THE Quarterfinals of the Men's Open, Longboard Open, and Women's Open Divisions were completed on Saturday at the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 being held at Kata Beach on Phuket.

Another day of sunny skies and very little wind made for great conditions heading down to the business end of the five days of surfing competition. The swell was slightly smaller and less consistent than the previous day, but plenty of waves were on offer during most heats with some competitors even maxing out their wave count of 10 waves per 20-minute heat.

First up were the four Men's Open Quarterfinals, followed by the Open Longboards, and then Women's Division. Competition was completed by 2.30pm, with the semifinals set up for the completion of the event tomorrow.

It will be an exciting end to the event, with the morning's action planned to start at 8.30am with the semifinals and then finals of the surfing competition, followed by beach games, surf lessons, and a huge beach party that is open for everyone with the awards presentations, live music, and more.

Here is tomorrow's competition lineup, which promises to be very exciting as they head down the home stretch:

Men's Open

Semifinal 1: Michael Anthony (AUS), Nopposit Buonchuai (THAI), Preecha Takira(Thai), Jakapan Thongnak (THAI)

Semifinal 2: Tipi Jabrik (INA), Ekarat Sriden (THAI), Mohamad Bin Mohid (Mal), Chatchai Samporn(Thai)

Longboard Open

Semifinal 1: Yudi Andika(INA), Veeravat Kuru(THAI), Kompol Pattanatalod(THAI), Chalong Thongsuk(THAI)

Semifinal 2: Chen Lin Niu (THAI), Chalee Yeamplum (THAI), Nopposit Buonchuai (THAI), Preecha Takira (THAI)

Women's Open

Semifinal 1: Noosara Boonjareen (THAI), Pawinaporn Nernnilart, Sumang Pheongkong

Semifinal 2: Anchallee King (AUS), Annissa Flynn (THAI), Luisa Scarpa (THAI)


77 surfers from 10 countries (Thailand Australia, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US) are competing in three divisions, Men's Open Shortboard, Women's Open Shortboard, and Longboard Open for a total prize purse of over 240,000 baht.


THE THIRD day of competition at the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition in Kata Beach, Phuket saw Round 3 of the Men's Open and Round 1 of the Longboard Division completed in excellent one meter waves and perfect weather.

The swell increased slightly overnight and was consistent throughout the day, producing some intense competition in the run-up to the quarterfinals that will be held tomorrow (Saturday).

Standouts of the day in the Men's Open were Mohamad Bin Mohid (better known as Mamat) from Malaysia and Tipi Jabrik of Indonesia, who both dominated their heats and won by comparatively significant margins, as well as Thai surfer Noppasit Buanchuai who won his heat over a charging Michael Anthony.

The heat of the day took place in Heat 6, which saw each of the four surfers taking the lead at least once. Mohamad Mazrin Bin Nazrudin ''Yen'' from Malaysia, Jamie Smith and Preetcha Takira from Thailand, and Heng Liang Kuo ''Googoo'' from Taiwan battled fiercely during the 20 minutes of competition, exchanging the lead at virtually every wave it seemed until at the horn it was Preecha winning the heat and ''Googoo'' taking second to advance to the Quarterfinals.

After a break for lunch and some games and giveaways by event sponsors, the Longboard Division got underway just before 2.30pm. It was tough going at times in the lowering tide conditions, but the eight heats managed to finish up with only one broken board.

Standouts were Nopphasit Bunchuai and Preecha Takira, as well as women's competitor Chen Lin Niu from Taiwan. Tomorrow will see the Quarterfinals of the Men's Open and Longboard Divisions, as well as some Women's Open action if conditions allow. Competition is scheduled to begin at 8am.

Seventy-seven surfers from 10 countries (Australia, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US) are competing in three divisions, Men's Open Shortboard, Women's Open Shortboard, and Longboard Open for a total prize purse of more than 240,000 baht.


ROUNDS 1 and 2 of the Men's Open Division of the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 were completed on Thursday under beautiful blue skies and sunshine in the 2-3 foot glassy waves on offer at Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

The day's action got underway just after 10am, with four-man heats of 20 minutes each being the order of the day. Plenty of groundswell waves were pulsing through in each heat; so all competitors were getting their share in the high tide conditions.

Some light rain cooled things off a couple of times during the mornings competition, but the sun was shining most of the time and the wind was either non-existent or very light onshore until near the end of Round 2 at about 2:30pm.

Highlights of the included Michael Anthony of Australia getting the highest single wave score of the day, a 5.5 out of a possible 10, winning his heat and having the MC announce that today was also his birthday. He received a huge round of applause as he exited the water and walked up the beach. ''I don't know who let that secret out,'' said Anthony afterwards, ''but it was a nice present. I just hope my luck holds and I make it into the final and win.'' Anthony won the Quiksilver Kamala Beach competition last year, so his chances are quite good.

Last year's Quiksilver Island Crown winner and Kata Beach local Jamie Smith made it through his Round 2 heat to advance, but his heat was won by Shinichi Mamimura of Japan who exhibited a very smooth style and carved some deep turns to impress the judges.

With the wind picking up and the tide dropping out, the decision was made to call off the action for the day at the conclusion of Round 2 and entertain the spectators and competitors on the beach with games and giveaways by event sponsors including Nok Air, Jim Beam, Ibis Hotel, Quiksilver, and others. Ring tossing for Jim Beam and Coke, and Musical Chairs by Nok Air were fan favorites.

Friday will see the first round of the Longboard Division competitors taking to the Kata Beach waves and showing of their best maneuvers starting at 8am.

77 surfers from 10 countries (Australia, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US) are competing in three divisions, Men's Open Shortboard, Women's Open Shortboard, and Longboard Open for a total prize purse of over 240,000 baht.

Sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships, the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 will provide local Thai surfers the opportunity to gain valuable experience competing at an international level, getting them familiar with the rules and regulations of ASC and ISA (International Surfing Association) events and opening the door to competing in other competitions held throughout South East Asia and around the world.


THE SECOND annual Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition was officially opened yesterday in a program that included children's dances, a prayer to the gods of the sea, speeches by government officials, and the final registration of the competitors that will be surfing for cash, prizes, and prestige over the next four days in the beautiful blue-green waters of scenic Kata Beach in Phuket, Thailand.

Sunny skies greeted the organising crew and the attendees on the white sands of Kata Beach at 8 am as the opening program got started. Surfers were already in the water getting a taste of the 2-3 foot waves as the local kids took to the stage to perform.

A short break followed for a prayer to the gods of the sea, asking for a blessed event with good waves and safety for all.

Next the Mayor of the Karon Municipality, Mr Tawee Thongcham, stepped up to the podium to welcome everyone and thanked them for coming, and then announced the agenda that would follow over the next four days.

In addition to the professionally run international surfing competition, spectators and participants will also be treated to concerts, parties, cultural shows, awareness presentations, surf instruction clinics, and a whole lot of fun on the beach.

Then it was time for Vice Governor of Phuket, Mr Niwit Aroonrat, to make his official opening speech. First he welcomed all the participants, organisers and spectators, and then thanked the sponsors saying: ''Thanks to all the sponsors, and especially Quiksilver, for creating this event, as it brings us many benefits.

''I'm especially pleased to see how it involves our local surfers, giving them the opportunity to participate in a competition with surfers from other countries."

"We are very happy to support this type of program for another reason as well, because it creates more tourism interest in what is considered out low season.

''So thank you all and we are looking forward to a great five days of exciting activity here at Kata Beach,'' he added in closing.

The competitive surfing action will kick off on Thursday at 8 am with the first round of the Men's Open Shortboard division.

Seventy-seven surfers from 10 countries (Australia, England, Hungary, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore, and the US) will be surfing in three divisions of competition; the Men's Open Shortboard, Women's Open Shortboard, and Longboard Open.

A total prize purse of over 240,000 baht is up for grabs. The Men's Open winner will receive 50,000 bahtg, the Women's Open winner 30,000 baht, and the Longboard winner 30,000 baht. First to fourth places in each division will receive cash, trophies and prize packs from Quiksilver and other sponsors.

Sanctioned by the Asian Surfing Championships, the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 will provide local Thai surfers the opportunity to gain valuable experience competing at an international level, getting them familiar with the rules and regulations of ASC and ISA (International Surfing Association) events and opening the door to competing in other competitions held throughout South East Asia and around the world.

The Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 is sponsored/supported by Quiksilver Thailand, Surfing Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nok Air, Ibis Hotel, Jim Beam, Singha Light Beer, 95.5 Virgin Hitz Radio, MTV, Action Asia Magazine, SurfTime Magazine, Lines Magazine, and Thailand Surfrider Magazine.