Rio Waida, Establishing Surfing in Indonesia

KOMPAS/AGUS SUSANTO

Rio Waida

Indonesia is known to the surfers of the world as a surfing paradise, with the best waves in the world. However, surfing remains unfamiliar to the Indonesian public. Since the appearance of Indonesia’s top surfer Rio Waida, 22, at Tokyo Olympics 2020, this wave-riding sport has begun to receive attention in Indonesian society.

Now, Rio is even more motivated to further establish surfing in Indonesia. The sport, originating in the ancient tradition of Polynesian people, is very likely to develop as an achievement sport and help promote Indonesia’s marine-tourism potential.

“We have a lot of awesome waves. But the public isn’t interested in surfing quite yet. Hopefully, with my recent participation in the Olympics, many more young people will be inspired to train in surfing. Gradually, I’m convinced that surfing can someday be as popular as football or badminton in Indonesia,” said Rio on the sidelines of the sixth series of the World Surf League Championship Tour (WSL CT) 2022 on Plengkung Beach or G-Land, Banyuwangi, East Java, on Monday (30/5/2022).

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The appointment of Rio as the red-and-white flag bearer at the opening of Olympics 2020 at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium was a turning point in surfing’s familiarity to sport lovers in Indonesia. The name of the wave-seeker of Indonesian-Japanese descent started to attain fame and acclaim.

It was a positive signal that surfing could fill the sports void and satisfy the cravings of the Indonesian public.

For example, Rio’s success as champion of the Second Challenger Series of WSL 2022 in Sydney, Australia, on 17-24 May, was spotlighted in Indonesia. The victory report made headlines in various mass media. It was a positive signal that surfing could fill the sports void and satisfy the cravings of the Indonesian public.

“I think Indonesian surfing still lacks only competition. With many more competitions at home, especially at the international level, youths will have many arenas to develop their surfing ability. Competition can be the focus of reporting for the further popularization of surfing in Indonesia,” said Rio, who was born in Saitama, Japan.

Actually, originally, Rio was acquainted with badminton, rather than surfing. He trained in badminton as a third grader. But as he lived in the midst of beaches and the sea in Uluwatu, Bali, he was increasingly attracted by surfing.

ISTIMEWA/PSOI

Rio Waida

Moreover, his father and mother frequently took him to surf. His father, Muhammad Zaini, and mother, Kaoru Waida, were not surfers, but they liked the sport. Indirectly, Rio was captivated by surfing and abandoned badminton. His younger sibling, Ryuki Waida, also followed in his footsteps as a surfer.

Rio’s natural talent makes his performance appealing, since he was engaged in surfing at the age of ten years old. At the time, he joined an international championship for the age group of less than 16 on Kuta beach, Bali. He was not a champion, but he did manage to reach the quarter final by defeating older and more experienced surfers.

Joys and sorrows

Thanks to his activities, Rio was sought and sponsored by one of the world’s top surfing apparel brands. “From that time, I was thinking of becoming a surfing athlete. I wanted to be like my idol, United States surfer Kelly Slater,” related Rio.

Rio decided to be a professional surfer at age 16. This aspiration was prompted by his victory at the international championship for surfers under 16 in California, the US. “The achievement made me realize that I was capable of rising as a world champion. Therefore, I was determined to focus on being a professional surfer,” he said.

The decision was the beginning of his forthcoming adventures. He had joys and sorrows to be experienced. He started by saving money to join world tours, training hard on land and at sea all day long and sustaining injuries repeatedly.

The surfer’s operational cost, comprising transportation, accommodation, consumption and registration, amounted to Rp 2 billion (US$138,271.79) per year to join 12 international events.

In his early professional career, the funds provided by sponsors were insufficient to meet Rio’s needs for competitions in other countries. The surfer’s operational cost, comprising transportation, accommodation, consumption and registration, amounted to Rp 2 billion (US$138,271.79) per year to join 12 international events.

The capital from sponsors only sufficed for participation in eight international competitions. For the rest, Rio had to save his private funds from contest prizes, among other income sources. He also sought extra funds from donors, including from his father, who worked as a construction employee in Tokyo. “In my initial career, the aid from my father was very valuable. Without his sacrifice, it was difficult for me to join overseas championships. For this reason, I strived hard to achieve,” said Rio.

ANTARA/BUDI CANDRA SETYA

Rio Waida

Besides, Rio has had to give up his childhood. Like other professional surfers, Rio is engaged in physical and technical training 6-8 hours daily. Various injuries have been suffered by Rio when training and competing. His upper right shoulder was once torn, his lower right cheek was cut and his whole back was lacerated.

“I love this sport. It’s my natural inclination; I like beaches and I enjoy playing in the waves. Although my income is small, I have the pleasure of touring abroad and reveling in new waves in other parts of the world. It’s a pride that I can’t explain,” said Rio.

Rio also does all of this hard work to create a legacy in Indonesia’s surfing world. The silver medalist of shortboard surfing at Philippine SEA Games 2019 wants a lot more Indonesian youths to embark on surfing and make achievements that earn Indonesia a good reputation.

Rio wishes to see Indonesian beaches and waves teeming with national and international surfers. His dream is that the waves are no longer dreaded and avoided, but rather chased and ridden, like cowboys riding raging bulls in a rodeo.

“Someday, I want to be a coach to help Indonesian youngsters develop their surfing talent. But now I’m still active as an athlete. I’m still focusing on myself, prioritizing my career,” added Rio.

Rio Waida

Born:Saitama, Japan, 25 January 2000

Family:

- Muhammad Zaini (father)

- Kaoru Waida (mother)

- Ryuki Waida (younger sibling)

Achievements:

- Big 16, Tokyo Olympics 2020

- Silver medal, Philippine SEA Games 2019

- Wunner, GWM Sydney Surf Pro Challenger Series in Australia 2022

- Winner, Vans Bali Pro Qualifying Series in Indonesia 2022

- Winner, Hello Pacitan Pro Qualifying Series in Indonesia 2017

(This article was translated by Aris Prawira)