(Malaysia, December 20, 2008): The second day of the Billabong Pro Am at Chereting Beach was again blessed with great weather, excellent surfing surf conditions, and an opportunity for everyone to get in involved and try the sport of surfing at this beautiful East Malaysian surf town.
The morning started off with the Men’s Open division in glassy 2-3 foot conditions at just before 9 am, and the 6 heats of Round 2 went by very quickly, and soon the Grommets took to the water for their semi final heats, followed by the Women’s, Masters, and Bodyboard Divisions.
By 1:30 pm all the competitive surfing was completed, leaving time for the kids and families gathered on the beach an opportunity to learn a bit about surfing and give it a try themselves. With its sandy bottom and mellow breaking waves on the inside section, Cherating Beach is the perfect place to learn to surf.
MC Tai Graham called all the people together and with the help of the Billabong crew first demonstrated how to lie on the board, paddle, and then stand up. A tide pool on the beach made for an excellent practice place for paddling and getting used to the board.
Then came the moment of truth for the first-time surfers, where they were led out into the surf and each one giving time to catch a wave…and each one did! “The big smiles on these kids faces were priceless” said Graham back on the beach. “They took to it like ducks to water, showing no fear at all. It was great to watch and a really fun thing to do,” he added.
In addition to the surf clinic, the crowd was treated to a surfing expression session by three of Billabong’s pro surfers from Bali. Wayan “Kopling” Wirtama, Rahtu Suargita, and Raditya Rondi paddled and proceeded to take the waves apart to the delight of the crowd, carving big turns and boosting airs. Said Wirtama after the session, “It’s great to come to a place like this where surfing is just getting started…reminds me of Bali many years ago. The place is so nice and clean, good food and friendly people…I really like it.”
After the expression session it was announced that later tonight the excitement would continue with a great evening of entertainment at a nearby nightspot called “Little Bali”. Headlining will be Indonesian blues guitar whiz Gugun with his Blues Bug Band and then one of Malaysia’s hottest DJ’s Domingo will be spinning his best. Of course the evening will also include impromptu performances and stand-ins by the Billabong crew and some local talent.
In addition to the finals of the surfing competition tomorrow, there will be more surfing clinics, expression sessions, and finally the prize presentation on the beach in the afternoon.
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