Flood of entries for Surfing Nationals at Arugam Bay
Organisers of the Open and National Surfing Championship, to be held next weekend, are coping with a flood of entries with just a few days remaining before the closing date to accept entries.
Hiran Ukwatte
Hiran Ukwatte, the president of Surfing Federation of Sri Lanka (SFSL) told the Sunday Times they have already received the targeted number of entries in both categories, with only a few slots remaining.
“We were hoping to attract a total of 80 plus for both categories and so far the response we have got is overwhelming,” Ukwatte revealed.
The National category has already reached the limit of 50 entries – 10 slots for surfers from Arugam Bay and the remaining 40 for other local competitors spread around the country. The Open category may have a few slots remaining with over 25 entries already received from foreigners currently remaining in Sri Lanka.
Girls and women will also fall into the Open category and according to the latest count over 10 entries have been received by the organisers. The Open category is now a contest among 40 surfers, with a few more entries expected.
“We may have to cut off entries early because we are almost full and we must plan the competition for both days,” added Ukwatte.
The original cut-off date for entries was September 24, two days prior to the commencement of the two-day event to be held in Arugam Bay. The event is a collaboration of SFSL and Lanka Sportreizen (LSR) with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs, Ministry of Tourism and the two sponsors – Mobitel and Lin Asia Holdings, coming on board as partners.
As expected, the event has attracted the local surfers starved of competition and more importantly foreigners, who are held up in Sri Lanka due to the coronavirus pandemic. The event comes as a mega boost for the surfers of the country, mainly those who are based in the eastern coastal surfing area in Arugam Bay.
The upcoming two-fold surfing competition will also serve as a prelude to potential local and international sporting events that are based on promoting the country as a destination for sports tourism.
SFSL president Ukwatte added that the Arugam Bay event will be the third and final instalment of the National Surfing Championship. The first leg was held earlier in Hikkaduwa followed by the second in Madiha, Matara before the viral outbreak.
The event will unfold on September 26 with the heats of both Open and National Championships. The final stages of the competition will be held on September 27 from the quarter-final stages. The national surfing rankings will be upgraded after the event.