The Indonesian government is setting plans in motion to hold 10 regional surfing competitions in different places across the country in 2018, two of which will be in Bali.
Given that the archipelago nation is home to some of the best waves in the world, the only surprise is that the government didn’t develop the strategy to cash in sooner.
The 10 competition destinations would include Mentawai Islands, Western Coast, South Nias, Pacitan, Batu Karas, Canggu (Bali), Keramas (Bali), Maluk, Dompu and Rote, according to the Tourism Ministry’s marine tourism acceleration team head, Indroyono Soesilo.
“We’re coordinating with World Surf League (WSL), Regional Manager Asia (WSL) and Indonesia Wave Surfing Association (PSOI) that is led by Stephen Robinson alongside the association’s general secretary to hold 10 regional surfing competitions in 10 surfing destinations in Indonesia in 2018,” Soesilo said in a statement released by the ministry.
To test the waters, the government will be hosting an international surfing competition in Pacitan, East Java on August 16 and will form a focus group in October, says Soesilo.
Indonesia is banking on surfers’ fanaticism for the sport. The ministry’s release even cites research from Repucom in 2014, sharing findings that surfing fans are “the most loyal audience,” followed by Nascar, Major League Baseball, NBA and the NFL.
It’s the ministry’s big ambition for the World Surf League to be held in surfer’s haven, Mentawai West Sumatra in 2019.
Speaking of surfing competitions–though this one is not sponsored by the government–the Rip Curl Cup at Bali’s Padang Padang is one of the biggest pro surfing annual competitions held in the country. This year’s cup was just called off on Monday, as the conditions failed to produce the legendary barrels required for the caliber of the event.
