Free again and never let it be said that we’re just here on a bit of a jolly. Sarah and I have been fairly occupied for the for the past week with various bits and pieces that we offered to do at Arugam Bay Surf Club, but it’s amazing how much more you enjoy work when you actually volunteer to do it. Sarah’s had her organisational hat on, producing documents, letters to whom it may concern and a coherent application form for the club as they make a bid for credibility ahead of the establishment of the Sri Lankan Surfing Federation. It’s been an interesting process and the rivalry between some of the clubs on the island has been palpable at times. Continue reading ‘Local boys take on the world’
Monthly Archive for June, 2010
Page 2 of 3
An historic day in Sri Lanka as the first ever Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) surfing event began in this country with day one of the six-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro at the famous Arugam Bay on the tropical south east coastline of Sri Lanka.
A significant overnight swell pulse delivered excellent surf to 2m (4 to 6 feet) and the high quality line –up of world surfers revelled in the long walling and powerful waves on this unique sandy point. Continue reading ‘SriLankan Airlines Pro begins in excellent waves at Arugam Bay’
Head judge Richard Porta with Sri Lankan wildcards : photo ASP/Robertson
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay set to begin tomorrow with Sri Lankan wild-cards decided
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 June, 2010 : – - Day one of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay was officially placed on-hold as contest organizers await an expected good pulse in swell tomorrow to begin the first ever ASP event in Sri Lanka.
The consistent 1m (3 to 4 feet) clean surf that greeted the opening day was certainly good for surfing but with bigger waves forecast in the coming days along with an extremely favourable forecast for surf in the coming week organizers are keen to run the event in the very best and biggest surf and expect to be off and running first thing tomorrow morning.
“It’s very contestable out there today but both myself and ASP Head Judge Richie Porta agree that with better waves likely tomorrow we’re keen to begin this special event on a real high” said contest director Dane Jordan.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us to run the trials final this morning and then let all the competitors really free surf the waves today and further familiarize themselves with the point break here and be primed for an excellent start.”
An opening ceremony was enjoyed by all surfers at the famous point this morning and shortly after eight of Sri Lanka’s finest surfers competed for two prized wild-card positions into the event. The standard of the Sri Lankan boys surprised many of the media and officials at this event but not head judge Richard Porta who has visited the break on a number of occasions over the past 18 months.
Asanka : photo ASP/Robertson
“ Our international panel of ASP judges judged their final today and there were some legitimate 6 point rides in the mix of scores so that gives you an idea that they know how to perform – tomorrows heats will be exciting for all” added Porta.
Local restaurateur Asanka along with fellow Arugam Bay surfer Milan were the winners of the two sponsored wild-cards into the event while a number of other Sri Lankan surfers have taken positions into round one heats.
The free surfing performances have been spectacular and the wave looks to be living up to it’s reputation as a superb performance break. All is ready to begin, internet facilities are in-place and we expect to beam out a super quality webcast from this tropical paradise remote location.
The webcast site link is located on the front page of aspworldtour.com.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro will be live webcast and will include a quality produced and globally distributed television show along with television newsfeeds distributed internationally throughout the event as well as highest quality digital images focusing on the event, the environment, wildlife and of course the abundance of surf from the region.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro is made possible thanks to SriLankan Airlines; Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Lanka Sportreizen, Dialog, Arugam Bay Beach Wear, Billabong and ASP Australasia
source:
http://www.globalsurfnews.com/news.asp?Id_news=47252
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Voted as the numero uno surf destination in the Asian zone by Floating Asia, Arugam Bay will now host an international surf tournament from June 18 to 24. The event is spearheaded by SriLankan Airlines and will feature 128 competitors from all parts of the globe including USA, Australia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, UK, Germany etc.
The contestants comprise former champions as well as some of the best surfers in the world.
Their moves will be graded by 22 internationally recognized surfing referees.
The event is conducted by the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP), the global governing body for surfing. They are the key players in putting together world class surfing events like the World Championship Tour alias the ASP World Tour.
Strolling along the sandy beaches, basking in the golden sun and feeling the salty breeze ruffle your hair maybe a part of the deal when you hit on the nearby beaches but, more is in store for you if you visit Arugam Bay. The wondrous strip of golden sand was not only recognized as one of the country’s wonders by locals but it has been hailed as Asia’s top most surf destination.
Located in the dry zone of Sri Lanka’s South-East coast, shrouded by the wide spread wetlands, lagoons and jungles encompassing a variety of flora and fauna lies Arugam Bay, a fishing village two and a half kilometers south of Pottuvil. The area belongs to the Ampara district.
Overall humid climate prevails at Arugam Bay. A slight breeze sweeps by from the North-East. Usually, showers are expected in September and October. The surfing season is at its peak between June and October. This is when many holidaymakers and surfers hit the beach. Diving is also a favourite pastime with visitors because the area comprises many ship-wrecks that are a challenge to explore. You can also catch sight of wild elephants in the long, deserted beach leading down to Crocodile Rock.
Fishing and farming are the main occupations at Arugam Bay. Continue reading ‘Sri Lankan Airlines Pro Surf 2010 @ Arugambay’
(1)Day one of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay was officially placed on-hold as contest organizers await an expected good pulse in swell tomorrow to begin the first ever ASP event in Sri Lanka.
Arugam Bay. Main Point
The consistent 1m (3 to 4 feet) clean surf that greeted the opening day was certainly good for surfing but with bigger waves forecast in the coming days along with an extremely favourable forecast for surf in the coming week organizers are keen to run the event in the very best and biggest surf and expect to be off and running first thing tomorrow morning.
“It’s very contestable out there today but both myself and ASP Head Judge Richie Porta agree that with better waves likely tomorrow we’re keen to begin this special event Continue reading ‘SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay set to begin tomorrow with Sri Lankan wild-cards decided’
….A also a paradise for party- and wild animals as well:
ARUGAM BAY !
Anyone crossing the bridge will realise immediately that Arugam Bay, if only because of its unique weather conditions, is an ideal holiday location. This particular corner of the island is protected from the west monsoon by the natural barrier of the mountain ridge around Monaragala and the great Pottuvil Lagoon acts just as effectively as a shield against the east monsoon. These factors working together explain why this particular region enjoys an average of 330 days of sunshine each year – something which will not be found anywhere else in Asia.
One of the 330 sunsets in a single year
The region is favoured with two major rivers and is therefore never in danger of becoming too arid.
These unusual geographic conditions together with the winds and currents around the coast were first discovered and recognised by surfers in the 1960s and the region quickly became one of the top ten most popular surfing venues in the world. From the end of March until the beginning of October and even for a few days in November, water temperatures range from between 24 and 28 degrees (no need for neoprene suits) and with waves reaching 5 metres the conditions are ideal for surfing. No sharks have ever been sighted in these waters, but occasionally wild elephants from the neighbouring national park have been observed in close proximity to the beaches.
After the discovery of the ideal “right hand” surf break at Surf Points, a number of other equally attractive surfing locations became popular.
Arugam Bay seems to work like a magnet and there are many visitors who come back year after year.
The last 30 years of bitter civil war have not stopped dedicated surfers from returning every year and it is this community that has kept the small coastal town alive.
Surfers and security forces were always good friends
The hippies of the past have now all gone a little grey and mutated to a respectable regular clientele, but they add in their own special way to the fascinating atmosphere of this place. These days, they still join in with about a thousand or so happy visitors who come to take part in the 48 hour Arugam Bay “Full Moon Parties” that provide a more spontaneous alternative to the now stage managed so-called “Happenings” in Koh Phangan or Goa.
Arugam's FMP revival
And who would be surprised to learn that, in spite of the worst Tsunami disaster on record, an International Surf Championship took place here in July 2005 with competitors from Australia, England, South Africa and Israel. Many locations now have shops specialising in providing equipment for water sports and a complete outfit can be hired for as little as 500 Rs per day.
It is not only the ocean that provides opportunities for surfing, you can also surf the internet and here you will find more discussion groups and visitor communities dealing with Arugam Bay than any other place in Sri Lanka. Some examples are: Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay – A Paradise for Surfers’
(0)By Steve A. Morrell
….Arugam Bay would be Top of the list …..
Arugam Bay, East Sri Lanka will be an exotic location in the next few days. Specifically 18th through 24th June. It will be the Sri Lankan Air Lines Pro 2010 tournament, for surfers. Approximately 128 competitors are expected to compete at Arugam Bay this year.
Sri Lankan Airlines Sponsor of Arugam Bay Main Point Events
Sri Lankan Air Lines CEO Manoj Gunawardena at the press conference this week said through its support competitors to Arugam Bay this year would be flown in on Sri Lankan Air Ways flights. Attendant facilities afforded to competitors to commute to Arugam Bay from Katunayake would be available and such facilities will complement modalities already in place to ensure its success. Expectations are that extensive support from Sri Lankan would point to systematic support that the competition could be successfully continued and effectively completed.
Arugam Bay's Beach. Busy at the Point. Quiet, romantic and tranquil elsewhere
Questioned by the press, on the number of aircraft deployed for competitors, Gunawardena said present fleet strength will not be stretched because only about 130 competitors are expected and this number would not stress flight schedules.
According to the tourist Board however Continue reading ‘National carrier plans to add one aircraft a year to fleet=Sponsors international surfing event at Arugam Bay’
Welcoming all surf maniacs and beach souls!!!
The Association of Surfing Professionals have chosen Arugam Bay, one of Sri Lanka’s most beautiful locations to conduct this year’s World Qualifying Series competition.
Participation of 128 world class competitors representing Australia, USA, Germany, Portugal, Costa Rica, Ireland, Italy, Indonesia, Hawaii, South Africa, Great Britain, Japan, Puerto Rico, France, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, New Zealand and Tahiti has increased the attractiveness of the event.
The event will be web cast live and a television show along with television news feeds will be distributed internationally throughout the event.
UndergrounD http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31946148801&ref=ts
and Offshore Life http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=19450228912&ref=ts
together with
The SVH – Siam View Hotel in Arugam Bay www.arugam.com/ are hosting a whole week of parties & chill out sessions every night featuring some of Colombo’s coolest Djs beginning on the 19th & climaxing in a pre full moon celebration on the 24th of June @ the end of the world qualifying surf week.
Chill out is on the cards for the 25th although everything is flexibly planned and it may well turn into another all nighter! An after party for all hard core party animals the next night is a possibility too! 
In addition, Siam View Hotel will televise all FIFA world cup games, live, throughout the week on big screens with surround sound, overlooking the main surf point. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay Surf Week Parties’
(0)Hi Everyone,
Im finally arrived to Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka after 8 long hours on the road for only 300km (that was the longest 300km in my life)
On the road i was traveling with Nathan Edge,his brother and Aritz.The driver was really cool and he was speaking perfect english…
The road was really hard between jungle and busy traffic in town,everyone here drive really crazy,not fast but everyone overtaking no matter if an other car or truck coming on the other side.
The country is really beautiful and people are really friendly,we stop on the good local restaurant for lunch,with good SPICY CURRY CHIKEN and amazing tea..perfect 1st meal!!!!!!!
We also see maybe 10 elephants and a views monkey on the side of the road,i was so stocked to see some elephants,they were really fat!!!
I’m arrived at the sunset at my hotel, the hotel is really nice place just on the beach and maybe 20min walk to the famous spot or ARUGAM BAY!!!This morning the waves were nice,small but no wind and good warm-up!!
The contest start tomorrow, i’m surfing heat 22 so maybe no contest for me tomorrow….
i think it’s gone be a funny trip!!!
see ya
romain
source:
http://romaincloitre.blogspot.com/2010/06/road-to-arugam-bay.html
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- Twenty-one-year-old Australian Julian Wilson is the sort of dynamic surfer for whom the new World Tour qualifying procedures seem tailor-made. An explosive competitor who has twice beaten Kelly Slater at the World Tour level — thanks to Quiksilver-provided wildcard berths Wilson also boasts the sort of well-rounded, aerial-infused arsenal that modern surf stars are made of.
It was such dynamic surfing that was to blame back in January, when Wilson suffered a Grade 2 sprain of his anterior talofibular ligament while freesurfing with Dane Reynolds and Dusty Payne in Ventura, Calif. The injury put a solid dent in his 2010 Worl Tour campaign, as well as sidelined him toward the business end of his soon-to-be-released movie, “Scratching The Surface.”
Nevertheless, Wilson’s on the comeback trail. Last month he competed in Brazil and the U.S., and he’s heading to the ASP 6-Star Sri Lankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay with a wildcard in hand. ESPN Surfing caught up with him, en route.
How did it feel to get back to competition last month?
Well, I was fortunate enough to get a sponsor’s wildcard into Lowers and then went down to Brazil to do the Rio 6 Star. It was great to get back in a contest rashie, but I didn’t feel too confident. I was still surfing around the event sites to prepare myself as much as possible.
- With Wilson, “no hands” rarely means “no lands.”
So you’ve been slowly climbing back since the injury. Did you feel your level of surfing was on par with the finalists of those events?
- Twenty-one-year-old Australian Julian Wilson is the sort of dynamic surfer for whom the new World Tour qualifying procedures seem tailor-made. An explosive competitor who has twice beaten Kelly Slater at the World Tour level — thanks to Quiksilver-provided wildcard berths Wilson also boasts the sort of well-rounded, aerial-infused arsenal that modern surf stars are made of.
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Yeah, on par with the finalists for sure. I don’t know about everyone else, but at Star and PRIME events, you always think you could of beaten the guy who won the final!
Next up is the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro. How does Arugam Bay suit your style of progressive, limits-pushing surfing?
I have never been but from what I’ve heard it can be a very rippable righthand point. I don’t know any natural footer who wouldn’t be excited about the prospect of that.
Your ankle injury required surgery to repair? How has the road to recovery been?
It took longer than I thought. Continue reading ‘Julian Wilson on the comeback trail’
A large assembly of dedicated Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) athletes are now making their way to the exotic south east coastline of Sri Lanka for the inaugural ASP six star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro which is set to begin on Friday at Arugam Bay.
It’s the first ever ASP event in Sri Lanka as ASP Australasia breaks new ground venturing into a territory that holds fascination with stories dating back to the 1970′s of pioneering surfers finding super consistent and perfect waves on this lush island.
The June monsoonal winds and a very active winter Indian Ocean combine to make Arugam Bay the surf location that it is and the field descending on the break this week will put the wave to the test like never before as they chase essential six star rating points and a prize pool of $US145 000!
Elite world tour surfers Drew Courtney, Dan Ross and Blake Thornton head the field with an array of international talent like recent six star winner Aritz Aranburu (Spain), former ASP world champion Sunny Garcia (Hawaii), South Africa’s David Weare, Masotoshi Ohno from Japan, Richard Christie (NZ) and Alan Stokes (UK) to name just a few of the surfers heading for this wave.
Even the contest organizers are uncertain what to expect from Arugam Bay however contest director Dane Jordan from ASP Australasia is optimistic the venue will deliver.
“I’ve spent five days there in three years preparing for this event and I have seen it break with excellent shape and consistency.
” I’ve surfed the break and it’s a super high performance wave – I’m not so familiar to know the exact prime swell directions, tides, winds and all else but indications are there’s a 17 second period 8 feet south swell forecast for Saturday and I’m imagining that could be an ideal starting point” exclaimed Jordan.
“I’ll liaise closely with a good bunch of local surfers and we have a very healthy waiting period to get the best out of this and the rest we’ll leave to the surfers who I know will shred the daylight out of these waves.”
Jordan also announced the final make -up of the wild card surfers into this event headed by exciting Japanese surfer Osawa Nobuyuki and backed up by equally exciting Australian’s Mitch Colborne, Davey Cathels and Chris Friend.
Extra wild-cards will be awarded to Sri Lankan surfers who will compete under an ASP assisted trials for these positions.
Asanka, widely regarded as the number 1 surfer in Sr iLanka and also owner of the restaurant and land right on the point is a favourite to take one of these positions and in his best English commented on the opportunity and the event saying -
“I think good the tournament for our boys!
“All the local boys are happy.
“It gives us chance to make our surfing better .
“Also for rest of Sri Lanka to see how good our boys surf and how much surfing good for country.”
Like all new locations that ASP surfers explore, there will be rich and positive sharing’s of all things surfing in a quality event that should benefit all.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro will be live webcast and will include a quality produced and globally distributed television show along with television newsfeeds distributed internationally throughout the event as well as highest quality digital images focusing on the event, the environment, wildlife and of course the abundance of surf from the region.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro is made possible thanks to SriLankan Airlines; Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Lanka Sportreizen, Dialog, Billabong and ASP Australasia
While the surfers pray for ideal conditions, the kiters pray for WIND.
/kitesurfsrilanka.blogspot.com
Ok, lets come to compromise…wind in the afternoons at least in Arugam Bay. Pretty excited to witness a star studded event in Arugam Bay this weekend. Its epic and great for Sri Lanka. Hope it might not bring too much publicity or else we might have to share the waves with every Tom, Dick and Harry! Life….
In other news, be prepared for a Fun Kiting Event powered by Faith Kiteboarding to be held on the 26th of June in Kalpitiya.
Got to pack the bags now, see you guys in heaven – AKA Arugam Bay!
source:
http://kitesurfsrilanka.blogspot.com/2010/06/warning-kitesurfers-might-steal-asp.html
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Surfplugs is proud to report that we have donated enough money from Surfplugs sales to fund a new village well project in Sri Lanka. Tim Tanton, founder of the Paddle4Relief charity has said:
‘Arugam Bay Surf Club have managed to lease some land on the beach front, we will soon be building a surf club and are fortunate to have a well on the land. Your donation will go towards the regeneration of an unused, dirty and contaminated well and it will be named SURFPLUGS!’
source:
http://surfplugs.blogspot.com/2010/06/arugam-bay-well-project-sri-lanka.html
A large assembly of dedicated Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) athletes are now making their way to the exotic south east coastline of Sri Lanka for the inaugural ASP six star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro which is set to begin on Friday at Arugam Bay.
Sri Lanka is getting ready to surf its way up with two international surf festivals organised to be held next month.
Tourists surfing at Arugam Bay
Managing Director of Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Dileep Mudadeniya told Daily FT yesterday that two surf competitions will be held next month at Arugam Bay attracting 300 surf lovers.
“There will be a British Pro Surf competition in the first week of July and the next week will be dedicated to an international level surfing competition,” Mudadeniya said.
The British Pro Surfing Competition is set to attract 75 to 100 British nationals and the Five Star Surfing Championship will attract 200 persons from 15 to 20 countries. The Five Star Championship will be held from 18 to 25 July.
“This is a world quality event and Sri Lanka tourism can attend a large mileage from organizing such events. And the regional empowerment is also vital. The local economic development is set to score high with so many people coming down in one month,” Mudadeniya asserted.
Some 200 rooms, all there is available in the area, have been already booked for the event.
Arugam Bay is on the list of the top 10 surf points in the world. Situated on the South East side of Sri Lanka Arugam Bay receives the same Antarctic winter swell’s that hit Indonesia in the in the middle of the year.
The best time of the year is between May and November when the predominant wind is offshore for at least the first half of the day.
source:
http://www.dailymirror.lk/print/index.php/business/127-local/12964.html
It’s not long since our last post, but I realised after speaking to my sister last night and listening to her laugh that you might appreciate some photographic evidence of our local frog problem. As Stu described in his last post, we have been arguing with a large local family of frogs about whether or not squatters rights apply in Sri Lanka. We are fairly insistent that they move on, but they clearly felt that they’ve been here for a while (the house has been empty for at least 3 months) and have been strongly resisting any attempts to move them on.
After having turfed the whole family out once already by shooing them out through the front door only for them to re-emerge through one of the open windows hours later, we decided that something a little more drastic was needed. Continue reading ‘Frogs in a bag @ Arugam Bay’
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