BANYUWANGI – It's been three years since Pulau Merah Beach has not held a surfing competition. This beautiful beach in the south of the city of Banyuwangi last held an International Surfing Competition in 2015 then.
Reported from detik.com, This year, Red Island Beach Banyuwangi again holds the Gandrung Surf Competition 2019. Surfers from the archipelago and abroad are taking part in this event.
Gandrung Surf Competition 2019 this is followed by more than 80 participants from within and outside the country, like Australia and Japan.
In this event, the participants are divided into several categories, among others Open Classes, Under 16, Under 12, Women dan Long Board. They will compete for two days, Saturday and Sunday (6-7/72019).
The participants look like they are dancing on the water with their surfboards moving on the big waves. Many participants managed to conquer the high waves of the beach which is known to be beautiful at sunset.
They were given a few minutes, to show the jury his skill in conquering the waves. Assessment is done several times, until the surfer shows his best talent in this competition.
This event itself is held by the surrounding community or the Red Island Beach Pokmaswas.
“This is a revival of the local community to hold a surfing event without the intervention of EOs from other regions. This is purely our event,” said Suyitno, The head of the Gandrung Surf Competition event organizer, Saturday (6/7/2019).
“We were challenged by Regent Anas to make our own event. Without any EO from outside and it turns out we can,” he added.
Even though it's vacuum for 3 year, Suyitno continued, but the enthusiasm of surfers from the archipelago and abroad is very high. Proven, from online registration there 140 participants who register.
“But the fixed ones came today, around 80 participants came. Tomorrow will be more,” added.
Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas admitted that he was happy with the inaugural event held by the community around the Red Island Beach of Banyuwangi. This shows that the Banyuwangi Festival activities foster the enthusiasm of the community to package tourist destinations well.
“It's proven that this event can run even though local residents pack it. More and more domestic and foreign tourists are coming to Banyuwangi,” he said when greeting the invitees through the Facetime application.
Red Island Beach, according to Regent Anas, is a favorite tourist destination for tourists. During Eid holidays and school holidays, This beach is the most visited place compared to other tourist destinations after Ijen Crater TWA.
“Data from Disbudpar Banyuwangi most visits on Red Island, TWA Ijen Crater and other destinations,” he concluded.
One of the participants from Jogjakarta's Parangtritis Beach, Oyoaki Iko, admitted that the waves on the Red Island beach in Banyuwangi are very consistent. This is what she likes the most because it will support her to look good. But the wind on this beach is very strong. This is a challenge for him to become a champion in this event.
“The wind is strong. But this is a challenge for me. Hope you can be a winner,” said Iko.
