Arugam Bay Surf Classic rolls on

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Arugam Bay Surf Classic 2012, the prime surfing contest for the local surfers commenced yesterday and will continue till July 15 at the famous surfing point in Arugam Bay.

The event is fully focused on local surfing talents and conduct by the Arugam Bay Beachwear, a strong supporter of the sport in the region in collaboration with Arugam Bay Surf Club who is the main promoter of surfing in Sri Lanka. The event was inaugurated last year with the aim to paved an effective platform for local surfing lovers. It has been a great opportunity for local surfers to weigh their skills in a high standard competition and create an identity for surfing in Sri Lanka.

This year too, the contest will be judged by a qualified international panel to secure a standard, which is globally acceptable. Arugam Bay is regarded as one of the world's best natural surfing destinations and Arugam Bay Surf Club is in the fore front of popularizing surfing through out the country.

Surfers from across the country are taking part in the competition and this will be the main surfing event prior to the international surf competition which is to be held in September. Cash prizes and gifts are on offer for the first three best surfers in the Arugam Bay Surf Classic 2012.

Arugam Bay Beachwear, which consistently works in Arugam Bay to support the community has sponsored ten surfers from Arugam Bay last year to become trained instructors. These instructors are products of Arugam Bay Surf School, making it the only surf school in Sri Lanka, which provide training for instructors. The Arugam Bay Surf school has also strongly associated with the contest and will provide surfing lessons for enthusiasts during the contest period.Sri Lanka Telecom has stepped forward to support the event as the main sponsor this year.