Bali Welcomes The Return Of World Famous Surf Competition

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Bali is preparing to welcome surfers from all over the world ahead of the 16th annual Padang Padang Rip Curl Cup. The event has had to be put on hold for the last two years due to the pandemic. Organizers have shared their excitement as they get the final preparations in place.

Trials for the competition are being held throughout July, with the main event happening throughout August 2022. The event spans the month since the Rip Curl team will be keeping a close eye on the coastal conditions to ensure that the world-renowned event and world-class surfers have only the best conditions to compete. 

The competition is open to international competitors and prioritizes places for local surfing legends. There are 32 confirmed local invitees, many of whom have been waiting in eager anticipation for the event to return. The event is hosted by surf company Rip Curl with sponsorship partners Island Brewing, Anantara Uluwatu Resort, Bali Belly, BizNet, Asian Surf Co, Cliff House, Samudera Sports, and WSL. 

Padang Padang Beach can be found in South Kuta, Uluwatu. The beach is known for having some of the best surf conditions in Bali and has been the favorite hangout of international surfers for decades. The World Surf League (WSL) spoke with local reporters in Bali to share their relief at the event’s return.

‘WSL is very excited to welcome this year’s Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang in Indonesia. We are very pleased to be working with Rip Curl on this special event in 2022’ said WSL Asia Pacific manager Ty Sorati. 

The competition’s director James Hendy said ‘Being able to watch the world’s best tube riders face off against Indonesia’s best talent in Bali after two years of absence is something we all dream of’.

He went on to say that ‘We thank the local surfing community and the local government for allowing this tradition to continue and look forward to seeing everyone come to the opening of this event at Padang Padang Beach on Sunday, July 31’.

The format for the event has changed since the last competition in 2019. The event will see the eight top surfers with the highest total heat scores progress to the finals in August. Those eight surfers will be joined by the surfer with the highest overall heat total from two combined waves scores to process to the main competition that will be held during the best waves in August. 

Organizers and the surfing community are celebrating the appearance of Tanian Angel Izquierdo on the lineup as the only female competitor from Indonesia.

She told the media ‘Since I was little, I always come to the Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang event to witness and feel how special and magical this event is..when I got the invitation to surf in this year’s trials competition, I felt so amazed, honored and grateful…To be the only Indonesian female surfer to compete against some of my favorite surfers and not just at a regular surf spot but at Padang Padang?! Wow, really a dream come true’.

The return of one of Bali’s most prestigious surfing competitions comes as the island is also celebrating its winning bid to host the World Beach Games in 2023. The Chair of Indonesia’s Olympic Committee, Raja Sapta Oktohari confirmed that Indonesia had won the bid to host the event from the Olympic committee last week.

In a written statement he explained ‘The World Beach Games in Bali is not only profitable for the world of sports, but can also have a positive impact on the economic and tourism sectors. AWBG is the most prestigious multi-event for beach and water sports which will be attended by 1,200 athletes and 1,400 officials from 100 countries’. The World Beach Games will be held in Bali from the 5-12th August 2023, venues will be announced soon.