Keramas Turns On for Komune Bali Pro pres. by The Mad Hueys

The Komune Bali Pro presented by The Mad Hueys got underway in clean, 4-to-5 foot waves at Keramas on Bali's east coast today. The event ran through 13 heats of the opening round with competitors putting on a show with tubes, turns and big aerials being thrown down. The ASP 1-Star QS and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) event offers valuable points, prize money and competitive experience for all surfers vying for the inaugural event title.

Pepen Hendrik (IND) clocked the highest single wave score of the opening day of the event, netting a 9.50 for a deep tube ride. Hendrik finished the heat with a two-wave total of 15.80 with Dean Morrison (AUS) also advancing into the next round in second position.

Pepen Hendrik setting up for the tube of the day. - WSL / ASC/Tim Hain

“I was just lucky to get that wave, it was a nice barrel,” Hendrik said. “I'm so happy to win the heat because all those guys surf so good. I love this wave, I'm so happy to have a QS event in Bali, hopefully in the future we have more events here!”

Jordin Watson (AUS) was one the standout performers on the opening day of the event, scoring the highest two-wave heat-total of the day — 16.50 out of a possible 20. Watson threaded tubes and surfed fast and hard to comfortably advance into the next round. Jordin's brother Ty was also on point and advanced through his heat in first position.

“That heat was amazing, so much fun,” Watson said. “I've been working all year and hadn't had the chance to come to Indonesia yet, so when this event popped up I couldn't say no. It's so much fun out there, it's such a great wave for natural-footers, I can't wait for my next heat.”

Mikey Wright (AUS) almost missed his heat at the Komune Bali Pro today after his flight from France was cancelled, but he arrived with 20 minutes to spare and advanced through in second position behind Dane Atcheson. Wright and Atcheson put on a show in one of the most exciting heats of the day with gouging turns and technical airs.

Mikey Wright's destructive power on display. - WSL / Will H-S

“It was stressful getting here, I didn't know if I was going to make it, but it all worked in the end,” Wright said. “This is the first event I've done since I won the MP Classic earlier this year. I've had some back problems, but it's better now and I'm feeling strong and confident.”

Mitch Parkinson (AUS) followed in the footsteps of his cousin Joel Parkinson, who won the ASP World Championship Tour (WCT) event here at Keramas last year. Mitch laid down powerful rail carves and whips to post an excellent 9-point-ride and easily advanced into the next Round.

“I've never surfed a heat out at Keramas and that was a lot of fun,” Parkinson said. “It felt like I was out at Snapper! The tide is low and the wind picked up a little, but the waves are still running and really fun. I knew I'd just have to wait for the third or fourth waves of the set because the first couple were a little bumpy.”

Mitch Parkinson in the middle of his 9-point-ride. - WSL / Will H-S

Putra Hermawan (IND) finished runner-up in the trials for the WCT event at Keramas last year and went on to win his Round 2 heat over Brett Simpson, making him one to watch at this event. Hermawan read the lineup perfectly and tore the waves apart to advance into the next round alongside Lee Wilson (IND) who finished 2nd.

“It feels good to get some good scores,” Hermawan said. “I really love this wave and I'm stoked to have a QS event here. Hopefully the waves stay good and I can do well.”

The Komune Bali Pro presented by The Mad Hueys offers both ASP QS and Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) points to all surfers and has teamed up with Garuda Indonesia as the official airline partner and GoPro as the official camera of the event.

The event will run from October 8 - 12 and will be webcast LIVE -- Click Here for event site.