Rip Curl GromSearch South East Asian finals electrifying as Rio Waida and Cinta Hansel take the titles! 
  
October 12th, 2015 - The 12th Annual Rip Curl GromSearch South East Asian Finals were decided this morning in perfect 4 to 5 foot waves at the famed “Canggu right” at Perenenan Beach, Bali. Champions Rio Waida and Cinta Hansel are now headed for the big time at the international finals to be held overseas at a yet to be released location. Compliments of Rip Curl, they earned the right today to surf against the greatest Groms in the world later this year. 

Today, the absolutely perfect, high performance surf inspired the Groms of both divisions to really step up their game in do or die performances, drawing gasps and applause from the crowds on the beach. Not bad for a group of hot, young surfers that have yet to celebrate their 16^th birthdays.   

First up, the girls final. It was a fired up 13 year old Taina Izquerdo who dominated the first 20 minutes with a fireworks display of explosive backside off the lips. With five minutes left in the final, she was easily in control of the title. And with what looked like a long lull underway, Izquerdo sat comfortably inside as a 14 yr old Cinta Hansel sat outside, scanning the horizon for something, anything to come her way. 

And then...it did. 

Suddenly both girls were paddling for the horizon as a big set approached. Cinta Hansel spun, took a late drop and used her regular foot advantage to rip it all the way to shore. Earning a big score. Still, with the seconds ticking by, Izquerdo was confidently ahead. Hansel was still powering her way back into the line-up. But then Izquerdo, with priority, let a wave pass underneath her…and would probably wished she hadn’t. Hansel jumped into action, scratched over to meet the wave, just managed to catch it and ripped it with radical desperation, managing to stay on her feet all way into a spectacular floater in the shore break. The heat horn sounded. 
Hansel’s last score was announced and Taina Izquerdo’s heart was broken. 
Cinta Hansel, in the last five minutes of the heat, had caught the two waves that would earn her the 2015 GromSearch Championship. A brave performance and a fine example of the grit that these young competitors have in their hearts. 

 

Then it was an all Padma Boys affair for the boys final. Both Rio Waida and Raju Sena, staunch members of the most tight knit surf club in Bali, faced each other in the final. Side by side, it looked like the David and Goliath story. The tall, confident, 15 yr old Raju Sena paddling out against the determined, stocky 15 year old Rio Waida for a 25 minute final in the best conditions of the day. 

As it turned out, Rio Waida took the reins of a runaway horse. 
At not one time in the final heat did Waida falter, immediately combo’ing his fellow club member with a series of high scores. Including an opening 9 point ride. Sena, who had been winning everything in sight all year, appeared rattled and out of rhythm for the first time all season. His surfing seemed to have lost its usual razor sharp edge and the crowd actually groaned as he fell time and again. For Sena, Surftime Magazine’s rookie of the year, something was going very wrong. 

Waida struck the advantage like a pouncing lion. Wave after wave, powerful, deep rail surfing, monster cutbacks, closing out his rides with giant off the lips in the notorious Canggu shore break. And, in the closing seconds of the heat, as if to hammer in the last nail of Sena’s GromSearch coffin, Waida smartly picked off a small, but perfectly shaped wave and ended the heat with the best aerial seen in any GromSearch all year. A 9 point ride. Waida would hoist the trophy and the overseas trip overhead in front of an adoring crowd, burying Raju Sena’s dreams for the year. 

But not forever. These two young surfers proved, in 25 electrifying minutes, that the future of South East Asian competitive surfing is in solid hands. 

“I’m very happy” whispered Champion Cinta Hansel, “it was a privilege to surf against all the best girls all year. Taina had me scared going into that last five minutes, but I guess it’s never over until the final horn blows. I am just so thankful to the ocean, Rip Curl and the Pererenan Surf Club for giving us their surf spot at the last second. It really allowed us to surf as well as we can”. Taina Izquerdo giggled a different take. “It’s all just so exciting! And fair is fair! I am proud of my second place result and look forward to next year when I am going to win it! Ha!” 

A reserved Rio Waida had little comment on his win other than thanking his sponsors and supporters. “I am already thinking about the international contest” he privately said later. As for Raju Sena, always gracious in victory as well as defeat, “I am just so stoked to be a part of this and I have had a great year and it was a good win for Rio… and I am so happy that a Padma boy won it! If not me then at least it was him! Except for losing, this was my favorite contest all year…The waves…so good!”. 

Both Rio Waida and Cinta Hansel will go on to represent Indonesia at the spectacular Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals. A grand final event where they will face an International field of the best young surfers from around the globe. With Locations in the past as far away as Australia, France, America, and Brazil, today’s two young champion’s dreams have come true. 

The location for the The Rip Curl Gromsearch International finals will be announced soon. Stay tuned to RipCurl.com for all the updates and make sure to follow our young Indonesian champions, Rio Waida and Cinta Hansel, as they take on the world. 

Rundown Crowning 
Rip Curl GromSearch Sout East Asia Final 2015 - under 16yrs 

Girls Division 

#1 Cinta Hansel         (14.33) 
#2 Taina Izquerdo        (12.33) 
#3 Salini Rengganis & Kailani Johnson 

Boys Division 

#1 Rio Waida                 (18.60) 
#2 Raju Sena                (13.30) 
#3 Andre Anwar & Mega Artana 

The 2015 Rip Curl GromSearch Asia Finals are sponsored by: Posca Pens, Beach Hut Sun Cream, 
Zombie Surf Wax and Bye Bye Plastic Bag, Pererenan Surfin Club (PSC). This event was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship.
Media support by: TRAX magazine, Indosurflife.com, Surf Time Magazine and BaliBelly.tv 

All credits for the photo's go to Hamish Humphreys 

See all the action - www.asia.ripcurl.com
Instagram : @ripcurlasia with  #GromSearch
twitter :@ripcurlasia 



 

 

Rip Curl GromSearch South East Asian Semi Finals decided! Great surf predicted tomorrow for big finale. 

October 11th, 2015 - The 12th Annual Rip Curl GromSearch South East Asian Finals contest was run all the way up to the semi-finals today at the famed “Canggu right” at Parenenan Beach. With consistent 4 foot surf all day long for both the boys and girls divisions, it looks like Rip Curl’s last second change of venue really paid off for all competitors. “The surfing has been just great today” said the very relieved contest Director Dylan Amar. “And the competitors really stepped it up. Each heat win has been very clear, there is rarely any controversy when the waves are this good”. 

The high performance surf today allowed the young competitors to show off their entire repertoire of maneuvers. From high flying aerials to deep carving cutbacks, these young surfers ripped far beyond their years. And who wouldn’t when an all expense paid trip overseas to compete in the international Gromsearch is up for grabs. 

“I’m so stoked to get in the Canggu line-up with only one other person” Gushed top female  competitor Taina Izquerdo, “It pushes your surfing so much to know you are going to get plenty of waves without worrying about hassling. It was so cool for the Parerenan Surfing Club to let us have their break for two whole days!” 

 

The action started promptly at 7am with the first heat featuring three of the hottest competitors in the comp, Raju Sena, Putu Krisna and Hendry Chapman. Sena seemed to just slam his foot on the accelerator and controlled the heat from the beginning, setting a blistering pace before anyone of the judges had even finished their coffee. Rip Curl Team rider Andre Anwar was a revelation all day long, particularly in his quarter final heat where his backside attack reminded the spectators of a young Gabriel Medina. And Rio Waida surfed with a confidence that was startling, as if he was just here to pick up his first place trophy. And the big surprise was Mega Artana, who seemed to cruise through his heats with effortless floaters and smooth, eye pleasing turns. Obviously all four of these surfers impressed the judges most, because they have all earned a berth in tomorrow’s semi finals. 

But clearly the moment of the day belonged to Rio Waida. Surfing like a young Kelly Slater in his Quarter final against a baffled Muhamad Alwi, Waida posted the day’s only perfect 10 point ride on the biggest wave of the day. Riding deep and strong, his ride included a notable bottom turn, a perfect carving three sixty and a wild hand grab Aerial to finish in the shorebreak. The judges had no choice as on this single wave, Rio Waida announced his championship intent with authority. If Waida can keep up this pace, Sena, Anwar and Artana are going to have their work cut out for them. 

In the Girls competition, Contest Director Dylan Amar graciously allowed these six champions the best conditions of the day. As hard fought as the boys, these heats were as action packed as boxing matches. But in the end, it was ASC/ISC Champion and Surftime Magazine’s female surfer of the year, Cinta Hansel who moved into the semi-finals against ripper Salini Rengganis, Supermodel Kailani Johnson, and Supergrom Taina Izquerdo.   

Due to low tide conditions, the Semi’s and the Finals were postponed until tomorrow morning where glassy, big conditions are guaranteed to meet the last competitors standing. “For the first time, I’m a little nervous” said Padma’s Raju Sena, “This is going to be the toughest final I have ever surfed and probably in the best surf too. Rio was unbelievable today. I predict more ten’s for all of us in the final”. 

The winners of both the girls and boys under 16yrs divisions will go on to represent their respective countries at the spectacular Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals. A grand final event where they will face an International field of the best young surfers from around the globe. With Locations as far away as Australia, France, America, and Brazil, it truly is a young surfers dream. The secret location of this year’s international Gromsearch Finals will be revealed soon, and if the locations in the past are any indication, it is sure to be breathtaking. 

Join us for all the final action starting at 7am tomorrow morning, Monday, October 12^th at Canggu’s fabulous Parerenan beach. The Rip Curl Gromsearch South East Asian Finals is a sure- fire event not to miss. Come witness the crowning of a great young champion and the future of South East Asian surfing with us! 

Boys: 

Semi final One: Raju Sena, Bali Vs Andre Anwar, Sumbawa 
Semi Final Two: Mega Artana, (Where is he from?) Vs Rio Waida, Bali. 

Girls: 

Semi final one: Taina Izquierdo, Bali Vs Salini Rengganis (?) 
Semi final two: Cinta Hansel, Bali Vs. Kailani Johnson, Bali 

The 2015 Rip Curl GromSearch Asia Finals are sponsored by: Posca Pens, Beach Hut Sun Cream, 
Zombie Surf Wax and Bye Bye Plastic Bag. This event was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship.
Media support by: TRAX magazine, Indosurflife.com, Surf Time Magazine and BaliBelly.tv 

Follow all the action - www.asia.ripcurl.com
Instagram : @ripcurlasia with  #GromSearch
twitter :@ripcurlasia 

 

 

Rip Curl GromSearch SE Asia Finals to be held at Canggu! Last second venue change due to surf conditions. 

October 10th, 2015, 315pm - 
The 12th Annual Rip Curl GromSearch SE Asia Finals venue has been officially changed from east side's Keramas to west side's Canggu this Sunday, October 11th with a  7am start. After assessing the swell conditions at Keramas this morning, it was decided that due to inconsistency of swell the entire event would be moved overnight to the famed "Canggu Right" at Parerenan Beach. 

"Great waves are imperative to discovering the finest under 16 year old surfers in Indonesia." said Marketing Director James Hendy of the surprise move. "And Rip Curl has always remained committed to the highest standards of competition conditions for these future champions." Hendy went on to say that Rip Curl wants to assure that the competitors get the best waves at the best venue available. And that they want to make sure that these Groms get the opportunity to surf their best. Because the Rip Curl GromSearch Championship has been a hard fought achievement for these young surfers. "I think it is a great decision to move to Canggu." said Team Manager and Contest Director Dylan Amar, "and, thanks to the hospitality of the Parerenan Surfing Club, we are looking forward to sizzling performances at one of the most popular waves in Bali." 

All the action starts tomorrow morning 7am, October 11th, at Canggu's fabulous Echo Beach. The Rip Curl GromSearch SE Asia Finals is an event sure not to miss! So come witness the future of Indonesian surfing with us! 
 

 
Rip Curl GromSearch SE Asia finals to be held at Keramas, October 10^th – 11^th  ! 

The 12th Annual Rip Curl GromSearch South East Asia Final will honor its legacy of finding the best waves for young competitors by holding the event in the perfect barrels of Keramas, Bali. On an island famed for its dreamy lefts, October 10th-11th will find Indonesia's finest young surfers facing a challenging right breaking wave that will demand the goofy footers best game against the regular foot advantage. These great young surfers, who earned their spots in the final by winning regional GromSearch event qualifiers in Java, Lombok, and Bali will also be facing a challenge from the North. A special wild card competitor has been designated from among the keen Grommets of Thailand in recognition of the growing surf scene there. The field of competitors will now truly represent the entire, proud SE regions of this part of the globe. 

 
Photo by Hamish H. 

More than just a contest, the Rip Curl GromSearch Championship is a Global youth Surfing Series that will be partnering with the fabulous Komune Beach Club. And the activities around this event will be yet another chance for these young surfers to experience not only a safe, fun competition, but to also participate in creative, inspiring environmental awareness education. A vital key to the future health of our surfing youth the beaches and the oceans that provide their dynamic playground. 

 To win the prizes of this event will demand excellence across the board. The winners of the Girls and Boys divisions will not only be the Champions of South East Asia, but will go on to represent their respective countries at the spectacular Rip Curl GromSearch International Finals. A grand final event where they will face an International field of the best young surfers from around the globe. With Locations as far away as Australia, France, America, or Brazil, it truly is a young surfers dream. The secret location of this year’s international Final will be revealed soon, if the locations in the past are any indication, it is sure to be breathtaking. 

The 2015 Rip Curl GromSearch Asia Finals is a challenging event that is designed to bring forth the finest under 16 year old surfers from across the region. A contest where these young wave warriors will deal with both the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. For two glorious days, a place where youthful dreams will be inspired. And for two talented young surfers, a place where those dreams will come true. 

The 2015 Rip Curl GromSearch Asia Finals are sponsored by: Komune Resort & Beach Club, Posca Pens, Beach Hut Sun Cream, 
Zombie Surf Wax and Bye Bye Plastic Bag. This event was sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship.
Media support by: TRAX magazine, Indosurflife.com, Surf Time Magazine and BaliBelly.tv 

Follow all the action - www.asia.ripcurl.com
Instagram : @ripcurlasia with  #GromSearch
twitter :@ripcurlasia 


On Boys Division: 
1. Raju Sena (Bali)                                7. Selamet Karyadi (Lombok) 
2. Andre Anwar (Sumbawa Peak)                8. Mega Artana (Bali) 
3. Ketut Agus (Bali)                                9. Rio Waida (Bali) 
4. Putu Krisna        (Bali)                                10. M. Alwi (Lombok) 
5. Ivan Prihandoyo (Jawa)                        11. Riki Fauzi (Jawa) 
6. Febri (Jawa)                                12. Hendry Chapman (Thailand) 

On Girls Division: 
1. Taina Izquerdo (Bali) 
2. Lisa (Lombok) 
3. Sallini Rengganis (Pacitan) 
4. Cinta Hansel (Bali) 
5. Kailani Johnson (Bali) 
6. Dea Natasya (Bali) 

www.ripcurl.com

 

Bali's Raju Sena & Cinta Hansel Win the 2014 Rip Curl GromSearch National Finals in idyllic Conditions at Nusa Lembongan, Bali. 

September 27th & 28^th 

Grommets ruled once again last weekend as the 11th annual Rip Curl GromSearch National final came down in the crystal clear reefs of Lembongan Island with Indonesia's best young Grommets battling it out in 4-6 foot dream waves. The famous break of Shipwrecks turned on for the finals throwing plenty of offshore glassy barrels over the shallow reef for the groms to secure big scores. 

With a total of 16 boys and 7 girls making it to the National Finals through the qualifying events in their respective regions -  Senggigi, Lombok, Lakey Peak in Sumbawa, Cimaja in West java and Kuta in Bali, all the kids were amping to get amongst the perfect conditions and a shot at winning one of two coveted spots in the International Finals to be held at an undisclosed location in 2015. 

DAY 1 :The competition started at Shipwrecks point, but a big high tide and a fresh new swell made conditions tricky and dangerous leaving contest organisers no choice but to go mobile with the event switching to the short intense barrelling right-hander - Lacerations on the other side of the bay. First up were the boys to test their skills in the notoriously shallow ledging right, know to take the skin off many surfers who fall - hence its name! All the boys who tackled the wave in round 1 came up good and stoked to surf one of the island best waves with only 4 out. Competition ran through round 1 of the Boys and Girls and squeezed in the repro charge round 2  of the boys, before the low tide stopped the event for the day. 

Whilst the older Groms revelled in the perfect ledgy barrels, the younger kids like Ketut Agus from Denpasar faced a big challenge surfing some of the most challenging waves in his career to date, yet still making it till the quarter finals. Meanwhile, Padma boy Raju Sena scored first place in every heat on his way to taking his place in Round 3. 

In the Girls division: the first round, consisting of only 2 heats In round 1, Cinta Hansel,  Kailani Johnson and Taina Izquierdo gave it their best shot in the first heat collecting great scores from the judges with gutsy performances, ending the heat with only small differences between 1st and 3rd place, but it was Cinta Hansel that progressed to round 3 setting her eyes on the winners podium from the get-go. Meanwhile, in heat 2, Pua Johnson showed her power over Dea Natasha and Salini Renganis making her way trough to round 3 also. 

Day2: As the morning broke, everything looked very quite with small waves on the low tide, this gave the perfect opportunity for competitors to have a lazy start, get a good breakfast before the tide started to fill-in and the waves starting to wake up. By 10am it was all systems GO! with perfect conditions to start the finals day action back at the event primary location of Shipwrecks point. 

The Boys division kicked off the day with round 3 in the water running right through until the Finals, again heavy swell pounding the reef made for challenging conditions for the youngest kids to compete in the 3 man format. As the day progressed the competition got very heated seeing only the hardest pushing grommets getting awarded the scores needed to make it to the finals, among the Stand-out groms, Lakey Peak's Andre Anwar shone bright but was eventually toppled in the semi finals by Raju Sena (Kuta) who took his rightful place in the finals. Next up it was Rio Waida (Kuta) who surfed with precision and flare ousting Cimaja Local Eric Damian to take his position against his Kuta arch rival - Raju in the finals. 

Both surfers started the final heat blasting huge turns and going for the air  but eventually it was Raju who saved his best for last coming down to a nail biting finish winning by a fraction of a point ahead of Rio in a proper man on man battle in near perfect conditions. “I've been surfing in GromSearch contests for a while now and made the international Finals by winning last year,” Raju said. “I can't wait to get another chance to surf in the Finals at the International GromSearch next Year! 

Meanwhile, in the girls division, the Johnson Sisters Kailani and Pua looked very strong, for a minute having the judges thinking it might be an all-Sister family final. However, it was eventual winner Cinta Hansel who stopped a dynamic performance by Kailani and stepped into the finals, Semi final number 2 was another hard-fought battle with Pua Johnson taking on East Java local - Salini Reganis. Finally the strength of Pua overpowered the Pacitan girl seeing her advance into the finals with a 12.13 score over Salini's respectable 9.37. 

Cinta Hansel (Uluwatu) was clearly the most on form surfer of the girls’ event, throwing down big powerful hacks all the way to the finals on the Glassy barrels of Shipwrecks, executing technical manoeuvres one after another in the pocket. Pua Johnson, who has been going from strength to strength all year put up a strong battle not making it easy for the micro grommet to take the win, but eventually it was Cinta's consistency and hours of training that paid off seeing her take the eventual Girls title.

These two days comp, the best Grommets from all over Indonesia found themselves ripping the famed surf spots of Shipwrecks and Lacerations, notoriously shallow right-hander's that can intimidate even the seasoned pro’s. With support of the Local Surf Community Lembongan Board Riders, these Grommets was spoiled with not just a good wave but also a boat in the channel to support their needs and provide a perfect viewing platform for their fans and parents alike. Huge thanks goes out to by Ware Ware Sunset Boat to be the best judging platform, meeting point and a place to hang out! 

Among the highlights on the beach was a POSCA pen drawing surfboard competition. While the other grommets surfed, the rest that were left watching from the beach had the opportunity to join the fun and games on the land rounding off a full on weekend for these full on young surfers on the enchanting Island of Nusa Lembongan. 

Thanks for All the support from Lembongan people, The Linda Bungalow, Lembongan Sugriwa Express and Ware Ware Sunset Boat. 

Once again Congratulation to Raju and Cinta! 

Let Grommets rule…….! See you all next year! 

Watch the video Highlights package - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8grZWpW6o-s 

See all the action - www.asia.ripcurl.com 
  
Instagram : @ripcurlasia with  #GromSearchtwitter :@ripcurlasia 



Raju Sena in barrel! 


 
Glassy! 

 
The Ware Ware Sunset Boat 

 
Day 1: Andre 

  
Cinta 



The Spectators 

 

Boys Division        

                
           Girls Division 


 

The 2014 Rip Curl Cup Padang-Padang Opening Ceremony Kicks Off Waiting Period 


July 8th, 2014 -Padang - Padang, Bali – Last Saturday July 5^th at Padang-Padang Beach, the traditional opening ceremony for the Rip Curl Cup 2014 kicked off the waiting period that will run until August 17^th.  One of the many highlights of the program was the announcement of list of lucky 24 competitors who will be surfing Bali’s most iconic barrel almost all to themselves, and the posting of the heat draw. 

The event on Saturday started with a private Balinese prayer ceremony, where the Rip Curl crew prayed and asked the gods and mother earth to bless the event and provide the epic waves that the Rip Curl Cup is known for during the coming 6-week waiting period. 

Hundreds of spectators packed the beach to watch the announcement of the competitors and to see who was matched up with whom, cheering for the favorite surfers.  This means that all 24 invited surfers are now on-call to be at Padang- Padang within 24 hours notice, and get ready to surf once the official Surfline swell forecast team and event director Pete Mathews give the green light to run the contest. 

There were Rip Curl product, and sponsors giveaways during the afternoon, as well as the presentation of the artist who made artwork for this year’s event, and as always the amazing traditional Balinese Kecak dance performance wowed both the audience and the surfers to close the event. “It's a cool showcase of the local culture and gets everyone fired up for the biggest contest of the year at one of the best waves in Bali,” said Francisco Alves, one of Rip Curl’s international team riders from Portugal. 

Stoked surf fans will be frothing to get on-line and view all the action when the green light calls the competitors into action, as the 2014 Rip Curl Cup will be broadcast globally at live.ripcurl.com,and it can be viewed on smartphones with the Rip Curl Live Events App.   

In a departure from the previous year’s format, this year’s Rip Curl Cup will see 24 rather than 32 competitors: 12 international icons and 12 of Indonesia’s finest barrel masters.  “With the world watching via our live webcast, we see the 4-man heat format detracting from the purity of surfing a virtually empty Padang-Padang lineup.  Having just two surfers in the water allows both the surfers and the audience to really focus and enjoy this exciting event,” cites Rip Curl’s SE Asia Marketing Manager James Hendy as the reason for this year’s change in format.   
This year the heat draw will see two Indonesian wild cards in the draw as well, Rahtu Suargita from Kuta who won the Trials event, and Koki Hendrawan as the highest finished Padang-Padang local who was also in the Trials final. 

The 24 competitors will be competing not only for their share of the $10,000 prize purse but also for “The Cup”.  The local Balinese artists at MOD Jewelry, who have also made Association of Surfing Professionals championship rings and awards in the past, designed this coveted trophy. Hand carved from teak wood and inlayed with silver, the bowl is carved into the shape of a flower and is mounted above a piece of wood made to look like a craggy chunk of the Padang-Padang reef. Each year the cup is filled with Bintang beer and the winner must skull it all down on the victory podium.  That is truly the Grand Prize of the event! 

Official 2014 opening-round heat draw: 

Heat 1 
Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii) 
Alik Rudiarta (Indonesia) 
Koki Hendrawan (Indonesia) 

Heat 2 
Lee Wilson (Indonesia) 
Kekoa Bacalso (Hawaii) 
Bethany Hamilton (Hawaii) 

Heat 3 
Anthony Walls  (AUS)
Raditya Rondi (Indonesia) 
Pepen Hendrik (Indonesia) 

Heat 4 
Mega Semadhi (Indonesia) 
Ricardo De Santos (Brazil) 
Francisco Alves (Portugal) 

Heat 5 
Made Adi Putra (Indonesia) 
Flynn Novak (Hawaii) 
Jacob Wilcox (Australia) 

Heat 6 
Luke Hynd (AUS)
Dede Suryana (Indonesia) 
Wayan Merta (Indonesia) 

Heat 7 
Rizal Tandjung (Indonesia) 
Bruno Santos (Brazil) 
Jack Robinson (AUS)

Heat 8 
Chris Ward (USA) 
Made Widiarta (Indonesia) 
Rahtu Suargita (Indonesia) 


It's On when it's On 


2014 RIP CURL CUP - Opening Ceremony - Wrap up : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYraR1UutnM 

 
Mick Curley Photography 

 
Mick Curley Photography 


  

 
Mick Curley Photography 


 
Mick Curley Photography 

 
Photo Credit : Hamish 

 
Photo Credit : Hamish 

 
Photo Credit : Hamish 

 
Photo Credit : Hamish 


 
Jeff Anderson CEO RIP CURL ASIA - Photo credit : Hamish 



Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang 2014 is sponsored by: Speedy, Simpati, Bintang, Hidden Valley, Albens and Beach Hut, BAM, BIMC. 
with media supports by: Australia Surfing Life, Surfline and Surf Time magazine. 

www.ripcurl.com

Team Rip Curl Cleans Up Padang-Padang for the Rip Curl Cup 2014 Opening Ceremony

04 July 2014, Padang-Padang, Bali: As is traditional the day before the Rip Curl Cup Opening Ceremony each year, the Rip Curl crew and surf team spend the morning at Padang-Padang searching every nook and cranny of the beach, hillside and parking lots picking up plastic and all other forms of trash that stack up with all the tourists coming to enjoy the beautiful sandy beach, the warm water, and the amazing view.

At today’s beach clean up, the Rip Curl crew was joined by some energetic volunteers including Udayana University exchange students, the Padang-Padang Boardriders Club, and members of the local community.  At the end of the day they had filled up 30 big garbage bags full of trash and left a nice clean scene behind.

A special guest that joined in the clean up today was Rip Curl pro surfer Francisco Alves from Portugal, who had arrived the day before and is here to compete in the Rip Curl Cup.  “ I’m very happy to be here in Bali,” said Alves. “This island is magic, and to spend my first morning with all the Rip Curl Team and make sure that we save and respect what Mother Nature and God gave to us, I couldn’t be more happy,” he added.

The waiting period for the 11^th annual Rip Curl Cup Padang-Padang, long known as the Ultimate Tuberiding Contest and Bali’s longest running professional surfing contest, will begin on July 5^th and end on August 17^th, giving Huey a full six weeks to deliver the exacting conditions that will see the 24 of the finest international and local tubemasters competing in the spitting green barrels of the Balinese Pipeline.

In a departure from the previous year’s format, this year’s Rip Curl Cup will see 24 rather than 32 competitors: 12 international icons and 12 of Indonesia’s finest barrel masters.  “With the world watching via our live webcast, we see the 4-man heat format detracting from the purity of surfing a virtually empty Padang-Padang lineup.  Having just two surfers in the water allows both the surfers and the audience to really focus and enjoy this exciting event,” cites Rip Curl’s SE Asia Marketing Manager James Hendy as the reason for this year’s change in format.  

With an exciting lineup of tuberiding specialist invitees including Jamie O’Brien, Chris Ward, Kekoa Bacalso, Bruno Santos, last year’s runner up Jacob Willcox, Rizal Tanjung, Garut Widiarta, and last year’s winner Mega Semadhi taking on Bali’s most iconic barrel, stoked surf fans will be frothing to get on-line and view all the action when the green light calls the competitors into action, as the 2014 Rip Curl Cup will be broadcast globally at live.ripcurl.com, and it can be viewed on smartphones with the Rip Curl Live Events App.  

The 24 competitors will be competing not only for their share of the $10,000 prize purse but also for “The Cup”.  The local Balinese artists at MOD Jewelry, who have also made Association of Surfing Professionals championship rings and awards in the past, designed this coveted trophy. Hand carved from teak wood and inlayed with silver, the bowl is carved into the shape of a flower and is mounted above a piece of wood made to look like a craggy chunk of the Padang-Padang reef. Each year the cup is filled with Bintang beer and the winner must skull it all down on the victory podium.  That is truly the Grand Prize of the event!

Tomorrow will see the Rip Curl Cup Padang-Padang Opening Ceremony kicking off the beginning of the waiting period, which runs from July 5 to August 17, and includes the introduction of the 24 surfers selected for the 2014 Rip Curl Cup and the announcing of the heat draw, followed by a Balinese Kecak dance