Filipino surfer Philmar Alipayo wins West Sumbawa Pro 2016 in Bali

WEST SUMBAWA, Indonesia – In the dying seconds of the 30 minute finale to the 4-day West Sumbawa Pro 2016, the Philippine’s Philmar Alipayo snatched victory from Bali’s Mega Semadhi, locking into the best wave of the final and earning a perfect 10 point score from the judges to get his first ASC tour win, and bring home a beautiful traditional West Sumbawa sword and Rp 20 million (approximately $1,600 USD) in prize money.

“This is my first time to come to Indonesia, and I’ve been dreaming about it ever since I started surfing, so to come here and win this comp…I’m over the moon, I’m so happy!” said Alipayo according to a press release.

Alipayo hails from the island of Siargao, home to the world famous Cloud 9 wave, so is very much at home surfing shallow and critical reef breaks. 

“This is the best wave of my life for sure. I wasn’t thinking about winning the comp at all, just about coming here to enjoy the waves and the place. I’ve only ever competed in local comps as it’s quite expensive to travel from the Philippines, so I was just happy to be able to make the trip and enter the contest,” he said.

The quarterfinals of the West Sumbawa Pro 2016 started the final day of ASC men’s competition at the barreling reef break of Supersucks, with 7 of Indonesia’s best pro surfers and one relatively unknown Filipino surfer taking on the challenge of getting the deepest and longest barrels to impress the judging panel and come home with the victory.

Though there were some long lulls during the mornings action and conditions weren’t perfect, but when the set waves came adrenaline filled the air as well as the whoops and hollers from the audience sitting on their boards in the channel, cheering both the great tubes and the wipeouts with equal enthusiasm.  

Video of final day action by Sean Gilhooley

It was a great end to the 4 day competition that saw 8 women from 4 countries (Australia, Japan, Indonesia, and Taiwan) and 48 men from 5 countries (Australia, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan and Japan) competing at 3 different surf spots in WestSumbawa: Yoyo’s, Playgrounds, and Supersucks.

West Sumbawa Pro Contest Results:

Men’s Division

1.  Philmar Alipayo (PHP)

2.  Mega Semadhi (IDN)

3.  (Equal 3rd place) Made “Bol” Adi Putra (IDN) and Dede Suryana (IDN)

Women’s Division

1.  Claire Bevilacqua (AUS)

2.  Denver Young (AUS)

3.  Kailani Johnson (IND)

4.  Puanani Johnson (IND)

The West Sumbawa Pro 2016 was part of the West Sumbawa Festival 2016, which included an opening ceremony with traditional culture art performances, the surfing contest, a parade, live music performances each evening, a beach volleyball tournament, and a photography contest.

The West Sumbawa Pro 2016 is sponsored by PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara, the Government of West Sumbawa, the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and the Creative Economy, Wonderful Indonesia, the Government of Nusa Tenggara Barat, Bank NTB, Pesona Lombok Sumbawa, and Kabar NTB, organized by Lensa Pulau Sumbawa with the West SumbawaBoardriders, and sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships. – Rappler.com