17 August 2009, Phuket-Thailand: 11 year old Annissa Flynn took both Junior and Women’s division wins yesterday the Quiksilver King of the Jungle event at Kamala Beach, coming in only briefly to change rash shirts before padding out again between the two finals. She deftly maneuvered her way through the often tricky 2-foot beachbreak during the two 20-minute final heats to capitalize on scoring opportunities, besting her rivals and coming back to the beach with incredible back-to-back wins.
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
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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
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