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World surfs in Sri Lanka

Published on 18/09/2019 in AbTa News, Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, Arugambay Surf Club, Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, surf, Surf competition, Surf Federation News, the bay and Top News. 0 Comments

World surfs in Sri Lanka
‘So Sri Lanka Pro 2019’ in Arugam Bay from September 23 to 29:
M.A. Phakurdeen -Addalaichenai Group Correspondent

The upcoming ‘So Sri Lanka Pro’ professional surfing event set for Arugam Bay, popular for its magnificent surf, has been extremely well received by professional surfers from all over the world.

The international professional surfing competition is to be held in Arugam Bay from September 23 to 29.

With entries still coming in, already around 120 surfers from 24 countries such as Australia, Indonesia, France, Venezuela, Israel, the USA, Portugal, New Zealand, Mexico, Spain, Great Britain, Brazil, South Africa, Costa Rica, Argentina, Japan, Ireland, Chile, Belgium, Peru, India, the Maldives, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have entered the event.

“It is fantastic to see that contestants from many different nationalities have already entered into So Sri Lanka Pro,” said World Surf League (WSL) Contest Director for the event, Will Hayden-Smith. “The event is extremely important for all these surfers with essential qualification points aligned to the world rankings. With great waves also very likely to greet these surfers, they have shown their approval for the event with entries coming in from all over the world.”

Many of these surfers are well known within the world professional surfing ranks and many are serious contenders to represent their nations in the 2020 Japan Olympic Games, where surfing makes its Olympic debut.

One such surfer is the fast-emerging Rio Waida from Indonesia. The powerful youngster was placed third in the WSL World Junior Championships in 2018 and he is already identified as the future star of the sport.

“I am very excited to be coming to Sri Lanka for this great event,” said Waida. “I have heard great things about the waves in Sri Lanka and it is always fantastic for us to have the opportunity to compete in quality surf. I can’t wait!”

So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 will also play as a huge opportunity for some of the local surfers to take on the international professionals as wildcards in the event. This opportunity is something that has been made possible through the WSL and the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka.

The world-famous tourist resort in Pottuvil, Arugam Bay is going to be a hive of activity as a series of events have been organised from September 23 till the end of the month. This world-qualified ranking event in surfing and World Tourism Day have been planned to be celebrated there.

The ranking event in surfing has been organised in conjunction with the Sri Lanka National Surf Federation under the guidance of the World Surf Federation and elaborate arrangements have been made to accord a warm welcome to surfers from various parts of the world.

The event for local surfers has been scheduled for September 23 and 24, where 32 surfers from various parts of the country have already submitted their entries while the world-qualified ranking event is to be worked out on September 25 and 29, where more than 130 surfers are expected to take part in this event.

A progress review meeting to finalise arrangements and to entrust assignments to respective organisations and personalities held at the Arugam Bay Tristar Hotel auditorium was presided over by District Secretary D.M.L. Bandaranayake with the participation of Additional District Secretary A.M. Latheef, Eastern Province Tourism Bureau Director General A.S.M. Faiz, Pottuvil Divisional Secretariat D.R. Thiraviaraj, Divisional Secretary M.A.C. Nazeel, Pottuvil Pradeshiya Sabha Chairman M.S.M. Waseeth, Chamber of Tourism and Industry President A.M. Jaufer, Arugam Bay Tourism Association Chairman M.H.A. Raheem and high-ranking officers of Tri Forces.

Lanka Sportreizen Chairman Thilak Weerasinghe and President of the Sri Lanka Surfing Federation Hiran Ukwatte briefed the arrangements being made for the event. Officials in charge of electricity, water supply or drinking water, hotel and accommodation for invitees, parking areas, security arrangements, temporary police posts, first aid services, transportation, volunteering, invitees and invitations, solid waste and garbage management, carnival site arrangement, beach cleaning, sanitary facilities, refreshments, media campaign, and promotion and publicity were also discussed at length.

Arugam Bay Tourism Association Chairman M.H.A. Raheem said that there are 226 hotels in Arugam Bay with a capacity of 3,000 rooms to accommodate more than 7,500 tourists from various parts of the world.

“If necessary, additional accommodation facilities too could be arranged. Bookings have already been made and some of the competitors have already arrived and are practicing. This is a good sign,” he said.

“So Sri Lanka Pro 2019 will also play as a huge opportunity for some of the local surfers to take on the international professionals as wildcards in the event. This opportunity is something that has been made possible through the WSL and the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka. It will be amazing to have the WSL come back to Sri Lanka,” said Sri Lankan Surfing Federation President Hiran Ukwatte.

“We cannot wait to witness a world-class event and watch the positive effect it will have on surf sports in our country and on surf tourism to the area. Arugam Bay is a world-class wave with some fantastic local surfers such as D.A. Lakshitha from Weligama, Praneeth Sandaruwan and Lesitha Prabath from Arugam Bay to name a few. These surfers are looking forward to the opportunity to compete with surfers from all over the world,” he said.

“They will have the opportunity to compete with wildcards in the So Sri Lanka Pro event, which will be an incredible experience for them. At present, the three top surfers of Sri Lanka are competing at the2019 ISA World Surfing GamesinMiyazaki, Japan, which is an Olympic qualifying event. Finally, the tireless efforts of the Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka have made this event happen and I truly believe the event will make the Federation grow in many ways and become an integral part of sport development in this country,” Ukwatte said.

“Meanwhile, beaches are also being cleaned by the Arugam Bay Development Forum (ADF). Members of the ADF, Tri Forces personnel and the public too are participating in shramadana. A large number of foreigners too are voluntarily engaged in this task,” ADF President Hajith said.

Arrangements are also afoot to celebrate World Tourism day on September 27 in Arugam Bay with colourful and cultural events. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Tourism Bureau of Eastern Province together with the Chamber of Tourism and Industry of Sri Lanka have drawn up all programs.

Eastern Province Tourism Bureau Director General A.S.M. Fayis told the Daily News that the highlight of the day would be the sail and cruise ship from which one could watch whales and dolphins.

Foreigners and locals are allowed to board the ship for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Meanwhile, Chamber of Tourism and Industry President A.M. Jaufer has made all arrangements to give away the awards and certificates to the winners who won the art competition on the theme ‘Creating employment opportunities in tourism’; an Eco Tourism Award will also be presented.

At the same time, the National Youth Services Council has planned a few cultural events with the objective of strengthening communal amity, inter-communal harmony and co-existence.

source:
http://www.dailynews.lk/2019/09/18/features/197202/world-surfs-sri-lanka

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Arugam discovers new surfing hero

Published on 23/09/2018 in Facebook Fan Club: Arugam Surf, From our own Correspondent, front page, Surf competition, Surf Federation News and Top News. 0 Comments

Lesitha Prabath was crowned national surfing champion of Sri Lanka in Arugam Bay after two days of battling his rivals at the inaugural National Surfing Championship Series 2018.
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Lesitha Prabath on the podium with his trophy

The local 27 year-old from the Arugam Bay Surf Club had to overcome windy conditions and head high sets of waves but convinced the judges by showcasing strong skills of speed, power, flow and a solid aerial. An aerial means the surfer flies through the air above the wave to land again and carry on the ride.

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This gave him the leading points above his fellow competitors Praneeth Sadaruwan (2nd place) Asanka Sanjeewa (3rd place) and Nadeen Sampath (4th place).

Arugam Bay’s amazing weather pattern

Tim Jones, International Surfing Association advisor to the SFSL commented on the outstanding skills of the new national champion: a??Lesitha probably is the most experienced when it comes to contests. He has got solid, strong skills. He is also one of the few competitors that has an air game. In the finals, his understanding of being safe in his surfing when he needed to and taking chances and risks in his surfing when it demanded he did so, was excellent.a??

The three round championship was organized by the recently formed Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka.

In January 2018, Lesitha had already applied his winning formula at the start of the popular series in Hikkaduwa.

Although Lesitha only made it into the semi-finals at the second competition in Kabalana in March, he pushed hard to succeed at his home-break.

For Lesitha it was a special moment in his life and a historical one for the whole nation. a??Of course it was my dream to become the National Surfing Champion of Sri Lanka. I trained for it. Whenever I had free time I came to Main Point.a??

Hiran Ukwatte, first president of the SFSL explained: a??Surfing as a sport has only very recently been introduced by the International Olympic Committee to the Olympic Games. It will feature in the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

a??In Sri Lanka, surfing was only considered a tourism development activity, enough to get the tourists to visit the country. But when this Olympic moment came it laid the ground to have a National level event for the first time in history.a??

 

Order florinef and pregnancy http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2018/09/23/sports/sri-lanka-discovers-new-surfing-hero

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AbaY remembered

Published on 19/01/2018 in blog, From our own Correspondent, front page, people, press coverage, the bay and Top News. 0 Comments

Nate Berkus And His Husband Have A Beautiful Way Of Honoring Natea??s Late Partner

In 2004, Natea??s partner was killed in the devastating tsunami during their visit to (Arugam Bay) – Sri Lanka. But he is a??definitely a part ofa?? Natea??s marriage to Jeremiah Brent.

In 2004, it may have seemed hard for Nate Berkus to imagine happiness making its way back into his life. That year, the interior designer had lost his beloved partner, photographer Fernando Bengoechea, when the two found themselvesA?literally swept awayA?by the devastating tsunami that struck Sri Lanka, where they were vacationing. More than 30,000 people in Sri Lanka died in the natural disaster; though Nate survived, the pain of losing Fernando was all-consuming.

a??I have the grief to contend with,a?? NateA?told OprahA?shortly after the tragedy. a??But I do believe that I survived so that I would have a greater understanding both of what Ia??ve had, what Ia??ve lost and what I still have to gain.a??

Slowly, Nate did begin to heal, and even found ways to honor Fernandoa??s memory through the years. And perhaps no one is a bigger supporter of honoring Fernandoa??s memory than Natea??s own husband, Jeremiah Brent.

At their 2014 wedding, Jeremiah Brent told husband Nate Berkus that he honored every part of his past and everything hea??d been through, bringing many guests to tears.

NateA?marriedA?Jeremiah, a fellow interior designer and the host of a??Home Made Simple,a?? in 2014. Oprah was a guest at the wedding, where Jeremiaha??s vows to Nate included a nod to Natea??s past relationship.

a??Thata??s a part of our love story. Therea??s no two ways about it,a?? Jeremiah tells a??Oprah: Where Are They Now?a??. a??Yes, wea??re married this time, but [Fernando is] definitely a part of it.a??

He continues, a??I oddly feel connected to him. I honor that story.a??

Nate Berkus and Fernando Bengoechea were both swept up by the 2004 tsunami during a trip to Sri Lanka. Fernando died in the disaster.

Jeremiah is also determined to keep Fernandoa??s memory alive for young Poppy, who Nate and JeremiahA?welcomedA?via surrogacy in 2015.

a??Our daughter will know who he was,a?? Jeremiah says. a??We have pictures of him in the home.a??

While Jeremiaha??s approach seems to be one that comes with relative ease, Nate says that his own reconciliation of the past was more of a struggle.

a??I didna??t know how to articulate what I needed from a new relationship,a?? he says. a??I didna??t know how to articulate how to keep that and honor that, but still move forward without any guilt or any fear.a??

NEW YORK, NY – APRIL 24: (L-R) Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent attend the 2014 Good Shepherd Services Spring Party at Stage 37 on April 24, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Brian Killian/WireImage)

a??I worry about anything happening to [Jeremiah],a?? Nate admits. a??I worry, obviously, because Ia??ve had such great loss. I dona??t want to go through that again ? no one does, whether youa??ve had it or you havena??t.a??

Turning to his husband, Nate continues.

a??You were the first person to come into my life and not be threatened or afraid, not afraid to poke the damage and say, a??That happened. Leta??s talk about it. Leta??s figure it out, and how can it be part of our world in a way thata??s healthy?a??a?? Nate says. a??And so it is.a??

Nate and Jeremiaha??s full interview airs on this weekenda??sA?a??Oprah: Where Are They Now?a??, on Saturday, Jan. 23, at 10 p.m. ET on OWN. Cheap bupron side

A previous version of this article stated that 400 people died in the tsunami. In fact, that number referred to the people in the Arugam Bay and Pottuvil region, where Berkus and Bengoechea were staying. The total death toll from the natural disaster was more than 30,000.

source:
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nate-berkus-jeremiah-brent-honoring-fernando_us_56a15f52e4b076aadcc5f6b1

SRI LANKA TOURISM BOARD… Mentions AbaY!

Published on 19/03/2017 in Arugam Bay Surf Club, Arugam Surf Club, From our own Correspondent, front page, Humour, surf, Surf Federation News and Top News. 1 Comment

Nice! To see that Order ethionamide side Arugam Bay is being mentioned.
Sad A?that this promotion used totally wrong images. Causing dismay to the entire Surf Community.

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This just in from London. Carve reader Will Robertson sent in this pic of a Sri Lanka tourist board ad which is all over London underground.

a??Ita??s been a while since I last surfed A Bay, but judging from this poster on the wall of the London tube the reef must have shifted and ita??s got a lot more square. And Fanninga??s doing a good job of surfing it switch too.

Ita??s definitely a a??different kind of surfa?? a?? quite literally.

Oh how lazy ad people can miss some fundamentals a?? thought I would share the love.a??

Not sure what is more annoying. Using a wave from a totally different ocean as A Bay (A Bay is actually very fun in its own right). Buy nasonex uk The sacrilege of putting Mick the wrong way round. Or the irony that we actually emailed Sri Lanka tourist board to offer a bit of help before Christmas and they ignored our emails.

If you want a campaign done right, maybe hire surfing art director?

http://www.carvemag.com/2017/03/sri-lanka-tourism-board-fail/#.WMzTHmxuVo4.facebook