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uta Beach, Bali’s famous tourist hub, will host a tow-surfing competition on June 29, the first of its kind in Asia, in which surfers will be towed by Jet Skis to conquer the waves at night.

Ten professional surfers will showcase their skills in the “Red Bull Night Rider” event, Red Bull Indonesia field marketing manager Irina Kosobukina said at a recent press conference.

“Indonesia has the honor to host this prestigious surfing competition, which has only been held in the US before. We will hold it in Bali because, undoubtedly, it is a paradise for world-class surfers.”

The first competition took place in Atlanta in 2008 and in Florida last year.

This nighttime towing competition is only for pro surfers, considering that it requires elite skills, Irina said. But everyone wishing to experience night surfing can bring their own surfboards and jump off the waves after the competition, which would start at 6 p.m., she added.

“The pro surfers will have the opportunity to capture big air and pull off their best tricks. Judges will score based on how high their amplitude is and the best air tricks they can execute with clean landings.”

“All the participants will deliver an awesome show for surfing fans, tourist and locals. It will be different and more challenging than what has been held before in Bali,” she added.

Indonesian professional surfer Rizal Tanjung said that this would be a very positive and challenging event.

“This is definitely good news for Indonesian surfers to have the opportunity to participate in the first ever night tow competition in Asia,” he said.

Of the 10 professional surfers participating in the competition, two or three will be from the US and Australia, while the rest will be Indonesian.

Indonesian surfer Koko Mitsua, one of the participants, agreed that the competition would be very challenging. “We need to keep our balance while being towed by a Jet Ski, so it will be more difficult.”

Irina said that Kuta was chosen for the location due to its good waves.

“We need waves that are close to the shore, because after the competition of the 10 pro surfers we want the public to take part as well to get the unique experience of surfing at night, so Kuta is the most convenient location for all.”

“For the lighting, we will use six light projectors, balloon lights and one big light, like an artificial sun, 25 meters high,” she said.

In collaboration with Odyssey Surf School, Red Bull will also hold a photo contest open to the public, awarding the photographer who can capture “The Best Moment” during the event.

To participate in the photo contest, each participant must register and pay the Rp 50,000 fee. Each participant may submit one picture. The photo judges are Rizal Tanjung, Andrew, the editor of Surf Time Magazine and the award-winning surf photographer, Dustin Humphrey.

The prize for the surfing competition will be around Rp 10 million (US$1,160), while the total prize for the photo contest will be around Rp 3 million.