Indonesia a must for tour events

THE success of two events run back-to-back in Bali over the past three weeks has unearthed a lot of healthy discussion about the World Surf League’s championship tour.

First up, a championship tour event in Indonesia each year seems an absolute must-have.

As most Australian surfers know, Indonesia has many of the world’s best surf locations. Not only are they extremely good, they are also incredibly consistent.

Bali is the spiritual home of surfing in Indonesia and the waves at Uluwatu are like nowhere else in the world. Unbelievably consistent, breaking through all tides. For surf fans all over the world, you can guarantee spectacular viewing for the entire event.

Post-Indonesia and moving into the second half of the season, the world title race, like just about every year, looks to be incredibly close across the men’s and women’s competitions.

Australia’s Julian Wilson has a slender lead in the men’s ahead of a rampaging group of Brazilian’s headed by Italo Ferreira and Filipe Toledo, while in the women’s, America’s Lakey Peterson is virtually tied with Stephanie Gilmore.

The next event is certain to capture the world’s attention as they head back to Jeffrey’s Bay in South Africa.

Last year, Jeffrey’s Bay served up amazing surf at what is defi- nitely the world’s best point break, but it also served up the incredible vision of a great white shark cruising through the line-up, which enhanced its already sharky reputation.

Four-day surf forecast: Wintry conditions are setting in along the Surf Coast and we can expect plenty of cold and windy surf in the coming four days.

Swells should slowly increase through today and tomorrow, with clean winds on both days, then large wind-affected surf through Saturday and Sunday favouring protected areas.