By Olivia Miwil - December 14, 2021 @ 12:25pm
KOTA KINABALU: Surfing is gaining recognition from official bodies in Sabah with a view to develop such talents among locals.
The Sabah Youth and Sports Ministry has since held a workshop this month for youths and adults to learn about the sport.
Sabah Surfing Association (SSA) secretary Mohd Saifuddin Karim said it was the first time the ministry collaborated with the association to provide a basic surfing workshop in Kudat.
"The three-day workshop, which covered theory and practical, also identified the types of surfboards and equipment being used in the sport.
"It also gave participants an insight to consider a career in the surfing industry," he told the New Straits Times, adding there were about 40 participants in the programme.
Mohd Saifuddin said SSA has been finding ways and opportunities for talented locals to represent the state or country for international games.
To date, he added there were only about 20 athletes that had competed in the national level games.
He said the association has also donated 21 surfboards for those who cannot afford it, including a nine-year-old boy.
"SSA has given surfboards to talents under 18, mainly in Kudat and Kota Kinabalu, who had shown their skills at the competitions in the state.
"This initiative will help Sabah surfers to increase their chances and improve their performance to enter state and international level competitions," he said, adding the surfboard costs around RM400 each.
SSA also provides training for surfing sports management courses, as well as getting coaches and judges to get recognitions and certificates.
Surfing, which is considered as extreme due to the fitness requirement in terms of endurance, agility, speed and strength, is also gaining popularity among women.
Lawyer-cum-activist Benazir Japiril Bandaran, after picking up the sport in Oct last year, now spends a few hours or even the whole day to surf at the Karambunai or Tuaran beach when there are big waves.
"When I surf, that's where I get new ideas for my work, because surfing actually helps the mind to work better," said Benazir, who is also the president for the Sabah Surfer Girls with 46 members.
She said the club, which has yet to be formalised, shares common objectives as SSA to produce more athletes to make their debut in international games.
Benazir, who became the programme director for Toro Surf Attack 2021 at Karambunai beach here, was also proud that four of the girls won in the surfing competition.
The two-day event during the weekend was organised by West End Surfing Club and saw 45 surfers from Keningau, Kudat, Tuaran and Ranau.
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