SURFER’S Paradise

FOR THREE DAYS, Dean Izzi rode the waves off Sorake beach in the North Sumatra regency of Nias Selatan. The Australian surfer enjoyed waves of up to 10 meters.

Dean Izzi said the waves at Sorake were great for surfing, adding that Sorake Beach was a surfers paradise.

“The waves here are far out, extreme and fit very well for surving,” Izzi told The Jakarta Post at Sorake Beach on July 26.

Sorake Beach is located on Nias Island west of the Sumatra mainland, more specifically in the village of Botohilitano in Telu, Dalam district.

The beach face the Indian Ocean, which explains the extreme waves wit hcrests as high as 15 meters. The waves also tend to roll perfectly before breaking at the water’s edge. Sorake Beach’s waves spoil surfers with five levels of height to choose from. Skillful surfers can perform incredible stunts on each level as they ride the waves, which can reach a length of 200 meters.

Once a best-kept secret among surfers, the beach is becoming quite a well-known tourist spot. From April until August, the beach hosts many surfers from various countries.

Social Zagoto, a Sorake community figure, said for five months starting in April Sorake Beach is packed with surfers. Zagoto added that, during that period, the rolls can reach a length of 200 meters.

“That’s what draws the world’s surfers to Sorake Beach,” Sosial told the Post on July 26.

Social also said that, this month, hundreds of surfers, including Macekly from Hawaii, had gathered at the beach to try and tame Sorake’s rolling waves. The surfers usually stay for several days at Sorake Beach, which has some starred hotels.

“The shortest period of stay is one week; some even spend a few months here. They want to really enjoy the beauty of the nature and extreme waves,” said Sosial, who has been accompanying and helping the surfers who come to Sorake Beach.

Social explained that Sorake Beach had several specific characteristics not found at other beaches, namely that the waves don’t rely on the direction of the wind, so surfers can ride the waves to their heart’s content. This, according to Sosial, also makes the beach popular with surfers.

“Many of the wolrd’s top surfers say the waves here are the second-best for surfing after Hawaii,” he said, citing several international competitions that were held at Sorake Beach.

In a matter of weeks, the administration of South Nias, in cooperation with the Tourism Ministry and the World Surf League (WSL), will hold the Surf Qualifying Sereis Nias Pro championship. The event will be held from Aug, 24 to 28 at Sorake Beach.

The head of the South Nias Office of Tourism, Youth and sports, Anggraeni Dachi, said the event was the government’s way to support, introduce and develop tourism at Sorake Beach.

“Our aim is that the international surfers participating in the Surf Qualifying Series will get to appreciate the special characteristics of the waves at Sorake,” said Anggraeni. 

The event offers a total of US$15,000 in prize money and trophies.

The WSL is a professional surfing tour founded in 1976 and dedicates itself to promoting world-class professional surfers. The WSL has its headquarters in LA, USA.

Aggraeni noted that various international serufing events held at Sorake Beach had positively affected the local economy.

“We are grateful that the people’s economy is getting a boost with Sorake Beach drawing in many surfers from many countries,’ said Anggraeni, who added that the regency was reliant of beach tourism.

Aside from Sorake Beach, south Nias regency also has Lagundri Beach. The white-sandy beach is located some 13 kms to the south from Teluk Dalam district. The beach borders directly with Sorake  Beach, and like Sorake Beach, Lagudnri Beach is popular among international surfers, even though the crests are not as high as those at Sorake Beach.

At Lagundri Beach, we’ll see more visitors swimming, sunbathing or snorkeling. The beach of the nhosts attractions like diving and snorkeling activities as the sea off Lagundri Beach is filled with beautiful fish