Padang need’s a solid swell with plenty of west in it to pump, and when it does turn on, it’s beautiful.
Padang Padang, Bali – Rip Curl has announced the 32 surfers invited to compete in the 2010 Rip Curl Cup Invitational at Padang Padang. The elite group of daredevil tuberiders is now set to gather at Bali’s most revered wave this weekend for the event’s opening ceremony.
Rip Curl team riders Koa Smith (Hawaii) and Tom Lowe (England) are both slated to compete, along with such international stars as Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii), Ry Craike (Australia) and Ozzie Wright (Australia). Among the 16 Indonesian surfers invited are Garut Widiarta, Betet Merta and legendary Balinese surfer Rizal Tanjung.
“I surfed Padang for the first time when I was 13 years old,” said Tanjung, 35, who has competed in every Padang Cup. “From that day on I was in love with the place. I would love to win the Padang Cup one day.”
The opening ceremony will be held at Padang Padang beach on Sunday, July 25th and marks the first day of the five-week event waiting period. The heat drawing presentation will begin promptly at 3 p.m., followed by a press conference with the surfers and contest organizers. The evening will conclude with a traditional Balinese Kecak dance performance. Rip Curl will host a beach barbeque for everyone in attendance.
All 32 surfers invited to compete in this year’s event will be on hand Sunday for the official heat drawing. Each surfer will choose a number out of the Rip Curl Cup to determine who he will surf against in the opening round. Once the draw has been set, it’s simply a matter of waiting for a massive Indian Ocean swell to stir the mythical wave at Padang to life. Following is the official list of invited surfers.
Hawaiian koa Smith is in the pit, and in the contest.
Indonesian surfers: Garut Widiarta, Tipi Jabrik, Pepen Hendrik, Rizal Tanjung, Putra Hermawan, Mustofa Jekson, Made Lana, Made Lapur, Wayan “Betet” Merta, Raditya Rondi, Lee Wilson, Mega Semadhi, Rahtu Suargita, Dede Suryana, Wayan “Gobleg” Suyadnya and Marlon Gerber.
International surfers: Kalani Chapman (Hawaii), Ry Craike (Australia), Ryan Hipwood (Australia), Mikala Jones (Hawaii), Tom Lowe (England), Flynn Novak (Hawaii), Jamie O’Brien (Hawaii), Makua Rothman (Hawaii), Koa Smith (Hawaii), Ryan Turner (California), Takayuki Wakita (Japan), Anthony Walsh (Australia), Ian Walsh (Hawaii) and Ozzie Wright (Australia).
