Surfers make waves in Indonesia, China

MANILA, Philippines - Nilbie Blancada bested her rivals from Indonesia, Taiwan and Australia to capture the women’s crown in the 6-star dual-sanctioned Quiksilver Open West Java 2012 Surfing Competition while Fil-Australian Luke Landrigan finished second in the Longboard division in Cimaja, Indonesia recently.

Jeff Gonzales also turned in a runner-up finish in City Carnage Regional Finals in Shanghai, China, capping the Aloha Boardsports team riders impressive stint in two top international meets.

Blancada, coming off a victory in the Roxy Siargao International Women’s Surfing Cup, snagged the highest single wave score (8 of possible 10) in the semifinals en route to posting the highest combined heat score of 14.75 out of 20 to run away with the championship in her maiden international surfing competition.

“I’m so proud to have represented the country in the event but prouder that I got to represent the Filipinas surfers. I hope this encourages more women to take up surfing,” said Blancada.

Landrigan, meanwhile, held his own and placed second in his event then said later: “We have some of the best longboarders and joining such competitions should open doors to competitive surfers in the country.”

Over in China, Gonzales’ nollie inward heel 270 out on the back to the ledge won the Billaboing Asia team mainstay, winner of the Converse Asian Crown tilt recently, the best trick award then went on to place second in the main competition worth $5,000.

Rasheed Al Rasheed, the other member of Aloha Boardsports who finished second to Gonzales in the Converse meet, took the early exit in the elims but said he learned a lot from the experience.

“It was fun competing against such talented skaters from all over the world,” said Al-Rasheed. “I learned a lot of new things.”

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