The Championship Tour in Indonesia
“Why doesn’t the WSL have a CT event in Indonesia?”
Along with judging conspiracies and Brazilian style put downs this is a perennial favourite of the Internet Surf Commenter. The thing is, unlike the first two, there’s some validity in asking what’s going on with Indonesia at the CT level.
For one, Indonesia is the most wave-rich nation on Earth, with a two week waiting period great waves are a given. Also, there’s history there, from the Om Bali Pro in the early 80s, to the Quiksilver Pro Grajagan in the 90s, and then the Bali Search event in 2008, many an organiser has defied logistical hurdles to run successful top tier events.
This year there are three WSL QS events in Indonesia: the Krui Pro, which has already run; the Komune Pro, which again has already run; and the upcoming Hello Pacitan Pro, to be staged next month. All of them are 1,000 rated, the cheapest to run with the least points allocated.
The QS travels to Watu Karung for the inaugural Hello Pacitan Pro next month
Aside from these three, it’s very likely there’ll be two more QS events next year - one at Rote and one at West Sumbawa. So while there’s a lack of CT events in Indonesia the WSL is increasing its presence there.
The main reason for this is the creation of a regional Asian branch of the WSL earlier this year. However, rather than starting the branch from scratch, the WSL simply acquired all the existing ASC (Asian Surfing Circuit) property and resources. Most of the old ASC events were rebadged as the WSL while being run by the same people - namely Tim Hain and Tipi Jabrik from the ASC.
But whatever the case, the behind the scenes machinations appeared to be a good thing, because with the WSL pushing their tentacles into Indo then it’s only a matter of time till they announce a CT, right?
Not so fast, says Tim Hain.
The three aforementioned Indonesian QS events were bankrolled by a mix of private and local government means. Where it’s local government they stump up everything: prizemoney, infrastructure costs, WSL sanction fees, plus transport and accommodation for the WSL team. The costs come out of the regional tourism budget - the contests are simply marketing for surfing tourists.
However, the central Indonesian government doesn’t quite see it that way. “[They] expect the WSL to bring sponsors and money and pay them for the privilege of having the event in Indo,” explains Tim Hain.
A highlight from the last CT event in Indonesia: Kelly switchfoot at Padang Padang
Yet the CT doesn’t work that way. All three Australian CT events, plus the Rip Curl Pro Portugal receive money from domestic tourism bureaus, not the other way around. And the money they pay is well beyond what the regional Indonesian governments are currently paying for their slice of ground-floor QS action.
The only other possibility then is to have private industry pay for a CT outright, but with the surf industry on the slide there are few takers. Consider that two established marquee events, the Fiji Pro and J’Bay, couldn’t find a sponsor for many years.
So while the WSL is making progress in Indonesia, testament to that being three QS comps with more to come, it’s still a long leap to the CT. Guaranteed surf doesn’t make it a fait accompli, someone has to pay, and unless the WSL can persuade the Indonesian government otherwise it won't be them.
Comments
This would be the first comp that's been held at WK wouldn't it?
Yeah, as far as I know. It's a totally new comp, not one of the old ASC comps rebadged for the WSL.
Indonesian government proving they have a long way to go....
I really hope there isn't another one at grajagan, numbers in the water are at a manageable level these days imo
What about macaronis? Or a Ripcurl search event in the Mentawais! Where they could be surfing a firing right in the morning before steaming to a left in the arvo?
They actually did something similar in 2001 the "OP Mentawai pro" believe it was at No Kandui and E-Bay and Occy won.
"I really hope there isn't another one at grajagan, numbers in the water are at a manageable level these days imo"
What are you talking about goofy foot? It was absolutely packed last year and apparently it's even worse this year.
"I really hope there isn't another one at grajagan, numbers in the water are at a manageable level these days imo"
What are you talking about goofy foot? It was absolutely packed last year and apparently it's even worse this year.
There are some things the Indo government should be recognised and applauded for.
This is one of them.
Straight up GF. Every time you think 'wouldn't it be good to have a CT in Indo', and I'll admit to occasionally indulging the thought, then consider it's most likely going to be an advertising vehicle to draw more surfers to the region.
Where is the west Sumbawa WQS ?
Mobile or yoyo's ?
Not sure but I'm keen to find out myself. Hopefully get more details soon.
I was chatting with a mate about the QS at Watu Karung and we came to the conclusion that despite the fact that all governments in the area above the village level definitely being clueless and having a high risk of making it the cheesiest and most environmentally damaging event on the QS, there's a chance for it be great for the village, which seems like it has reached that kind of surf-tourism limbo where nobody is really sure if it's going to get bigger. At the moment the village is still burying a good chunk of their rubbish directly on the beach behind the warungs, so it'd be great to see if the QS can financially and logistically support a solution to this.
That said, my immediate reaction to any contest at Watu is "fuck, somebody will die". This year my mate's saw a body boarder seriously gash his head on his first wave on the right and was rushed to hospital by Rod. Have the chopper on standby I reckon!
could there really be more hype on Indo and more surfers attracted there?
seems like the whole thing is at saturation and a CT event in Bali, at least, could do no more harm.
Why not just copy the old Oakley Pro Junior comps that shuttled between Keramas and Caangu: two ultra high performance reefbreaks that are already well and truly blown wide open.
Yes, there could be more hype and surfers attracted.
See Goofyfoot's post regarding Gland.
Hype = Surfers.
Yeah I first went to g-land about 2002. So 4-5 years after the contests. I can clearly remember the line up and numbers of people in the camp. In the years I've been back that number has definitely been dropping.
From what I've heard and read, those few years after the comps were noticeably busier
Been a gland regular since 96...in my opinion the biggest change to the crowds was the fastboat direct service. That has been two fold though...peak swells are more crowded for the major 3 days but the shoulder swells either side are less crowded. Also the exposure of the Ments made for better choices for a lot of surfers preferring a softer option than 8ft speedies...
Stop smoking dope goofyfoot. You must go whenever it's small because when it's pumping the crowds at G Land are solid (at best).
Gave up the hooch about 15 years ago pal..
I Was there last year, 15 people in the camp, 2 solid swells in that time. the Hobgoods made an appearance for one, you've probably seen the footage.
Yes on the forecasted "best day" people came in just for the day or two then went back to Bali.
It was pumping nearly every day, crowded for two of them.
But being the Viclocal hero, those two swells were probably a bit small for your hard charging gonads.
I was there at the exact same time last year and will be having a word to you in private goofy foot. Yes there was 15 in the camp, but you forgot to mention Bobby's camp had 35 and that other camp 10. You must have been surfing 20/20s and Tiger Tracksg at night because there was at least 25 in the main line up all day every day. No good when it's inconsistent.
I stayed at bobbys.
25 people on a 1.5 km long reef, fuck me talk about crowded hey.
Sorry babe there'll be no private talk either ;-)
He didn't even asl? you!
I love Indo but i think some waves kind of get boring for comps, like short tubes, like, Padang Padang, Watu Karang, HT's, Nias
If Indonesia was to have a WSL level comp it should be at a wave with some length with a mix of barrels and performance.
Macaronis would be the best choice as there are not really any high performance lefts on tour but would be a logistic nightmare.
G-Land is also a perfect choice, barrels but still sections to carve.
But yeah as much as it would be great, its possibly good in a way it's not happening...not only the adding fuel to the fire factor, but each side of the comp pros would be everywhere in Indonesia.
Lol yep macs! I should have read all the comments first.
I agree!
What ever became of the one contest they did have at Keramas?
Too much liability for the organisers/ wsl?
The contest seemed pretty entertaining, I almost felt that Keramas suffered from the "wave of the month syndrome". It's quickly been forgotten.
What happened is that Oakley was ready to pony up and keep the wave on the CT Tour but they couldn't come to agreement with WSL about certain terms and conditions and so the conny was dropped.
Let's see if Woolworths and Coles start a fresh food "wsl" event!
How crazy i forgot about this:
In 2001 there was actually a comp in the Mentawais an invitational comp, called the OP Mentawai pro , surfers included Shane Dorian, Tim Curran, CJ Hobgood, Andy Irons, Mark Occhilupo, and Bruce Irons surfed at Macaronis, Lances Right (Hollow Trees), and Kandui Left.
Oh and Occy won.
Can read about it here https://www.si.com/vault/2001/07/23/8117849/let-her-rip-ten-surfers-ship...
and vid
The ' Serene Dream ' .
Wayne Walker's boat .
Whatever happened to that thing ?
What that article doesn't say is that Occy lost money on that contest even though he won.
He and the other surfers had agreed in private to split the winnings eight ways regardless of who won.
So when it was over he received a $30,000 cheque, then split it with the others so he actually only got $3,750.
When he flew back to Australia he had to pay tax on the $30,000 and it was more than $3,750.
ha ha thats crazy.
Is that the only surf trip Occy will ever pay to go on do you reckon ?
At least they cleared the water for him.
Watu Karung is a bodyboard wave. Be fucking boring watching CT surfers there.
I agree. In all the hours I've spent watching that wave unfold the craziest wave I've seen was this absolutely nuts legit 8 foot + bomb this bodyboarder took on the right, swinging around at the very last minute. He came in shaking from adrenaline.
Surf wise, it's either you make a sketchy barrel or you don't. If it was held in perfect conditions there's the possibility for long tubes, but overall I think it'd be an absolute nightmare to judge.
Leave gland alone wsl lovers,leave something for the rest of us and cmon it's not like indo isn't already crowded enough without more hype from contest propaganda and it's minions
The secrets out by the looks.
g-land revealed to the kooks .
No holds barred advertising :
That's next level rudeness
That's heavy.
IMO that guy that runs that booking agent Rodrigo is a bit of dick. (yes I've met him a few times)
He has also pushes resorts in playgrounds area Mentawai's as uncrowded.
Just don't like the way he goes about things.
Getting swell angles sussed nowadays Thats technology , and thats indo , its about the rupiah .
think i would prefer g-land between lunar tides, just when its neaps nowadays .
Tentative QS comp Nias Pro July 24 -28.
There is actually seven QS comps in Indonesia this year.
1. Krui
2. Nias
3. lakeys
4 Rote
5. Yo yos
6. Cimaja
7. Simeulue
(no Mentawai this year?)
(not in that order)
IMHO Nias would be a bit boring for a comp, too short and too much focus just on barrels
Last week the Krui pro was on, i watched a bit of it, it was at Ombak Bocur in about solid head high waves, wasn't bad to watch, sections to hit odd barrel, but wave a bit fast and sectiony.
Stil reckon Maccas would be the ultimate for a comp in HP lefts.