Stephan Figueiredo Pro Surfe and Kite Surfer

On Friday, 30th of August, we met by hazard the pro surfer and kite-surfer Stephan Figueiredo at Echo Beach . 

 He was just relaxing and surfing with some friends, as we noticed his really awesome skills out-there in the waves. But however he always was ready to answer our questions in a very patient and kind way! The Brazilian is 33 years old and it is his 5th time he is visiting Bali, but this time just to make holidays and meet some friends on our beautiful island.

 His passion for the sport of surfing started when he was a small child, with only 8 years he started to surf. Soon it becomes clear that he has a certain talent, so it was just a question of time when he will be discovered by scouts. At the age of 15 years, Stephan becomes a professional surfer. As you can describe him as a multi talent, Stephan started to play kite surfing just four years ago. But he was so good that he become only three years later professional in kite surfing as well as in surfing.

Nevertheless of his talent, Stephan does not like it to take part in real competitions, he said, he just does not like the rivalry and seriousness in these competitions. So his sponsors, like MCD, Globe or Blade, allow him to travel the world and surf in every spot he wants to surf. What a kind of life! That day on Echo Beach he was playing a special kind of kite surfing, as he explained. He is using his normal surfboard; therefore his feet are not fixed on the board, as it is the case for normal kite-surfer. This fact makes all the tricks and stunts he is doing in the air and on the water even harder to do successfully!

 Stephan also does not only use the wind to show all his skills, he is using the waves as well. As the wind is coming that day only from the left side looking on the ocean, he is traveling in a 45-degree angle to the wind behind its strongest zone that is close to the beach. From there, he comes back straight to the direction of the beach. If he sees a good wave coming, which usually are breaking with the wind from the left to the right side looking on the ocean, he comes with speed from the sea, catches the wave and either just rides it along or jumps and does tricks with the help of his kite and the top of the wave.

It was so impressing to see him doing all the tricks and stunts, grabbing the board with the one hand while holding the kite with his other hand in a 540° for example. Besides his passion surfing he also likes to go spearfishing or diving, and playing motocross or jeep tours. Luckily he can easily combine all these hobbies as you can practice them all in a paradise like Bali! But his fifth hobby snowboarding, he must travel to other places of the world to make it happen. He is a really interesting person and for sure worth to follow his actions and career. It was a great pleasure to meet him.

Young Female Surfer Indonesia : Taina Izquiredo

When you visit Padang-padang beach, maybe you will see this little girl with a sweet smile is hanging out and practice his skills in surfing. Little Surfer who has the name Taina Izquiredo says that being a professional surfer champion is his dream. When he does not surf or go to the beach with his friends, you will meet Taina at his father's popular Mexican restaurant on the cliffs of Padang Padang beach. This girl born November 1, 2001 is bloody Puerto Rico and Java. In recent years, the achievements of Surfer Girl Team Rider is quite calculated among peers. Some local and national competition he won. Want to know more about Taina? Ayuk refer to the interview of the Wave Hunter and Taina !!

Q: Hi Taina, when did you start learning to surf?
A: I started learning to surf when I was 9 years old

Q: Who taught you to surf, and where did you first learn?
A: Where I learned to surf first time in Padang Padang. My father taught me.

Q: Do you choose to live in Bali or Puerto Rico?
A: I choose Bali ,, of course. Bali is my home, the place where I was born and to this day I really like Bali. Bali it's beautiful.

Q: Why do you choose surfing in comparison to other sports?
A: Because surfing is very fun and very competitive.

Q: My favorite surfspot in Bali, if outside of Bali?
A: In Bali I chose Uluwatu, because the waves are so powerful! For outside Bali I choose Lakey peak, Sumbawa.

Q: Besides surfing, what sport do you like?
A: I like basket ball

Q: What experiences can not you forget when you surf?
A: As I enter the surf competition at Lembongan. It was an experience and a motivation for me.

Q: Who is the most powerful person in your life?
A: Of course my father.

Q: Who always keeps you company when you surf?
A: My friends.

Q: Message to reader of waves hunter?
A: Surfing is also an adventure.

Q: What does Surfing mean in your life?
A: Surfing is the battle of my life.


Thank you Taina. Keep Ripping, Girl !!

Indonesian Female Surfer : Yuko Anabela

Indonesian Female Surfer : Yuko Anabela 

at @2013 -> 15-year-old Yukojati Anabela from Pelabuhan Ratu in West Java Indonesia has made history as the first ever Indonesian surfer to be a recipient of the International Surfing Association’s 2013 Individual Scholarship Program, receiving $1,000 USD and the honor of representing her country as an ISA Ambassador. Bela, as her friends call her, is one of the 50 junior surfers (13 girls and 37 boys) from 25 different countries to be awarded this scholarship in 2013.

In the award letter sent to Bela by ISA President Fernando Aguerre, he wrote “…it is my honor to congratulate you on being selected as a recipient of the 2013 ISA Individual Scholarship. As a 2013 ISA Scholarship Recipient, you are an ISA Ambassador, and you will forever represent the ISA in your country as a dedicated surfer and student who works hard and achieves success in and out of the water. To be an ISA Ambassador is a great honor, and your effort in submitting a heartfelt and well-deserving application speaks to your dedication to both your surfing and education.”

When asked to describe her feelings upon receiving the scholarship, Bela replied, “Of course I was surprised! When I found out I was home alone and I screamed with joy. I couldn’t wait till my mom came home so that I could tell her. I right away called Om Diki and told him how I won, and he was stoked too!” Diki Zulfikar is one of the senior surfers in Cimaja and the leader of the Sukabumi Surfing Association. She went on to add, “I am extremely happy, I never knew I could ever win something like an ISA scholarship. I am quite proud of winning this opportunity and in a way it has also made me more proud of my surfing.” How did her parents react to the news? My parents were very shocked at first, they couldn’t believe it either. They are extremely happy for me and they have even grown more supportive of my surfing, which makes me very happy!” What makes this even more special is the fact that there are not many girl surfers in Indonesia, especially not many Muslim girl surfers.

When asked if she had any challenges along the way she replied, “To be honest there are a few challenges, I see it as a part of our culture here so I respect it, as long as I am good to others and present no harm I don’t see why a Muslim girl can’t surf. People generally tell me not to surf because I will get black or surfer girls are too sexy or that I will turn into a big tomboy. I don’t mind what they say as I love surfing and I will keep surfing because I also believe it makes you a very humble person.” And how did Bela get inspired to start surfing? “I first saw Andre Julian, one of our young local surfers, surf his heat in one of the grommet contests. I though WOW! He is such a great surfer, so from there I was determined to learn to surf! I bugged him to teach me and he did, I’m still very grateful for his help.”

 Bela has been surfing now for close to five years at her home break of Cimaja in West Java, also the home of Java’s most well known pro surfer and past Indonesian surfing champion Dede Suryana. When Bela applied to the scholarship program, one of the requirements was that she had to create a budget plan to describe how she would use the $1,000 scholarship money. At the time she listed among other things surf trips, surf contests, school and parents as most important. Now that she has received the money, she says, “I would really love to buy a new surfboard, go on a surf trip to somewhere different, travel to an upcoming contest, and pay for my schooling.”

Regarding her future goals, she says, “For my surfing goals I would really love to win more contests and improve my skills, so hopefully one day I could get a sponsor and may turn it into a lifetime career. For my life goals, I would like to be a good person. I have always been into my basketball and surfing, so I hope one day I can be a successful athlete.” We wish Bela the best in her future plans, and hope that more Indonesian girls and women will be inspired by her example and join in the sport of surfing, and become future recipients of the ISA Individual Scholarship Program as well.