Bali surfer wins Quiksilver event at Lakey Peak Sumbawa

Local Balinese surfers are reaping the benefits of the well organized and well marketed ISC (Indonesian Surfing Championship). Local surfer Pepen Hendrik has just won the Quiksilver event at Lakey Peak in Sumbawa. Here’s more from Tim Hain of ISC.

Bali’s Pepen Hendrik takes the win at the Dompu Indonesian Open presented by Quiksilver at Lakey Peak in Sumbawa

16 August, Dompu Sumbawa, Indonesia: Pepen Hendrik has won the richest ever ISC tour event, the Dompu Indonesian Open presented by Quiksilver in testing six foot conditions at Lakey Peak in Sumbawa.

Pepen came out of the blocks with all guns firing in the 30 minute final against fellow Indonesian compatriot and defending event champion Rizal Tanjung.

With Pepen charging every wave that came his way, Rizal was quickly put into a position requiring a combination of scores to win, but the ever experienced Rizal patiently waited for the right waves to come his way and fought back into contention. With five minutes remaining, Rizal only required a solid scoring wave to take the win.

As the clocked ticked over the final minute mark, a large set approached the Peak, with Pepen opting to take the first wave of the set. This left Rizal sitting in perfect position for the approaching and better second wave. Rizal needing a high score to win took off and bottom turned and then stalled up into the barrel. The barreling wave however shut down, not allowing an exit for Rizal and with it victory to Pepen who won the final with a total score of 17.00 points to Rizal’s 16.60.

For Pepen, the 2004 ISC Champion (the inaugural year for the ISC), this was clearly a much welcomed win. “It’s been several years since I’ve been in a final with Rizal, so I was really happy to meet him and win” Said Pepen.

By winning Pepen pockets the richest prize purse in ISC tour history of Rp20,000,000 and a much needed extra point’s boost due to the events 6 Star prime rating, the only one of the 2007 season. “Today I was lucky to get some good waves and Rizal wasn’t so lucky, but I’m so happy to have a first place win, and to have it here at Lakey Peak is just great!” said Pepen.

Also surfing today was the master’s final which saw the over 35 take to the peak in extremely windy and testing 6 foot conditions. The final saw the Indonesian surfing legends, Gede Narmada, Wayan Gantiyasa, Wayan Pica, and Ketut Menda take on the challenging conditions with all the essence of youth, with Wayan Gantiyasa coming out the victor.

At the awards presentation and closing ceremony, the Regent of Dompu, Mr. Syaifurrahman Salman, voiced his appreciation to Quiksilver, the ISC, and Mr. Harris of the Dompu Department of Tourism for bringing back competitive surfing to the region and highlighting the exceptional natural resource Dompu has to offer the surfing world. The Regent promised ongoing government support of the event and development of surfing in the local region, which brought great applause and cheer by all present.

The Dompu Indonesian Open presented by Quiksilver was sponsored by the Dompu Tourism Department and Quiksilver, with the support of the Aman Gati Hotel and the local regency of Dompu in West Sumbawa, Indonesia.

Results Open Mens:
1. Pepen Hendrik (Bali, Indonesia)
2. Rizal Tanjung (Bali, Indonesia)
3. Ketut “Mega” Yoga Sumadhi (Bali, Indonesia)
3. Dale Lovelock (Sunshine Coast, Australia)

Masters Final:
1. Wayan Gantiyasa
2. Ketut Menda
3. Wayan Pica
4. Gede Narmada

For more information contact:
Simon MacGregor
Quiksilver Marketing South East Asia
simon@quiksilver.co.id
Ph: (0361) 751 214

Hamish Wyllie (On-site)
Quiksilver Marketing South East Asia
hamish@quiksilver.co.id
Ph: +62 (0) 8155708811

Tim Hain (On site)
ISC Media Director
PH: +62 (0) 8123606674
tim@isctour.com

Here’s the latest swell info for Uluwatu Bali (August 18th 2007).