Asian Surfing Championships

As the sport of surfing takes off on the Asian continent, more pro events are taking place in Asian countries. After the recent successes of the Oakley Pro Bali and the Billabong Pro Bali, respectively held in June and July, the Asian Surfing Championships (ASC) are set to host a new surfing event in Indonesia this month, the inaugural Aceh International Surfing Championship.

From an official press release for the event:

The Asian Surfing Championships in conjunction with the Aceh Extreme Sports Championship is delighted to announce the very recent addition of the Aceh International Surfing Championship as the 5th stop of the ASC’s 2013 tour season. This 6-star rated ASC event will be held at Nancala Beach on Busung Island from 21-26 August, boasting total prize money of over $5,000 USD it is sure to be a great first time adventure for ASC surfers from all around Asia.

All-Asian events held by the likes of the Asian Surfing Championships and the Indonesian Surfing Championships help compliment global surfing pro competitions held in Indonesia like the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang Invitational, currently happening on Bali. That event is unique in that it incorporates a 50/50 split between Indonesian and international competitors (32 in total). The Padang Padang Invitational is actually held under the banners of both the Indonesian Surfing Championships and the Asian Surfing Championships as well as being sponsored by Rip Curl.

The goal of the Asian Surfing Championships is to grow the sport of surfing in Asia from the grassroots level by assisting each country in creating organized and sanctioned events that will develop the skills of their surfers in healthy competition as well as to draw attention to their area for the progression of surfing locally, nationally, and throughout the Asian region. –asiansurfingtour.com

Currently Indonesia and especially Bali dominate the locations for ASC events, but November will see the Taitung Taiwan Open of Surfing take place in the Republic of China.

asian surfing championships

Tubed at Padang Padang. Pic: www.nicolas-risch-photography.fr (via Sunova Surfboards on Flickr CC)

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