BANGSAL BEACH, Sanur, Bali (Thursday, May 13, 2010) – 33 year old Pepen Hendrik electrified the fans on the beach and blitzed his opponent Dedi Santoso today in the 30 minute final of the Rusty Rumble in Da Jungle 6-star Coca-Cola ISC Tour event at Rangkan Beach in Bali with an incredible display of committed and aggressive surfing in perfect 5-6 foot waves. Hendrik now sits atop the 2010 Men’s Pro Division rankings after two tour events.
Hendrik not only claimed the contest win and its paycheck of Rp 12. 5 million, but also nabbed the Coca-Cola Best Wave Award (Rp 1 million), and the Sabre Best Barrel Award (Rp 2 million), netting him a combined payday of Rp 15.5 million (USD 1,700) for the event. In addition, Hendrik has the distinction of gaining the highest combined wave score of the event (17.5), as well as highest single wave score of the event, a near perfect 9.5 out of a possible 10, all in the final 30 minute heat.
Back on the beach after the final Hendrik was all smiles when asked about his performance, saying “It was so fun out there! The good ones just kept popping up in front of me, and I just had to go for all of them. I had a great time and couldn’t be any happier winning today. I’m going to be 33 years old in a couple of days, so this win is a great early birthday present. I haven’t won an ISC comp in about three years I guess, and to get a win against these younger guys is a bit of a surprise.”
And the conditions? “Getting waves like this in a final is a dream come true. The previous couple days were a bit smaller and very challenging, but waves like this for a final….Perfect. After I get my trophy I’m going home now to start celebrating,” Hendrik added laughing.
Runner up Dedi Santoso had big grin on his face as well, commenting on Hendrik’s near perfect wave saying, “I saw that wave doubling up and watched Pepen take off, and I thought it was a good one. He disappeared for quite a while and then I heard the 9.5 score from the MC and that I was combo’d, so I knew I had some work to do! Pepen knows this wave really well and I’m not surprised he took it out…he deserved to win. I’m happy with my second place finish for sure. There were such great waves today for the final and I got a couple of good ones, so I’m satisfied with my performance. Anytime you’re in a final, it’s a great feeling.” Santosa finished last year in the number 4 spot in the Coca-Cola ISC Tour rankings, and is currently unsponsored.
Besides the finalists, Rusty Indonesia’s GM Kane Faint was the other happiest man on the beach. “Today’s final was just incredible, far beyond my expectations. Yesterday was a lay day and the waves were pretty small all around the island, but towards sunset the waves started sizing up a more so I thought we would get some decent waves, but nothing like what we saw here today. Between the wave conditions and the level of competition, especially the final between Pepen and Dedi, I don’t see how it could’ve been any better. A truly epic Rumble in Da Jungle and the best one so far. Can’t wait to see what will happen next year!”
Today’s action also included the running of the Coca-Cola ISC Tour’s Masters (over age 35) Division. A total of 10 veteran surfers signed up to take on the pounding reef break, and after three heats and two semifinals there were 4 remaining to vie for the cash and the trophies.
Last event’s Masters winner Wayan Budayasa got off to a slow start but a late charge vaulted him into the lead over Ketut “Kombong” Juliarta, who appeared to have the final all sewn up. Dede Hui, who had broken a board on his first wave of the heat and had to paddle in and borrow another to finish the final, took third spot. Last year’s Masters Champion Wayan Widiarta on his backhand couldn’t seem to find his rhythm and finished in fourth.
Today was the fifth day of the 6th annual Rusty Rumble in Da Jungle event, with the last three having been held primarily at Bangsal Beach in Sanur and also at a backup location deep in “Da Jungle” near Rangkan Beach on the east coast of Bali. This event was special as it included a new technological advance in the form of live scoring posted to the Coca-Cola ISC Tour website and live video being shown on a big screen at the event site. Spectators could view the action in the shade with cool drinks, courtesy of Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia.
According to ISC CEO Tipi Jabrik, “We want everybody, locals and the international audience alike, to be able to check out the great action at all of our events, so this is our first big step. We hope that as better technology becomes available, we can put it in place as soon as possible. Great moments like we had in the final today need to be shared with everyone!”
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Rusty Rumble in Da Jungle Contest Results
Men’s Open Division
1 – Pepen Hendrik
2 – Dedi Santoso
3 – Raditya Rondi
3 – Putra Hermawan
Master’s Division
1 – Wayan Budayasa
2 – Ketut Juliarta
3 – Dede Hui
4 – Wayan Widiarta
Sabre Best Barrel Award = Pepen Hendrik
Coca-Cola ISC Best Wave Award = Pepen Hendrik
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Attached photo credit: Freedom Photoworks. For high-res images contact [email protected]
Text by: Tim Hain, Coca-Cola ISC Tour
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