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local surfer from Bali has won the Red Bull Night Riders, Asia’s first “tow-at” surfing competition, where participants are pulled by jetskis to surf Kuta Beach waves at night.

I Wayan Betet Merta impressed the judges with his air tricks, landing steadily on the waves to the cheers of hundreds of spectators at the famous tourist hub.

As the best “night rider”, he won Rp 5 million (US$585) and a trophy.

Betet, the 30-year-old native of Kuta who began surfing at the age of 10, said he was proud to win the first tow-at surfing competition in Asia, defeating overseas participants. “Tow-at surfing is difficult at night, with only limited lighting.

“It requires skill to predict the waves’ direction to perform smooth air tricks and the landing.”

He attributed some of his victory to luck. “I felt fortunate because my jetski rider had perfect timing and knew the direction I wanted to move,” said Betet, who often joins overseas surfing competitions, including in Australia, California, Hawaii and Japan.

Another Balinese surfer, Made Garut, won the second prize of Rp 3 million and a trophy, followed by Australian Beau Walker. Walker won Rp 1.5 million and a trophy.

As the only champion from Australia in the Red Bull Night Riders, Walker said he was proud to join the competition, and it gave him valuable experience.

“It was really fun and exciting to surf in this night competition, and yet challenging because of the [lack of] light.”

He said surfing in Bali was more fun than in Australia because of the beaches’ beauty.

The night surfing competition attracted hundreds of spectators. Under the night lights, 12 participants — all professional surfers — captured air and performed their best tricks. Each participant had 15 minutes to compete.

Judges decided the winner based on amplitude height, air trick complexity and landing.

The judges were world “pipeline” master Jamie O’Brien, professional surfer Mike Romelse and editor of Surftime magazine’s I Putu Surya Nalendra.

Koko Mitsua, the youngest participant, said tow-at surfing was difficult, but a unique experience.

“It was hard to be on the surfboard while being towed, and hard to predict the waves in limited light,” said the 14-year-old surfer who has won several titles.

Red Bull Indonesia field marketing manager Irina Kosobukina said she was proud that local surfers had excelled in the competition.

Given the public’s enthusiastic response, she said she expected the competition would be held annually.