World surfers catch waves at Krui Pro 2017 in Sumatra

With variety of attractive surfing spots, Indonesia is known to be a surfer's paradise. (Shutterstock/File)

Bali is not the only place where the world’s best surfers gather and this could be seen at this year’s Krui Pro international surfing competition, which was held at Tanjung Setia Beach in Sumatra from April 14 to 16.

“Fifty-one of the surfers are from countries known to have the best surfers in the world, like sAustralia, Brazil, New Zealand, South Korea, Greece, the United States and Japan; the rest of the participants are surfers from Indonesia,” said West Pesisir Regent Agus Istiqlal.

Organizing and hosting the event was a collaborative effort involving the West Pesisir Barat regency, the Tourism Ministry, the World Surf League (WSL), the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) and the Indonesia Wave Surfing Association (PSOI). Participants at the 2017 Krui Pro competed in the World Surf League (WSL) QS 1000 Men’s and Women’s Surfing Competition qualifiers. The elimination round was officiated by Lampung Governor M. Ridho.

Tanjung Setia Beach is located in West Pesisir regency at the southernmost end of Sumatra Island and faces the Indian Ocean. It has been described as a haven for surfers as the waves can go as high as seven meters with a length of up to 200 meters.

“The ASC team has visited the place and stated that the West Pesisir regency, especially its Tanjung Setia and Mandiri beaches, is qualified to be the surfing venue for Asian Games XVIII in 2018, or for other international-level competitions,” said Esthy Reko Astuti, the minister's deputy for tourism marketing. (JakartaPost)