.png){kind=logo}
When you visit our website, we store cookies on your browser to collect information. The information collected might relate to you, your preferences or your device, and is mostly used to make the site work as you expect it to and to provide a more personalized web experience. However, you can choose not to allow certain types of cookies, which may impact your experience of the site and the services we are able to offer. Click on the different category headings to find out more and change our default settings according to your preference.
These cookies are essential to enable user movement across our website and for providing access to features such as your profile. These cookies cannot be disabled. You can set your browser to block or alert you about these cookies, but some parts of the site will not then work. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable information and cannot be used for marketing purposes.
These cookies allow us to analyze visits and traffic sources so we can measure and improve the performance of our site and enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers, such as Google Analytics, whose services we have added to our pages. Information collected through these cookies collect is aggregated and therefore anonymous. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly and/or we will not know when you have visited our site, and will not be able to monitor its performance.
These cookies enable the website to provide enhanced functionality and personalisation. They may be set by us or by third party providers whose services we have added to our pages. If you do not allow these cookies then some or all of these services may not function properly.
These cookies may be set through our site by our advertising partners. They may be used to build a profile of your interests and show you relevant adverts or content. They do not store directly personal information, but are based on uniquely identifying your browser and internet device. If you do not allow these cookies, you will experience less targeted advertising.
These cookies are set by a range of social media services that we have added to the site to enable you to share our content with your friends and networks. They are capable of tracking your browser across other sites and building up a profile of your interests. This may impact the content and messages you see on other websites you visit. If you do not allow these cookies you may not be able to use or see these sharing tools.
Rio Waida Takes Top Honors at Hello Pacitan Pro
WSL
Indonesian prodigy Rio Waida has taken out the 2017 Hello Pacitan Pro QS1,000 event in pumping waves at Watu Karung in East Java. In its first year as a WSL event, Watu Karung didn't disappoint with barreling, 3-to-6 foot waves on offer throughout the competition window.
In a day dominated by the youngest competitors in the field, Waida came up against 15-year-old Kian Martin in the epic final matchup. After a phenomenal performance in the Semifinal, Martin was unable to get a in a groove while Waida began to drop excellent scores from the get-go. With a solid heat total of 15.25 (out of a possible 20) posted early in the exchange, Waida sat back while Martin tried to chase, something he was unable to do before the final buzzer.
"I'm so happy to win this event," Waida said. " It has such an amazing field so to make a few heats was special but to win it definitely exceeded my expectations. We have been lucky with the waves we have had this week, it has been absolutely pumping; this just makes the win even better."
Having had a few solid results this year already, including a runner-up finish at Komune Bali Pro QS1,000, Waida sits on top of the WSL Asia QS rankings. If he is able to hold onto this position he will be awarded a seed into all of the 6000 and 10,000 QS events in the opening half of 2018. This is a massive leg up for someone with aspirations of qualifying for the elite WSL Championship Tour (CT).
"My biggest goal is to qualify for the CT," Waida continued. "These events is where all of that begins and to get a win at one is awesome for my confidence. There were a lot of older, experienced competitors from around the world here and to overcome them feels amazing."
Martin was born in Sweden but has spent the majority of his life in Bali and surfing around the islands of Indonesia -- meaning that his comfort in hollow reef breaks is no surprise. Martin put on massive performances all event, posting some of the highest combined and single scores seen throughout the week. Unfortunately for the stylish young naturalfooter, though, he wasn't able to continue his roll in the Final but still finished with the best result of his young career.
"I've had an amazing week here," Martin said. "Making it to the Final feels so good and has definitely boosted my confidence. I got some incredible waves in my semifinal but was unable to find a rhythm in the final. I'm stoked for Reo that he won. It's a great thing for Indonesian surfing."
On his way to the final Martin had to take down an inform Eli Hanneman, yet another teen who dominated the event. Fourteen-year-old Hanneman looked to be the competitor to beat, posting massive scores for his super stylish tube rides. However, during his Semi with Martin, Hanneman found himself in a combination situation (needing two new scores). He was forced to go for broke and ended up taking a horrendous wipeout and hitting the shallow reef. The young charger was forced to leave the water halfway through his heat with minor facial injuries. Hanneman was later cleared by medical staff and was commended on his solid performance at the event taking an equal 3rd alongside Aussie Chris Zaffis.
It was a big day at the beach with thousands of locals heading to Watu Karung to watch the action. One of the more notable Pacitan locals in attendance was former Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was loving every second of the action from some of the world's best surfers. His attendance, along with the massive crowds, was a testament to the importance of this event to the local community.
Eli Hanneman
The former CTer Eli Hanneman is looking to rejoin the world's best and laid down a 7.67 en route to ending Julian Wilson's resurgence with
The recent 2024 CT Rookie is looking for his track back to the world's best and Eli Hanneman looked in full control in his TOA Pro debut
Men's top seeds debut in absolutely dominant form from Eli Hanneman to Tahiti's own Kauli Vaast and more.
Paparā is back and so are Hawaiʻi/Tahiti Nui's top QS contenders ready to start their surge toward the 2026 Challenger Series.
Featuring Eli Hanneman, Sawyer Lindblad, Griffin Colapinto, Imaikalani deVault, Eithan Osborne, Cam Richards, Lucca Mesinas, Bettylou
Hello Pacitan Pro
Local talent Rio Waida won the event in pumping conditions at Watu Karung.
Another Crazy Day of Action from Watu Karung.
Watu Karung continues to pump on Day 2 of Hello Pacitan Pro.
Round 1 Action From Watu Karung was intense to say the least
Competitors dealt solid conditions in the opening day of Indo's newest Qualifying Series event.