Reef Bali Pro surfing competition kicks off

KUTA: Round 1 and the first four heats of Round 2 were completed today in the Reef Bali Pro at Kuta Beach, as a highly anticipated large swell finally arrived resulting in 3-foot waves for most of the morning.

Standouts during the morning's session included Kadek Murtika from Canggu, who found the head-high left-handers coming in from the south very much to his liking, resulting in a Round 3 berth as his reward for taking first in his Round 1 and Round 2 heats.

The wave of the day honor belonged to a lucky Dewa Ardika from Kuta, who in the final minute of his Round 2 heat slotted into the only barrel of the morning. He managed to find the doggy door, going from last place in the heat to second, thereby dodging an early exit and gaining himself a spot in the third round.

Of historical significance was the presence of Affan from the island of Sumba competing in his first ever Coca-Cola ISC event. - JP