The Indonesian Junior Surfing Team arrived back in Bali on Friday evening the 29^th of January after their first time competing in an International Surfing Association event, the 2010 Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships that took place from January 20-28 in the seaside town of Piha, about an hour's drive out of Auckland, New Zealand.  The eight member surf team that included Jeren Kiring, Koko Mitsu Antara, Sandi Selamat, and Ediana Putra competing in the Under 16 Boys Division, and Putra Hermawan, Oney Anwar, Putu Anggara and Agus Frimanto  competing in the Under 18 Boys Division, departed Bali on the 18^th of January to join over 200 other junior surfers representing 21 countries in New Zealand.  They were accompanied by Tipi Jabrik as Team Manager/Coach and Tim Hain as Assistant Manager/Media Documentation. The Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships are a yearly event but the location changes each year.  Last year's event was held in Ecuador, South America. Indonesia received special mention as one of the three countries that were competing in the event for the first time.  The others were Vanuatu and Fiji. Team Manager Tipi Jabrik said, "The boys all did their best and it was the kind of experience that they needed.  They rarely surf in these kind of conditions so were unprepared to compete in these types of waves, especially against the elite teams from the big countries that have a lot more experience and training.  We will be much better prepared next year, and as this is the first time for an Indonesian team competing in such a large international event, I feel very proud to be part of getting a team here and also proud of our team." The boys themselves were treated like celebrities by the local Piha crew and by the other teams, so enjoyed their new adventure thoroughly.  With their local friend and supporter Nick "Chongee" Ngau-Chun as one of the MC's during the event, they had their fair share of both attention and encouragement throughout the event.  "I love these kids and was so stoked that they made it over here.  I spend several months each year in Indonesia and have been surfing at these kids home breaks for years, so it was a dream come true to have them come over to my home break surf and surf with me here," he said.  "I know it wasn't an easy trip, especially trying to get funding and sorting out visa's, but everyone put in a first class effort and made it happen.  When I met them at the airport after their long flight from and saw their tired faces light up with smiles when they saw me, it brought tears to my eyes," he added emotionally. Ngau-Chun together with Fiona Anderson from the Piha Domain Camp Ground arranged and sponsored the accommodations and most meals for the team during their stay in Piha, ensuring that they were well taken care of both in and out of the water. Anderson is a regular traveler to Indonesia as well, and cites Nusa Lembongan as her favorite place to visit.  "When Nick came to me to ask for help in looking for accommodations for the team, I immediately agreed to lend a hand, as I knew how hard it was for those kids to get over here...I know where they are from, and see them and their friends just about every year, so it was a great opportunity to help out.  Myself and my crew here had such such a great time hosting those kids here at the campground, I wish we could do it every year!" she said smiling.

So overall it was an excellent effort and a great experience for the team, placing 16^th overall out of the 21 teams participating. And this event's experience behind them, and the news that next year's event will be held in a more tropical location with warm water, expect the team to go much farther in 2011.  Hopefully there will be four Indonesian girl surfers who can also join in next year's event, helping to boost the overall team score and increase their ranking position. During the remainder of the event, the team did some free surfing in the epic surfing location of Raglan, as well as exploring in the city of Auckland before returning to witness the finals of the surfing competition and then participating in the closing ceremony, where Team Australia claimed their 5^th consecutive team gold medal in the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships, while France had to settle for the silver, and South Africa narrowly edged out Hawaii for the bronze.  All the details of the final placings in all divisions can be seen at www.isaworldjuniors.com.   The attendance of the Indonesian Junior Team would not have been possible without the support, funding and generosity of Billabong Asia, Hurley, Oakley Indonesia, Quiksilver Asia, Rip Curl Asia, and Rusty Asia, Coca-Cola Bottling Indonesia and the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour, KDBJ Tours and Travel, Nick "Chongee" Ngau-Chun, Fiona Anderson at the Piha Domain Camp Ground and Ben Kennings of Surfing New Zealand.