WSL Championship Returns to G-Land After 25 Years

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

The main stage for the World Surfing League (WSL) event at G-Land Beach, Alas Purwo National Park, Banyuwangi, East Java, Thursday (26/5/2022), collapsed in the rain and strong winds.

BANYUWANGI, KOMPAS — After 25 years, the world-class surfing competition will again be held at Plengkung Beach, or “G-Land”, in Banyuwangi, East Java. Surfing athletes from all over the world have arrived and are ready to tackle the waves off the southern coast of Java.

As many as 24 male surfers and 12 female surfers will take part in Event 6 of the World Surf League (WSL) Championship Tour from Saturday (28/5/2022), with the competition expected to end no later than 6 June.

The event officially opened on Friday with Youth and Sports Minister Zainudin Amali saying the government was pushing for sports tourism events like the WSL, which would not only encourage athlete achievements, but also have a positive impact on the local economy.

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According to Zainudin, Indonesia has many attractive sports tourism sites, but they had not been managed properly.

"We will encourage this kind of sports [event] because, in addition to [athletes] making achievements, we will gain economic benefits. Many tourists will come to Indonesia, so foreign exchange will also come in," he said.

The Youth and Sports Ministry was collaborating with the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to promote sports tourism in the country.

According to Zainudin, Indonesia should not lose out to Thailand in developing sports tourism events and packages. The Youth and Sports Ministry was collaborating with the Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry to promote sports tourism in the country.

Zainudin hoped that Indonesia would again host the WSL championship again next year, when the country was also slated to host a number of international sporting events.

“Especially in surfing, it is one of the sports that we are aiming for in the Olympics. Last year at the Tokyo Olympics, [Rio Waida] qualified, so I instructed Rio to prepare for the 2024 Paris Olympics," he said.

Rio is the only Indonesian athlete competing in WSL. At the WSL in Australia in early May, Rio emerged as the champion. Rio wants to perform optimally at G-Land, in his own homeland. "Step by step, hopefully we have good waves and can beat other surfers," said Zainudin.

Rio said that all surfers have a will and determination that could not be underestimated, including surfers from Brazil, Japan, Costa Rica, France and the United States. Regarding the current condition of the waves at G-Land, which were small, Rio expressed hope that the waves would be better on Saturday morning (28/5), the first day of the event.

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Residents surround the beach ahead of the World Surf League at Plengkung G-Land Beach, Alas Purwo National Park, Banyuwangi, East Java, Thursday (26/5/2022).

Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani said the WSL had returned to G-Land after 25 years. The last time the surfing completion was held in Banyuwangi was in 1997.

G-Land is known for having the best waves in the world. Its left wave can reach 20 meters long and a height of up to 8 meters.

"The beauty of G-Land as a surfer's paradise is very attractive," said Ipuk.

She added that the WSL was a good opportunity for Banyuwangi as well as Indonesia to introduce G-Land to the world. The surfing tournament was also expected to have a positive impact on the Banyuwangi economy.

"Hopefully, Alas Purwo [National Park] will obtain certification as a UNESCO Global Geopark [and] make Indonesia even more famous. This is a good opportunity for recovering tourism and the economic sector in Banyuwangi," Ipuk said.

Challenging waves

WSL Asia Pacific general manager Andrew Stark said he was very grateful to the Indonesian government and the Banyuwangi administration, as well as various other parties, for their support in organizing the WSL championship at G-Land.

"The waves here are challenging and one of the world's top ten surf spots," said Stark.

Senior US surfer Kelly Slater concurred. The 11-time WSL champion said he would try and win the competition.

“I have been to Indonesia several times, but this is my first experience at G-Land. It would be nice to win a championship here again after 1997," said Slater. (NIT/WER/BRO)

(This article was translated by Hendarsyah Tarmizi).