After holding extremely successful events at Kalim Beach (June 12-14) and at Kamala Beach (July14-16) earlier this year, the final event of the series will be held at arguably the best surf venue on the Phuket coastline.

Kata Beach is the epicenter of Thailand’s surf scene, with full range of wave types on offer, from nice and easy learning waves for beginners up to hollow 6-8 footers for the experts, spread out along the sandy bottomed beach strip. With the variety of swells pulsing in from the Andaman Sea during the months of June through September, Kata Beach is the magnet for waves in the region, so for the final event of the series the Phuket Boardriders Club have chosen Kata Beach as the venue at which to crown the champions of the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series 2009.

It is expected that over 100 surfers will be competing in the Island Crown over this September weekend, with a mix of local surfers and surfers from Australia, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Hawaii, and the USA. They will be competing in four divisions, Short Board, Longboard, Women’s, and Groms (under 16 years of age) for cash, trophies and various prizes given by Quiksilver and the many other event sponsors. In addition, the overall winner in the Short Board division will receive the unique award of a surfboard signed by 9-time world champ surfer Kelly Slater.

The final day’s competition on Sunday will be followed by an awards presentation party at the Kata Beach Resort, which will include a poolside fashion show by 6 stunning Miss Maxim models, food, drinks, the awards presentation and one of Bangkok’s hottest bands “Pae Slur” giving a mini-concert to round out the evening.

Organized and presented by the Phuket Boardriders Club, the Quilksilver Thailand Surf Series is the first Asian Surfing Championship tour event to be held in South East Asia, and is the first major surfing event in Thailand to be presented by a large international surfing brand. Quiksilver SE Asia CEO Paul Hutson was delighted to be selected as the presenting sponsor and instantly committed to a three-year deal. “From our point of view there is great potential here, so we’d like to assist in both the development of surfing in Thailand and to promote issues that are important to us as a company, namely keeping the beaches and water in pristine condition so we as surfers can enjoy them for years to come.”

The Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series is hosted and supported by the following: Quiksilver SEA, Phuket Provincial Office, Thailand Tourism and Sport Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Patong Municipality, Kamala OBT, and the Karon Municipality, with media sponsors Phuket Gazette, PG TV, Blue Wave 90.5FM, B95FM, Phuket Bulletin, Art and Culture Magazine, MTV, and the Phuket Neo Photo Club, as well as Jim Beam, Nok Air, Kingfisher, Print Kamala Resort, the Jungceylon Shopping Center, the Patong Paragon Hotel, the Kata Beach Resort, the Absolute Resorts&Hotels.

To register for the event and to get more information, see www.phuketboardriders.com and www.thaisurfseries.com.

About the Phuket Boardriders Club

The Phuket Boardriders Club is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 to strengthen local surfing talent and create camaraderie and friendship between local and visiting surfers. The management of the club consists of Thai office bearers and local expatriate volunteers, and over the past 7 surf seasons the Boardriders have held numerous surf contests in Phuket including the Kalim Surfing Contest, The Kamala Surfing Contest, and the Kata/Karon surfing competition (also known as The Phuket Surfing Contest). For more information, see www.phuketboardriders.com.

Media Contact Thailand:
Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak
Email: joob@phuketboardriders.com

Media Contact – ASC
Tim Hain
Email: tim@isctour.com

–
Tim Hain
Media Director- Coca-Cola ISC Tour

CV. Selancar Indonesia (ISC)
Jl. Raya Kuta No. 21
Pertokoan Kuta Raya Blok 9 Abian Base
Kuta, Bali 80361
INDONESIA
Phone/Fax: +62 361 768293
Mobile: +62 8123606674
Email: tim@isctour.com
www.isctour.com

After yesterday’s performance, Annissa has a virtual lock on the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series in both divisions going into the third and final event that will be held at her home break of Kata Beach from September 4-6, having won the Junior division in the first event of the series and getting second in the Womens. She is sponsored by Quiksilver South East Asia.

After her Women’s final, the diminutive powerhouse admitted to being a tad tired saying, “Towards the end I did get a little tired, because I got a couple of good waves so it was long paddle back out.”  When asked how she felt about winning two divisions in one day, she replied, “I didn’t really expect to win the Juniors again, because Oliver is such a good surfer and I won over him the last time.  He just didn’t get any good waves I think. I’m really happy about winning the Women’s, because last time I got second.”  Annissa had recently been to Bali in Indonesia and competed in the Quiksilver King of the Groms event at Kuta Beach, so was in great contest form for this event.

In the Men’s Open, 53 year old Australian shaper Michael Anthony bested Kamala local Ekkarat Sriden, winner of the first event of the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series at Kalim Beach, to climb atop the podium and fill his trophy with Kingfisher beer on the Print Kamala Resort stage, sculling it joyfully before accepting his money and prizes.  “I didn’t think I had a real chance to win, being a bit older than the other guys.  Back home in Torquay the waves are a lot different, but surfing here the last couple of months has really improved my small wave surfing I guess!”  Noppasit Boonchoy took third place, while Yudi Andika came in fourth.

The Longboard division win was dominated by Preecha Takira, who after a slow start built up the momentum and finished strong with deep bottom turns, floaters, and fin’s first takeoffs to claim his second win of the series.  Jamie Smith stylishly surfed to a second place finish ahead of Preecha Anantapoom and Smith’s long-time friend and visitor from the Aceh province of Indonesia, Yudi Andika.

Almost 60 surfers from Thailand, Australia, Japan, Hawaii, the USA, and Indonesia participated in the three-day King of the Jungle event at Kamala Beach, spread across four divisions.  Kamala Beach is quiet scenic white sand bay that lies about 20 minutes north of the busy tourist destination of Patong Beach, and is home to a nice little beachbreak that is fun for surfers of all skill levels.

After the final on Sunday, the contestants and crew were invited to the Print Kamala Resort poolside area at 7:00 pm for dinner, drinks, fire and fashion shows, and the awards presentation.  The four finalists in each division were given beautiful cut-glass trophies, cash and gear from Quiksilver and other sponsors, and then everyone hung out talking, eating and talking until about 10:30 pm.

The Thailand Surf Series is sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships. Don’t miss the third and final event of the series, the Island Crown at Kata Beach, which will be happening from September 4-6.  It is sure to be a memorable event with all the local crew frothing to make a run for the series titles in each division, with a great after party already in the works!

The Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series is presented by Quiksilver South East Asia, supported by the Phuket Provincial Office, Thailand Tourism and Sport Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Patong Municipality, Kamala OBT, and Karon Municipality, with media sponsors the Phuket Gazette, PG TV, Blue Wave 90.5FM, B95FM, Phuket Bulletin, MTV, Phuket Neo Photo Club, and sponsors Jim Beam, Nok Air, Kingfisher Beer, Jungceylon Shopping Center, Patong Paragon Hotel, Print Kamala Resort and Absolute Resorts&Hotels.

King of the Jungle Contest Results:

Men’s Open:
1. Michael Anthony
2. Ekkarat Sriden
3. Nopphasit Boonchuy
4. Yudi Andika

Longboard:
1. Preecha Takira
2. Jamie Smith
3. Yudi Andika
4. Preecha Anantapoom

Women’s:
1. Annissa Flynn
2. Karavee Duongpoka
3. Ikura Satomi
4. Kularb Boonchalern

Junior:
1. Annissa Flynn
2. Oliver Penmit
3. Panjo Schneider
4. Amnart Chatsamot

Text and Photos by Tim Hain – ASC/ISC

Photo 1:  Annissa Flynn enroute to victory at Kamala Beach
Photo 2:  Michael Anthony’s aggressive backside attack won him the Mens Open Division
Photo 3: Preecha Takira makes a nice bottom turn on his way to another Longboard Division win
Photo 4:  Annissa Flynn on the podium accepting her winnings at the Print Kamala Resort
Photo 5:  Group photo of all winners of King of the Jungle – Kamala Beach
Photo 6:  Judge tower and event setup at Kamala Beach
Photo 7:  Beautiful Kamala Beach
Photo 8:  Beautiful Thai Model

–
Tim Hain
Media Director- Coca-Cola ISC Tour

CV. Selancar Indonesia (ISC)
Jl. Raya Kuta No. 21
Pertokoan Kuta Raya Blok 9 Abian Base
Kuta, Bali 80361
INDONESIA
Phone/Fax: +62 361 768293
Mobile: +62 8123606674
Email: tim@isctour.com
www.isctour.com

Kamala Beach lies just north of the busy and action packed town of Patong Beach, and in stark contrast is a mellow fishing village situated in quiet bay ringed by a white sand beach and surrounded by green forested hills, one of the most beautiful beaches on the island of Phuket.

This idyllic location will play host to between 80 and 100 surfers from Thailand and other parts of the world who will compete for money and prizes and enjoy the many activities in the area during and after the competition each day.  The final day’s competition will be followed by an awards presentation party at the Print Kamala Resort, which will include dinner, the awarding of prizes, a fashion show, and live music.

There are four divisions of competition for this event with prizes and trophy’s going to the top four finishers in each division:  Short Board, Longboard, Women’s, and Groms (under 16 years of age).

Organized and presented by the Phuket Boardriders Club, The King of the Jungle is the second event of the three event series, with the third and final event named the Island Crown to be held at Kata Beach from September 4-6. The competitors at each event in the series accumulate points and the overall champions in each division will be the ones that have gotten the most points overall.  They will be crowned at the final event in September.

The Quilksilver Thailand Surf Series is the first Asian Surfing Championship tour event to be held in South East Asia, and is the first major surfing event in Thailand to be presented by a large international surfing brand.  Quiksilver SE Asia CEO Paul Hutson was delighted to be selected as the presenting sponsor and instantly committed to a three-year deal.  “From our point of view there is great potential here, so we’d like to assist in both the development of surfing in Thailand and to promote issues that are important to us as a company, namely keeping the beaches and water in pristine condition so we as surfers can enjoy them for years to come.”

The Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series is hosted and supported by the following:  Quiksilver SEA, Phuket Provincial Office, Thailand Tourism and Sport Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Patong Municipality, Kamala OBT, and the Karon Municipality, with media Sponsors Phuket Gazette, PG TV, Blue Wave 90.5FM, B95FM, Phuket Bulletin, MTV, and the Phuket Neo Photo Club, as well as Jim Beam, Nok Air, Kingfisher, Print Kamala Resort, the Jungceylon Shopping Center, and the Patong Paragon Hotel.

About the Phuket Boardriders Club

The Phuket Boardriders Club is a non-profit organization formed in 2002 to strengthen local surfing talent and create camaraderie and friendship between local and visiting surfers. The management of the club consists of Thai office bearers and local expatriate volunteers, and over the past 7 surf seasons the Boardriders have held numerous surf contests in Phuket including the Kalim Surfing Contest, The Kamala Surfing Contest, and the Kata/Karon surfing competition (also known as The Phuket Surfing Contest).

For more information about the event and for registration details, see www.phuketboardriders.com.

Photos and Text:  Tim Hain – ASC

Photo 1:  Surfers heading out to enjoy afternoon session at Kamala Beach
Photo 2:  Quiksilver’s Tipi Jabrik and Jake Paterson scoping out the lineup at Kamala Beach
Photo 3:  Tipi Jabrik enjoys a quiet moment after a surf at Kamala Beach

Media Contact Thailand:
Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak
Email:  joob@phuketboardriders.com

Media Contact – ASC
Tim Hain
Email:  tim@isctour.com

“I knew if I got the right waves I could win, but it was really hard sometimes to know which one would give me the chance to do a big move”, said Sriden after the 25 minute final.  “I surf with the other guys all the time, so I knew I had to be aggressive to win” he added.  And he did just that, posting 4.5 points on his first wave to take the lead before adding several 3 point + waves to finish with a two wave best score total of 8.25 to best runner up Jamie Smith’s 6.50.

The first event of the three event series named The Monsoon Riders saw over 100 surfers competing in four divisions, Men’s Open, Longboard, Women’s, and Junior’s (under 14 years old) over a three day period starting on Friday June 12 and finished up on Monday June 14.  A truly international field of competitors, the event attracted surfers from Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Hawaii, the USA, and Thailand.

At the opening ceremony on the Kalim Beach strip overlooking the coral reef righthander on Friday morning, the competitors and the spectators were treated to some native Thai dances and performances before the Vice Governor of Phuket Mr. Worapoj Rattasima thanked the Phuket Boardriders Club and Quiksilver SEA for their work in promoting surfing and tourism in Thailand and the Phuket area, pledging his continued support of their efforts.

Shortly after the opening ceremony, the first of the 64 surfers signed up to compete in the Men’s Open division took to the water.  The warm water and beautiful weather conditions made for fun competition and proved great entertainment for the spectators gathered on the golden sands of Kalim Beach.  Round 1 of the Men’s Open and Round 1 of the Longboard division were completed in the first day’s action.

Day Two saw and increase in swell size to very good 3 foot (1 meter) conditions, allowing the surfers more opportunities for an even greater variety of maneuvers to the delight of the fans on the beach.  The Women’s, Juniors, Longboard and Men’s Open divisions all competed on Saturday, setting things up for a Sunday finish.

The Sunday morning sun revealed a drop in swell size, but as the remaining contestants consisted of local Phuket surfers, with the exception of Australian Bree Evens in the Women’s Division, all were familiar with the set up and conditions so it was business as usual and highly competitive in all divisions.

The Longboard Division looked to be having the most fun, giving the crowd on the beach the full smorgasbord of tricks including noserides, cross-stepping, headstands, fin-first takeoffs, and everything in between.  But at the end of the day it was Preecha Trirat that narrowly defeated his Kata Surf Club mate Chalee Yampluem for the victory.

In the Women’s Division young Aussie Bree Evans put on a clinic, ripping her way into the top spot over 11 year old local Annisa Flynn, who although coming in second in the Women’s bested all the boys in the Junior Division to claim first place and the top spot on the podium in the Juniors.  Looks like the future of women’s surfing in Phuket is in great hands!

Coming in second place in the Junior Final was exceptional young surfer Oliver Penmit, a standout in that he competed in the Junior, Longboard, and Men’s Open, reaching the finals in both the Junior and the Longboard divisions.

After the day’s competition was completed, the contest crew and surfers had a few hours to relax before heading to the Jungceylon Shopping Center in Patong Beach for an evening of entertainment, food and drinks, the awards presentation, and a bikini competition with 8 of Thailand’s sexiest girls!

The finalists in all divisions received cash ranging from 10,000 to 1,000 THB, as well as products and gift certificates from Quiksilver, Roxy, Jim Beam, Patong Paragon Hotel, and other sponsors.

Quiksilver SE Asia’s Sports Marketing Manager and ex-World Tour professional surfer Jake “the Snake” Paterson was very pleased with the entire event, saying “We are delighted on having the opportunity to be the presenting sponsor in the Thailand Surf Series, and that the Phuket Boardriders Club, the Phuket Government, and the many local businesses here are so supportive in giving their resources to grow the sport of surfing here in Thailand.”  He then said, “Seeing the enthusiasm and the skill of the local surfers and the tremendous potential here, we’re looking forward to helping to it develop over the next three years and hopefully longer.”

The organizer and president of the Phuket Boardriders Club Chanin “Joob” Aiyarak added this;  “ I would really like to thank Quiksilver for sponsoring our Thailand Surf Series, for with their help we can now reach a wider audience and help our young kids to learn about what a fun and healthy sport surfing is.  Our future is with our kids, we cannot forget that.”

The Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series is presented by Quiksilver South East Asia, supported by the Phuket Provincial Office, Thailand Tourism and Sport Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), Patong Municipality, Kamala OBT, and Karon Municipality, with media sponsors the Phuket Gazette, PG TV, Blue Wave 90.5FM, B95FM, Phuket Bulletin, MTV, Phuket Neo Photo Club, and sponsors Jim Beam, Nok Air, Kingfisher Beer, Jungceylon Shopping Center, and the Patong Paragon Hotel.

The Thailand Surf Series is sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships, and the next event will be the King of the Jungle at Kamala Beach from August 14-16.  For more information check www.phuketboardriders.com and www.thaisurfseries.com

Monsoon Riders Contest Results:

Men’s Open:

1. Ekkarat Sriden
2. Jamie Smith
3. Noppasit Boonchuey
4. Jakkapan Thongnat

Longboard:

1. Preecha Trirat
2. Chalee Yampluem
3. Jamie Smith
4. Decha Sittidej

Women’s:

1. Bree Evans
2. Annissa Flynn
3. Sam-Ang Pheongkong
4. Kulab Boonjalran

Junior:

1. Annissa Flynn
2. Oliver Penmit
3. Panjo Schenieder
4. Panu Wisetsombat

Photos and Text by Tim Hain – ISC/ASC Media

Tim Hain
Media Director- Coca-Cola ISC Tour
Email: tim@isctour.com
www.isctour.com

Ekkarat Sriden

Bree Evans

Preecha Trirat

Annissa Flynn

Jake Paterson

ROXY girl contest

Kata Beach on 4-6 September

-the schedule is coming soon-

Program

Firday 14 August, 2009

07.00-07.30      Registration for all divisions
08.00-08.30      Opening Ceremony
08.45-11.45        Short Board 1st round
11.45-12.45         Lunch Break
13.00-16.00        Short Board 1st round
16.00-18.00        Long Board 1st round

Saturday 15 August, 2009

07.30-11.45    Short Board 2nd round
11.45-13.00     Lunch Break
13.00-15.00    Long Board 2nd round
15.00-16.00    Women 1st round
16.00-17.00    Groms 1st round

Sunday 16 August, 2009

07.30-08.30   Short board Quarter Final
08.30-09.30    Long Board Simi Final
09.30-10.30    Women Semi Final
10.30-11.30     Groms Simi Final
11.30-13.00     Lunch Break
13.00-14.00     Short board Semi Final
14.00-14.30     Long Board – FINAL
14.30-15.00     Women – FINAL
15.30-16.00      Groms –FINAL
16.00-16.30      Short Board – FINAL
19.00-22.00     Award Party at Print Kamala Resort
22.00-02.00     After party at StereoLAB Surin Beach

Important Notes:
- Schedule is approximate and may change with surf and weather conditions.
- Participants have to register and pay their entry fee on or before Firday 14 August, 2009 at contest area before 08.00am in order to join Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series – King of The Jungle event.
- If a surfer shows up late or otherwise fails to enter his heat, he will not be allow to join in the next heat.
- Any questions or inquiry please send email to tss@phuketboardriders.com or call 081-9565854

Friday 12 June 2009

0700-0800 Registration
0800-0900 Opening Ceremony
0900-1130 Shortboard 1st round (heat 1-10)
1130-1230 Break
1230-1430 Longboard 1st round (heat 1-8)
1430-1700 Shortboard 1st round (heat 11-20)

Saturday 13 June 2009

0900-1130 Shortboard 2nd round (heat 1-10)
1130-1230 Groms 1st round (heat 1-4)
1230-1330 Break
1330-1430 Women 1st round (heat 1-4)
1430-1630 Shortboard 3rd round (heat 1-8)

Sunday 14 June 2009
0900-1000 Shortboard quarter-final (heat 1-4)
1000-1100 Longboard quarter-final (heat 1-4)
1100-1200 Break
1200-1240 Shortboard semi-final (heat 1-2)
1240-1320 Women semi-final (heat 1-2)
1320-1400 Grom semi-final (heat 1-2)
1400-1440 Longboard semi final (heat 1-2)
1440-1540 Break
1540-1600 Women Final
1600-1620 Grom Final
1620-1640 Longboard Final
1640-1700 Shortboard Final

1900-2300 Award Party

Note: Schedule is approximate and may change with surf and weather conditions.