(Malaysia, December 19, 2008): Bright sun and clear skies combined with 2-3 foot waves peeling down the sand bottomed point break opened up the Billabong Pro Am today at the small east coast town of Cherating.
The first heat of the Men’s Open Division paddled out at just after 9 am, and by 1 pm their 12 heats had been completed and the 24 remaining stoked contestants celebrated their entry into round two with a big lunch at the tents set up along what is possibly the cleanest white sand beach in this part of South East Asia.
Over 90 contestants from Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, the US, and even Egypt signed up for the three day event to compete in five divisions, Men’s Open, Grommets (under 16 years of age), Women’s, Masters, and Bodyboarding.
With tons of great prizes up for grabs the competition is friendly but fierce, so the spectators on the beach were treated to some great action from those that won their heats today, and tomorrow’s rounds with get even more intense the closer they get to the finals on Sunday.
Of special note was the entry into the Master Division of one of the first pioneers to begin surfing Cherating some 20 years ago. Tim Brent handily won his heat today and carried his victory grin back to the beach with him, saying ” I have a very special place in my heart for this place and this wave. It’s so much fun to come back here and surf with the old crew, I’m really enjoying myself.”
Billabong’s Marketing Manager for South East Asia Peter Thew was also very pleased with the first day of the event. “Khairil (Ibrahim) and his crew have done a great job putting everything together here, and the support of the government and the locals have topped it off. It’s great to see so many surfers and spectators here, to see how surfing is really progressing here in Malaysia. It’ll be a great weekend, with surfing, music, and lots of camaraderie,” he said excitedly.
All the first rounds in each division were completed today with the expectation that tomorrow will complete the second and third rounds, leaving the grand finals for Sunday. The South China Sea is currently cooperating with consistent 2-3 foot waves, but it is anticipated that there will be an increase in size over the next several days, adding another element of excitement to the competition.
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