The allure of surfing perfect Padang Padang on Bali is very tempting for many of the world's best surfers who aren't on the Championship Tour. Bali's big event on the calendar is the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang, a specialty event (it offers no QS or CT points) with a month-long waiting period. Not surprisingly, it attracts world-class talent. This year Tom Curren, Mason Ho, Bruce Irons, Clay Marzo, Jacob Willcox, Jack Robinson, Garut Widiarta, and Lee Wilson are among those expected to compete.
With a fresh swell landing in Bali this weekend, and more approaching the region, ground crews from Rip Curl are getting things ready.
Indonesian young gun Rio Waida is this year's local wildcard. - WSL
Rip Curl Asia's on-site events team met earlier this week on the Bukit peninsula -- on the southern tip of Bali -- and analyzed the Surfline forecast from every angle, watching this weekend's swell and another, potentially bigger one, for next weekend. The call was made to not run this week, but to test all the event site structures, webcast and crew in preparation for a green light next weekend.
"This was the best Padang swell to hit Bali during the waiting period thus far," said Rip Curl Southeast Asia's James Hendy, "But because of a variety of factors we were skeptical that this swell would provide enough size over a full day of competition, and that's exactly how it played out today. It's going to take a truly epic swell for us to give the green light to run the Rip Curl Cup. We're hoping that the swell on the charts for next week is the one were looking for."
Raditya Rondi getting plenty of tube time in the expression session. - WSL
"That's the beauty of a month-long waiting period in prime swell season," said defending champ Mega Semadhi. "We can take our time and wait for the perfect swell. We're in no rush."
Garut Widiarta showing as much style on the face as he does in the tube. - WSL
In the lead up to the event being called ON the locals his the Padang Padang line-up to prepare for this year's event.
The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and www.ripcurl.com.au
Check out the latest forecast here.
Specialty Event at Padang Padang Enjoying Solid Forecast
WSL
The allure of surfing perfect Padang Padang on Bali is very tempting for many of the world's best surfers who aren't on the Championship Tour. Bali's big event on the calendar is the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang, a specialty event (it offers no QS or CT points) with a month-long waiting period. Not surprisingly, it attracts world-class talent. This year Tom Curren, Mason Ho, Bruce Irons, Clay Marzo, Jacob Willcox, Jack Robinson, Garut Widiarta, and Lee Wilson are among those expected to compete.
With a fresh swell landing in Bali this weekend, and more approaching the region, ground crews from Rip Curl are getting things ready.
Rip Curl Asia's on-site events team met earlier this week on the Bukit peninsula -- on the southern tip of Bali -- and analyzed the Surfline forecast from every angle, watching this weekend's swell and another, potentially bigger one, for next weekend. The call was made to not run this week, but to test all the event site structures, webcast and crew in preparation for a green light next weekend.
"This was the best Padang swell to hit Bali during the waiting period thus far," said Rip Curl Southeast Asia's James Hendy, "But because of a variety of factors we were skeptical that this swell would provide enough size over a full day of competition, and that's exactly how it played out today. It's going to take a truly epic swell for us to give the green light to run the Rip Curl Cup. We're hoping that the swell on the charts for next week is the one were looking for."
"That's the beauty of a month-long waiting period in prime swell season," said defending champ Mega Semadhi. "We can take our time and wait for the perfect swell. We're in no rush."
The event will be broadcast LIVE on WorldSurfLeague.com and www.ripcurl.com.au
Check out the latest forecast here.
Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang
Friday's swell failed to materialize, so the next call will be 7:00 am local time on Sunday.
Balinese traditions were on display for the exciting opening ceremony.
The waiting game begins at Padang Padang for Indo's premiere tube-riding shootout.
Another star-studded field will head to Bali for a Padang Padang barrel-riding bonanza this summer.
The world's best barrel riders set their sights on Bali's hollowest wave for this year's Rip Curl Cup amid an epic season of waves.
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