Sophie Callister loving the long left of Krui. - WSL / Tim Hain
Competition resumed in long pristine peeling lefthanders at the Krui Pro, with the second half of men's Round One and the opening three Rounds of the women's division completed. The playing field is massive with rides up to 100 meters long on offer so wave selection and execution was the key to progressing through the draw.
Australia's Chris Zaffis claimed his maiden QS win this time last year and today started his Krui Pro campaign in fine form. Zaffis claimed the two highest wave scores of the heat using his fast and powerful approach to impress the judges and easily advance into Round Two with compatriot Moses Le Grice also advancing in 2nd position.
Chris Zaffis has enjoyed success in Indo before and he'll be looking to go again in 2017. - WSL / Tim Hain
"I've never surfed a long left reef/pointbreak like this before - it's been so much fun," Zaffis said. "It was a bit of a chess match out there. There was long lulls in between sets and at these QS events everyone is capable of getting big scores so I just went out and tried to get some big scores early and it worked out for me. This is my first time coming to Sumatra and it is incredible - I will be coming back."
Made ‘Garut' Widiarta was the standout surfer of the day, surfing fast and hard, linking high risk turns on critical sections. The Balinese goofy-footer enjoyed surfing on his forehand during competition.
Garut Widiarta feeling right at home at Krui. - WSL / Tim Hain
"I love surfing long lefts!" Widiarta said. "I have never been here before and I can't believe how fun this wave is. I was lucky to be in the spot for a few sets. This board is about three years old and I decided last minute to bring it. It was perfect for this spot."
Japanese pair Minori Kawai and Amuro Tsuzuki surfed through to the Semifinals in hard fought battles against talented a local and International field. Both surfers posted excellent scores for committed and sharp surfing on Krui's long left-handers.
Minori Kawai making the most of her time in paradise. - WSL / Tim Hain
"It feels so good to be into the Semifinals - but as this is QS1,000 I really want to win to get the points to improve my QS seeding," Kawai said. "When I looked this wave up on the internet I was worried it would be heavy, but now that I have been out there it has been great to surf the wave and get confidence in reef breaks."
Lucy Callister advanced into the Semifinals alongside fellow Australian Ellie Francis. Both surfers were able to launch and land powerful turns and carves over the shallow reef and were awarded with big scores on their way to a solid result at the first ever Krui Pro QS,1000.
Hailing from the Gold Coast, Lucy Callister is more tuned into Long Rights. She seems to be enjoying long lefts just as much. - WSL / Tim Hain
"I love this place - we were here for a week before the event and had pumping waves with no one here," Callister said. "These have probably been the best conditions I have ever surfed in for a competition. It's a different kind of event because you have nothing to lose, if you get knocked out then you are on holidays, then if you make your heat then you are getting a result."
Summa Longbottom, daughter of famous Australian big wave surfer and surfboard shaper Dylan Longbottom made it through two heats in her first ever WSL Qualifying Series event today. At just 14-years-old Summa Longbottom looks to have inherited some style and flow, but was narrowly eliminated in the Quarterfinals to finish equal 5th place.
Krui Pro Continues to Fire In South Sumatra
WSL
Competition resumed in long pristine peeling lefthanders at the Krui Pro, with the second half of men's Round One and the opening three Rounds of the women's division completed. The playing field is massive with rides up to 100 meters long on offer so wave selection and execution was the key to progressing through the draw.
Australia's Chris Zaffis claimed his maiden QS win this time last year and today started his Krui Pro campaign in fine form. Zaffis claimed the two highest wave scores of the heat using his fast and powerful approach to impress the judges and easily advance into Round Two with compatriot Moses Le Grice also advancing in 2nd position.
"I've never surfed a long left reef/pointbreak like this before - it's been so much fun," Zaffis said. "It was a bit of a chess match out there. There was long lulls in between sets and at these QS events everyone is capable of getting big scores so I just went out and tried to get some big scores early and it worked out for me. This is my first time coming to Sumatra and it is incredible - I will be coming back."
Made ‘Garut' Widiarta was the standout surfer of the day, surfing fast and hard, linking high risk turns on critical sections. The Balinese goofy-footer enjoyed surfing on his forehand during competition.
"I love surfing long lefts!" Widiarta said. "I have never been here before and I can't believe how fun this wave is. I was lucky to be in the spot for a few sets. This board is about three years old and I decided last minute to bring it. It was perfect for this spot."
Japanese pair Minori Kawai and Amuro Tsuzuki surfed through to the Semifinals in hard fought battles against talented a local and International field. Both surfers posted excellent scores for committed and sharp surfing on Krui's long left-handers.
"It feels so good to be into the Semifinals - but as this is QS1,000 I really want to win to get the points to improve my QS seeding," Kawai said. "When I looked this wave up on the internet I was worried it would be heavy, but now that I have been out there it has been great to surf the wave and get confidence in reef breaks."
Lucy Callister advanced into the Semifinals alongside fellow Australian Ellie Francis. Both surfers were able to launch and land powerful turns and carves over the shallow reef and were awarded with big scores on their way to a solid result at the first ever Krui Pro QS,1000.
"I love this place - we were here for a week before the event and had pumping waves with no one here," Callister said. "These have probably been the best conditions I have ever surfed in for a competition. It's a different kind of event because you have nothing to lose, if you get knocked out then you are on holidays, then if you make your heat then you are getting a result."
Summa Longbottom, daughter of famous Australian big wave surfer and surfboard shaper Dylan Longbottom made it through two heats in her first ever WSL Qualifying Series event today. At just 14-years-old Summa Longbottom looks to have inherited some style and flow, but was narrowly eliminated in the Quarterfinals to finish equal 5th place.
Krui Pro
Lucy Callister and Keijro Nishi take the win in pumping waves at the Inaugural Krui Pro in Sumatra.
Top action from day 3 of the Krui Pro.
Watch the best bits from a huge day of action at the Krui Pro.
Another day of perfect surf has set the stage for finals day at the Krui Pro.
Only 16 competitors are left in the Men's draw as waves continue to pump for the inaugural Krui Pro.
News
The now-Central Coast competitor Jack Van Wagoner is back in familiar waters, this time in Pismo Beach, looking for his second-career win.
The 2023 finalist Chloe Coleman is back after her rookie year among the world's best and looks for a second-career win heading into Pismo
Jahly Stokes and Keijiro Nishi Finish Runners Up as Jinzun Harbor Turns on Pumping Surf For Finals Day and Kerr Wins Second QS 5000 Event
Women's Top Seeds Dominate Round of 32 -- Stage Set For Potential Finals Day in Taiwan.