Kudat is making a name as a surfer’s paradise, writes Olivia Miwil
FOR the last three years, surfers have been making their way to the Tip of Borneo to ride the waves.
By word of mouth, the reputation of Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat, at the northernmost tip of Borneo, has grown and things are looking up.
Tanjung Simpang Mengayau is already a popular tourist destination because of its location at the top of the Sabah map and its annual Sunset Orchestra which has attracted many visitors over the years.
LESS CROWDED
LESS CROWDED
Tapping into its potential is a band of enthusiasts who foresees the area becoming a surfers’ paradise. Surfer Ivan Tan has set up a company to promote the water sport activity at the beach located 200km from Kota Kinabalu, a three-hour drive or 30-minute flight to Kudat.
“The waves roll from about 1.5m to 2.5m high and that’s good enough for beginners to learn and for the more experienced to enjoy a good surf. The beach here is less crowded compared to those in Tanjung Aru and Likas in Kota Kinabalu and Tuaran which allows more space for surfers to glide around,” he says.
Tan says surfers are willing to travel far and wide to find a good beach to hit the waves. But for the enthusiast from Kota Kinabalu, Simpang Mengayau is his personal pick, the very reason why he decided to set up Deep Borneo Adventures four years ago.
The feedback he gets from those who have surfed at the Tip, which is also the point where South China Sea and Sulu Sea meet, is that the waves and its surrounding are ideal especially during the monsoon.
“The best time is during the south-western monsoon from June to August and north-eastern monsoon from November to February,” Tan adds.
Seasoned surfers often make their own arrangements to get to Simpang Mengayau. However, for the novice, it’s advisable to go through experts and seasoned surfers.
“It may look easy but surfing demands good swimming ability, a certain level of stamina, skill in getting in sync with the waves before they can do the stand-up position,” says Tan.
Newcomers are briefed on safety guidelines, especially on how to avoid misadventures.
NEW PRODUCTS
NEW PRODUCTS
Briton Howard Stanton, who ventured into the tourism industry in Simpang Mengayau with the local Rungus community, has been operating a homestay and restaurant since 2010. He says the surfing activity has given his business a boost.
“When we started, there was not much to do but now, it is one of the most popular sites with Malaysian surfers,” says Stanton. “Locals began picking up the sport by using pieces of plywood but with some guidance from seasoned surfers like Tan, some are now excellent surfers.”
Stanton too have begun tapping into the activity, renting surfboards and giving lessons, apart from providing them with cheap lodging at the homestay, Tampat Do-Aman.
Sabah Tourism Board chairman Datuk Joniston Bangkuai says the tourism authorities are always looking for new products and surfing is one of the many on its list.
“Kudat is fast gaining popularity and its suitability for surfing will further enhance tourism development in the district,” he says. “The activity also helps to divert people to other places in the state instead of just focusing on Kota Kinabalu where we are now hard-pressed for rooms to accommodate visitors. The growing popularity of surfing in Simpang Mengayau has indeed brought a breath of fresh air to the industry.”
Surfing know-how is essential to avoid misadventure.
Locals too have picked up the sport.
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