29 July, 2008 – Somewhere, Indonesia: Rip Curl’s Global Marketing Manager Neil Ridgeway opened things up by welcoming everyone and thanking them for their support, assuring one and all that it would be another epic Search event.
Rip Curl Indonesia’s General Manager Jeff Anderson followed up and thanked first and foremost the ASP for bringing back a WCT event to Indonesia. Next, Indonesia’s Minister of Sports gave a short speech about how the sport of surfing is helping put Indonesia on the worldwide map.
The attendees were then treated to a Kecak dance, and those on the front row including Mick Fanning, Owen Wright, Rip Curl Global CEO Francois Payot, Kelly Slater, Tom Curren, and Pancho Sullivan had to bend backwards during part of it in order to stay out of the fire!
After the dance, the Minister of Sport banged the gong and the event was officially ON! Then a short press conference followed with Mick Fanning, Kelly Slater, Pancho Sullivan, and last but not least Indonesia’s wildcard entry, the winner of the Rip Curl Cup last Friday, Komang “Gogo” Sujaya!
It was announced that all the boys should be ready to go for a 6:30 am standby call and hopefully a 7:00 am start. The swell forecast is for double overhead plus waves on Wednesday, so should be great day of competition to kick things off.
Photos:
1. Jeff Anderson -GM Rip Curl Indonesia
2. Kedak Fire Dance
3. Mick Fanning Kelly Slater Shaking Hands with the Indonesian Sports Minister
4. Neil Ridgeway – Opening Speech
5. Local Kelly Slater Fan Club – Andrew from SurfTime, Ani from ISC, Acid from SurfTime
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