By Olivia Miwil @Dec 18, 2016
Pictures by Edmund Samunting
KOTA KINABALU: Local surfers can go far in the sport that has made headway in the state,said International surfer Dylan Amar.
Dylan, from Indonesia, a judge at the 3rd Borneo Surf festival, said the standard shown by some local surfers was impressive and they could go far in international competitions.
“The pulled off some nice maneuvres while riding the short-period waves, which is much better when they only did straight movements before," said Dylan, who was also at the Nexus Karambunai resort here last year for the same event.
Organised by Sabah Surfing Association, some 60 participants took part in the competition that was divided into four categories. Contestants also included those from Brazil, France and Brunei.
Besides Dylan, title sponsor Rip Curl flew in Bali professional surfers Wayan Dharma Puta, 26 and Dedi Gun, 8 to do the judging and demonstrating their skills of riding the wave.
The association president Ivan Tan said the event was a platform to discover surfers who could represent the state at national-level events.
“Some participants, especially from Kudat, which is about three-hour drive from here, live by the beach.
Next year, the event will be held at Tanjung Simpang Mengayau in Kudat will be organised by the association and the Sabah Tourism Board.
By Olivia Miwil@ Dec 17, 2016
TUARAN: Sabah has the potential to be become a surfing destination, said Indonesian professional surfer Dedi Gun.
The 28-year-old from Bali, Indonesia, who started to ride the waves since eight, said the waves in the state were good enough for people to enjoy surfing.
"The waves, which is about half-feet tall, will be adequate for beginners to learn to stand up on the board and do some maneuvering.
"Do not rush. Wait for the perfect timing by choosing the right wave," he said.
Dedi and another Bali surfer Wayan Dharma Putra, 26, were flown in by Rip Curl, the main title sponsor of the third Borneo Surf festival at Nexus Karambunai Resort here, as judges for the surfing competition and to demonstrate their skills before 60 participants.
Dedi had been surfing overseas in Australia, Hawaii, Mexico, and even as far as Alaska.
However, he said Bali was still his favorite spot as the waves could go up to seven-metre high.
He believed Sabah beaches would become a popular surfing site like Bali which there could cater between 50 and 100 surfers at a time.
Meanwhile, the festival organiser Ivan Tan said they would collaborate with Sabah Tourism Board to hold the event at Simpang Tanjung Mengayau in Kudat next year.
In Kudat, which is about three-hour drive from here, has waves roll from about 1.5 metre to 2.5 metre for a good surf coupled with its beautiful beach and pristine waters compared to Tanjung Aru in Kota Kinabalu and the beach here.
"Kudat is a paradise for surfing enthusiasts, some of them even rode the waves there during the supermoon phenomenon last month."
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