KUALA TERENGGANU: Three local stars will spearhead the state’s challenge at the Terengganu Surfing Cup 2016, which aims to attract 130 local and international participants.
State Tourism and Culture Committee deputy chairman II Tengku Zaihan Che Ku Abd Rahman said Ahmad Didaq Mussadiq, 20, Nazreen Yen, 21, and Azmi Awang, 28, will see action at the event on Feb 12-14 at the Batu Burok beach.
Didaq won this year’s Borne Surf Event, Desaru Surf Contest and Cherating Cup and was second at last year’s Cherating International Surf and Tioman Surf Festival.
Nazreen was third and second, respectively, at this year’s Borne Surf and Desaru Surf and third at last year’s Cherating International and Tioman Surf, but finished second at last year’s Cherating Cup.
Azmi’s best effort was fourth at this year’s Borne Surf Event.
“These three are our state’s leading surfers and are improving at every event each year. Many more youngsters are coming up in their surfing careers and we wish to see them succeed,” said Zaihan.
The Terengganu Surfing Cup 2016 is the curtain raiser to the multitude of international sports and cultural events lined up for the state this year, before next year’s Visit Terengganu Year 2017.
Among them are the Terengganu Open Surfing Competition 2016 on Dec 2-4.
Zaihan said the beaches and idyllic islands of Terenggganu were ideal for surfing, owing to the strong waves of the South China Sea.
“Batu Burok, for instance, is suited for beach breaks, Merang in Setiu for point breaks and Pulau Kapas for reef break surfing,” he said at the event’s media launch.
Present were Pesona Terengganu chief executive officer Datuk Mustafar Khalid and Terengganu Wave Surfing Association secretary Mamood Safarwan.
“The Terengganu Surfing Cup 2016 offers a total of RM6,900 in prize money for men’s and women’s open shortboard, master’s open, longboard and bodyboard.
“There will also be surfing lessons given by experts from Bali, during the competition, apart from beach sports, tug-of-war and other activities,” said Zaihan.