Event Reports

Local Knowledge Gets Highest Score in First Round of Billabong Pro Java 2009

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  Asep

  

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  Ayako

  

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  Bonnie

  

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  Cimaja

  

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  Sandi Slamet

  

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  Saprudin

  

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  Suparman

  

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  Tai Graham

  

20 May 2009, Cimaja-West Java:  Local knowledge paid off big in the opening round of the Billabong Pro Java at the cobblestone righthand pointbreak of Cimaja West Java today, as five of the 8 heats in Round 1 were won by local West Java surfers, and the high score of the day was posted by on-fire local Saprudin, jagging a deep barrel ride that got him 8.5 points.

The second stop on the 2009 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour boasts a total prize purse of Rp 40 million between the Men’s Pro, Masters, and Women’s Divisions. The 6-star Billabong Pro Java competition is being held over a four-day period between May 20-23, with almost 90 competitors from Bali, Nusa Lembongan, Java and Sumatra making the journey to scenic Cimaja to surf for money, glory, and ISC championship points.

Daybreak revealed perfect 3-4 foot surf breaking off the point, creating a dream start to the event. The first heat of the Men’s Pro Division got started at 6:50 am, with the sun just coming up over the mountains to the east and lighting up the insides of the bluegreen barrels standing up and running down the cobblestone reef. “With only a short window for this competition, we were really happy to wake up to near perfect conditions and a solid swell” stated ISC CEO and pro surfer Tipi Jabrik, “The locals had some outstanding performances in the opening rounds showing their local knowledge, and hopefully we see them progress further through the more challenging later rounds”.

Standouts from the morning session were Cimaja locals Saprudin, Asep, Suparman, Sandi Slamet, and Ujang Jet Li, who all won their heats with deep bottom turns, threading through the sometimes tricky barrels sections, and gauging big turns in the glassy smooth faces.  Tai Graham, Ketut Suarta, and Mattia Morri, who all made the trip to Java from Bali, also won their respective heats and advanced to Round 2.

Contest Director Wayan ‘Kopling’ Wirtama celebrated his birthday by steaming through Round 1 in record time, his actions justified by the constant barrage of cranking sets, making the 20 minute heats seem to go by in just seconds. Conditions held strong and soon was time for the Women’s Division to tackle the sizeable surf.  Charging the waves were 15 year old Rohaye from Sumatra and Diah from Bali, seemingly unafraid to take off anything.  After four heats and the two semifinals, Rohaye, Ayako from Japan, Nyoman Satria and Chika from Bali all have spots in the main event, which will take place on Saturday May 23rd.

The swell forecast for tomorrow looks to see a slight increase in swell, so Rounds 2 and 3 should deliver even better waves and more excitement for competitors and spectators alike on Day Two.  The action will get under way at daybreak tomorrow in order to take advantages of the extraordinary conditions on tap for this great event.

The Billabong Pro Java is sponsored by the Desa Resort located directly on the break at Cimaja, in addition to Vonzipper sunglasses, Nixon accessories, Kustom shoes, and the good people of Jawa Barat, and is part of the Coca Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour.