Terengganu Rip Curl Pro 2012, a 6-star Asian Surfing Championship Event

If you have been following my facebook, twitter & intagram , you will know that I was sent to witness Terengganu Rip Curl Pro 2012 at Pantai Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu with another 9 bloggers! 

It was a long journey to Kuala Terengganu but it was all worth it, especially this is my first time attending such an eye opening event!

The event was opened to the public and it was crowded during Friday and Saturday especially during the evening as it was their off day (yes Terengganu, Kelantan and Kedah has their weekends off on Fri & Sat), while Sunday was slightly a bit quiet cos it was a working day!

All thanks to Rip Curl Malaysia, I was there for 4 days 3 nights to see the event up close, getting know to the surfers and to learn how to surf! 

 On the first day of the event, each of us are given a bag of goodies. We are given 2 limited edition Rip Curl T-shirt, cap, pouch and favourite Sunplay Super Block SPF130 PA+++ in cute travel size! 

 

Yes we must always apply sunblock especially when we are at the beach unless you want to expose yourself the risk of having skin cancer... no joking!

The weather was cloudy most of the time, and rain ocassionally as it is the monsoon season now. And this is the best season for the surfer to surf because they need the waves! 

Although I love the long beach at Pantai Batu Burok but it is not suitable for swimming due to the strong waves all year long!

At the event, there are various booths set up for the participants & public to shop & enjoy cheap foot reflexology at RM20.

Of course I did not miss out the chance to shop with the vouchers given by Rip Curl! I even have orders from my friends via FB in KL to get them some sandals as it was on 30% off!

Besides that Fanta who was one of the co-sponsored gave out unlimited Fanta drinks to participants & members of media! It was perfect during sunny day to quench our thrist and I think I have so much that I dont remember how mant tins I have...Ops!

Best of all, I can have free flow of Ice cream thanks to Nestle Drumstick who are also one of the co-sponsored for the event! Love their Almond Thrill Drumstick, it was so good!

At the event also I managed to witness how a surfboard is made!

Do you know surf board should be made according our body weight & height so that we could balance ourselves on it! 

Meet Laura the surf board artist, she is not only pretty but very talented! I have a little chat with her and found out that she is from Germany and is an interior designer, and her husband is one of the participant in this competition.

 Check out some of her cute drawing which she drawn on surf board and it was printed into postcards to give out as souvenir at the event.

Well I met her at the hotel lobby later on and she personally draw my cap and signed it! 

Looked who is behind secretly waiting... Daniel from room8five

So back to the w competition, there are participations coming all the way from Japan, Brazil , Taiwan, Indonesia ..etc to join this Malaysia's first 6 stars Pro Surfing Contest which was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC)! 

 Whistl blowed off to officiate the opening of the event!

And all participations is eyeing to win RM 40,000 (over $12,000 USD) worth of prizes in Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Master Division and Bodyboard Open, and Longboard Open

 Some of the shots I have taken..

OMG look at the surfer's action!

One of my favourite shot, how I wish I have longers zoom lens! 

 

Looks easy, it ain't easy people!

I was rooting for Brenda but she did not make it through semi finals... :( I guess the right waves did not come in time for her! Well only after I learn how to surf I knew that besides skill, luck also plays a part when comes to surfing.

Besides looking at the participants surfing, I also did not miss the chance to register myself at the Surf Clinic

 

Jonni Morrison-Deaker, from the Rip Curl Bali Surf School is the instructor of the day!

We got to learn on the beach first how to hold the position and balance before we can actualy go to the sea to try. The position in the picture is called chicken wings where you put you both hands near to chest while lying on your front.

I also went and try eventhough I was afraid of the sea... but I was telling myself I could not miss this chance! And I glad I did try it out eventhough I swallow so much of the sea salt water!

I am doing this right! Hehehe notice how I closed my mouth tighyly.. hehe this is after several times falling into the sea & drank the salty sea water!

After the chicken wings position, we have to quickly jump up to a "ninja turtle" position and balance it. To speed of the surf board, you need to lowered down your body.

I only managed to get on my feet in time 1 or 2 time and then my right ankle gave away after I started to feel the pain ( sprained my ankle 2 weeks ago!) And I have bruises on my knee from falling down the surfboard..

 Rebecca was really good, she managed to stand so many times! 

 A picture of myself with Jonni. Thumb up to him becaus he was so patience and encouraging, every time I fell down! Thumb up to Rip Curl Malaysia for inviting him over because he is so awesome and I got hook of surfing and went for 2nd time the next day!

 Beach boys!

During times we are not surfing, we are just lying on the beach relaxing while waiting for the competition to resume.

 Bloggers that attended the evets! Thank you all for the companionship, it was great getting to know close!

After 3 days of competiting, here are the list of winners of Rip Curl Pro Terengganu 2012 Contest 

ASC Men’s Open Division

1. Made Darmayasa (IDN)

2. Garut Widiarta (IDN)

3. Andre Julian (IDN)

4. Sandi Selamat (IDN)

ASC Master’s Division

1. Tipi Jabrik (IDN)

2. James Hendy (ENG)

3. Decha Sithidej (THA)

4. Yasuo Hirana (JPN)

Bodyboard Division

1. Ibrahim Shiman (MDV)

2. Syed El Hussain Syed Atikullah (MLY)

3. Ali Javeed (MDV)

4. Hatta Affendi (MLY)

ASC Longboard Division

1. Arip Nurhidayat (IDN)

2. Tipi Jabrik (IDN)

3. Decha Sithidej (THA)

4. Khairil Doje (MLY)

ASC Women’s Division

1. Jesse Hong (TWN)

2. Yasnyiar Gea (IDN)

3. Diah Rahayu (IDN)

Ya most of the winners are Indonesian, apparently they are really good at surfing because Indonesia is blessed with big waves all year long and surfer can train themselves every day compare to our Malaysian surfer which can only train themselves during moonsoon season like this!

 Made Darmayasa from Bali is the grand winner of ASC Men’s Open Division and this is his first time winning an award!

  Souvenir presentation to Tourism Terengganu

 PLOT (Persatuan Luncur Ombak Terengganu) was given 2 surfboard as souvenirs!

Thank you Rip Curl Malaysia for this wonderful experience, I enjoyed myself very much witness and experiencing myself! I can't wait to attend next year Rip Curl Contest

The Terengganu Rip Curl Pro 2012 hapenning on 30 Nov-2 Dec at Pantai Batu Burok, K.Terengganu!

Well, I got excited when I found out the Renowned Australia surf brand, Rip Curl (Malaysia) has partnered with the State Government of Terengganu to organise the FIRST EVER 6-STAR PRO SURF CONTEST which will be held on 30 November to 2nd December 2012 at the coastal of Pantai Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu...Malaysia Boleh! 

Well I went and google and found that this Pantai Batu Buruk (beach of the ugly stone) is located just 1 km from the Kuala Terengganu and can be reached by walking! It is famous for its white sandy beaches with swaying casuarinas lining up behind the shore, like a loyal friend to the waves. 

I read that this is the probably the cleanest and widest beach inside Kuala Terengganu city and would be perfect for water sport activities. Besides that, The Culture Centre which is also located on the beach offer pencak silat (Malay martial art), top spinning, kite flying, sepak raga and other traditional show from 5.00pm to 7.00pm every Friday from 1 April till 31 October. Oh there is a happening night market every Friday from 3.00pm till 7.00pm that one must visit!

Well earlier of this week, Rip Curl has an official launch of The Terengganu Rip Curl Pro Surf Contest 2012 in One Utama.

 The guest are entertained with fashion show of the latest Rip Curl's collection by students from Amber Chia's Academy.

Mr James Hendy - Marketing Manager of Rip Curl SEA was excited to share what is The Terengganu Rip Curl Pro surf contest 2012 all about!

Well it is Malaysia's FIRST Surfing Contest and not only that it is a 6 STAR Pro Event that was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC)! 

The goal of the Asian Surfing Championships is to grow the sport of surfing in Asia from the grassroots level by assisting each country in creating organized and sanctioned events that will develop the skills of their surfers in healthy competition as well as to draw attention to their area for the progression of surfing locally, nationally, and throughout the Asian region. 

Mr James Hendy interviewed by TV3

He said that during this 3-days event, surfers hails from different regions of South East Asia are expected to compete in five different divisions – Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Master Division and Bodyboard Open, and Longboard Open. There are total estimated over RM 40,000 (over $12,000 USD) worth of prizes up for grabs for the participant’s surfers. Various awards such as “Best Malaysian Surfer” and “Best Surf Wipout” would be given out to top performer! In addition to that finalists would be given Rip Curl's products worth 22,500 MYR ($7,500 USD)!

Besides getting to watch the adrenalin rush competition, the organiser have planned aseveral fun-filled yet educational activities for the public with the aim to educate people from all walks of life about surfing activities!

Besides that public get to meet guest artist Mr. Rizald from Bali who is Indonesia top surfboard artists at the Surfboard Art Exhibition. Also, there will be a booth with live demonstration of the overall actual process on making a surfboard. 

Best of all, I'm all ready to join the surf clinic which will be set-up for public to experience and learn how to surf. Jonni Morrison – Deaker, from the Rip Curl Bali Surf School, will conduct the surf clinic.  And I'm all ready to be thrown into the water to learn how to surf! 

Throughout the International surf event, Rip Curl sets to craft Malaysia as one of the surfing destination amongst the professional surfers from different regions and also to attract more people to experience surfing. Most importantly it will provide local Malaysian surfers an opportunity to gain experience in competing at an International level!

 Media Q & A Session (L-R) :- Ayin, Jon Lee, Bryan Ng, Brenda Lee, Vivian Chew, James Hendy and Semmy

Official Announcement of Terrenganu Rip Curl Pro 2012

At the event also,  Rip Curl (Malaysia) announced that the brand had signed off an official 1-year Official Rip Curl Malaysia Riders deal with two top Malaysian surfers – Bryan Ng and Brenda Lee starting 15 October 2012 onwards!

 Rip Curl Malaysia sees there are a lots of potential and strongly believes that both top surfers could grow together with the brand in terms of reaching out to the ladies target audience and educating the female on what is surfing is all about, growing the local surfing community, providing a great opportunity to all Malaysian and serving as platform to anyone’s who is willing to give surfing a go and up scaling the surfing sports in our country. 

The first 6-star pro surf event coming up this year is an evident that we are progressing on the right track” Vivian Chew, Assistant General Manager of Rip Curl Malaysia explained why the brand had chosen both top Malaysian surfers as the official riders and the brand development alongside with the surfers.

 Let support our Malaysian Riders Brenda Lee, Semmi and Bryan Lee!

Bryan who started surfing since 1997 is now the President for Malaysia Surfing Association & Terengganu Surfing Community!

 Do you know Brenda Lee is one of the top lady surfer in Malaysia!

 Picture taken from here

Who says surfing is a man sport? Brenda Lee proved it all wrong! Congratulation to her for being recognised in this extreme sport!

Both Bryan & Brenda has earned a lot of credentials, achievements along with their contribution to the local surfing scene making them an asset to Rip Curl!

Besides that Rip Curl Malaysia also renewing the official rider contracts for 17-year old young surfer from Cherating, Mohd. Suhaimi (Semmy)!

So let's wish our Malaysian Riders all the best & let's go to The Terengganu Rip Curl Pro 2012 this 30 Nov to 2nd December to see how our riders going to hit the waves and make us proud! 

Oh ya don't forget to go the Surf Clinic to learn how to surf.. it must be really interesting learning how to balance on the sea!  

 

The Terengganu Rip Curl Pro 2012 is organized by EC Extreme Resources supported by S.U.K Terengganu, Tourism Malaysia, Ministry of Tourism Terengganu and Rip Curl Bali Surf School.

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