Bali is preparing to receive surfers from around the world for the 16th annual Padang Padang Rip Curl Cup. Due to the pandemic, the event had to be postponed for the past two years.
The competition’s trials will take place throughout July, with the final event taking place in August 2022.
The competition is available to foreign participants, although places are primarily reserved for local surfing legends. There are 32 confirmed local competitors, many of whom have been waiting with bated breath for the event to return.
Rip Curl is hosting the tournament, which is sponsored by Island Brewing, Anantara Uluwatu Resort, Bali Belly, BizNet, Asian Surf Co, Cliff House, Samudera Sports and the WSL.
“WSL is very excited to welcome this year’s Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang in Indonesia. We are very pleased to be working with Rip Curl on this special event in 2022” said WSL Asia Pacific manager Ty Sorati to Bali Tribune.
“Being able to watch the world’s top tube riders face off against Indonesia’s best talent in Bali after two years away is something we all dream of,” said competition director James Hendy.
“We applaud the local surfing community and local government for continuing this tradition, and we look forward to seeing everyone at Padang Padang Beach on Sunday, July 31 for the start of this event,” he added.
Since the last tournament in 2019, the format of the event has changed. The top eight surfers with the highest cumulative heat scores advance to the finals in August. These eight surfers will be joined by the surfer with the highest cumulative score from two combined wave scores to advance to the main competition, which will be held in August during the best waves.
The revival of one of Bali’s most famous surfing competitions coincides with the island’s successful bid to host the World Beach Games in 2023. Raja Sapta Oktohari, chairman of the Indonesian Olympic Committee, said last week that Indonesia had won the bid to host the event from the Olympic Committee.