Monthly Archive for September, 2011

….. Arugam Bay is becoming a global surfing destination …..

By Naushad Amit

Sri Lankans only see surfing, the fascinating sport where an individual can be seen battling huge waves on a board, on the television from time to time. But as at this year many a local know what surfing is and how the sport is being leveled.

Sarah Mason of New Zealand in action in the semi-final of the 6Star Women’s World Tour against finalist Lakey Peterson of the USA. (Pix by Amila Prabodha)

The SriLankan Airlines Pro Surfing competition held last week and the initiative in 2010 in Arugam Bay has made a huge impact in promoting the water sport in the country. But even during the period of then war surfing was evidently a great attraction for the locals in the tourist areas such as Bentota and Hikkaduwa in the southern coastal belt and in Negombo towards the northwest. Sri Lankans would have never thought that surfing will have a massive global interest, especially in Arugam Bay in the eastern coast. Arugam Bay is a place that was battered by the three-decade long ethnic war. The area was further hampered by the devastating tsunami in 2004, making the location even vulnerable.

Almost a decade ago, the tourists took the risk in visiting the location with their heavy packs which included a surfing board though locals feared to travel to Arugam Bay. These visits by the foreigners who regarded Arugam Bay as a perfect location for surfing opened doors to the youths in the area who were traditional fishermen.

A young set of youngsters, eight years back from now formed the Arugam Bay Surf Club (ABSC) scenting surfing had the potential to build up their lives. The surfers of Arugam Bay still do fishing for a living for six months and during the off period of the year which turns out as the best for surfing they engage in the water sport in different way; helping out the tourists and at the same time competing at local tournaments.

Victorious Duane Desoto being carried by his friends soon after the final duel against Taylor Jensen of the USA.

“Even during the war lot of tourists came to Arugam Bay and the people of the area were engaged with tourism throughout the year. Today tourism is the main income source for people in Arugam Bay Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay reaching out as a water sport destination’