22 April 2013, Katiet-Mentawai Islands: After arriving at the stunningly beautiful tropical seaside village of Katiet in the world famous wave playground of the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia at mid day today, the contestants and support crew of the Asian Surfing Championships and Rip Curl joined the locals and a host of government officials in the official opening ceremony for the Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl this afternoon as the waves of Lances Right rolled across the coral reef in the background.
In the opening speech by the Head of the Department of Culture, Tourism and Sport for the Mentawai Islands Mrs. Desti Seminora welcomed the contestants and thanked the various dignitaries including the governor of West Sumatra Mr. Irwan Prayitno for attending and supporting this Premium Grade Asian Surfing Championship sanctioned international surfing event, in which Asia’s top 16 professional surfers, 7 special international invitees and one Mentawai local surfer will compete at the world class wave of Lances Right for a total prize purse of $8,000 USD, $2,500 going to the winner.
The Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl will run from today April 22nd until April 28th.
Governor Payitno in his speech described the various tourism attributes and natural resources that are abundant in the Mentawai Islands, while acknowledging that currently the number one tourism draw is definitely surfing. He said to the audience, “When I’ve asked tourists before if they have ever been to West Sumatra theIR usual reply is no. However, then they say, ‘But I’ve been to the Mentawai’s surfing before!’” This drew a big laugh and round of applause. He continued, “I hope with continuing to support surfing competitions and other tourism efforts we can show the world that we have the best surfing in the world but also diving, culture and many diverse flora and fauna as well.”
After several more speeches it was time for the ceremonial beating of the drum, which all the dignitaries as well as Tipi Jabrik from the Asian Surfing Championships, Rip Curl Indonesia CEO Jeff Anderson and Marketing Manager James Hendy, and Rip Curl International’s François Payot joined in to officially open the Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl.
In addition to the opening ceremony, there was a tree planting and a tour of the contest site including the judge tower, where the governor and crew got to watch the surfers get a few waves in before the sunset.
Tomorrow will be a free surfing day to allow the contestants to get to know the wave and enjoy this postcard perfect wave paradise, with the plan of running the local trials on Wednesday, where the remaining wildcard spot will be decided.
The Mentawai Pro presented by Rip Curl is sponsored by the Government of West Sumatra, the Tourism Department of the Mentawai Islands, Tourism Indonesia, Andalas Internet, Indies Explorer, and Losman Ombak, with media support by Magicseaweed, Surftime Magazine, Juice, Lines Magazine, Balibelly.tv, and Baliwaves.com.
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