Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Saturday Dec 14, 2024
Wednesday, 29 July 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
After three days of intense competition upon the waters of Arugam Bay, Asanka Waduge with 15.5 points was crowned champion of the second edition of Red Bull Ride My Wave, walking away with $ 1,000 prize money.
With 10.3 points, K. H. Lasitha Prabath achieved a close second-place and $ 750, followed by Jordin Griffin who came in third place with a prize of $ 500.
Speaking about his win, Asanka Waduge exclaimed: “What an event! With over three days of heats, the swells and breaks of Arugam Bay really put my skills to the test. Not to mention the fierce competition that I faced with so many people competing! I am honoured to be part of such a meaningful contest from Red Bull, who have truly given Sri Lanka’s waves the recognition they truly deserve!”
Red Bull Ride My Wave was held between 23 and 25 July and saw 55 of domestic and international surfers take on the waves of the island’s eastern coastline. The event was hosted by officials from the Association of Surfing Professionals and was run under international surf competition regulations. Red Bull has been actively involved in surfing events for several years, hosting competitions on every continent around the world.
In the recent past, surfing in Sri Lanka has transformed from a healthy pastime and tourism attraction to a professional sport. The culture has been augmented by both passionate local surfers as well as Red Bull’s very own series of local surfing projects, including the Local Hero Tour with Peruvian Pro Surfer, Gabriel Villarán in 2013 and the inaugural Ride My Wave with Costa Rican Pro Surfer Diego Naranjo in 2014, have driven this.
The local surfers were also pleased to welcome their foreign counterparts to their home waters, with Praneeth Sandaruwan saying that “Red Bull has given us the opportunity to showcase our talents on a global platform, make new friends and learn from them whilst promoting our country as one of best surfing destinations in the world”.
“Surfers from around the world came together at one of Sri Lanka’s most famous waves, Arugam Bay. Uniting this surf family not only for the love of riding waves but uplifting Sri Lanka’s emerging surf culture, and for that we commend Red Bull in championing such a great event,” said Kai Linder, Sporting Director of Red Bull Ride My Wave 2015.
