Kuta-Bali, 7 July 2011 – The Bali’s Big Eco Weekend Festival supported by Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia and Quiksilver was officially opened by Governor of Bali Made Mangku Pastika on July 2nd 2011 in Kuta Beach, Bali. The event was conducted over the weekend to educate the public and heighten awareness of the environmental challenges in Bali. Also attending and giving an encouraging speech was the Inspector General of Minister for Tourism and Culture I Gusti Putu Laksaguna who was also very supportive of the event.
The opening ceremony also attended by surfer legends Mark Richards, Martin Potter, Cheyne Horan and Jake Paterson. Peter Kelly, President Director of CCAI and Paul Hutson CEO of PT Quiksilver Asia Pasific also attended the ceremony and accompanied the government and community leaders in the occasion.
Right after the opening ceremony, a very exciting Lifesaver Race done by the Balawista (beach life guards) was held on the beach. As part of its Bali Beach Clean Up program, both Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia (CCAI) and Quiksilver (QS) also support the Balawista to promote the safety of beach goers by providing them with professional outfit as well as safety equipment. Approximately 80 Balawista from different beaches joined this race.
Upon completion of the race, Governor of Bali inaugurated the Eco Village where 25 Bali based NGOs focused on environmental issues showcased their programs that contributes to the Bali Clean and Green province initiative. Head of Environmental Agency, A.A.Gde Alit Sastrawan stated, “The Eco Village was amazing. I truly amazed with the concern and effort they put together concerning the environmental issues in Bali. This village and yesterday’s Bali Clean and Green forum could really help the government in realizing the Bali Clean and Green action plan.”
In the afternoon, event continued to Kuta Beach Sea Turtle Conservation (KBSTC) where surfing legends Mark Richards, Martin Potter, and Jake Paterson joined the crowd to see the little fellows safely off into their natural environment in the sea. Developed by CCAI and QS, the KBSTC was formed as a response to community’s concern lead by Agung Tresna and Wayan from Pro Fauna NGOs over the high human traffic in Kuta area that could harm the sea turtles nesting and breeding in the location. Apparently, with cleaner beaches more sea turtles have come back to the Kuta beach. Aaround 2,500 people involved and were very excited specially children to see the turtle released and race to the sea.
The day one evening’s entertainment included music by the Hydrant, a Mark Richards Surfboard giveaway and other prizes, then finishing up with the surf movies Storm Riders starring and Kelly Slater (Evolution of a Champion) under the moonlight on the beach. The Storm Riders movie is a semi-documentary movie about Mark Richards came to Indonesia in 70s for the first time and introduced the spectacular waves in Bali, Padang and Mentawai to the surfing world industry.
The day two Bali’s Big Eco Weekend started with beaches clean up with CCAI and QS’s staffs, local communities and tourists led by “Bendesa- Head of Villages”. The Bali beaches clean up started at 7 am at Kedonganan and Jimbaran beach followed by same activities at Kuta Legian and Seminyak at 1 pm on the same day. Around 1,250 people involved and resulted in total 1,700 kg waste collected. During this activity the participant also collected amazing amount of cigarette butts in the beaches.
At the end of a tense 25-minute final at the Quiksilver King of the Groms (KOG) competition later on day 2 at Kuta Beach, Quiksilver’s 14-year-old super grom Andre Julian claimed his second consecutive King of the Groms title, besting Angga Bayu in a testing battle of patience and wave selection to win another trip to Hossegot France to compete in the King of The Groms International Final that will take place in October of this year. Over 60 grommets (young surfers in their teens and below) signed up in this year competition. Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia supported the KOG as part of its Indonesia Surfing Championship (ISC) Tour sponsorship that demonstrates CCAI’s commitment to supporting and promoting a healthy active lifestyle through sports and inspiring young and dynamic people to fulfill their dreams.
Finally, Bali’s Big Eco Weekend ended and managed to attract around 15,000 people involved from Bali Clean and Green Multi stakeholder Networking for Solutions Forum, Eco Village, Life Saver Race, King of The Groms (Young Surfer Competition), Surfer Legend vs Local Surfer Competition, Surfboard Painting Competition, Bali Beaches Clean Up, Turtle Releases and closed by Music Performance from Bondan Prakoso and Fade2Black. CCAI and Quiksilver thank to all sponsors: Garuda Indonesia, Harris Resort Hotel, Indomultimedia and Bendesa Adat. Together we can make a difference and turn Bali Clean and Green become reality, see you next year!
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