10 December 2011 – Cherating, Malaysia: The forecast for a new South China Sea swell to start off the Billabong Cherating Pro in Malaysia was delivered in full today , with smallish early morning conditions steadily giving way to very contestable 1 meter waves by mid day, but also bringing with it torrential rains and a brief thunder and lightning storm.
But none of this bothered the 70 men and women contestants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, the Maldives, Taiwan, France, Denmark, Australia, and Switzerland that arrived on the beach today to compete for cash, products, prestige, and fun in this 3 star Asian Surfing Championship sanctioned event, which is the 8th and last stop on the 2011 ASC tour. They tackled the testing conditions head on through the entire day, without hesitation.
The Women’s Division competitors were the first to take to the water and get through their first round heats, with current rankings leader Yasnyiar Gea from Indonesia posting the highest scores of the round and the last ASC event winner Annissa Flynn from Thailand sending the message that she wants to end the year on a winning note by easily winning her heat to advance into the semifinals.
Then it was the Open Men’s Division getting out there and battle it out for their chance to be on the podium in tomorrow’s final, with the first two rounds being run in the pouring rain with a midway break for the 20 minute thunder and lighting storm that passed through. By the time Round 2 was completed it was high tide and 6 pm, so time to call it a day. Tomorrow will see Round 3 action beginning the day, with current ASC Open rankings leader Raditya Rondi from Indonesia leading off in Heat 1.
It is predicted that the swell will to continue to increase slightly for the completion of the event tomorrow, which will see winners crowned in the Men’s Open, Women’s, and Masters Divisions. The contestants were all told to be on standby at the beach at 7:30 am for a possible 8:00 am start.
Billabong and the Asian Surfing Championship brings this popular event to a global audience with promotions throughout the Southeast Asia region and daily media releases on the Billabong Asia website and on the ASC Tour website. The Billabong Cherating Pro is a strong supporter of Cherating and the surrounding area, and provides employment, tourism, and support to the local community.
In recent years the profile of Malaysian surf has been growing, due both to the annual competitive events and also to the number of international surfing magazines and notables invited to the region by Satusuku Surf in order to increase awareness of the region within the international surfing community.
The Billabong Cherating Pro 2011 is sponsored by Tourism Pahang, Satusuku Surf, Billabong Asia, Nixon, and Von Zipper with media support from Surfersvillage.com, Lines Magazine, Thai Surfrider Magazine, SurfTime Magazine, Baliwaves.com and RVM, and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championship Tour.
Media Contacts:
Billabong Asia
Jamie Chow
Online Marketing Executive
Mobile: +6597971477
Email: Jamie.chow@billabong.com.sg
Asian Surfing Championships
Tim Hain
Media Director
Office: +62361768293
Mobile: +628123606674
Email: tim@isctour.com
About Billabong
Billabong is a clothing company traded on the Australian Securities Exchange since 11 August 2000. Billabong was founded in 1973 by Gordon and Rena Merchant. As well as the Billabong brand name, the company sells surfwear and accessories under the Palmers Surf, Honolua Surf, Swell.com, Von Zipper, Kustom (footwear), Nixon, Xcel Wetsuits and Tigerlily brands, and also Element skate clothing and hardware.
About the Asian Surfing Championships
The goal of the Asian Surfing Championships is to grow the sport of surfing in South East 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 SEA area.
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 will work 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 South East Asian countries.
With a multi-stop and multi-national surfing tour, Asian Surfing Champions will be crowned each year in multiple divisions each year including Open Men, Women, Longboard, Junior, and Master. For more see www.asiansurfingtour.com
Photos and Text – Tim Hain