We are the recently formed Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka. Our mission and purpose is to create, for the first time in our history, a national body that will oversee and govern the development of the sport of surfing in Sri Lanka for all men and women.
We face a unique situation in that we must unite several cultures, religions and languages into our quest to become a surfing nation. Not an easy task, but one that we feel is worthwhile in order to create a sustainable, active, responsible and competitive future for present and future generations of Sri Lankan surfers.
Wildcards decided at the SriLankan Airlines Pro…
July 6th, 2010 by admin received No Comments »
Asanka : photo ASP/Robertson
SriLankan Airlines Pro
ASP 6-Star Mens event
Arugam Bay Point, Sri Lanka
18 – 24 June 2010
Live Coverage | Results/Photos/Videos etc
SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay set to begin tomorrow with Sri Lankan wild-cards decided
Surfersvillage Global Surf News, 18 June, 2010 : – - Day one of the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 6-star rated SriLankan Airlines Pro at Arugam Bay was officially placed on-hold as contest organizers await an expected good pulse in swell tomorrow to begin the first ever ASP event in Sri Lanka.
The consistent 1m (3 to 4 feet) clean surf that greeted the opening day was certainly good for surfing but with bigger waves forecast in the coming days along with an extremely favourable forecast for surf in the coming week organizers are keen to run the event in the very best and biggest surf and expect to be off and running first thing tomorrow morning.
“It’s very contestable out there today but both myself and ASP Head Judge Richie Porta agree that with better waves likely tomorrow we’re keen to begin this special event on a real high” said contest director Dane Jordan.
“It’s also a great opportunity for us to run the trials final this morning and then let all the competitors really free surf the waves today and further familiarize themselves with the point break here and be primed for an excellent start.”
An opening ceremony was enjoyed by all surfers at the famous point this morning and shortly after eight of Sri Lanka’s finest surfers competed for two prized wild-card positions into the event. The standard of the Sri Lankan boys surprised many of the media and officials at this event but not head judge Richard Porta who has visited the break on a number of occasions over the past 18 months.
“I knew a few of the Sri Lankan boys would surf well and they’ll enjoy their heats against this world class field – it will be tougher for them in the main round heats but you never know” said Porta.
“The experience will be fantastic for them and they’ll witness performance surfing all week like they’ve never seen before and when we eventually leave they’ll lift their own surfing standards as well – that’s the great thing about an event like this and involving the local surfers, everyone wins.
“This is such a consistent wave and these local boys who mostly run surf tourism businesses at Arugam Bay are probably surfing an average of six days per week through a six month surf season here so it’s no surprise quite a few of them are very proficient surfers.
“ Our international panel of ASP judges judged their final today and there were some legitimate 6 point rides in the mix of scores so that gives you an idea that they know how to perform – tomorrows heats will be exciting for all” added Porta.
Local restaurateur Asanka along with fellow Arugam Bay surfer Milan were the winners of the two sponsored wild-cards into the event while a number of other Sri Lankan surfers have taken positions into round one heats.
The free surfing performances have been spectacular and the wave looks to be living up to it’s reputation as a superb performance break. All is ready to begin, internet facilities are in-place and we expect to beam out a super quality webcast from this tropical paradise remote location.
The webcast site link is located on the front page of aspworldtour.com.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro will be live webcast and will include a quality produced and globally distributed television show along with television newsfeeds distributed internationally throughout the event as well as highest quality digital images focusing on the event, the environment, wildlife and of course the abundance of surf from the region.
The SriLankan Airlines Pro is made possible thanks to SriLankan Airlines; Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, Lanka Sportreizen, Dialog, Arugam Bay Beach Wear, Billabong and ASP Australasia
