The ASC is delighted to announce that the World Surf League will be awarding a Wildcard spot in the upcoming Corona Bali Pro WCT event at Keramas, Bali, to the highest ranking Indonesian woman on the Qualifying Series (QS) Women’s Division as of the 6th of May, 2019.
Jessi Miley-Dyer, Deputy Commissioner and Director of Athletic Development at the World Surf League communicated this great news to the ASC’s Tipi Jabrik via email; “I’m writing to let you know that this year we will be awarding the Corona Bali Pro Wildcard to the highest Indonesian on the QS rankings for the Women’s Division. I’m excited for us to showcase one of the locals this year!”
ASC’s Tipi Jabrik was very pleased to receive the news, saying “Big thanks to the Jessi and the WSL for this, as it’s an amazing opportunity for our Indonesian girls to compete with the world’s best woman surfers, in their own country in front of their hometown crowd. This is a perfect chance for them to also inspire other Indonesian women to be brave and pursue surfing as a both a hobby and a career.”
Currently in the Qualifying Series rankings lead is Kailani Johnson from Bali, who also is the 2018 WSL Asia Region Qualifying Series champion, followed by her sister Puanani Johnson. Both girls are presently in Australia competing in Australia/Oceania regional events chasing the results that will get them the wildcard spot.
“Just imagining being in the water with people I’ve looked up to and inspired me as I was growing up with would be absolutely a dream come true,” said Kailani after being told the news. “I’d always envisioned it as a young girl and to actually experience it would make me so proud. Especially as someone coming from a small island with no girls that have ever reached CT level before. It really motivates me to do my best in every moment.”
Taina Izquierdo, Diah Rahayu Dewi, Cinta Hansel, and Dhea Natasya are also in the race for the Woman’s Wildcard as Indonesia’s top women’s surfing athletes, and will no doubt be showing up at the Krui Pro in South Sumatra from 29 April to 4 May battling for a win and the 1,000 points on offer, for the chance to paddle out against the world’s best women surfers at Keramas this coming May.
This is a great step forward, especially for Women’s surfing in Indonesia, as the ASC works with the WSL to ensure that women get as many opportunities and encouragement as possible in all WSL events they are involved with.
