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Rip Curl Surf & Music Festival Ready to Rock Kuta Beach, Oct. 8-9

September 28, 2011 -- Kuta, Bali – The Rip Curl Surf & Music Festival, Bali's largest boardsports and beach concert party, returns to Kuta's Halfway Beach on Oct. 8-9. Last year saw thousands of surf, skate and music-lovers pack Kuta Beach. With an award-winning lineup of bands, the finale of the ISC Tour and the  Rip Curl GromSearch National Finals, plus a massive surfboard and Mirage boardshorts test-drive center, this year's festival is expected to be even better.

As the final stop of the 2011 ISC Pro Tour, the Rip Curl Surf & Music Festival usually provides the stage for a climactic finish to determine the overall ISC Tour champion for the year. After his win at the Rote Open this month, Bali's Marlon Gerber has already claimed the 2011 ISC title. However, with the biggest crowd of the year packed on Kuta Beach and over 55 million IDR on the line, Indonesia's best surfers are sure to bring their A-game for the final clash of the season.

“This is one of the best events of the year,” said Gerber, who won last year's Surf & Music Festival. “Halfway Beach is my backyard, it's where I grew up surfing with guys like Bol and Garut. There are so many people watching on the beach during this contest, you definitely want to push it. It's also a really good wave. It's got every kind of section: turn section, air section, sometimes even barrels.”

Meanwhile, after regional GromSearch contests in Java, Lombok, Sumbawa, Thailand and Bali, the stage is now set for the GromSearch National Finals at Kuta Beach. Reigning GromSearch National Champion Jeren Kiring will attempt to defend his title against a fired-up crew of the top finishers from each regional GromSearch contest, including the first-ever Thai surfers to qualify for the GromSearch National Finals. The elite field of ten groms will be competing for a ticket to the Rip Curl GromSeach World Finals, held alongside the Rip Curl Pro ASP World Tour event at Australia's legendary Bells Beach.

“I've been looking forward to the National Final since the contest in Medewi,” Kiring said. “I hope I can win the National Final again in Kuta. I want another chance to go to Bells and represent Indonesia against the best groms in the world.”

The ten qualifying groms are: Dian Hendrianto (14, Java), Deden Sutendi (15, Java), Jeren Kiring (15, Bali), Ediana Putra (15, Bali), Jihar (15, Lombok), Usman Trioko (15, Lombok), Yasin (15, Sumbawa), Usman (15, Sumbawa), Panjo Schlider (11, Thailand), Panu Visedsombut (13, Thailand).

The two wildcards are: Andre Anwar (12, Sumbawa), and Raju (12, Bali).

Skate Competition

Surfing won't be the only boardsport on showcase at Halfway Beach during the Surf & Music Festival. Indonesia's top skaters will be on hand competing on the massive halfpipe and street course set up in front of the beach. With a 5 million IDR prize purse up for grabs, you can be sure the skaters will be going big.

Mirage boardshort and Surfboard Test Drive Center

Rip Curl will set up a Surfboard Test-Drive Center at Kuta's Halfway Beach, giving everyone the opportunity to try out the latest Rip Curl Surfboards from top shapers like DHD, Tokoro, T. Patterson, Phil Byrne and more. Over 50 boards in all shapes and sizes will be available to take for a spin during the weekend plus Rip Curl will have a world renowned special guest shaper on the beach to give top tips on buying the best boards, showcasing the latest models ridden by the pro's. In addition, the latest Mirage boardshorts will also be available to try out. Feel what it's like to surf in the most lightweight, flexible boardshorts on the market!

Band Lineup and Schedule

All musical performances will take place Sunday, beginning at 6 pm, following the ISC awards ceremony. The lineup is:

King Of Panda: The festival's opening act, this band officially formed in July of 2008. Also known as the “King of Teenagers” and “The King of Youngsters,” the band strives to be a role model for youth in a positive way. King of Panda's genre is a pop/punk/hardcore mixture. In every song there are breakdowns, group vocals and singalongs.

Nymphea: People say that Nymphea has one of the most impressive female vocalists in Indonesia. With a powerful character that combines gracefully with the music arrangements and sounds, Nymphea has gone on to commercial success, including distribution by one of Indonesia’s major labels, Virgo Ramayana Records.

Teenage Death Star: Formed in Bandung in late 2001, Teenage Death Star combines a touch of rock n 'roll with feedback noise, crunchy riff guitar, and a 70's punk style to maximum raw power. Amplifier worship, booze, liquor, magic fog, sweat, crowd, smell, teens spirit. Here we go Teenage Death Star!

Endank Soekamti: Another rock band from Yogyakarta, Endank Soekamti consists of Ari (drums), Dori (guitar) and Erik (bass and vocals). The band's genre could best be described as punk, though not always carrying its fierce ideology. The lyrics impress a funny, sometimes coarse and eccentric vibe – a typical Yogyakarta humor.

Shaggy Dog: The popular Jogja-based band is the headline act at this year's Surf & Music Festival. Heru, Richard, Raymond, Bandizt, Lilik and Yoyo call the music they “Doggy Stylee,” a blend of several musical elements, including ska, reggae, jazz, swing and rock n 'roll.

The Rip Curl Surf & Music festival 2011 is sponsored by GUS, Smirnoff Ice and Beach Hut with media support by MAXIM, FHM, TRAX, Alam TV, JUICE, Area, SISTER, Oz radio Bali and sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championships.