Arugam Bay Surf Competition, fun runners and barefoot pilgrims.
Written by Steve on July 13th, 2009
Arugam Bay Surf Competition, fun runners and barefoot pilgrims.
7th July 2009
What a week & weekend; Arugam Bay has hosted the UK Professional surf association (UKPSA) Champion of Champions International surf contest. 5 days of top class surfing. Local surfers involved in the heats competing against the professionals, culminating in 2 finals, Sri Lanka
local amateur final followed by the UKPSA Champion of Champions final.
Local winner was WLU Asanka
UKPSA winner was Richie Sills
I took reams of photos, finger blistered from the shutter button and the delete button on the laptop with all the ‘not quite’ photos having to go. Had an uplifting experience on a boat as we went out to shoot the finals from ocean side rather than shore, boat got lifted out of the water by an enormous wave, me sitting on the bow (pointy end) rodeo riding position, hands between legs gripping the boat keeping my butt firmly in contact with the boat, legs akimbo as boat plummeted down, anyone get a photo of my style I would love to see it, could hear the whole surfing spectators take a deep breath in shock of the manoeuvre followed by a huge whoop as the boat crashed back down! Fortunately for me I had my back to the whole scene so never saw how close to airborne we became, also fortunate the only injury was to my pride as I last the battle to remain at one with the boat and lay sprawled indignantly in the bottom of the boat, may have even got a point score for the ‘take-off’ style but lost it all on the landing!?
UKPSA last visit was 2005 after Tsunami as the BPSA, good to see them back. Thanks to Dave Reed and his team’s hard work.
Today is ‘Poya’ full moon day, falling on a Monday means a long weekend for many in Sri Lanka, 80% of the visitors this weekend are local Sri Lanka of which 99% are visiting Arugam Bay and the east coast for the very first time, cessation of hostilities has opened the door for all to see the beauty of Arugam Bay hidden for the past 30years. Every hotel is full, beach is alive with people optimism runs wild, and the week has been special. So many Colombo visitors, the Surf competition, first of the pilgrims walking through Arugam, Yala to Katragama from Jaffna, the inaugural beach ‘Fun Run’ from Potty Point to Arugam Bay Point. Almost seems normal?!
One intrepid crew came from Colombo to kite surf, general conditions (lack of wind) prevented that however they did set a record for Colombo to AbaY, 5.5 hours! Leaving Colombo 2am, night drive across on good roads.
The past still casts dark shadows but the week showed what could be achieved. Bright new beginning? Lets hope so.
Steve
All photos are available to buy from www.photographersdirect.com or email steve@lookinglost.com