Kumul PNG World Longboard Championships - photos
On the weekend, as the Quiksilver Pro was wrapping up in dwindling onshore Snapper Rocks, the longboard world titles kicked off in Tupira on the Papua New Guinea mainland. After a coulourful opening ceremony the first competitors paddled out in glassy 4-5 foot waves at the local reef. The conditions exceeded expectations in both size and duration. Three days later and it's only dropped marginally, coming in now at 3-4 foot.
The organisers have had webcast issues, as might be expected from such a remote location, and they've also been unable to package a highlights reel, so what we're left with are still photos.
The webcast coverage is intermittent, cross your fingers and click here.
At bottom are photos taken by Tom Wegener. Tom is in Tupira to encourage production of surfboards from locally grown timber. As part of the contest, local kids will be paired with a pro surfer in a teams challenge with all entrants riding locally made wood boards.
Contest photos WSL/Hain. Other photos Tom Wegener.
Ben Skinner
Jarrod Neal
Ned Snow
Piccolo Clemente
Titima Mange from Papua New Guinea
Tory Gilkerson
Harley Ingleby
Jarrod Neal
Tony Silvagni
Comments
Ahh, it's great to see locals carving out their toys. They have a well developed wood carving background and this could produce some new ideas.
the top pic is great -- board under the arm and big smiles.
and those waves! here's hoping i'll get to ride those waves one day, on a board made there.
Sheepy, just think whilst we were surfing two footers in muddy water this was just a short flight away. We were looking to head south maybe we should have been looking the other way. Squirta could have sailed us there!!!
Titima is a great guy, was a surf guide/boat driver at Nusa Island when I ventured up that way. Great surfer. Called me into some ripping waves. Very fond memories of that trip.