Hometown Hero Dede Suryana Wins West Java Open 2010

Cimaja-West Java:  Hometown surfing hero Dede Suryana claimed victory today at the West Java Open 2010 supported by Quiksilver at his homebreak of Cimaja, putting together a riveting display of aggressive and radical surfing against Pepen Henrik from Bali, who is the current Coca-Cola ISC Tour points leader.


To the delight of the fans gathered along the shore, Suryana and Hendrik traded waves and big maneuvers in the 25-minute final held in 3-4 foot waves at the cobblestone beach righthander.   Suryana took the lead early and never relinquished it, but was seriously threatened near the end of heat.  Had Hendrik landed an aerial he attempted on the inside section there might have been a different result, but the consistency and quality of Suryana’s surfing had him completing difficult maneuvers and racking up points to come back to the beach the victor.

Suryana was ecstatic and very emotional, saying, “I’m so happy right now, this is the best thing ever. To win this event at my hometown in front of my family and friends is like a dream come true.  I’ve been all over the world doing WQS events lately so to be at my home break with my parents, brothers, sisters friends and everyone here, is something super special.” He then paused to wipe tears from his eyes, overcome with emotion. 

“It’s my mom here who is really the champion, so to have here and my dad to see me win is so great.  Later on the podium he added, “I want to thank my sponsors Quiksilver and Coca Cola for their support, the ISC, and all the surfers from Bali that came to compete in this event. I hope the government can continue to support this event next year and on in the future.  Thanks to them and to Diki, Boyke, and all the locals who have helped out in this event and made it a success.”

For his win today, Suryana receives Rp 12.5 million in cash and 3,000 ISC Championship points, and runner up Hendrik receives Rp 7 million and 2,500 points. 

Hendrik was also smiling after the final, knowing that he put on a good performance and that his number one ranking on the ISC tour was still intact with his runner up finish.  When asked about his he felt about the outcome he replied,  “I was being patient in the final waiting for the best waves, because I knew I would have to get a big wave and surf it well or I wouldn’t win against Dede.  But there just weren’t many coming through in the first half of the final so I got behind, which made it hard. If I would’ve completed that one aerial it might have been enough to take the win.  But Dede was surfing so good out there, he deserved to win.  I’m really happy for him and I’m still at the top of the rankings, so it’s been a great event here at Cimaja for me.”

The West Java Open 2010 Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship event began last Thursday, July 15, with 65 surfers from all over Indonesia coming to the seaside town of Cimaja in West Java to compete for prestige, cash and points towards the Coca-Cola ISC Championship, where at years end the overall champion in the Open Division will receive Rp. 100 million.

The official opening ceremony took place at the DiDesa Hotel in Cimaja on July 15 with speeches, and cultural dances, and the opening gong being rung by Mr. Ir. H. Herdiwan MM from the West Java Tourism Department.  The closing ceremony will also be held at the same venue tonight at 7 pm.

Preceding the Open Division surfing finals today there were also the Master’s Division and Women’s Division finals.

In the Women’s Division it was last year’s Coca-Cola ISC Women’s Champion Yasnyiar Gea (Nias) who was the winner, putting on a great backside surfing performance to best her opponents and receive Rp 2.5 million.  Runner up Febrie Rahmaningsih (Sumatra) recently won back-to-back events in Bali but couldn’t best Gea today, but goes home with Rp 1.5 million.

In the Master’s Final it was Ketut Wirtawan from Bali taking it out over his fellow over-35-year-old competitors, also on his backside.  Throwing up huge fans of spray with his powerful turns he impressed the fans on the beach and the judges to get the win over last year’s Coca-Cola ISC Master’s Champion Wayan Widiartha.  Wirtawan jumps up to second place in the rankings with his win today as well as puts Rp 2.5 million into his pocket.

Coca-Cola ISC Judge and Javanese surfing legend Arya Subyakto was very pleased and optimistic after the event, saying “This is the first time that the government has involved a professional organization like the ISC in an event like this, so it’s a great step forward for both surfing and tourism in Java.  This is an ideal example for other areas in Indonesia to follow, as we hope that more and more government entities recognize that this is supporting both the surfing athletes and the tourism in their area.”

The West Java Open is a part of the West Java government’s tourism promotion initiative for 2010, supported by Vice Governor of West Java Mr. Yusuf M. Effendi, the Head of West Java Tourism Mr. Ir. H. Herdiwan MM, and the TP3TP Director Mr. H. Dadang Hendar.  Mr. Diki Zulfikar from Cimaja was the Contest Director.


The West Java Open 2010 is sponsored/supported by the Tourism Department of West Java, Quiksilver SEA, Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia, the Coca-Cola ISC Tour, DiDesa Hotel and Spa, and Hotel Augusta with media partners Spice, FHM, Cosmo Girl, Trax, Men’s Fitness, SurfTime, Magic Wave, and Lines.


You can see photo and video's of the West Java Open 2010 at www.isctour.com/events/cimaja and on Facebook at both Indonesian Surfing Championship and Quiksilver Indonesia


The West Java Open 2010 is sanctioned by the Coca-Cola Indonesian Surfing Championship Tour.


West Java Open 2010 Contest Results

Open Division

1st Dede Suryana – West Java (14.75 points)
2nd Pepen Hendrik – Bali (13.9 points)
Equal 3rd – Raditya Rondi (Bali) and Dedi Santosa (Bali)

Master’s Division

1. Ketut Wirtawan (Bali)
2. Wayan Widiartha (Bali)
3. Ketut Juliarta (Bali)
4. Sujary (West Java)

Women’s Division

1. Yasnyiar Gea (Nias)
2. Febrie Rahmaningsih (Sumatra)
3. Iis Trisnawati (Pangandaran)
4. Jasmine (Bali)


The Coca-Cola Best Wave Award goes to Wayan “Betet” Merta for his perfect 10-point wave on Day 2 of the West Java Open 2010

Text and Photos: Tim Hain, Coca-Cola ISC Tour