Sri Lanka breezes into wind-surfing map
Sri Lanka will once again breeze into the world's wind surfing map
with the second SriLankan Airlines Pro 2011 surfing contest to be held
at Arugam bay from August 30-September 4.
Ninety six top surfers across the globe will glide over the majestic
waves of the East coast, a hot spot for tourism and an ideal locale for
the world's spectacular sporting event.
 General Manager, Association of Surfing Professionals, Australasia,
Dane Jordan said that he is looking forward to the event with excitement
and is confident that it would be a memorable one for all surfers.
"Surfers are expecting great waves this year which will be a treat
for all surfing fans", Jordan said.
Arugam bay, the village on Sri Lanka's exotic South East coast is
geared to welcome 96 world champion surfers from 19 countries such as
Argentina, Peru, USA and New Zealand.
The Pro Surfing contest is held in association with Australasia's
Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) and this year's contest will
comprise an ASP 6-star women's event, attracting 60 top women surfers
and men's longboard title.
Chairman, SriLankan Airlines, Nishantha Wickremasinghe said that Sri
Lanka is firmly back on the world's surfing map which augurs well for
tourism.
"The surfing contest will showcase Sri Lanka's immense potential for
sporting events, adventure and leisure.Surfers will have perfect waves
to tide over in Arugam bay and visitors could explore the diverse
attractions in the country", Wickremasinghe said.
Apart from wind surfing the eastern coastline is renowned for whale
watching, scuba diving and boat riding. Pottuvil Point and Crocodile
Rock are popular for high consistent waves.
Chairman, Sri Lanka Tourism Dr. Nalaka Godahewa said that Sri Lanka
will cross the 500,000 tourist arrival mark shortly, recording a 36
percent growth todate. The number of arrivals surpassed 465,000 end July
recording around 40 percent a month on month growth this year.
"Sporting events of this nature will help position Sri Lanka well in
the world tourism map and achieve the 2.5 million target within the next
five years", Dr. Godahewa said. LF
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