Rip Curl Mentawai Pro Closes

 

Mentawai Islands Regent Mr. Yudas Sabbagalet Officially 
Closes Mentawai Pro Presented by Rip Curl 
  
28 April 2013, Katiet-Mentawai Islands:  In a late afternoon ceremony today in 
the village of Katiet on Sipora Island in the Mentawai Islands of West Sumatra, after 
several speeches and trophy presentations, Regent Yudas Sabbagalet sounded the 
drum to officially announce the end of the Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl 
Asian Surfing Championship Premium grade international surfing competition that 
started on April 21^st. 

 

First to take the microphone was the Head of the Department of Culture, Tourism 
and Sport for the Mentawai Islands Mrs. Desti Seminora, who generously thanked 
the local people and listed all the sponsors who had supported the event.  She 
told the audience how proud she was of her staff and all involved who had been 
working hard to make this event such a success, as it was now a premium 
international event after only the third year.  

Jeff Anderson, Rip Curl’s CEO of South East Asia was next to address the crowd, 
and in fluent Indonesian thanked the local people for their hospitality in sharing 
their great waves and wonderful beach, and thanked Regent Sabbagalet and 
Mrs. Seminora for letting Rip Curl join with them for the second year running.  

 

Tipi Jabrik, President of the ASC, in his speech reviewed the progress that has 
been made since Mrs. Seminora contacted him over three years ago to help 
create the first Lance’s Right competition in 2011 and congratulated her 
and her staff for the great job.  He also thanked the Katiet locals for their 
hospitality.  He then asked them to please take care of their beautiful 
beach and coral reefs, and not to let anyone bomb the reefs for fishing or 
do anything to destroy their great natural resource. 

Lizzie Murray from A Liquid Future took the microphone next to express 
her thanks for the support from Rip Curl and the government for her NGO 
that is teaching the local kids how to speak English, about water safety, 
and of course how to surf. 

 

Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl winner Oney Anwar from Sumbawa was asked 
to come up and say a few words, and he did…telling the audience how happy he 
was to have won the event and how he had enjoyed his stay at Katiet. 

Next was the presentations of the trophies to the winners, but first 16 year old 
Harry Bryant from Australia was called to the stage and given a local backpack 
by the town chief, something personal young Harry could take back to his country 
and share with his friends and family. 

 

The trophy presentations followed, with first the local trials winner Marvius and 
the other finalists being awarded Mentawai boatman’s paddles and some cash 
money as prizes, and then the main event winners receiving theirs as well. 

 

After thanking Rip Curl, the ASC, Mrs. Desti, and the local village support crew, the 
Bupati (Regent) of the Mentawai Islands Mr. Yudus Sabbagalet had a special message 
for the local surfers in his closing speech.  He strongly encouraged them to keep 
practicing and believing in themselves, saying “You can see who won this contest, 
and he is an Indonesian just like you…so is there a reason why you can’t win?  
I think not…so just remember to keep trying and soon it will be you on the podium!” 

 

Then with the final pounding of the drum he closed the event, and though it may 
be over for this year the effects will be felt far into the future…in its positive 
impact on the local community, tourism in the Mentawais, and in the Asian 
as well as the worldwide surfing communities. 

The Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl is sponsored by the Government of West Sumatra, the Tourism Department of the Mentawai Islands,Tourism Indonesia, Andalas Internet, Indies Explorer, Quest 1, and Losman Ombak, with media support by Magicseaweed.com, Indosurflife.com,Surftime Magazine, Juice, and Lines Magazine.

Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl ASC Premium Men’s Open Results:

1.  Oney Anwar (Sumbawa, Indonesia) – Rp. 25 million (approx. $2,500 USD)

2.  Garut Widiarta (Bali, Indonesia) -  Rp. 15 million (approx. $1,500 USD)

Equal 3^rd:  Tipi Jabrik (Bali, Indonesia) and Gazali Hamzah (Sumbawa, Indonesia) – Rp. 8 million (approx. $800 USD)

Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl Trial Results:

1.  Marvius (Katiet)

2.  Dodi (Siberut)

3.  Henri (Siberut)

4.  Arjomen (Katiet)

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HISTORY

About the Asian Surfing Championships

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. 

Organized surfing competitions have historically been the best medium for the development of surfers and for the sport of surfing.  Learning how to compete fairly and to being disciplined in training and competition key assets needed not only for surfing but also for life.

The ASC works with the local, national and multinational event sponsors and organizers to maximize the results of these competitive surfing events towards accomplishing the goals of sharing the sport of surfing and bringing positive economic, social, and environmental benefits to the people in these Asian countries.

With a multi-stop and multi-national surfing tour, Asian Surfing Champions will be crowned each year in multiple divisions including Open, Women, Longboard, Junior, and Master.