Sri Lanka’s Top Two Surfers, Milan and Asanka - Wild Cards into the 2010 Sri Lankan Airlines Pro ASP WQS Six Star Men’s Event at Arugam Bay.
Sri Lanka’s finest surfers were out in force to compete in the WQS Sri Lanka Surf Trials. The event held over two days, 16th and 17th June, saw a tight affair between a number of surfers. The top eight battled it out under ASP Australasia jurisdiction on the 18th June following the opening ceremony held out on Main Point, Arugam Bay. Asanka blasted his way through the first semi-final, truly showing why he has predominately held the No.1 spot in Sri Lanka for the past few years. The young pretenders, Milan, Sril and Pranith from Arugam Bay, were joined in the last eight by the long, blond haired, Natheen of Hikkaduwa, Asanka’s young cousin, Pranjis from Komari, Sril’s younger brother Chanu, Aatha from the Main Point and Arugam Bay’s colourful legend Susanthan. They were out to knock Asanka off his thrown. Alas, it was not to be! Milan continues to improve by the day, showing the potential recognised in last years 2009 UK Pro Surf Tour Event. Leading up to the competition it was Sril and Pranith who were showing awesome fire power on one of the world’s finest right hand point breaks. It was however, Milan’s day as well as Asanka’s. Both were blasting a series of manoeuvres on surfboards donated by the Devon Organisation, Paddle4Relief, back in April this year and showing the rest of the world how much natural talent can be found on the tear drop tropical isle known as Sri Lanka. The East coast of Sri Lanka may well not be a rich or developed area of the world but it sure has a richness that money cannot buy.
Sri Lankan Airlines Pro ASP WQS 6 Star Men's Sri Lanka's Wild Cards (Photo: AiyaSurfPhotography)
June 20th, 2010
Paddle4Relief continue to promote the surfing talent of Sri Lanka. In particular P4R provide support, advice and sponsorship to the Arugam Bay Surf Club and it’s talented members. 2009 saw young surfer, Milan, show off his potential during the UK Pro Surf Tour Champion of Champions competition. Milan initially showed off his natural talent as a junior in 2005/2006.
Here we can see Milan trying out the 5′10″ Rusty Aido given to him by P4R Founder, Tim Tanton.
Milan still has a little way to go before he can overcome the super talented Asanka - Sri Lanka’s No.1 surfer.
Arugam Bay’s other top surfers Sril and Pranith complete the villages top four, but keep an eye out for the up and coming talent of Atha. These young surfers will be putting their skills to the test during the WQS Sri Lanka Trials Event to be held on 16th/17th June 2010, ahead of the WQS 6 Star Main Event that starts on 18th June. The trials event will determine the top 8 surfers from Sri Lanka, who will go thro to compete on Day 1 of the main WQS event to establish Sri Lanka’s 2 Wild card entries.
April 30th, 2010
After spending some time chasing monkeys away from the garden and watching Tim play with his catapult, I think thats what he likes best about the monkey chasing! The main monkey decided to get his own back. Running and attacking three times giving Tim a very good look at his gnashers. Tim only had one shot left as he stood beneath a tree with a monkey coming ever closer continuing to snarl, and still he wanted to play Indiana Jones!! With me thinking that maybe a trip to a dodgy hospital might be on the cards, I was far too slow with the camera. But imagine the scene a monkey in the tree snarling not giving up and a not too disimilar monkey on the ground in a very nail biting stand off. But with encouragement from Gayani, Tim took his last shot and proudly hit the monkey right in the solarplexus (his word!).
April 13th, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 07:00
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A FORMER Torrington mayor is urging North Devonians to buy and name water wells in Sri-Lanka.
Journal columnist, Anne Tattersall, who writes Tatt’s Life was inspired by one of her subjects Braunton’s Tim Tanton who set up Paddle4Relief to help Sri-Lankan victims of the for Tsuanmi.
Tim told her it cost just £50 to build a well to get a whole village fresh water and Anne subsequently donated enough for a well.
Anne decided to call the well, which is now up and running, Mandela, after Nelson for his work in fighting poverty.
She said: “I was so impressed it only costs £50 to bring fresh water to a village and I think would be great if we could get a few more Devonians to donate £50 and have a well named.”
Paddle4Relief works in the Arugam Bay area of Sri Lanka and for more information and to make a donation visit www.paddle4relief.co.uk.
February 27th, 2010
The surfers of Arugam Bay, members of the Arugam Bay Surf Club, have managed to fund a project where they took the initiative and made and erected signs for their beach. Since the end of the civil war, back in May 2009, the beach in Arugam Bay has seen countless more visitors, and with it, rubbish! The young surfers are very much aware of the importance of protecting their natural playground. The sea and beach is not just a playground though, its a way of life, its where they fish to earn the money to support their families.
So with the help of travelling surfers and Paddle4Relief, the boys raised enough money to purchase materials to make four signs. The local surfers were concerned at the state of the beach and the effect the rubbish was having on their environment.
Fawas, Chairman of Arugam Bay Surf Club and Krishantha, Secretary, built the signs whilst myself, Leah, Erandathi and Fawas carried out the artwork in three languages; Sinhalese, English and Tamil.
Now there is no excuse for people to throw their rubbish on or around the beach area. The signs are clearly there to inform visitors that their rubbish is not wanted.
The local Special Task Force and Tourist Association have also acted on the problem and got involved. They have provided bins and more signs.
I personally, am very happy at seeing this initiative develop. From back in 2005 when we were involved in the first village clean there has been a slow but progressive movement towards keeping the village and beach clear of rubbish. The young surfers in particular appear to be at the forefront of this movement and are fully supported by the Paddle4Relief Team. Their focus reflects the focus of Paddle4Relief in its determination to protect our beautiful environment. Beach cleans are an important initiative in the fight against pollution.
(Photographs are courtesy and copyright of Paddle4Relief and Aiya Surf Photography)
January 25th, 2010
Etiquette Lost! - Etiquette within surfing has been a losing battle for many a year now! Etiquette in ABay seems almost completely lost! It’s always been competitive to say the least during the main season but not October! The local boys had overcome their exuberant desire to catch every wave and realised that everyone was entitled to snag a wave or two. Alas, there is a new breed of surfer in town, a breed that are not only hungry for waves but appear to have no soul for surfing! It’s a zoo out there, a similiar zoo that hit Hikkaduwa many a year ago! The atmosphere has changed, the smiles are lost. The crowds are now three fold from even a year ago. The civil war is over, the benefits are obvious. Unfortunately, there appears to be a new war, a war for waves. Regular fracas between local and traveling surfer, or traveling and traveling surfer! The harmony and friendly banter replaced by scowls, snaking and drop ins! It would be different if these individuals could actually surf but it seems their forte is that which does not resemble any form of surfing etiquette or ability what-so-ever. Such disharmony has cast a shadow over the once blissful laid back line-up of ABay. It has been compared to a swarm of locusts descending and destroying the crop! Some may say its a sign of the times, that we must expect and accept the inevitable! Yet is complacency acceptable? Surely for those that have done the years of civil war and tsunami destruction we should stand tall for the right to continue enjoying this surfing heaven along with the local crew, and not give it up to a group of soul-less individuals that have jumped on the ever increasing surfing circus! Lets hope the smiles and friendly banter return soon before this beautiful break is swallowed up by the package tour masses and lost in a wave of financial gain!
October 4th, 2009
Big Yellow Banana Carnage – Over excited, frantic, gungho and a host of similar expletives come to mind following my first surf session on returning to Abay! It had been a little over two months since I had dragged my battered body from the right hand reef point break. My last wave in July had seen me pile driven into the reef. Torn boardies, cuts to hand and butt! Bruising to spine and shoulder! Oh how everyone laughed as I struggled to sit down on the thirty hour jaunt back to the UK! One butt cheek more damaged than the other! Well I was back. Still can’t surf for toffee but totally addicted to surfing in this tropical country. One can’t really miss me out at the point! I’m generally the token long boarder! The board like a boat! 9′ 5” Gulf Stream and very yellow! Primrose! Or as the locals say “Big Yellow Banana”. My first surf back at the point and I tweak my right calf, crack a rib or two and do nothing to help my heavily strapped left shoulder! Who knows what tomorrow will bring, so best live for today and enjoy! It’s got to be a giggle to see surfers and their boards scattering as I charge through the line-up with total disregard to life or limb! What I know is that I have a smile from ear to ear as the adrenaline surges through my battered limbs. It’s after that I feel the pain, the discomfort and the foolishness of my actions. My ears harassed by my adopted Sri Lankan sisters and my closest friends from back home. I know they’re right but I’m Taurean and apparently very stubborn! So, expect to see the “Big Yellow Banana” causing carnage a few more times out at the point!
September 30th, 2009
No Fish, no dinner! - the fishing season is not quite happening for many of the fishermen. The rains have failed to appear, hence the fishing slow. With this years summer season being so hot and dry, the local community is desperate for the rains to start. With less fish around comes a higher price per kilo. So, when shoals of small fish are spotted close to the shore it’s a time for the hand lines with sets of small feather type lures. Much the same as our Mackerel fishing here in the UK but scaled down to accommodate the smaller fish. For Chris and myself it’s an easier task, we have rods n reels at our disposal. Sets of lures we brought out from the UK prove successful. Unfortunately the reef claims Chris’s top catching set and his ability to catch goes to the dogs! For four days we catch enough to feed the family, and more. And this is no small family, more than dozen mouths to feed. Luckily for us Chris is allergic to fish! And how those small fish taste, both fried and curried. Result!
September 29th, 2009
Elephants and Water – A trip to Pottuvil Point highlighted the destruction a herd of thirsty elephants can cause! In one night a vast area leading to the point had it’s Coconut trees flattened. Their shallow root system torn from the ground. Those locals that live in areas that offer water during such dry periods, do so in fear! Many throughout the years have been killed by these huge mammals. It’s a tragic fact of life that this occurs, and shows how desperate that all within the animal kingdom thrive to quench a thirst. A thirst that is paramount for survival!
September 29th, 2009
Galvanized Sheet over Concrete – Not only did he head butt a long board but now he has chosen to fall down a concrete pit! Now you would have thought that a load of galvanized sheet lying on the ground would have given one cause for thought! Alas no, galvanized sheet means a smoother surface for the feet to walk on! Well hey, concrete more rough! Sure, it was night time, and the ability to see poor but why?
I was not witness to the event, I had heard a commotion from where I was situated at the local Tea Shop. We had been previously surfing together at Baby Point and I had caught a sweet, waist high wave in and was keen for a glass of tea. When we heard the crash we thought a fight had started. It has been the end of Ramadan Festival and many Sri Lankans had been celebrating by getting drunk and at times volatile! The few that do drink tend to be light weights and quickly get drunk. Generally it is quite entertaining as they tend to burst out in song and/or dance, or just fall over and sleep where they collapse!
As for Chris, he was sober and had just surfed. He had no excuse! He has however got three cut up toes and a constant reminder of his excursion down the concrete jelly fish hole!
September 29th, 2009
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