Ketut Agus of Indonesia and Vittoria Farmer are the winners of the Nias Pro 2018 WSL Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Men's and Women's divisions after an incredible 4 days of perfect surf at the idyllic wave location at Lagundri Bay on the remote island of Nias Indonesia.
Ketut Agus is chaired to victory at the Nias Pro. - WSL / Tim Hain
Surfing one of the world's greatest point breaks, finals day highlighted how fast surfing is progressing in the Asia region. The Men's final saw Japan's Kaito Ohashi place 2nd, a 3rd place finish from the event standout in local surfer Justin Bu'Ulolo and a runner-up finish from Kailani Johnson. Indonesian standout Ketut Agus held on to the end to take the biggest result of his career.
"So happy to win for myself and for Indonesia!" exclaimed 17-year-old Agus after his best ever winning performance. "To win a WSL event is amazing and the field here was incredible with surfers from Australia, USA, Brazil, Japan and many more of the great surfing nations, I'm really very proud. We now all head to Simeulue Island for the next event and I feel stronger and I can go there and win again. It is so great to be surfing with and against international competitors."
Ketut Agus was on fire all event. - WSL / Tim Hain
Hailing from Bali, Agus and has an elite competitive record at Junior levels but today was special, as the youngster confidently took on and defeated many experienced international competitors.
Australia's Vittoria Farmer had dominated throughout the early rounds here and she carried that form into the final with an excellent opening 8.70 ride that allowed her to control the heat from start to finish.
Kailani Jognson and Vittoria Farmer after the Final at the Nias Pro. - WSL / Tim Hain
Bali surfer Kailani Johnson found some good rides during the final to hold the lead through the middle stages but a second solid 6.90 at the mid way point from Farmer put the result beyond doubt. This result is also the best of the young Noosa natives career.
"I have had such a great week here enjoying perfect surf and to win a WSL event on one of the world's best waves is just the best feeling," Farmer said. "Just surfing heats with one other girl in the water has been amazing - I really love coming here and surfing this wave"
Vittoria Farmer with a huge show of power to take her biggest WSL win. - WSL / Tim Hain
Two other standouts at this event made the Semifinals and delighted the large local crowds who enjoyed a festival like atmosphere at today's finals day.
Justin Bu"Ulolo, the local champion again surfed brilliantly in his Quarterfinal when he eliminated famous Indonesian surfer Dede Suryana.
Then in his SemiFinal, Bu'ulolo was desperately unlucky not win after posting yet another excellent 8.00 point ride, the highest score in the Semi, but failing to quite find the decent back up second wave score and eventually going down to Japan's Kaito O'Hashii.
USA surfer Skip McCullough (Cal/San Diego) also placed equal 3rd, defeated in a close Semifinal by eventual winner Ketut Agus. Throughout this event McCullough was a tube riding specialist and posted many excellent scores. McCullough spoke highly of the event, typifying the thoughts of most internationals who travelled to Nias for this event.
"One of the greatest waves in the world and so much fun to surf an event in such quality waves - The Indonesian WSL circuit is incredible and I'm looking forward to the Simeulue Island event next week and more perfect waves."
Skip McCullough ditching the fins. - WSL / Tim Hain
The Indonesian events are being dubbed "Perfect Waves Tour" and we look forward to seeing what the Simeulue Island event delivers later this week.
Ketut Agus and Vittoria Farmer Win 2018 Nias Pro
WSL
Ketut Agus of Indonesia and Vittoria Farmer are the winners of the Nias Pro 2018 WSL Qualifying Series (QS) 1,000 Men's and Women's divisions after an incredible 4 days of perfect surf at the idyllic wave location at Lagundri Bay on the remote island of Nias Indonesia.
Surfing one of the world's greatest point breaks, finals day highlighted how fast surfing is progressing in the Asia region. The Men's final saw Japan's Kaito Ohashi place 2nd, a 3rd place finish from the event standout in local surfer Justin Bu'Ulolo and a runner-up finish from Kailani Johnson. Indonesian standout Ketut Agus held on to the end to take the biggest result of his career.
"So happy to win for myself and for Indonesia!" exclaimed 17-year-old Agus after his best ever winning performance. "To win a WSL event is amazing and the field here was incredible with surfers from Australia, USA, Brazil, Japan and many more of the great surfing nations, I'm really very proud. We now all head to Simeulue Island for the next event and I feel stronger and I can go there and win again. It is so great to be surfing with and against international competitors."
Hailing from Bali, Agus and has an elite competitive record at Junior levels but today was special, as the youngster confidently took on and defeated many experienced international competitors.
Australia's Vittoria Farmer had dominated throughout the early rounds here and she carried that form into the final with an excellent opening 8.70 ride that allowed her to control the heat from start to finish.
Bali surfer Kailani Johnson found some good rides during the final to hold the lead through the middle stages but a second solid 6.90 at the mid way point from Farmer put the result beyond doubt. This result is also the best of the young Noosa natives career.
"I have had such a great week here enjoying perfect surf and to win a WSL event on one of the world's best waves is just the best feeling," Farmer said. "Just surfing heats with one other girl in the water has been amazing - I really love coming here and surfing this wave"
Two other standouts at this event made the Semifinals and delighted the large local crowds who enjoyed a festival like atmosphere at today's finals day.
Justin Bu"Ulolo, the local champion again surfed brilliantly in his Quarterfinal when he eliminated famous Indonesian surfer Dede Suryana.
Then in his SemiFinal, Bu'ulolo was desperately unlucky not win after posting yet another excellent 8.00 point ride, the highest score in the Semi, but failing to quite find the decent back up second wave score and eventually going down to Japan's Kaito O'Hashii.
USA surfer Skip McCullough (Cal/San Diego) also placed equal 3rd, defeated in a close Semifinal by eventual winner Ketut Agus. Throughout this event McCullough was a tube riding specialist and posted many excellent scores. McCullough spoke highly of the event, typifying the thoughts of most internationals who travelled to Nias for this event.
"One of the greatest waves in the world and so much fun to surf an event in such quality waves - The Indonesian WSL circuit is incredible and I'm looking forward to the Simeulue Island event next week and more perfect waves."
The Indonesian events are being dubbed "Perfect Waves Tour" and we look forward to seeing what the Simeulue Island event delivers later this week.
Vittoria Farmer
The women clashed through Rounds 1 and 2 at the Corona Open China hosted by Wanning with powerful performances throughout the day.
Liam O'Brien and Vittoria Farmer top the field again in Sumbawa,
Farmer takes her second QS victory in a week while O'Brien his second in less than a year in pumping Indonesian surf.
Shane Holmes and Vittoria Farmer are standouts as the sell fades at the Carve Pro QS1,000.
Nias Pro
Ketut Agus and Vittoria Famer For the Win.
Epic conditions continue from Lagundri Bay
Epic conditions kick off the action from Lagundri Bay.
More perfection from Lagundri Bay in Indonesia as women's and men's competition runs through early rounds.
Opening day action from Lagundri Bay, Indonesia kicked off in solid conditions today with the completion of men's Round 1.