Indonesians Challenge at Kuta Reef Bali

The second of the three event series got off to a late start as organisers waited for the better low tide conditions at the world class reef break. The left hander, situated 800 metres offshore saw the event staged in a similar style to the Billabong Pro Teahupoo.

Round one was completed in increasing one metre waves with conditions predicted to further improve for Saturday’s top seeded round. The tournaments big name surfers and Indonesia’s hard hitting goofy footers will all enter competition tomorrow.

Bali surfer Mei Sugiantara proved just how much of a factor local knowledge will be at the tricky take-off zone of Kuta Reef. The 19 year-old goofy footer managing the day’s first barrel ride for an 8.33 score and then quickly backing up with a 7.83 to post one of the days top scores.

“I was lucky to get that barrel and the waves were getting better and better,” said Sugiantara, who moved through to round two with a convincing win.

“Tomorrow we are going to see some good surfing from the top Aussie’s but the Balinese surf here all the time so it’s going to be an exciting day,” he added.

However the action was still intense from the Aussie contingent with U/18’s national title runner-up Josh Johnson-Baxter (Ocean Grove, Victoria) using a late high scoring ride to advance in front of Wayan Winjaya (Bali).

The stylish natural footer managed an 8.1 wave score on his back hand to leap frog into the lead and advance in front of his local Kuta opponent. The pair causing the elimination of Hawaii’s Andrew Song from round one of the international U/21 event.

“I have surfed here before but just on holidays,” said Johnson Baxter. “I had a bit of a slow start and the locals are pretty tough. It was good when that wave came along and got me through to the next round.”

“I’ll just have to go that much tougher tomorrow against the top seeds.”

Fellow Australian Campbell Downey (Fairhaven, Vic) also enjoyed an opening heat win but will face much tougher competition when he takes on one of the top local favourites Raditya Rondi in round two.

Australia’s Brent Dorrington (Gold Coast) was also impressive leaving all three of his opponents requiring a two wave scoring combination on the final siren of the 25 minute round one heat. ‘Brenno” who recently posted a major junior event win at Trestles in California has been in excellent form of late and is expected to be one of the events major challengers.

No.1 seed Kalen Schloss (Sunshine Coast), Indonesia’s no.3 ranked One Anwar (Sumbawa), Tim Stevenson (Torquay, Vic), Madison Williams (Coffs Harbour), Chris Bennetts (Gold Coast), Made ‘Garut’ Widiarta (Kuta) and Nick Vasicek (Gold Coast) are all included in tomorrows line-up.

The highest placed Indonesian surfer at the end of the three event series will be granted a position into the Von Zipper Trial, the 16 man precursor to the Billabong ASP World Junior Championships at North Narrabeen, Sydney.

Entry into the World Junior Championships is exceptionally valuable to any aspiring professional surfer, with the likes of Joel Parkinson and three-time world champion Andy Irons having launched their careers on the strength of wins at the WJC.

The Kuta Reef tournament will be staged over three days from June 29th until July 1st with the final event at Canggu from August 2nd to 5th. A total of US$15,500 prize money is on offer over the three event Billabong Pro Junior Series Indonesia.