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