FIJI SURF OPEN

Fresh from a first ever representation at the Quiksilver ISA World Junior Surfing Championships in NZ - the 2010 Fiji Surfing Association season commenced in style on Saturday morning with the "FIJI SURF OPEN" held in challenging 1m waves at the Sigatoka river mouth.

Twenty seven OPEN competitors battled it out through three rounds, with the highest scoring two surfers in each 20 minute heat advancing to the next round. The surfers were judged on speed, style, innovation and control with the most radical manoeuvrers in the most critical part of the wave scoring the highest points. Waves were marked out of 10 with the surfers highest two wave scores combining to form that surfers heat total.

In warm light winds under dazzling blue skies the surfing was of a very
high quality despite the difficult waves. The ocean never developed a
consistent rhythm and though at times the sea provided surfers a
smorgasbord of waves to choice from, in other heats they had to hunt scarce waves down, paddling in determination against the current to somehow find a wave which offered scoring potential. What makes competitive surfing apart from most other sports is the added dimension of having to read nature, understand currents, bottom contours, and the way a given lump of swell will break in a particular way. Add to this fitness, training, form and natural ability - and one can come close to understanding what competitive surfing is all about.

Conditions deteriorated by the final, but it was a closely fought contest all the same with all six finalists determined to be number one. By the final hooter it was Mark of Waidroka who came out on top and took home the winners cheque of $300 with his super smooth style, superior wave selection and precision carves. Mark consistently posted the highest wave scores throughout the entire event and was a most deserving winner. Mark also won himself a new pair of Electric Sunglasses for the most radical moves of the day. 

Frankie King of Kulukulu , took home a new lost surfboard courtesy of the Fijian Surf Foundation/ Air Pacific / Fast Friends Foundation for being the most improved competitor at the event.

Thanks go out to all in support of the Fiji Surf Open and to sponsors Fiji Surf, Red Bull, Waterman, Electric Visual, McDonalds, Xoolu and Magnum Productions.

‘‘Catching a Wave Fiji's perfect ride By Rob Dunton’’

For more than a decade I have heard tales of legendary surf in the Fiji Islands. Whenever I’d grab a glossy surf magazine, I’d find full-page pictures of surfers tucked into glassy barrels of translucent water at Fijian breaks with names like Desperation or Frigates Passage.

A subsidiary of the Fijian Surf Company. Our aim is to diversify surfing within our Islands by directing people to areas beyond the crowds and to open up more options. Fijian Surf has got over 10 years of surfing our Islands and has been to more areas of Fiji than any other surf company. We’re here to “share the stoke” and spread the “bula spirit”.

Fiji Surf Travel recommends Air Pacific as our airline of choice to travel to Fiji.

‘‘Reviving the lost art of Fijian Surfing - Vakavodo Ua’’

      The Fijian Surf Company is an evolution of a local based company that was born in 1995 as the first local surf business named as - Viti Surf. Fijian Surf is the parent company behind a number of operations :

1. Fiji Surf Shop - a shop that promotes surfing in Fiji by selling surf products, providing surf information, local and international merchandise, board repairs, Surfboard rentals and surf booking agents for accommodations and tours.
2. Fiji Surf Tours - a Road and Boat Shuttle operation that optimizes a surfers experience of Fiji by providing the best possible surf opportunity under the current daily conditions. Fiji Surf has been to more of Fiji than any other operation and has the most experience in providing reliable information. Live-aboard boat tours was a thing of the past and possibly may come back- check status if your interested! 
3. Fiji Surf School- is a fully qualified and experienced surf school that is endorsed by Surfing Australia. Fiji Surf runs the only surf school here which boasts a 100% success rate.
4. Viti Surf Legend ( VSL), Lewa, Fijian Style - these are genuineclothing labels that Fijians can beproud to call their own. Sold at the Fiji SurfShop and other established locations.
5. Fiji Surf Travel - To provide surf relief to the surfers visiting Fiji. Assisting clients to find appropriate destinations to surf according to their requests, budgets and surfing abilities.
6. Kai-Wai-an Foundation - a charitable organization that is set up to help the less fortunate people and villages in our society through the generosity of surfers.. Medical, educational and food supplies etc are brought from internal / external sources to support the Foundation. 

The Fijian Surf Company is core based and is established by Fijian surfers that have the vision, commitment and passion to introduce an authentic company into this niche market. Fijian Surf promotes the whole of Fiji as not only a surfing destination but one that has our own roots embedded in surfing history that we are very proud of. We are merely guardians carrying on the lost art of Fijian Surfing - Vakavodo Ua!
Vinaka vaka levu !