Click here to download ASC History Highlight 20 year of surfing development prepared by Tim Hain

Click here to access our 2oth Year Anniversary Photo Gallery

The Asian Surf Cooperative (Asian Surf Co) proudly celebrates two decades of surfing development, which started in 2004 in Bali, Indonesia as the Indonesia Surfing Championships, and over time has evolved into what is now Asian Surf Co; always dedicated to growing and supporting nation’s and organizations across the Asian Region by sharing knowledge, technical resources, education, and opportunities in its mission to elevate the sport of surfing. Through the Asian Surf Co’s longevity and unwavering commitment, we have been able play a key role in the development of the vibrant and growing Asian surf scene that we have today.

A Legacy of Passion, Support and Progress

Founded in 2004 in Bali by Tipi Jabrik and several core members of the Bali-based surf industry whose vision was to legitimize surfing as sport and as a career opportunity in Indonesia, the ISC (Indonesian Surfing Championships) tour became known as “The Real Dream Tour”, with competitions held in some of the world best and most iconic waves including Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, Keramas, Sanur Reef, Scar Reef, Lances Right, Macaroni’s and others. This successful 10-year tour attracted the attention of other budding surf nations around Asia, including Malaysia, the Maldives, India, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand, resulting in the formation of the Asian Surf Championships (ASC) in 2011.  

 

By 2016, the final year of the tour, the ASC was well established in the Asian Region, with events at pristine beaches and perfect reef breaks in Indonesia and the Maldives, at the lesser known gems of the Philippines and Taiwan, and in the virtually unknown waves of Malaysia, Thailand and India, along the way nurturing fledging surfing communities and providing ISA educational programs in surf instruction and judging as well.

 

 

In 2017, the Asian Surfing Championships became the Asian Surf Cooperative, primarily due to the World Surf League re-launching WSL Japan as WSL Asia.  A close working relationship had developed between the ASC and the WSL, with the ASC bringing the WSL into several of their Asian tour events (Taiwan, Philippines, Indonesia) as dual sanctioned events starting in 2013 with the Taiwan Open of Surfing.  Thus it was informally agreed that moving forward, the previously ASC sanctioned events would be eligible to become WSL Qualifying events going forward, which would take advantage of the WSL’s organizational and medial strengths to provide more visibility and opportunity for Asian surfing, while allowing the Asian Surf Cooperative to focus more on event and support development rather than managing a competition tour.

This relationship with the WSL has resulted in the success and growth of events such as the Krui Pro and  Nias Pro QS5000’s, and the ASC’s position as the local coordinator for the Keramas WCT and the Gland CT events. 

Empowering Surf Communities

At the center of the Asian Surf Co’s mission is the empowerment and development of the surf community. By providing training, resources, and platforms, initiatives like Tipi Jabkrik’s Grom Patrol junior series, the Liga Surfing Indonesia (LSI) boardriders program, and the Asian Surfing Performance Academy (ASPA), the Asian Surf Co’s goal is a sustainable pathway from grassroots to world championships and the Olympics. 

Championing Environmental Stewardship

The Asian Surf Co is deeply committed to preserving the natural beauty of Asia’s coastlines through various environmental programs and partnerships dating as far back as 2008, when joining Coca-Cola Amatil Indonesia’s Bali Beach Cleanup Program and then taking it outside of Bali to the numerous surfing communities around Indonesia via it’s Indonesian Surfing Championship tour. The Asian Surf Co focuses on minimizing plastic use and promotes sustainable environmental practices at events and in educational programs.

Showcasing Asian Talent on the World Stage

Over the past 20 years, the Asian Surf Co has been providing a sustainable competitive pathway for the growing numbers of Asian talent, and it’s success can be proven with Indonesia’s Rio Waida reaching the World Championship Tour and the Olympics, as well as Jay-R Esquivel from the Philippines now competing on the World Longboard Tour. Both of whom started their surfer careers with opportunities provided by the Asian Surf Co. Many Asian Surf Co alumni are now competing at various levels of competitive surfing in Asia and around the world, from WSL Challenger and Qualifying Series events to ISA qualifying and other specialty events. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments, and of the role the Asian Surf Co has played in their incredible achievements.

A Year of Celebration

As we celebrate our 20th anniversary, the Asian Surf Co thanks all its supporters around the Asian surf community for the opportunity to be part of their surfing experience. Whether you’re a beginning or seasoned surfer, an aspiring athlete with professional dreams, or a passionate supporter of this sport of kings, together we will continue to progress Asian surfing with passion and dedication for many more years to come.

Cheers for the past 20 years and to 20 years more!