Sri Lanka’s hidden pearl
ASP Winner Julian Wilson enjoying a cool blonde after his victory
Julian and his supporters
The real party kicked off after the departure of the ASP winner Julian and lasted until sunrise. Sadly, our hero had to catch a flight the same night following his epic win at Arugam Bay
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Asp Winner Julian WILSON. Congratulated here by his youngest fan. Arugam Bay born Miss Leila
Australian Julian WILSON won the ASP Surf Contest at Arugam Bay today.
Perfect waves, beautiful settings and actions all round.
Residents of our remote, underdeveloped little Bay hereby congratulate Julian and thank him for coming to show his skills in this poor part of Sri Lanka.
More photos from ‘behind the world media scenes are appended below.
Julian Wilson enjoying his time in Sri Lanka! © 2010 - ASP/Robertson
Press release – ARUGAM Bay Sri Lanka: Right on cue a long range ground swell filled into the unique point break at Arugam Bay as many of the world’s top Association of Professional Surfers excelled in the perfection as quarter-finalists were decided in the SriLankan Airlines Pro.
For the fourth consecutive day wild-card surfer Julian Wilson (AUS) posted the highest heat win disposing of fellow Australia Adam Robertson in emphatic style. Continue reading ‘Quarter Finalists Decided at Arugam’
Dede Suryana : image courtesy Sri Lankan Airlines Pro
“the wave is really good here, like Cimaja but longer and even more rippable for turns.”
Kuta-Bali — 2008 Coca-Cola ISC Pro Surfing Champion Dede Suryana from West Java is making big news with an impressive display of radical surfing at the 6 Star ASP World Tour SriLanakan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka.
Suryana hails from the small coastal town of Cimaja in West Java, about 5 hours drive away from Indonesia’s capital city of Jakarta, but considers Bali as his second home as he spends a lot of time here surfing and competing.
After his first round heat win (Round of 96), Suryana was elated with his result. He favorably compared the Arugam Bay wave to his hometown break of Cimaja where he first learned to surf saying
“the wave is really good here, like Cimaja but longer and even more rippable for turns.”
After winning the first heat, he went on to place second in the second round and then further impressed the media team that is reporting the event by winning his third round heat, scoring a total of 15.03 points for his top two waves, a score bested only by Australian wunderkind Julian Wilson who racked up a 15.60 (out of a possible 20 points).
In an interview later Suryana said, “it is such a great wave and I’m getting more and more to know how the wave breaks and I really feel confident out there.” Continue reading ‘Indonesia’s Dede Suryana lighting up in Arugambay’
Yet another splendid day of surfing in sweltering heat on Sri Lanka’s lush south east coastline with the round of 24 completed and now just 16 surfers remain in the Association of Surfing Professionals 6-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro.
Indonesia’s Dede Suryana was again in outstanding form and the 24 year-old west Javanese surfer is enthusiastic about his chances here.
“It is such a great wave and I’m getting more and more to know how the wave breaks and I really feel confident out there” said Suryana after his impressive heat win defeating South Africa’s Ricky Basnett. Continue reading ‘Final 16 surfers decided as Arugam Bay continues to pump at the SriLankan Airlines Pro’
The Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) world tour is currently on at Arugam Bay point break on the east coast, under the banner ‘SriLankan Airlines Pro 2010’. Arugam Bay which was recently voted as Asia’s top most surf destination by Floating Asia, has attracted some of the world’s best surfers, from premium surfing destinations: the United States, Australia, Spain, Portugal, New Zealand, Britain, Germany and Japan, to the ‘Sri Lankan Airlines Pro 2010’ ASP Tour.
Among those riding the swell is Julian Wilson from Australia, who is considered to be among the “world’s most progressive, fast emerging, new-age surfers capable of outstanding performances in all conditions.” Continue reading ‘Surfing World’s super stars in Arugam Bay’
Australia's Sunshine Coast Daily reports
THEY have performed admirably so far but there is still a long way to go for the Sunshine Coast’s hopefuls at the Sri Lankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay.
Julian Wilson, Chris Friend and Mitch Coleborn have progressed to the round of 24 at the Six Star ASP World Tour event.
Twin Waters’ Friend will face Maroochydore’s Coleborn in the first heat of the round today, while Coolum’s Wilson will attempt to progress to the round of 16 later today.
Wilson said he was ecstatic to progress so far into the event, his first major competition since overcoming an ankle injury.
“Great waves here and the quality of surfing now we’ve hit the final 24 is stepping up,” he said. Continue reading ‘So far so good at Arugam Bay’
Nat Young enjoying a superb wave as he comfortably wins his round two heat at Arugam Bay. Photo courtesy ASP Australasia/Robertson
“What a place for a contest” : Arugam Bay !
Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay: Fantastic conditions at Arugam Bay for day three of the Association of Surfing Professionals six-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro.
A slight drop in swell with waves at 3 to 5 feet (1.5m) but perfectly angled on this incredible point break set-up saw the world’s top surfers shredding the long clean perfect waves as round two was completed and the field is now down to the final 24 surfers.
Number one seed Drew Courtney summed up the feeling of all the surfers competing here after advancing through his heat.
“What a place for a contest,” exclaimed Courtney.
The waves line-up superbly on this point and it’s like a machine peeling through with section after section standing up and allowing major moves – I love the place – the people, the wild-life, everything about Sri Lanka” added Courtney.
There were no major surprises today with all Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay Turns On For SriLankan Airlines Pro’
Arugam Bay turns on perfect waves for day 3 of the SriLankan Airlines Pro!
Sri Lanka, Arugam Bay: Fantastic conditions at Arugam Bay for day three of the Association of Surfing Professionals six-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro.
A slight drop in swell with waves at 3 to 5 feet (1.5m) but perfectly angled on this incredible point break set-up saw the world’s top surfers shredding the long clean perfect waves as round two was completed and the field is now down to the final 24 surfers. Continue reading ‘Arugam Bay turns on perfect waves for day 3 of the SriLankan Airlines Pro!’
(2)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’
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.
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’
(0)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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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?
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?
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’
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
(0)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
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