put on an aerial surfing clinic, landing two frontside grabs on a single wave and following it up with a seamless air reverse on his next wave. The rest of the boys on the Indonesian Surfing Championships tour put on a good show too. Tai Graham scored the best barrel of the day for a 7.0 and Bali´s Marlon Gerber handily won Heat 3 with good wave selection and a powerful backhand attack.
“Mega was definitely the highlight of the day,” contest judge Mark “Boonga” Cliff said. “(Round One) was generally what I expected. The guys that should have gone through got through. There weren’t really any upsets.”
With the dropping swell, event directors have called for a possible relocation later in the week to a nearby spot known to be a swell magnet. For now though, the next round will continue at the original contest site, Sunday morning at 8 a.m. Another large swell is scheduled to hit on Friday and could bring six to eight foot Hawaiian size surf for the finals. For the full results from Day One, see the link above.
JUN 20, The land here in West Sumbawa is breathtaking.
Dry mountains drop off right into the ocean. Think Yosemite Valley, but with world class waves breaking in front of Half Dome.
While waiting around for his Round One heat to start, Davis Ratis and some friends decided to drop a line and see what they could catch off the surfers’ boat in the channel. Unfortunately, the size of Davis’ catch mirrored the scale of the waves on top this morning. After a battle to pull in what we all thought would be a beast from the depths, Davis hauled in a pair of guppies no bigger than his hand, sparking laughs from everyone in the channel. The farce didn’t escape the watchful eye of contest announcer Tai Graham, who gave plenty of ribbings. “Is he really going to throw back a prize fish like that?” Yes, Davis did return both his little Nemo guppies to the sea.
Agus Purnawan got nailed by a sea urchin after wiping out on the inside during his Round One heat. He was quickly sped back to shore in the Zodiac and headed to the doctor to have the spines removed. Bulu Babi is what they call the Urchin here.
Mega Semadhi answers a few questions....
So what´s your age, when were you born?
I was born on the 14.07.1989. I´m 20 years old soon.
You a Goofy or Natural Footer?
Goofy footer, I grew up surfing the lefts of Uluwatu and Bingin.
What´s your favorite wave?
All around the Bukit in Bali. So many waves there.
You stoked to be in Sumbawa?
Stoked like always. It´s my first time here, didn´t know the waves were so good.
How did you get into surfing?
My uncle Richy taught me when I was ten. It was in the family growing up in the bukit. All the older guys used to go charge pumping Ulu´s and we would always watch and look up to those guys.
What´s your favorite tune ?
Right know I am listening to postal service. Don´t really have a favorite tune.
What´s your favorite Karaoke tune?
Dangdut, “Bang Toyib” Laughs
Three things that scare you in Indonesia?
Ghost´s, Police, the thought of no waves..
You like Blonde, Brunette, or Black haired girls?
Black hair for sure
How many chillis can you eat at once?
Like 10 “going to have to test that later”
Who is your favorite surfer to watch?
Rob Machado
Such smooth style, always a classic
What´s your dirty secret?
I caught my bro doing doggy style with some hot chick.
Did you take a picture?
No I ran away, I was pretty young (laughs).
