Thailand Surfrider Magazine Issue 5 by Thailand Surfrider Magazine

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1 May 201 h c r a 5 M m I S SUE 0 frider.co

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Em H Y A M N MONSOO ’ s

a la y s ia n M g in f r Su M o n s o o ระเทศมาเลเซีย t s a e h t r No ดานโต้คลื่นที่ป

การแข่งขันกร

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S W E I V R E INT sombat

บัติ ภานุ วิเศษสม ิ๊กฟุต et จิล บ P a n u w is o o t I n d u s t r ie s อ A ji ll - B ig f es

ur s o p x E aman

And h P h o t o e s s a y ิ J .W e lc

surf repo rt +Plus New s • Yog a for Surfi ng • Pad dle pow er • Phan g nga

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The life of the Southeast Asia surfer, and subsequently our friends and families, follows the ebb and flow of the monsoon. While most of us in Thailand live for the waves Southwest Monsoon, the season inevitably fades like a mystical surf dream in late October each year. Yet a new day dawns in the east, and the cycle begins anew with the Northeast Monsoon. Like a sleeping giant, the waves of the eastern coast of the Malaysian peninsula awake in December, and with it the surfers of Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and indeed Thailand, prepare for Monsoon Mayhem, Malaysia’s blustery surf contest at Desaru. In recent years, the surfers of the two monsoons have come together, traveling to share, to surf, and to support that which we live for—The Surf! Undeniably, it’s truly amazing the different and varied places we surf in this corner of the world, how we travel to far-flung seas and shores to surf, and how surfing brings us together. This past year, and in this issue of TSM, we share in the spirit of surfing in Thailand, Malaysia, and in Hong Kong—We follow the changing weather and fly on the winds, and waves, of the changing monsoon seasons.

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ES WHO DO

Thailand Surfrider Magazine MARCH - MAY 2011 ISSUE 05

Your free Thailand surf guide General Manager

Chanin ‘Joob’ Aiyarak joob@thaisurfrider.com Editor

Tomkat

tom@thaisurfrider.com Senior Writer

Steven Andrew Martin steve@thaisurfrider.com Sales &Marketing

Sarinya Aiyarak

sarinya@thaisurfrider.com Graphic Designer

Weera Konghirun

ra@regularstudio.com Contributors

Tim Hain Anthony Livingstone Siamsurfdogs siamsurfdogs@gmail.com Read it online www.thaisurfrider.com

http://www.facebook.com/thaisurfrider Thailand Surfrider Magazine (TSM) is Thailand’s first ever bilingual English-Thai surfing and beach lifestyle publication. TSM is published quarterly and is offered free through distributors around Phuket Island, Koh Samui, Pattaya, Hua Hin, and Bangkok.

TSM is an official media partner of ASC and Surfing Thailand.

TSM is 100% created by surfers. For advertising, contact Sarinya Aiyarak

sarinya@thaisurfrider.com

or call 085 447 4664

Thailand Surfrider Magazine is published by Purple Diamond Ltd.Part. 54/1 M.7 Srisoonthorn Rd., T. Srisoonthorn, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110 THAILAND Tel: 085 447 4664 Fax: 076-255268

sarinya@thaisurfrider.com Cover : Monsoon Mayhem! Desaru, Malaysia Photo : Tomkat Inset : Beach Scene, Desaru, Malaysia Photo : Tomkat

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THE LINE UP PANU WISETSOMBAT

“NU” A LITTLE BETTER...

MOONSOON MAYHEM DESARU BEACH MALAYSIA

TSM TALKS TO 18 AJILL FROM BIGFOOT INDUSTRIES

HONG KONG REEF CUP

ANDAMAN EXPOSURES

J. WELCH PHOTOESSAY

PADDLE POWER

FIZZ TUNA SALAD SANDWICH

WATER SAFETY 40 AWARNESS FOR HOSPITALITY & TOURISM

News / Events

Panu Wisetsombat

Moosoon Mayhem

Ajill Big foot Industries

Hong Kong Reef Cup

Andaman Exposures

Phang Nga Surf Report

Ajahn Surf

Paddle Power

Yoga for Surfing

Surf Games

Classified Ads

Surf Directory

Phuket Tide Tables

Water Safety Awareness for Hospitality & Tourism

Phuket Ocean Safety Guide

The Last Word

Ripcurrents in Phuket

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Punta Roca © ISA / Vaquero

El Salvador to host 2011

NEWS / EVENTS

ISA World Masters Champs

The best master surfers of the world will compete in Punta Roca’s perfect waves The 2011 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship will be held in the impressive waves of PuntaRoca, in El Salvador’s town of La Libertad, from October 16 to 23. The best master surfers from all over the world will be competing as members of theirNational Surfing Team, for the honor to win the Gold Medal for their country. They will also be competing for individual gold, silver and bronze medals in the different age divisions.ISA President Fernando Aguerre said, “It is great to have another ISA World Masters Surfing Championship in warm Central America. We will hold thetournament in the perfect waves of Punta Roca. The ISA Masters is a great event, where camaraderie and fair play allow the best over-35 year old surfers inthe world to perform and enjoy spending time with their peers from around the world.”This will be a turning point for surfing in the country, as it will be the first time in history that El Salvador hosts a World Championship of surfing. El Salvador Minister of Tourism, Jose Napolean Duarte Duran, commented regarding the upcoming event, “I am pleased that El Salvador was chosen tohost the ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. This event will help make El Salvador an even more attractive surf tourism destination. Our wave-richcoast includes the great surf spots of El Sunzal, Punta Mango, Las Flores and the epic Punta Roca, where the event will take place.” The Minister of Tourism continued, “El Salvador is getting ready to welcome the best surfers in the world from over 30 countries to a surfing tournament that will reach more than 240 million television viewers worldwide. With the coverage of respected sports channels such as ESPN, Sports News and CBS Sports, among others, the ISA World Masters will deliver a global promotion for our Nation.”

Events Schedule 2011

ASC

El Salvador offers surfers a 300-mile coastline packed with perfect waves. It is a dependable surfing destination with consistent swells all year long.Carlos Ortiz, representative of Gray Line El Salvador,

Avitours DMC and Olas Permanentes, companies in charge of organizing the event, said, “Ever sincewe started working with the government to promote surfing five years ago, we have had the goal of organizing a World Championship. We are happy that we have finally accomplished this goal.” Regarding the famous wave of Punta Roca, Ortiz added: “It is an epic point break that has attracted locals and foreigners for over 40 years. If you’re luckyto surf it in the 7 to 10 foot range, I can guarantee that it is going to be one of the best sessions of your life. The 2011 ISA WMSC will see a lot of friendshipand unity in one of the top surfing spots in the world.” It is most likely that perfect waves will show up at the 2011 ISA World Masters Surfing Championship. In order to ensure favorable conditions, the ISA hiredsurfing forecast guru, Sean Collins of Surfline.com, who studied the swell, weather and wind patterns at Punta Roca in October for the last five years,concluding that the period with most consistent waves was 16 to 23.Located at the coastal town of La Libertad, Punta Roca is considered by many as one of the best waves in the world. With the ideal swell, waves can reachup to 12-to-15 feet, extending for over 500 yards. Often called the “Jeffrey’s Bay of Central America,” it is a perfect right point-break.

ประเทศเอลซัลวาดอร์เป็นเจ้าภาพจัดการแข่งขัน โต้คลื่นชิงแชมป์โลก รุ่นมาสเตอร์ ปีนี้ การแข่งขันโต้คลื่นชิงแชมป์โลก รุ่นมาสเตอร์ ในปี 2011 นี้จะจัดขึ้นที่ปันตาโรก้า ในเมืองลาลีเบร์ตัด ประเทศเอลซัลวาดอร์ ในระหว่างวันที่ 16 ถึง 23 ตุลาคมนี้ โดยมีสุดยอดนักเซิร์ฟรุ่นมาสเตอร์จากทั่วโลก จะเข้าชิงชัยเหรียญทองในนามของ ทีมชาติต่างๆ และเหรียญทองในรุ่นประเภทอายุต่างๆ อีกด้วย ประธานของ ISA Fernando Aguerre กล่าวว่า “น่ายินดีมากที่ เราได้จัดการแข่งขัน นี้ในอเมริกากลางอีกครั้ง ซึ่งที่ปันตาโรก้านี้ มีคลื่นที่สุดยอดที่สุด การแข่งขันโต้คลื่น ชิงแชมป์โลก รุ่นมาสเตอร์นี้ เป็น รายการที่ดีมาก เป็นรายการของนักเซิร์ฟที่มี อายุมากกว่า 35 ปี จากทั่วโลกได้มาร่วมแข่งขันกัน และยังได้มาพบปะกันอีกด้วย” รายการนีย้ งั เป็นรายการระดับโลกรายการแรกของ ประเทศเอลซัลวาดอร์อีกด้วย

No.

Sponsor

Events

Dates Event

Location

Grading

Note

BIGFOOT

MONSOON MAYHEM

7–9 JAN

DESARU JOHOR MALAYSIA

ASC

ASC Open, Master, women

OAKLEY

OAKLEY PRO

1 – 14 APRIL

CANGGU BALI

ASC

ASC Open

QUIKSILVER

CIMAJA OPEN

13 – 18 JUNE

CIMAJA WEST JAVA

;ASC

ASC Open, Master, Longboard

QUIKSILVER

QUIK THAILAND

8–11 SEPT

KATA BEACH THAILAND

ASC

ASC Open, Master, Longboard

RIP CURL

SURF & MUSIC FESTIVAL

8–9 OCT

HALFWAY BALI

ASC

ASC Open, Master, Longboard

QUIKSILVER

QUIK TAIWAN

OCTOBER

TAITUNG TAIWAN

ASC

ASC Open, Master, Longboard

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Quiksilver Roxy and DC : Thank you party 2011 ดีกรีความมันส์ไม่เคยลด สำ�หรับงานปาร์ตี้มันส์ๆ Quiksilver & Roxy and DC : Thank you party 2011 ที่จัดขึ้นเพื่อขอบคุณบรรดาลูกค้า สื่อมวลชน และผู้ให้การสนับสนุน Quiksilver Roxy และ DC มาเป็นอย่างดี โดยมีทั้ง บ๊อบบี้ โรเบิร์ต พูนพิพัฒน์, เฟร็ดดี้ แห่ง วง South side, มาร์โค เมาเร่อ, DJ Leo ฯลฯ มาร่วมสร้างสีสรรค์ความมัน ณ ร้าน Quiksilver & Roxy สาขา Central World เมื่อวันที่ 14 ม.ค. ที่ผ่านมา รายละเอียดเพิ่มเติม กรุณาติดต่อ: พุทธานนท์ มหาขันธ์ โทร. 08 9772 9544 ธงชัย สุรเชษฐ์กุล โทร. 08 6844 4123 บริษัท คิวเอส รีเทล(ประเทศไทย) จำ�กัด โทร. 02 652 0792 ต่อ 115, 116 โทรสาร 02 652 0794

Bethany Hamilton’s movie-Soul Surfer

SOUL SURFER is the inspiring true story of teen surfer Bethany Hamilton, who lost her arm in a shark attack and courageously overcame all odds to become a champion again, through her sheer determination and unwavering faith. The film features an all-star cast, including AnnaSophia Robb and Helen Hunt, with Carrie Underwood in her film debut, and Dennis Quaid. In the wake of this life-changing event that took her arm and nearly her life, Bethany’s feisty determination and steadfast beliefs spur her toward an adventurous comeback that gives her the grit to turn her loss into a gift for others. Bethany (Robb) was born to surf. A natural talent who took to the waves at a young age, she was leading an idyllic, sun-drenched, surfer girl’s life on the Kauai Coast, competing in national competitions with her best friend Alana (Lorraine Nicholson), when everything changed in a heartbeat. On Halloween morning, Bethany was on a typical ocean outing when a 14-foot tiger shark came out of nowhere and seemed to shatter all her dreams. SOUL SURFER reveals the moving aftermath of this headline-making story, as Bethany fights to recover and grapples with the future. Strengthened by the love of her parents, Tom (Quaid) and Cheri (Hunt), she refuses to give in or give up, and begins a bold return to the water. At the National Championships, Bethany bravely faces off with her fiercest rival, Malina Birch (Sonya Balmores), and takes her astonishing one-armed surfing technique to the limit. But as the horn blows, and the suspenseful competition kicks off, Bethany is no longer thinking about the challenges of her body. Now, her surfing, her biggest dreams and her life have become about pushing her own physical limits to touch the souls of others.

ข่าวจาก ISA (International Surfing Association www.isasurf.aorg)

Directed by Sean McNamara, the screenplay was by McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz and Michael Berk. SOUL SURFER is based on the book by Bethany Hamilton, Sheryl Berk and Rick Bundschuh. The screen story by Sean McNamara, Deborah Schwartz, Douglas Schwartz, Michael Berk, Matt R. Allen, Caleb Wilson and Brad Gann.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxKWhRsEiOU

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READER CONTRIBUTIONS

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WHO SAYS THERE’S NO SURF IN HIGH SEASON?

Dean Lambert sent us these great pictures of one of the unusually consistent high season swells we’ve been getting on the West Coast this year: Feb 12: I answer a post on Phuket-info website claiming there’s no surf in the tourist season. I say that sometimes there is, and that I have a diary entry that I had a great surf at Kalim just before Christmas, 2009. Feb 13. Swelll starts building and is near 4 feet but closing out at Surin at dusk. Feb 14. Early. 4 to 5 foot sets breaking cleanly over the bank at Kata. Offshore, and some lovely steep take offs for the day. A highlight of the high season.

So who says....?

Kata Beach

Photo: Dean Lambert CMY

Layan Beach

Photo: Jim /

Kata Beach

Photo: Dean Lambert

standuppaddl

ethai.com

Koh Payam Photo: Tim Morch

We also got these nice high season pics from Jim at Stand Up Paddle Thailand (standuppaddlethai.com) and Tim Morch from up in Payam Island

So where is all this freak swell coming from? Read Ajarn Surf’s article on Climate Change in this issue for some possibilities . . .

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INTERVIEW

Panu Wisetsombat By: Joob Aiyarak English Translation: Tomkat

In this issue of TSM we have the pleasure of speaking with young Panu Wisetsombat from Kata Beach in Phuket. Panu was crowned champion at the first annual Thailand Rip Curl Grom Search at Nai Harn Beach last year – an admirable achievement for this likeable little Thai grommet.

Let’s get to know “Nu” a little better . . .

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TSM How old are you, Panu? Panu I’ll be 12 this year. TSM Panu

When did you start surfing? What inspired you to ge t into surfing? I started surfing in 2008. At that time I was still living with my grandmother in Buriram (in the Isaan region of Thailand where there is no ocean). It was between terms at school. My mom was working at Kata Beach and I asked her if I could go and visit her. When I got there, I saw guys surfing. It looked really fun and I wanted to try it myself.

TSM Panu

Who taught you how to surf? Actually, it was my mom who first taught me how to surf. At the time, she was working for Khun Mike at Nautilus Surf Shop, so there were lots of boards around. My mom would borrow boards and teach me.

TSM Panu

Were you scared of the ocean at first? Nope, I wasn’t scared at all. Even though I didn’t even know how to swim at the time, I still wasn’t scared. My desire to learn how to surf was stronger than my fear, and I was totally hooked as soon as I tried it.

TSM Panu

So, after you learned how to surf, you started competing, right? Right! I entered my first comp in 2008 and got 2nd place in the grom division. Then, I got 4th place at the Thailand Surf Series event at Kalim in 2009. Last year, I got first place at the Ripcurl Grom Search at Nai Harn. I’m really proud to have done so well!

TSM You’ve been in a lot of contests, Panu. Does your school know about your surfing addiction? Panu Sure, my teachers know. TSM So what do your teachers think about your surfing and surf competitions? Panu Actually they are pretty blasé about it (Panu smiles) TSM Panu

Who is your favorite surfer? Who do you like to watch surfing? I like to watch Uncle Tony (from Kata Beach). As for surfers from other countries, I really like to watch Jake.

TSM You mean Jake Paterson, right? Panu Yup. TSM Panu

So, what do you do when the waves are flat? I like to ride skateboards and juggle burning torches. I do a fire show at Ska Bar every Friday and Saturday evening. I get tips from the tourists – about 100 Baht per night. I also like to play football on the beach with my friends sometimes.

TSM Do you have your own surfboard? Panu Yaah, I have 2. My mom got them for me. TSM What’s your favorite place to surf? Panu Kata Beach. TSM If you could go anywhere to surf, where would you go? Panu Australia for sure! TSM Thanks a lot for talking to us today Panu Stay stoked dude, and we’ll see you in the surf!

Panu with Jake Paterson Surfboard

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Photo By: Phuketneophoto.com

สัมภาษณ์พิเศษกับ น้องภานุ วิเศษสมบัติ (นุ)

โดย ชนินทร์ อัยรักษ์ นิตยสารไทยแลนด์เซิร์ฟไรเดอร์ ฉบับนี้มีโอกาสได้คุยกับน้อง ภานุ ถึงหาดกะตะ ภูเก็ต ซึ่งน้องภานุนั้น ถือว่าเป็นเด็กที่น่าสนใจ มากคนหนึ่งครับ เพราะมีการพัฒนาในการเล่นเซิร์ฟรวดเร็วมาก โดยปีที่แล้ว น้องภานุ สามารถคว้าแชมป์การแข่งขัน Ripcurl Grom Search ครั้งแรกในประเทศไทยที่หาดไนหาน โดยสามารถเอาชนะ น้องๆ นักเซิร์ฟจากต่างประเทศได้ ซึ่งเป็นที่ภาคภูมิใจของเด็กๆ ชาวไทยครับ เรามาอ่านบทสัมภาษณ์สบายๆ กับน้องภานุกันเลย ดีกว่าครับ TSM น้องภานุตอนนี้อายุกี่ขวบแล้วครับ ภานุ ปีนี้ผมอายุ 12 ขวบแล้วครับ TSM น้องภานุเริม่ เล่นเซิรฟ์ ตัง้ แต่ตอนไหนครับแล้วมีแรงบันดาลใจ อะไรให้น้องภานุเล่นเซิร์ฟครับ ภานุ ผมเริ่มเล่นเซิร์ฟเมื่อปี 2008 ครับ ตอนนั้นผมยังอยู่กับยายที่ จังหวัดบุรีรัมย์ (ภาคอีสานของไทย ซึ่งไม่ติดทะเล) แล้วเป็น ช่วงปิดเทอม แม่ผมทำ�งานอยู่ ที่หาดกะตะอยู่แล้ว แล้วผมขอ แม่ตามมาเที่ยวที่ชายหาดด้วย แล้วผมเห็นพี่พี่เล่นเซิร์ฟ อยู่ ในทะเลแล้วผมชอบมาก เลยอยากเล่นครับ TSM แล้ว ใครหัดให้น้องภานุละครับ ภานุ แม่ครับ แม่ผมเป็นคนสอนให้เล่นเซิรฟ์ คนแรกเลย ตอนนัน้ แม่ ทำ�งานกับคุณไมค์ ร้านอติลุส ซึ่งมีกระดานเซิร์ฟอยู่แล้ว แม่ก็ ยืมกระดานเซิร์ฟของที่ร้านมาสอนผมครับ TSM กลัวทะเลไหมตอนนั้น ภานุ ไม่กลัวครับ ตอนนั้นผมยังว่ายน้ำ�ไม่เป็นด้วยครับ แต่ผมไม่ กลัวผมอยากเล่นมากกว่า แต่พอผมเล่นเป็นก็ติดใจ ชอบ มากครับ

TSM แล้วพอเล่นเป็นแล้วได้ลงแข่งเลยไหมครับ ภานุ ครับ ผมลงแข่งในปีนั้นเลย (ปี 2008) ผมได้ที่สอง รุ่นเด็กที่ หาดกะตะแล้ว ได้ที่สี่ รุ่นเด็ก รายการ Quiksilver Thailand Surf Series ที่หาดกะหลิมใน ปี 2009 ส่วนปีนี้ (2010) ผมได้ แชมป์ที่หาดไนหาน รายการ Ripcurl Grom Search ครับ ผมภูมิใจมากครับ TSM น้องภานุ ได้ลงแข่งมาหลายรายการ แล้วที่โรงเรียนรู้ไหมว่า ภานุเล่นเซิร์ฟเก่ง ภานุ คุณครูรู้ครับ TSM แล้วคุณครูวา่ ยังงัยบ้างครับ เมือ่ รูว้ า่ เราเล่นเซิรฟ์ และลงแข่งด้วย ภานุ เฉยๆ ครับ (ภานุยิ้ม) TSM นุชอบดูใครเล่นเซิร์ฟ หรือชื่นชอบใครเป็นพิเศษไหมครับ ภานุ ผมชอบน้าโทนี่ครับ ถ้าเป็นนักเซิร์ฟต่างประเทศ... ผมชอบเจคครับ TSM Jake Paterson ใช่ไหม ภานุ ใช่ครับ TSM แล้วถ้าไม่มีคลื่นภานุทำ�อะไรบ้างครับ ภานุ ผมชอบเล่น skateboard แล้วก็จะเล่นควงกระบองไฟ... ผมจะแสดงควงกระบองไฟที่ร้านสกาบาร์ ในคืนวันศุกร์และ วันเสาร์ ก็จะมีนักท่องเที่ยวให้ทิปด้วยครับ ได้ประมาณคืนละ หนึ่งร้อยบาท แล้วบางครั้งผมก็ชอบเล่นฟุตบอลชายหาดกับ เพื่อนๆ ด้วยครับ TSM ตอนนี้น้องภานุมีเซิร์ฟบอร์ดเป็นของตัวเองไหม ภานุ มีครับ มีสองตัว แม่ซื้อให้ครับ TSM นุชอบเล่นเซิร์ฟที่ไหนมากที่สุด ภานุ ที่หาดกะตะครับ TSM แล้วถ้าเป็นต่างประเทศละ อยากไปเล่นที่ไหนมากที่สุด ภานุ ออสเตรเลียครับ TSM ขอบคุณมากครับน้องภานุที่คุยกับเราในวันนี้ครับ

Thailand Surfrider 13

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Panu with mom and younger sister

Panu fire show

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By: Tim Hain â&#x20AC;&#x201C; ASC Photos: Tim Hain, Joob Aiyarak, Andrea Sitidech, Decha Sitidech, & Tomkat

Photo : Tim Hain / ASC

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Photo : Tim Hain / ASC

Angry Bird Spreads His Wings

10 January 2011, Desaru-Malaysia: In an intense battle against his three fellow finalists and the pounding 3-4 foot waves of a seething South China Sea, Yudi Andika from Banda Aceh, Indonesia dodged the countless tirade of waves unloading on the Desaru Beach sandbar to outscore his opponents and retain his title of Monsoon Mayhem Open Division Champion for the second consecutive year. Andika received a trophy and 1,000 MYR (approximately $325 USD) for his win. Andika and finalists Mamat (Malaysia), Yen (Malaysia) and Gilang (Indonesia), were challenged not so much by each other as by the conditions, with big waves and strong winds requiring superhuman efforts just to reach the outside and position themselves to catch a ridable wave. “That was the toughest final I have ever surfed in,” said an exhausted Andika back on the beach. “I’m so very stoked I won and really I’m surprised and thankful. It was a lot of work out there and I was just lucky to be in the right spot to catch a couple, ones that stayed up so I could make a few turns before getting hammered on the inside,” he added grinning. Runner up Mamat, who hails from Cherating in Malaysia, was still smiling as he accepted his runner up spot. “It was so hard to find a good wave, as I had to keep dodging those big close outs,” he explained. “Near the end I paddled north up the beach because I thought I saw a couple lefts coming in, knowing I needed just one good wave to win, but time ran out on me. Next year I’m coming back to win this thing!” The 5th Annual Monsoon Mayhem Surf Challenge, a 1-star Asian Surfing Championship sanctioned event, was held at Desaru Beach from 7-9 January and included four different

divisions of surfing competition as well as the “SlideFest” skate competition. Desaru Beach is an approximate 1.5-hour drive from Singapore and a one-hour drive from Johor Bahru, and is the favored surfing destination for those living in these two cities. Prior to the exciting Men’s Open Division Final on Sunday afternoon were the finals of Bodyboard Division, the Women’s Division, and the Masters Division. The wave and wind conditions were a challenge for all the competitors on the final day, forcing the competitors to spend the majority of their 15-minute heats as much under the water as on top. One competitor estimated he had to “duck dive” over 100 times during his heat, and he never even surfed a wave! Almost 100 competitors from countries including Hawaii, America, Canada, Australia, Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia joined in the event. The initial two days of competition presented milder conditions leading up to the final day, with sun and intermittent showers giving the weekend the complete gamut of weather options to the coastal resort area of Desaru, know for its pristine golden sand beach and mostly calm seas. But the event certainly lived up to its moniker of Monsoon Mayhem during the final day, with strong wind and occasional rain squalls broken up by short periods of sunshine, coupled with the wild and crazy waves. Women’s Division winner Yasnyiar “Bonne” Gea from Indonesia admitted, “If this wasn’t a contest there is no way I would have paddled out to surf. It was my first time to surf here and the whole event was really fun, so to end up winning is just wonderful.”

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Photo : Tim Hain / ASC

The Director of Bigfoot Industries Nazir “Ajill” Salleh was very pleased with the event, saying “It certainly was Mayhem out there today in the surf, but it was great to see how the fans and spectators cheered on and supported the surfers, and everybody had a great time. It’s not as much about perfect conditions and winning, it’s more about getting together at the beach to enjoy the sport we love. I’m so thankful for the support of our sponsors, the government, my crew, and the ASC for making it such a success.” Tipi Jabrik from the Asian Surfing Championships was also delighted with the results of this, the very first official Asian Surfing Championship event of 2011. “We were excited about the opportunity to work with Bigfoot to take this event up to the next level as an ASC event. The crew here did a great job and we look forward to many more years of exciting Monsoon Mayhem events in the future”, he said. The ASC held a judging training seminar before the start of the event led by ISA certified Head Judge Arya Subyakto, and provided the computerized judging system used during the competition to ensure adherence to ISA judging criteria. In addition, Tipi Jabrik acted as Contest Director and Tim Hain provided photography and media services. The Director of Tourism of Kota Tinggi Mohammad Radif and the Director of Tourism of Johor Nizam Abdul Wahid were both in attendance at the event, and during the press conference held at the Desaru Goldan Sands Mr. Radif stated, “I would like to congratulate Mr. Salleh on the great job he has done putting this event together and taking it to the next level. We were proud to support him in his efforts and we hope for an even bigger event and more international participants next year.”

Photo : Tim Hain / ASC

The Monsoon Mayhem 2011 was organized by Bigfoot Industries and co-organized by the Surfing Association of Singapore, hosted by the Desaru Golden Beach Hotel, supported by Kerjaan Negeri Johor, Kementerian Pelancongan Malaysia, Jabatan Pelancongan Negeri Johor, Kejora, and Tourism Malaysia. Sponsors included Friends, Unkl347, Fatimah Mohsin the Wedding Gallery, Salty Skin, Magic Room, Fakie, Indicator Shoes, Hunting High & Low, Celticlub, Lucas and Son’s Surfboards, with media partners Goreblog and Absolute Studio, partners Skim Class Heroes, Wavehouse Sentosa, MRB, Sempol Boogie, and Satusuku Surf. Special thanks to surfing friends Kota Tinggi Surf Crew, Johor Surf Community, KL Surf Community, Cherating Surfers Village, Kuantan Surf Community, Japanese Surf Community Singapore, Terengganu Surf Community, Singapore Surf Community, and the Phuket Boardriders Club.

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Yudi and the Beast Photo : Tim Hain / ASC

Monsoon Mayhem Surf Challenge 2011 Contest Results ASC Men’s Open Division 1. Yudi Andika (Indonesia) – 1,000 MYR 2. Mamat (Malaysia) – 600 MYR 3. Yen (Malaysia) – 400 MYR 4. Gilang (Indonesia) – 200 MYR

Women’s Division 1. Yasnyiar Gea “Bonne” (Indonesia) – 500 MYR 2. Dyah Rahayu Dewi (Indonesia) – 300 MYR 3. Cheryl Tang (Singapore) – 200 MYR 4. Brenda Lee (Malaysia) – 100 MYR

Master’s Division 1. Toshi (Japan) – 500 MYR 2. Decha (Thailand) – 300 MYR 3. Taka (Japan) – 200 MYR 4. Tom (USA) – 100 MYR

Bodyboard Division 1. Apex (Malaysia) – 500 MYR 2. Apai – 300 MYR 3. Bobee – 200 MYR 4. Usun – 100 MYR

Skateboard “SlideFest” Results 1. Hilmi (Singapore) – 300 MYR 2. Flea (Singapore) – 200 MYR 3. Ahmad (Singapore) – 100 MYR

Best Local Surfer Award = Yen from Cherating received new surfboard from Satusuku Surf Shop

Best Upcoming Johor Local = Haikal – received 300 MYR worth of surf products from Bigfoot Industries

Bigfoot Industries

is a privately owned Singaporean company founded in 2006. The company focuses on promoting the future development of boardriding sports in Singapore and Malaysia, especially surfing, skateboarding, and skimboarding. Apart from the Monsoon Mayhem, Bigfoot Industries also organizes the Skate for Unity and Skim for Unity events as well as sponsors individual athletes in surfing, skateboarding, and skimboarding. The Asian Surfing Championships was established in 2010 to help develop surfing throughout the South East Asian region through creation and support of local, national and regional surfing competition event.The ASC is based in Bali Indonesia and operates in cooperation with the Indonesian Surfing Championships (ISC).

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TSM TALKS TO

Ajill from Bigfoot Industries

How did you get into surfing, Ajill? I love to daydream and I love to play. I didn’t like school growing up. It was hard as a boy with a family of 5. I had to walk 12 kilometers a day to go to school. I started borrowing my neighbor’s skateboard when I was 8 and pretend to surf on it. By 16 years old I was skateboarding every day, growing up in Singapore with no waves. The drive of wanting to do real surfing started when I was 21 years old. Now I am 40 and have never looked back since.

Tell us about Bigfoot Industries (BFI) BFI started in December 2006, just before the great flood of Kota Tinggi in Johor, Malaysia, selling second hand clothing. A week after the store was opened, the whole town where our store was situated got flooded. In January 2007 we created Monsoon Mayhem Surf Challenge while we were still picking up the pieces from the flood. We manage to pull through and donated our event t-shirt proceeds to the flood victims. There are 3 of heads at BFI – Shahir, Arfian, and me, Ajill. We’ve got 2 stores now, one in Kota Tinggi, Malaysia and one in Singapore on Beach Road. We sell surf, bodyboard, skate, and skimboard hardware, clothing, and accessories.

What about your team riders and sponsorships? When we started BFI we had a mission to help the local boardriders – to get them sponsored and help them gain experience in a wider audience. Our skimboarders Izan and Darimi have international sponsors for skim hardware. Surfing has been our main focus but we don’t have a place to train. Our surfers have to go Bali or Desaru when they need to surf.

How has the Desaru Contest evolved over the years? Monsoon Mayhem is in its 5th year. It started out with 47 competitors in 2006, and this year we had over 100. We really never thought we would even make the second year, but we managed to stay on. It’s a slow process getting sponsors to come in as the sport is new in this area and no one believed

in us. We decided to ask for help from the local government, but that’s no easy task. Coming to the 6th year, I guess now they’ve started to realize how important this sport is for the local community and businesses. We made history in 2008 as we had our very first local surfer sign with an international surfing company right here at Monsoon Mayhem. This was a big thing for us as we finally started seeing results from our prime mission – to develop the sport of surfing for the local community. Monsoon Mayhem 2011 is now part of the Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) tour. We never thought we’d get this far, and we hope to still keep providing the opportunity that was once a dream and now turned to reality. We really have to thank the local government of Johor and Tourism Malaysia Johor for their logistical support

Other than the Desaru contest, what other types of contests does BFI do? We have created events that are far from the mainstream sports scene – Skim for Unity, Skate for Unity, Monsoon Mayhem, Backyard Skimboarding, and MotoX.

This year’s Monsoon Mayhem was a big hit! What are the plans for the future? Was it a big hit? We really dunno. We just keep on doin’ it. We want to help the next generation; be it in the sport of surfing, skimboarding, or skateboarding. We love to see our friends and have a good time. Hopefully we can do another surf contest somewhere else soon! TSM would like to give a big thanks to Ajill and all the crew from BFI for their warm hospitality and a great time at Monsoon Mayhem 2011. It certainly was a big hit with us, and we hope to go again next year! Be sure to drop into Bigfoot Industries next time you’re in Singapore or Johor. Visit www.bigfoot-industries.com

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Ajill and son, front and center, along with the Bigfoot Crew

บทสัมภาษณ์คุณ Ajill ผู้ก่อตั้ง Bigfoot Industries โดย Tomkat แปล/เรียบเรียงโดย ชนินทร์ อัยรักษ์

Ajill ได้เข้ามาเล่นเซิร์ฟได้อย่างไรครับ

ผมเป็นคนชอบสนุกกับการเล่น และการฝันกลางวัน ตอนเด็กๆ ผมไม่ค่อย ชอบไปโรงเรียนสักเท่าไหร่ และชีวิตในวัยเด็กของผมก็ค่อยข้างลำ�บาก ครอบครัวผมมีสมาชิก 5 คน ผมเคยเดิน 12 กิโลต่อวันเพื่อไปเรียนหนังสือ ผมเริ่มยืมสเก็ตบอร์ดของเพื่อนตอนอายุ 8 ขวบ และสมมุติว่าตัวเองกำ�ลัง เล่นเซิร์ฟอยู่บนมัน เมื่อผมอายุ 16 ปี ผมก็เริ่มเล่นสเก็ตบอร์ดทุกวัน ผม โตขึ้นในประเทศสิงคโปร์ ซึ่งไม่มีคลื่นจริงๆให้เล่นเซิร์ฟ แต่เมื่อผม อายุได้ 21 ปี ผมก็เริ่มขับรถไปตามสถานที่ต่างๆ เพื่อค้นหาคลื่นที่จะได้เล่นเซิร์ฟ จริงๆ ได้ ตอนนี้ผมอายุ 40 ปีแล้ว แต่ก็ไม่เคยหยุดที่จะตามหามัน

ช่วยบอกเราเกี่ยวกับ Bigfoot Industries หน่อยครับ

Bigfoot Industries (BFI) เริ่มรวมกลุ่มกันประมาณเดือนธันวาคม ปี ค.ศ. 2006 ก่อนหน้าน้ำ�ท่วมใหญ่ที่โกตาติงกิ จอหอ ประเทศมาเลเซีย (Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia) เราเปิดเป็นร้านขายเสื้อผ้ามือสอง หลังจากนั้น หนึ่งอาทิตย์ เมืองทั้งเมือง รวมไปถึงร้านของเราก็เจอน้ำ�ท่วมใหญ่ ต่อมา ในเดือนมกราคม ปี ค.ศ.2007 ในระหว่างที่เรากำ�ลังทำ�ความสะอาดร้าน เนื่องจากน้ำ�ท่วมใหญ่เมื่อเดือนที่ผ่านมานั้น เราก็ได้จัดการแข่งขันเซิร์ฟ ครั้งแรกขึ้น ชื่อ Monsoon Mayhem เพื่อที่จะหาเงินบริจาคช่วยเหลือ ผู้ประสบภัยน้ำ�ท่วม Bigfoot Industries (BFI) ปัจจุบันดำ�เนินกิจการโดยผม (Ajill) คุณ Shahir และคุณ Arfian ตอนนี้เรามีร้าน 2 ร้าน ร้านแรกที่ Kota Tinggi ส่วนอีกร้านอยุ่ถนนหน้าหาดประเทศสิงคโปร์ เราขายกระดานโต้คลื่น บอดี้บอร์ด สเก็ตบอร์ด สคิมบอร์ด เสื้อผ้า และอุปกรณ์โต้คลื่น

ช่วยบอกเราเกี่ยวกับเรื่องทีมไรเดอร์ของ Bigfoot หน่อยครับ

ตอนเราเริ่มก่อตั้ง Bigfoot เรามีจุดมุ่งหมายเพื่อช่วยนักเซิร์ฟท้องถิ่นอยู่ แล้วครับ เราต้องการให้พวกเขาได้มีสปอนเซอร์ และมีประสบการณ์ในการ เล่นเซิร์ฟมากที่สุด มีนักเล่นสคิมบอร์ดของเรา ชื่อ Izan และ Darimi ตอน นี้มีบริษัทมาสปอนเซอร์แล้ว ส่วนการเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่นจริงๆ แล้วเป็น เมนหลักที่เราสนใจเลย แต่โชคไม่ดีเราไม่มีที่คลื่นจริงๆสำ�หรับฝึกซ้อมเลย นักเซิรฟ์ ของเราจะต้องไปเล่นทีบ่ าหลีหรือ หาดเดซารูทป่ี ระเทศมาเลเซียครับ

การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลืน่ ทีเ่ ดซารู ค่อยๆพัฒนา ขึน้ มาอย่างไรครับ

ปีนี้เป็นปีที่ 5 แล้ว (ปี 2011) เราเริ่มจากผู้เข้าแข่งขัน 47 คน ในปี 2006 และในปีนี้เรามีผู้เข้าแข่งขันมากกว่า 100 คน เราไม่เคยนึกจริงๆ เลยว่าเรา จะทำ�ได้ขนาดนี้ แต่เราก็จะทำ�มันต่อไป มันก็ไม่ง่ายนักที่ภาคส่วนต่างๆจะ มาช่วยเรา เพราะกีฬานี้เป็นกีฬาที่คนไม่ค่อยรู้จักมากนัก เราจึงตัดสินใจที่ ขอความช่วยเหลือจากหน่วยงานท้องถิ่น แต่ก็ไม่ค่อยจะราบรื่นเท่าไหร่นัก ในปีที่ 6 ที่จะมาถึงนี้ เราก็หวังว่าหน่วยงานท้องถิ่น และภาคธุรกิจให้ความ สำ�คัญกับกีฬานี้มากขึ้น เราได้สร้างประวัติศาสตร์เมื่อปี 2008 โดยมีนักเซิร์ฟ ท้องถิ่นคนแรกได้เซ็นต์สัญญากับบริษัทเซิร์ฟ ณ ตรงสถานที่แข่งขัน Monsoon Mayhem เลย ซึ่งถือว่าเป็นเรื่องใหญ่สำ�หรับเรามาก ในการพัฒนา และประชาสัมพันธ์กีฬาชนิดนี้ขึ้นในท้องถิ่น Monsoon Mayhem 2011 ในปีนี้ได้เป็นรายการหนึ่งของ Asian Surfing Championship (ASC) ซึ่งเราไม่เคยนึกมาก่อนว่าเราจะได้ไปไกลขนาดนี้ และเราก็ยังจะทำ�ความฝันของเราให้เป็นจริงเมื่อมีโอกาส เราต้องขอขอบคุณ รัฐบาลท้องถิ่นของเมือง Johor และการท่องเที่ยวประเทศมาเลเซีย สำ�นัก งานเมือง Johor สำ�หรับความช่วยเหลือต่างๆ

นอกจากการแข่งขันเซิร์ฟที่เดซารูแล้ว Bigfoot ยังจัดการแข่งขัน กีฬาที่อื่นอีกหรือไม่ครับ

นอกจากเซิร์ฟแล้ว เรายังจัดการแข่งขันสคิมบอร์ด สเก็ตบอร์ด และ มอเตอร์ไซค์ผาดโผนครับ

ปีนี้การแข่งขันเซิร์ฟ Monsoon Mayhem ถือว่าประสบความสำ�เร็จ มาก Bigfootวางแผนสำ�หรับปีหน้าอย่างไรครับ

มันสำ�เร็จมากเหรอครับ? ผมยังไม่ทราบเลย เราก็แค่ทำ�มันเกิดขึ้น เรา ต้องการช่วยคนรุ่นถัดไปให้สนใจกีฬาโต้คลื่น เราชอบที่จะพบเจอเพื่อนๆ จากทุกๆที่ และมีเวลาที่ดีต่อกัน และเราหวังว่าเราจะได้จัดการแข่งขันใน ที่อื่นๆ ต่อไป Thailand Surfrider Magazine ต้องขอขอบคุณ Bigfoot มากครับ และหวังว่า จะเจอกันใหม่ในครั้งต่อไปครับ

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Hong Kong Reef Cup Phuket local wins Women’s Open By Anthony Livingstone Local surf sensation Annissa Tita Flynn has done it again! This time winning the Women’s Open division of the Reef Cup held at the remote and beautiful Tai Long Wan beach in Hong Kong. The competition was a little different from your typical contest - this one requiring competitors to walk several kilometers into a national park with their camping gear, boards, sleeping bags, provisions, and wetsuits. Once in, they set up their campsites on the hinterland and braved the chilly overnight conditions. The beauty of this arrangement is that participants have the opportunity to meet and get to know each another in a convivial and low key setting. As night descends, fires spring to life up and down the beach. Driftwood fueled blazes warm the faces of eager contestants, friends, and families while tall-tales of surfing heroics become larger and grander as the stars come out. The next morning saw the surfers get into action early, working out what the high-tide and rips had done to the sandbars and shape of the waves overnight. What was a left-hander the day before (favoring the goofy-foots) had now become a right-hander, putting grins on the faces of the left foot forward crowd. The competition itself is 6 years old and is the brainchild of Ken Choi from X-Games of Hong Kong. He was thrilled this year to see international competitors from as far away as Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan compete against the local groms and waxheads. Annissa surfed well enough in the morning heats to make the finals of both the Grom (under 16) and Women’s divisions. Held in back-to-back heats and icy cold water, the afternoon finals saw Annissa (at only 12 years old!) earn 3rd in the Grom Division and 1st in the Women’s. Friends of Annissa, including her proud sponsors Quiksilver Thailand and Ark Surfboards of Hong Kong, eagerly await to see how she goes at upcoming contests around the region. By the way, Annissa is currently on the lookout for an airline sponsor to help cover travel costs and support her journey to the next levels of competition in places like Bali and Australia. Local airlines take note!

Photo: Adam Healy / Ark Surfboards benpat@pacific.net.hk

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Photo: Adam Healy / Ark Surfboards benpat@pacific.net.hk

Photo: Katy Choi

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Words and Photos : J. Welch

ANDAMAN EXPOSURES

The passion and pursuit of waves within the ocean’s liquid landscape has been part of my make-up for twenty plus years now. It’s to the point where this obsession overrides responsibilities and I constantly find myself massaging schedules around the times of incoming swell and the fluctuations of tide.

But for the most part it’s the purity that attracts me. I just love being in the element, and while shooting friends and other surfers is fun, the real attraction for me is capturing those final fleeting moments of the ocean’s energy expending itself onto the shoreline.

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When all the elements of swell, tide, and sun come together itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a special thing, but itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the waiting that kills. This ongoing maniacal pursuit leaves many clinging to the periphery of society while all along keeping one eye peeled for the next potential swell and perfect conditions.

Being a surf junky is watching for obscure cloud formations that might develop into a local depression, resulting in a short burst of energy within two days time that will last for twelve hours. Being a surf junky means using the internet at least twice a day to look over weather patterns and predicted wave models. The junky understands that a 980millibar low pressure system off of Mozambique will within five to seven days time translate into head-high plus surf on the shores of Phuket.

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Being a surf junky has always been a curse because, unlike sports where one can choose a time and place to play, the ocean and her waves have the only say of when all this will take place.

Underneath the surfing world that has now become more focused on product hype and dream sponsorships lies the truth of why we all converge to the ocean. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s because somewhere deep inside us all we identify with natureâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s link, the pulse, the purity of just being within and around waves.

Being a surf junky has always been a curse because, unlike sports where one can choose a time and place to play, the ocean and her waves have the only say of when all this will take place.

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In the surf we become children again and we remember that what really counts is what is in front of us and not the modern day clutter that fills up our minds.

J. Welch is a local photographer and surf junkie who has been shooting for 18 years.

His preferred equipment is the Nikon D3000 and the Nikon V. Jâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s favorite subjects are, of course, waves . . .

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SURF REPORT

Admittedly, Phang Nga and Khao Lak particularly were rather damp and overcast from the end of October right up till New Year. The silver lining to the cloud may be whatever was missing in the ‘on season’ was balanced somewhat by a few small swells through the ‘off season’. November saw one of the best swells of the year, three days of solid waves from a cyclonic system sitting in the Bay of Bengal. There were good waves in Khao Lak but Phuket seemed to pick up the best of it. We managed a glimpse of Kalim’s potential when the swell peaked one evening, with solid head high sets coming through it looked like it was just starting to really open up. Truly a great wave when it’s on and well worth the drive down.

filmed in Khao Lak, have all been enjoying surfing and paddleboarding at Kahya beach. There’s also a couple of recently opened business in town catering to surfers, the ‘Surf Drinks’ cafe and the ‘Surf Hut’ located close to Nang Thong beach offers a chilled out place to connect and budget accommodation for visiting surfers. The biggest wave of discussion in town is of course recent news regarding the possible closing of parts or all of the Similan and Surin Islands to divers and tourists due to the abundant coral bleaching last season. Many are worried that the already uncontrolled fishing and poaching within the National Park will increase without the presence of the dive boats to deter them and could spell the end of the islands as a safe haven for the local sea life.

During December and January last year the Andaman was like a lake, in contrast we’ve had some small but reasonably consistent 1-3ft swells this ‘off season’. Nothing fantastic but at least there’s been something to get wet with on a longboard or the SUP a few days each week.

There are also rumours of a multi-billion dollar marina being planned for the Thai Muang area. How this will affect the water quality and waves in the area should it go ahead remains to be seen.

There have been noticeably more tourists and first timers in the water this season. The Spanish production team working on the movie ‘The Impossible’ based on the 2004 tsunami being

If you have any information, news or photos you’d like to include in the Phang Nga Report please contact Andrew (siamsurfdogs@gmail.com).

Words and photos by SiamSurfdogs.

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28 Thailand Surfrider

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AJAHN SURF

Climate Change and the Environment in Thailand

What’s Going on with the Weather? Text and photos by S. A. Martin—Prince of Songkla University

Indeed it has been a strange and interesting high season! Whether we agree or not with the ambiguous concept of ‘global warming’ or the more down to earth term ‘climate change’, there is change underway—under our noses and before our very eyes—across the land, in the sky, and on the water. Let’s consider monsoonal winds and surf raking havoc during the King’s Cup, blustery rain storms from the west in December and January almost every day, surf in the high season, massive floods in Hat Yai and other areas, and unprecedented impacts felt across Phuket’s diving industry due to unpredictable weather coupled with national park closures from overly warm waters and coral bleaching. Is it a 1 in a 100-year fluke? Or are we seeing the effects of climate change? Hmmm. If we listen to the scientists, there is a better-than-not chance that our weather is changing, and if indeed this is the case, the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, and the economy of Phuket (and certainly all Thailand) are eminently at risk. At a recent conference hosted by Mahidol University’s Faculty of Environmental and Resource Studies (The Changing Environment and Challenges to Society), scientists from around the world gathered in Bangkok to address global environmental issues, especially the impact that they have on Thailand. A key point brought out in the discussions is that Thailand, the heart of continental South East Asia, will be among the hardest hit locations on the entire earth by climate change. Objectives of the conference included the sharing of research and management experience amongst the university, the Thai government, and environmental organizations in order to stimulate development of collaborative research on environmental issues in the region; it served to promote public awareness and understanding of environmental science and environmental issues. From the scientists attending the Mahidol conference comes any number of issues and warnings for Thailand.

Waves blast the coast Ban Na San, north of Songkla where a beach once existed

Across the Land Changes include altered patterns of rainfall, localized flooding, a reduction in rice harvest, an increase in mosquito -borne diseases, and a new type of refugees—not from Myanmar—rather from the environment! The predicted wave of the future is environmental refugees, those who flee natural disasters, especially in coastal areas. This is already taking place in the Mekon Delta. A recent article in the Bangkok Post identified that a Chulalongkorn University researcher (Jarupongsakul, 2010) found that sand erosion could cause Pattaya Beach to vanish in the next five years and the situation is critical. Research on coastal erosion and related affects on surfing areas has yet to be conducted in Thailand.

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High Season Shorebreak in Phuket

In the Sky Seemingly unusual winds and weather this high season have affected the dive industry and the maritime enthusiasts, such as the recent events of damages during the King’s Cup Regatta from unanticipated high and westerly winds. Khumar et al. (2008, 2010) studied weather patterns in the Bay of Bengal occurring over the previous century, and have been monitoring weather events of the past several decades. Their research findings are amazingly clear: less cyclonic weather activity (less cyclones annually); yet they are in creasing in size, intensity, and destruction to life and property when the make landfall.

Coastal Pollution and Erosion in Thailand

On the Water Coral bleaching this high season is front-page news with reports on the drastic decline in the health of coral reefs in the Andaman Sea, followed by quick action to close and limit access to dive sites in coral reef areas in various national parks (search for news articles in the Phuket Gazette and Phuket Wan for a number of related stories). This is not good for surfers—surfers’ like reefs. Shuman and Hodgson (2009) suggest “Reef = Barrels” and that the health of coral reefs are highly relevant to surfing—naturally occurring reefs effectively cause high-quality waves to break. Perhaps this past low season (May-Sept.) we saw a lessening in short-period Southwest Monsoon surf activity—but we were able to see (and surf) the long-period groundswell activity which is usually masked by the messy windswell of the monsoon. The sweet and sour of it was less consistent windswell activity offset by fewer disturbances to the clean and perfect long-travelling groundswell. On a strangely positive note, if the surf season annualizes, we will have wider shoulder seasons, and more swell, including windswell in the high season (good for surfers--bad for divers)

(comparatively, the dive industry is big business/big money and surf tourism is negligible). Surf during the high season isn’t without consequences. For example, surf-related drownings in the high season are a new twist to long-standing discussion on Andaman coast water safety. This has already been the case during the 2011 high season. Further implications include an increased potential for near shore drowning, dive accidents, and boating mishaps. High season surf at local beaches results in waves breaking very close to shore as the sandbars have shifted closer to shore. From a safety standpoint, this means plunging breakers unloading onto the dry sand of the beach. This type of shorebreak can result in neck and spinal injuries when unsuspecting tourists standing in shallow water get hit by the wave.

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Surfing and the Changing Environment

Once a Thai beach, now a mess of slop-chop, backwash and turbid water

When examining and comparing social and environmental issues related to surfing in Thailand, this research, which began in 2007, indicates that environmental impacts and change are a leading issue in the discussion of quality of experience and surf break conservation. Indeed, environmental degradation may overshadow the social argument (namely the carrying capacity of surfing areas in a social context) depending on how we view time and space. This is to say that nearly every surfer interviewed over the past 4 years has expressed that the increase in the popularity of surfing in Thailand is a leading point of contention (namely an invasion of personal surfing space by other ‘less local’ surfers). Conversely, the research indicates that issues related to the physical surfing environment may in fact have a higher level of impact on the overall surfing space and experience, especially when considering the issues of climate change, water pollution, rubbish in the water, coastal engineering projects, and the overall health of coral reefs. Worthy of note is that generally speaking, surfers, while waiting for and riding the waves, have a very low to zero negative effect on the actual surf site, and essentially the waves are renewable resources. Considerably, the physical environment is the arena in which we interact with nature and each other; it is the substance by which our sport is sustained. While both social and physical issues are relative and relevant to the surfer’s surfing experience—if the environment deteriorates and surfing areas degenerate, then the environmental argument can easily be weighed against the social argument. Conceptually, the social argument is short term (today, tomorrow, next year, our life), while the physical argument encompasses our time (our life) and the eternal future. Increasingly, surfers are at the source of environmentalism and have become integral to the conservation of surfing areas. In this way, sharing and acknowledging the value of surfing areas and the threats against them can actually have a positive effect on surf site access, protection and conservation.

S. A. Martin is conducting doctoral research on Surfing and the Environment in Thailand with the Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai. Please share your comments, ideas, and questions with Ajarn Steve at: phuketoceansafety@gmail.com

The International Conference on the Environment and Natural Resources 2010 (INCER) was sponsored to discuss pertinent environmental issues with a regional focus, and to stimulate future collaboration in order to adapt to our changing world. The conference featured a presentation and discussion on the conservation of surf beaches in Thailand. To learn more about the conference and related research in Thailand, please link to: http://www.en.mahidol.ac.th/conference2010/index.html

Surf Learn To

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Khao Lak • Phang Nga • Thailand

SURFING LESSONS PADDLESURFING LESSONS SUP LESSONS BOARD RENTAL

Surf Thailand Tel. 081 945 7788 •

www.siamsurfdogs.com • info@siamsurfdogs.com

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Dental Sea Clinic Experienced Specialists Responsible Treatment Plans Modern Equipment Relaxing Environment Friendly Staff

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Address: 39/3 Prabarami Road, Patong, Kathu, Phuket 83150, Thailand Tel./Fax (Thai, English): +66 (0) 7629 6682 Tel. (English, Japanese): +66 (0) 87 277 5014 E-mail : info@dentalsea.com Website : www.dentalsea.com

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PADDLE POWER

A N U FIZZ T SALAD H C I W SAND KhukK

drew, Article: An ogs.com SiamSurfd Parker, Photos: Ric @gmail.com hakDesign

John Monta

The mighty sandwich has long been the definitive portable lunch. Unbeknown to most however the sandwich also shares some unlikely ties with the history of surfing. The sandwich is named after John Montagu, the 4th Earl of Sandwich, a rather colourful character who as legend has it ordered cold cut meat between two slices of bread to sustain him during long sessions at the gambling table. Others began to order “the same as Sandwich”, and so concept and name were combined. The Earl of Sandwich also happened to be a huge supporter of Captain James Cook’s explorations in the Pacific Ocean, and as First Lord of the Admiralty was able to supply funds for the purchase and fit out of the Resolution, Adventure and Discovery (Cook’s three ships). In 1778 Cook named a newly discovered group of islands in the middle of the Pacific the “Sandwich Islands”, in honour of his sponsor. We now know these islands collectively as Hawaii, famed for its big powerful waves and where surfing is deeply embedded in the culture.

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Thailand Surfrider 33

Fizz Tuna Salad Sandwich “This is a simple but delicious sandwich filling with a touch of ‘Fizz flair’. It’s quick and easy to prepare, and provides a healthy substantial meal for any hungry surfer. Wrap your sandwich and put it in your cooler with your drinks to enjoy after you get out of the surf.” - Khun Dussadee, Fizz Bistro n Bar

Ingredients: 1. large baguette or 2 smaller baguettes (whole-wheat or dark rye is best) 1 tin of tuna steak (in oil) 2 tbsp of grated parmesan cheese ¼ carrot grated ½ small onion finely diced 1 lime squeezed 2 tsp of capers fresh lettuce leaves 2 tomatoes sliced 4 slices of cheddar cheese ½ cup mixed bell peppers diced ¼ small cucumber sliced 6 black olives sliced 3 pickled gherkins sliced virgin olive oil cream cheese salt & pepper

Method: 1. Drain the oil from the tuna and place in a mixing bowl. 2. Add the carrot, onion, parmesan, bell pepper, lime juice, capers , olives, gherkins and a little olive oil. Season with salt and pepper according to taste and mix well. 3. Slice the baguette in half lengthways and spread cream cheese on both halves. Spread the tuna filling you’ve just prepared generously on the bottom half. 4. As separate layers, add the cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and cucumber. Gently press the two halves together. 5. Enjoy immediately or wrap in cling-film and store in your cooler for later.

This issues Paddle Power recipe was kindly submitted by Khun Dussadee, the proprietor of Fizz Bistro n Bar in Khao Lak. Fizz offers a select menu of delicious Thai and International dishes along with fine wines at very reasonable prices. Subtle lighting, jazz and R&B create a relaxed ambience making Fizz an ideal place for a romantic meal or a party of friends. Khun Dussadee is genuinely passionate about food and loves to look after her guests personally. Next time you’re in Khao Lak don’t miss the opportunity to meet her and sample some of the excellent cuisine on offer. Fizz Bistro n Bar is located centrally on the main 4 road approximately 200m on the left after you come down the hill into Khao Lak heading north (opposite the Viking Steak House). Open daily from 2pm till late. You can find out more about Fizz Bistro n Bar on FACEBOOK. If you have a restaurant in the Phuket or Phang Nga area and would like to see your business featured in a Paddle Power article please contact Andrew (siamsurfdogs@gmail.com) with your recipe.

34 Thailand Surfrider

YOGA FOR SURFING

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Parsva konasana

(Extended Lateral Lunge)

A Last time I caught up with Khun Joob he told me that heaps of surfers reading the mag wanted to know a posture that could help them stretch out the sides of their bodies. He said they get super tight from paddling out into the ocean and also from surfing the net for cool surf websites! So, this is the first posture in a series that will help you get flexier in the lats and obliques!! It’s a great posture not only for the sides of your body but also thighs, calves and hips. 1. The right knee bends at a 90 degree angle to the ankle. (never past that point - it’s not good for the knee joint) making sure that the knee is centred, not rolling in or out. 2. The left foot slides out about two hip widths to the side. The angle of the left foot is 90 degrees. 3. Think about the right knee extending forward to one side while the left foot extends in the opposite direction. That way you will get a great stretch in the hips and the left hamstring. 4. There are two options for the arms. A The right hand touches the mat next to the outside of the right foot and the left arm extends upwards. You want to feel the two hands extending in opposite directions to get an opening sensation in the chest and the shoulder blades. B If you are having trouble placing your right hand beside your foot, place your right forearm on your right knee and extend your left arm away from the forearm. 5. The more you raise the left hand upwards the more intense the stretch will become down the left side of your body. Don’t forget about the feet, also extending in opposite directions. 6. Try not to stick your bottom out at the back, keep your right hip in-line with your right knee as much as possible. 7. Hold for a minimum of 20 seconds (a minute would be better) and then swap sides and repeat. This is another great posture you can add to your stretches before and after a session.

Mindbody Yoga by ‘Ajahn Kim White’

Tel. 086-2769174 kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com www.mindbodyyogasystem.com

SURF GAMES sponsored BY Chad Lowe Yes, Rob’s little bro is definitely a surfer. Cameron Diaz Yes, her passion for surfing may have caused a little “water on the brain” for this blonde bimbo. Tim Thomerson Familiar face, not so familiar name. Tim Thomerson has appeared in dozens of movies and he is an avid surfer -one of his favorite surfing hangouts being right here in Phuket, Thailand! Guy Forget Having retired from professional tennis in 1997, Guy Forget keeps busy these days with his love for surfing, including frequent trips on Indonesian surf charter boats. Paris Hilton Still looking for a single redeeming quality to explain this useless tramp’s undeserved fame? Keep looking Paris doesn’t surf (and we hope she doesn’t start!). Stephen Baldwin A bit of a pretty boy, not quite as talented as his older brother - Stephen doesn’t surf. Matthew McConaghey Avid California surfer. Ben Stiller Funny as hell, but not into surfing. Drew Barrymore While she definitely looks the part, the lovely and talented Drew Barrymore has yet to pick up the sport. Vincent Schiavelli Another one of those classic character actors you’ve seen a million times but never knew his name, the late Vincent Schiavelli never surfed as far as we know.

Character Actor

Actor

Cameron Diaz

Actress, Airhead

Character Actor, Comedian

Stephen Baldwin

Matthew McConaghey

Drew Barrymore

with her big bu . . . board on display

Serena Williams

Answers Actor, Younger Brother of Alec Baldwin

Chad Lowe

Actor, Younger Brother of the more famous Rob Lowe

SURF GAMES

Actress, Friend of E.T.

Tennis Legend

Skanky Fame-Whore

Ben Stiller

Vincent Schiavelli

Actor, Funnyman

Tim Thomerson

Guy Forget

Paris Hilton

Some of the answers will surprise you! Try to guess which of the following famous celebrities are surfers and which are not.

Surfer or Not?

Thailand Surfrider 35

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36 Thailand Surfrider

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Classified Ads

CLASSIFIED ADS

Visit http://www.thaisurfrider.com/classifieds for full ads with pictures Classified ads in Thailand Surfrider are Free and appear both online and in hardcopy! Hawaiian Big Wave Classic Long Submit your ads at http://www.thaisurfrider.com/classifieds. Boards For Sale - The Real Deal! Note: some ads may be edited for clarity. Surfing and other action sports and activities related ads only!

5’ 10” SouthPoint Epoxy Fish Contact : Steve Phone : 085 791 9242 Location : Kathu

Excellent condition. White w/light color pinstripes. Asking 10,000 THB

9’ BZ Soft Surfboard

Double Surfboard Travel Bag Contact : Marc Email : mpomel@yahoo.fr Location : Phuket Town

Island Style travel model. Size: 7’0”. Suitable for round-nose boards. Can fit up to 4 boards without fins.

Contact : Steve Phone : 085 791 9242 Location : Kathu

Fish 6’4”

Special order design - extra thick, pulled in nose, full-size rubber fins, and metal fin screws. Shipped from Hawaii. The best quality softboard in the world! Excellent condition. Perfect for learning and surf lessons - a ‘true’ softboard (soft deck/bottom/rails/fins). Paid 15,000 THB + shipping. Asking 11,000 THB

NSP surfboard for sale. Good condition. Send me an email if interested.

Windsurfing Gear for Sale Contact : Chalit Wantaree Email : chalit9999@gmail.com Phone : 089 723 4278 Location : Phuket

Full Windsurfing set for sale, only 10,000 Baht

Surfboard For Sale

Contac t: Marc Email : mpomel@yahoo.fr Location : Phuket town Local Motion Australia (custom made by world renowned shaper Gunther Rohn), 6’0” - 18”1/2 - 2”5/16, swallow tail, FCS fins (thruster), deck grip. Perfect board for Phuket surf conditions. Email me.

Rayong Surf School

Contact : Brian Email : bernardfox1234@gmail.com

Koh Lanta Watersports

Contact : Sam or Jo Email : info@kohlantawatersports.com Phone : 080 039 7393 Location : Koh Lanta We are a full watersports centre located on Klong Dao Beach, Koh Lanta. We offer a range of activities such as surfing, stand up paddleboards, fishing, kayaking, bodyboards, surfboards. We do lessons from beginner to advanced, as well as hourly and daily hires. Visit www.kohlantawatersports.com

11’6” South Point Timpone Stand Up Paddleboard

Contac t: Ted Gugelyk Email : kukui@lava.net Phone : 086 171 2972 Location : Ubon Rachathani, Thailand

Built for me by legendary George Downing, late 1980’s. Not made any more and I am too old to surf now. Downing - Hawaiian master craftsman and big wave pioneer, now coordinates the Eddie Aikau Waimea Contest.

Board 1 - Red and White, almost showroom condition. 11 feet long Waimea Gun. 24 inches wide, 4 inches thick. Perfect for display, however it is an excellent Big Wave Monster Gun. Bid at Two Thousand Dollars start. Board 2 Yellow and White, show room condition. Waikiki, Makaha Cruiser. Built by George Downing in the late 1980’s. 11 feet long. 25 inches wide. 4 Inches Thick. Surfs like a Rolls Royce drives. Make offer.

Wanted – Surf Ski

Contact : Mark Email : markgow27@yahoo.com.au Phone : 081 144 6235 Location : Bangkok Looking for a second hand surf ski, 3 person, plastic material

Used Bodyboarding Equipment Contact : Maxim Phone : 089-622-8330 Location : Phuket

Contact : Jo or Sam Email : jo@kohlantawatersports.com Phone : 080 039 7393 Location : Koh Lanta

Selling NMD 42” bodyboard, RIP bodyboarding fins, bag for bodyboard and fins. everything in perfect condition, used for 1 month. cheap!

11’6” South Point Timpone Stand Up Paddleboard. 2009 model. Excellent condition. Includes aluminium paddle. 27,000 Baht.

Contact : David Phone : 083 192 8161 Location : Phuket

Contact : Greg Email : surfthailand@ yahoo.com Phone : 083 305 0107 Location : Rayong

Blue Hawaii Surfboard

Surfboard hire and surfing lessons in Rayong. Visit www.thaisurfschool.com

Surfboard 6’2”, reshaped Blue Hawaii, Hot Pink. No Dings. 4000 Baht.

Contact : Philip Phone : 085-470-3410 Location : Phuket

A Board for a Bike!

Do you have a bike and you would like a custom made Balsa-Epoxy surfboard? Would you like to swap? I am building surfboards in Phuket (check elleciel.com to see what would your board look like) and I am looking for a motorbike (manual, with papers, 125cc would be great). Please contact me if interested!

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SURF DIRECTORY

Surf Shops GoJoob Surfshop

Details : Custom hand-shaped surfboards made to order, surf hardware, clothing Address : 371/41 Yaowarat Road, Talad Yai, Meuang, Phuket 83000 M : 081-9565854 Fax: 076-255268 Web : www.gojoob.com Email : joob@oceanearth.in.th

Hospitals

Government Offices

Mission Hospital Phuket

Phuket Tourist Police

4/1 Thepkrasattri Rd Amphur Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel : (66-76) 237220/5 - 211907 or 212149 - 01-4299627 Email : pkah@phuket.ksc.co.th Web : www.missionhospitalphuket.com

Patong Hospital

Sawatdirak Road, Patong Beach, Phuket 83150 Tel : (66-76) 344225 - 340617 For EMERGENCIES call 340444 Email : patonghospital@hotmail.com Web : www.patonghospital.com

Address : 100/31-32 Bypass Rd., T. Rasada, A. Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel : 1155

Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office Address : 191 Thalang Road, Tambon Thaladyai, Amphoe Mueang, Phuket 83000 Tel : 0 7621 1036, 0 7621 7138, 0 7621 2213 Fax : 0 7621 3582 Web : www.tourismthailand.org/phuket Email : tatphket@tat.or.th

Thalang Government Hospital

Surfboard Rentals / Surfing Lessons

Naulitus Surf Shop

Vachira Hospital

Andaman Sea Surf

Details : Surfboards, surf hardware, clothing Address : Located at the South end of Kata Beach M : 089-8749147 Web : www.phuketsurfing.com

Yaowarat Road, Phuket Town Phuket 83000 Tel : (66-76) 212150 - 211155 Email : vachirapkt@hotmail.com Web : www.vachiraphuket.go.th

Palm Marine Co.,Ltd.

Thepkrasattri Road, Thalang, Phuket 83110 Tel : (66-76) 311111

Kite Surfing / Wind Surfing

Details : Surfboard rentals, surfing lessons Location : On Patong Beach just North of Phuket Graceland Resort Contact : 089-9732161, 083-5228523, 081-0775003 Web : www.andamanseasurf.com Email : daysurfer@gmail.com

Details : Surfboards, surf hardware Address : 1/11-12 Chaofa Road, Chalong Bay, Phuket 83130 M : 081-3967531 Tel & Fax : 076-381 065 Email : : cobrapkt@loxinfo.co.th

Club Loong Chat

Tokonatsuya

Surfing Organizations / Contests

ONE2KITE

Surfing Thailand

Address : 371/41 Yaowarat Road, Talad Yai, Meuang, Phuket 83000 Contact : Khun Joob M : 081-9565854 Fax: 076-255268 Web : www.phuketboardriders.com Email : joob@phuketboardriders.com

Details : Kitesurfing Lessons / Windsurfing Lessons Location : Pattaya M : 081-3402180 Web : www.clubloongchat.com Details : Kitesurf School and Shop Location : Koh Pha Ngan Ban Tai, Phuket M : 085-5559700 Web : www.one2kite.com

Quiksilver Surf House

Details : Kitesurf School Location : Hua hin Soi 79 Contavt : Khun Sam 087-691 3647

Details : Surfing lessons, Japanese language Location : Kata Beach Address : 40 Patak Rd., Patak Soi 2, Karon, Phuket 83100 Tel / Fax : (66)076-284-176 M : +66 087-282-3724 Web : www.tokonatsuya.com

Siamsurfdogs

Details : Surfing & Paddlesurfing Lessons, Board Rentals Location : Khao Lak, Phang Nga Contact : 081 945 7788 Web : www.siamsurfdogs.com Email : siamsurfdogs@gmail.com

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All for the low price of B2,000 Special introductory offer – only B1,500 per issue! Surf Season Opener - Issue 6 - Coming Soon Don’t Miss Out! For full details contact: Khun Joob + 66 81 956 5854 joob@thaisurfrider.com

PHUKET TIDE TABLES

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MARCH 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.6 3.0 3.2 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.4 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9

1.5 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.5

1.2 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.2

1.2 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.4 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.1

1.2 1.0 0.8 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.5 1.1 0.7 0.5 0.5 0.8 1.2 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.2

1.5 1.2 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.0 1.8 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.4 0.4 0.7 1.1 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5

1.8 1.5 1.3 1.0 0.9 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.1 1.9 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.4 0.5 0.7 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.0 2.1 2.1 2.0 1.9

2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.7 1.2 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3

2.3 2.3 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.0 1.5 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6

2.4 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.7

APRIL 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

2.4 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.6 3.0 3.2 3.2 2.9 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.7

2.2 2.4 2.7 2.8 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.4 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4

1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.4 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.1

1.6 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.8 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7

1.4 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.0 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.6 2.9 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.4

1.3 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.8 1.4 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.4 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.2

1.3 1.1 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.1 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.2 0.8 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.6 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.3

1.6 1.3 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.0 0.7 0.5 0.6 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.5

1.9 1.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.5 1.0 0.6 0.5 0.6 0.9 1.3 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.9

2.3 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.6 1.1 0.7 0.6 0.7 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3

2.6 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.3 1.8 1.3 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6

2.7 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.3 1.4 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.0 3.1 2.9 2.5 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.8

2.7 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.6 3.0 3.2 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.2 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.8

2. 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.8 2.2 2.7 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5

Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.4 2.8 3.1 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9

1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.6

1.3 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.4 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.5 2.0 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.3

1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.9 1.3 1.8 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.4 1.3

1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.8 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.2 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4

1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.3 2.2 1.9 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.6 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.0 1.7

1.7 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.5 1.1 0.8 0.7 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.1

2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.7 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.5

2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.9 3.0 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.8

2.8 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.2 3.2 3.1 2.7 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.8 3.0

2.9 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.1 3.4 3.4 3.2 2.9 2.5 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.8 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.9

2.7 2.9 3.1 3.2 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.2 3.5 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.9 1.9 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6

2.4 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.3 2.8 3.2 3.4 3.5 3.3 3.0 2.7 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.2

1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.9 3.0 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.7 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.7 3.0 3.3 3.3 3.2 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.8

1.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.2 1.2 1.5 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.5

1.2 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.3

1.1 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.4 1.0 0.7 0.8 1.1 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.3

1.3 1.0 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.2 1.8 1.3 0.9 0.6 0.7 0.9 1.3 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.6

1.6 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.3 1.8 1.3 0.9 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.0

2.1 1.8 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.8 2.7 2.4 1.9 1.4 1.0 0.8 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.4

2.5 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.8 3.0 2.9 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.7

2.8 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.7 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.8

2.9 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.1 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8

2.8 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.9 3.2 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.3 2.5

Thailand Surfrider 39

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MAY 2011 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8 1.9 2.2

1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.7 1.4 1.2 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.5 1.6 1.8

1.3 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.4 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.5

1.2 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.4 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.3

1.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.2 1.8 1.4 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.4

1.5 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.4 1.1 0.9 1.0 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.6

1.9 1.7 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.0 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.3 2.0

2.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.4 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.6 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5

2.8 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.1 2.8 2.3 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.8

3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.2 3.4 3.2 2.9 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.9 3.0 3.1

3.1 3.2 3.2 3.1 3.0 2.7 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.8 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.6 3.1 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.1 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.9 3.1

2.9 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.7 3.1 3.4 3.5 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.9 1.9 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.7 2.9

2.5 2.7 3.0 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.2 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.8 2.2 2.6 3.1 3.3 3.5 3.4 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.9 1.8 1.9 2.0 2.3 2.6

2.0 2.3 2.5 2.8 3.0 3.2 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.2 1.8 1.5 1.5 1.6 2.0 2.5 2.9 3.2 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.9 2.1

1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.6

1.2 1.3 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.6 2.3 1.8 1.4 1.1 1.0 1.2 1.6 2.1 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.3 1.3

1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.1 1.7 1.2 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.9 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2

1.3 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.1 0.8 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.3

1.7 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.1 0.9 0.8 1.0 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.7

2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.6 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.3 2.1

2.6 2.4 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.6 2.2 1.8 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.5

2.8 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.8 2.4 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.8

2.9 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.8

2.7 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.7

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40 Thailand Surfrider

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Rationale for Water Safety Education in Hospitality & Tourism

SPECIAL FEATURE

Water Safety Awareness for the Hospitality & Tourism Industry

In recent years, there have been more drownings on an annual basis at surf beaches around Phuket than in all the islands of the State of Hawaii combined! The following short article offers the concept and a very basic lesson plan for introducing English terms pertinent to ocean safety in Phuket. Realistically, this article functions to spark awareness of the topic for the hotel staff in Phuket—adding to the potential of information reaching the tourists from a variety of mediums. Many Thai (and foreign) hotel staff may have little understanding of ocean safety and related issues and the following information is meant to help educate hotel staff regarding the best way to communicate water safety information to hotel guests. Unquestionably, this is an awkward topic whereby no one likely feels comfortable giving a guest at the hotel a warning.

Introduction to Ocean Safety Vocabulary Indeed, some of these terms do not have a Thai equivalent and translation is not straightforward. However, in the spirit of initiating awareness and imagination for the topic of water safety, we have begun to integrate some Thai language translations.

Text, photos and concept are the original work of S. A. Martin Faculty of International Studies Prince of Songkla University

Lifeguard Tower in Phuket A lifeguard tower is the place on the beach where the lifeguards set up each day and place their lifesaving equipment; it is used to watch and supervise swimmers in order to prevent drowning and other dangers.

หอคอยไลฟ์การ์ด

Thailand Surfrider 41

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ENGLISH FOR PHUKET OCEAN SAFETY—LESSON 1 Words and meanings for Phuket Ocean Safety and Awareness for Hospitality and Tourism Staff Desriptions

Ocean Safety Terms

(for clarity—these definitions are short and straightforward)

Beach Break

คลื่นแตกชายหาด

The type of waves that take shape near a sandy beach

Drowning

จมนำ�้

Death from suffocation caused by a liquid entering the lungs and preventing the absorption of oxygen

Lifeguard

ไลฟ์การ์ด

A water safety professional, normally wearing red shorts and uniform

Lifeguard Tower

หอคอยไลฟ์การ์ด

A place on the beach where the lifeguards set up each day and place their lifesaving equipment—an observation deck used to watch swimmers in order to prevent drowning and other dangers

Rescue

ช่วยเหลือ

When an individual, whether civilian or professional, rescues or assists another person (referred to as a victim) to safety.

Rip Currents / Ocean Currents

สานนำ�้

Strong near-shore ocean currents which pose a danger to swimmers; a river-like flow of water returning to the open sea.

Surf (N.)

คลื่นแตก

Generally defined as waves in the sea when they break upon the shore —or the splash and sound of breaking waves

Surf (V.)

To ride an ocean wave!

Surfing

โต้คลื่น การเล่นโต้คลื่น

The sport of riding the surf, especially on a surfboard

Warning Signs & Flags

ป้ายเตือน, ธงเตือน

Signs placed on or near the beach advising beachgoers of water safety issues. Flags may be placed daily to indicate danger levels. In Phuket, red flags mean danger!

The Delivery of Water Safety Information Given the unique and diverse tourism setting in Phuket, a mixture of people from around the world who speak, read, and accept information in various capacities—water safety information is best delivered from multiple sources. Tactfulness and approach from hotel staff may need to consider the cultural background of guests. Here are several examples of a simple dialogue, with an up-beat and positive tone (terms in red correspond the table for Lesson 1): • “Did you know that Phuket has surfing?” • “Please be careful at the beach is you see any surf” • “Did you know that there are rip currents on beaches here, especially when there are waves?” • “Check to see if there are lifeguards on duty” • “If there are lifeguards at the beach, smile and say hello to them, ask them where to swim safely” • “Warning Signs & Flags mean it’s dangerous to swim on that day” • “Have you seen the new Phuket Ocean Safety Guide featured here in Thailand Surfrider Magazine?” English for Phuket Ocean Safety is a new lesson plan designed to promote awareness, understanding and communication among Thailand’s Hospitality and Tourism industry, especially for Phuket and Phang Nga. For information or to share any comments on this article, please contact: phuketoceansafety@gmail.com

As mentioned in this brief article, it is inevitably awkward to warn guests at the hotel about ocean safety, and indeed tactfulness and style used in the delivery of such warning may vary among cultures and languages. In a first-step toward this, The Phuket Ocean Safety Guide provudes a visual insight to the issues which can bridge the gap in language inherent dangers at our west coast beaches. Hotels can request that TSM deliver the free Phuket Ocean Safety Guide found in every issue of the magazine.

See Lesson 2 in our next issue! S. A. Martin was a Hawaii County Water Safety Officer during the 1990s and worked with the American Red Cross and the State of California Lifeguard Program in San Clemente. He currently holds an MA in Social Science & an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism. He is a lecturer at the Faculty of International Studies, Prince of Songkla University, Phuket Campus.

42 Thailand Surfrider

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PRACTICE SAFE-SURF WITH THE FIRST-EVER

PHUKET OCEAN SAFETY GUIDE

PHUKET OCEAN SAFETY GUIDE By S.A. Martin (2011)

Prince of Songkla University

WATER SAFETY FLAGS USED IN PHUKET RED + YELLOW FLAG

RED + YELLOW FLAG

Patrolled area - the safest swimming area

มีเจ้าหน้าที่ Lifeguard คอยดูแล ควรเล่นนำ�้บริเวณนี้

YELLOW FLAG

Warning - potentially dangerous condition

ควรระมัดระวังในการเล่นนำ�้บริเวรนี้

RED FLAG

Beach closed - do not enter the water

ปิดหาด ห้ามลงเล่นโดยเด็ดขาด

WATER SAFETY SYMBOLS USED IN PHUKET STRONG CURRENT - RIP CURRENT

อันตราย - ร่องนำ�้ลึก

PATROLLED BEACH

หาดนี้มีเจ้าหน้าที่ Lifeguard คอยดูแล

NO SWIMMING

ห้ามลงเล่นนำ�้

Thailand Surfrider 43

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EACHES O N P H U K E TG UB A RDS W IT H L IF E e sur f at any time of the

If you get ca ug at a patrolle ht in a rip d beach, do not panic. Fl oa rip and raise t with the one arm.

ast can hav

the Andaman Co at least • Phyeauker, sot and observe the ocean for it is always advised to

ering water. 15 minutes before ent rds before you swim. Say hello to the lifegua you can. if Swim near a lifeguard ularly, ask the lifeguards about reg nge cha ons diti con As the ocean conditions safety signs. Read and observe the llow banded flags (they mark the safest /ye Swim bet ween the red as). and lifeguarded are n or with a friend. Swim under supervisio at a patrolled beach, do not panic. rip nce. If you get caught in a raise one arm for assista and rip the h wit at Flo ce uen infl the er und Don’t swim in the SURF of alcohol!

• • • • • • • •

ON PH UK ET BEA CH ES WI TH ou t LIF EG UA RD S

SAY HEL O TO T H E L IF E L G U A BEFORE YOU RDS S W IM S W IM N E IF Y O U C AANR A L IF E G U A R D

There may not be lifeguards at all beach all the time, so be extra careful early mornings, late evenings, or at any unguar ded beache

s Be extra careful and observe the area first for at least 15 Watch the ocean closely to see if there is any SURF— minutes. how and where the waves are breaking? Don’t go in the surf alone; make sure that friends or family are watching. If you see someone in trouble and you plan to respon d, make sure that you take something that floats with you.

• • • •

Phuket and the Andaman Coast can have surf at anytime of the year, so it is always advised to observe the ocean for at least 15 minutes before entering water.

WHAT IS A RIP CURRENT?

BE EXTRA CAREF UL WATC H FOR WAVE S BEFOR E ENTER ING THE WATE R DON’T GO IN THE SURF ALONE

KNOW THAT change quickly in Phuket, especially when tides • Conditions change and during the surf season. without ocean/surf experience who respond to • Individuals a drowning person without a floatation devise often find

themselves in trouble.

The purpose Phuket Ocean Safety Guide is to promote water safety awareness and to provide appropriate Water Safety information to tourists, foreign residents, and the greater Thai community.

A rip current is any ocean current occurring close to the shore which can take a swimmer out to sea

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET CAUGHT IN A RIP CURRENT • If you get caught in a rip at a patrolled beach—do not panic—and float with the rip and raise one arm. • If the rip takes you out to sea—relax and float with the rip—then let the waves push you back to shore. • Swim parallel with the beach—then use the waves—let the waves push you to shore. • Relax, float, and use a sidestroke or backstroke. • If waves break in front of you, hold your breath and go under them. Anticipate that the waves will keep coming (take a breath and go under the wave, then surface and take another breath and go under the next wave, etc.)

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Waves at Phuket Beaches • Spilling Breakers • Plunging Breakers • Surging Breakers

Waves types are constantly changing, even from hourto hour at the very same beach. Watch out for the 3 types of waves most common to Phuket.

The following photographs taken at Phuket beaches illustrate the 3 wave types on the west coast

Spilling Breakers at Kata Beach Spilling breaker

A wave that breaks gradually over a considerable distance.

Caution

• Occur during strong on-shore wind conditions, especially during the Southwest Monsoon.

• Surf may not appear dangerous,

yet strong rip currents may exist.

Plunging Breaker at Kata Noi Beach Plunging breaker

Tend to curl over and break with a single crash (good for surfing!) Plunging waves may create ‘tubes’ and ‘barrels’!

Caution

• Dangerous shorebreak! • When surf occurs during the high season and sand

bars are near shore (April is most notorious month).

• Kata Noi and Nai Harn Beach

Surging Breaker at Nai Harn Beach Surging breaker

Waves that peak (stand up), but surge up the beach without spilling or plunging.

Caution

• May have a strong and unexpected surge up the beach.

• High ‘run up’ level on the exposed beach. • Potential to knock a person off balance and drag them into the shorebreak.

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PHUKET TOURISTS PLEASE WATCH AND TAKE CARE REGARDING HAZARDOUS COASTAL CURRENTS ON OUR PHUKET BEACHES! See Maps A—D correspond to the ocean currents described below PERMANENT OR HEADLAND CURRENTS

Rip currents occurring near headlands—Permanently occurring currents which increase relational to the incoming surf on any given day. For example: the southern end of Kata Beach and the northern end of Kata Noi Beach. See: Map C—Kata & Kata Noi Beaches

FIXED CURRENTS

Fixed currents generally occur around the same area and move in the same direction from day to day. For example: all beaches! See: Map A—Surin Beach & Map B—Karon Beach

FLASH CURRENTS

Flash currents may occur suddenly after a series of waves, especially during periods of mixed swell types and on high tides. For example: All beaches! See: Red arrows indicating ‘flash rip’ hot-spots

LONGSHORE CURRENTS

Longshore currents run parallel to the beach & inside of the surf zone (common along the length of long, straight beach), especially during periods of high surf. For example: Karon Beach all year-round.

Message to our Phuket Tourists Even the best swim mer nd lifesavers from ar s a ound the world are challenge d to recognize coastal cu rre at surf beaches, espe nts cia those that occur unex lly pectedly after a set of waves break near the beach. When you see wave s and surf at the beach, please stop, think, watch, talk to the lifeguards, and know th there are inherent ris at ks.

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THE

LAST WORD

Beware the Burger Man!

Photo: Joob Aiyarak

Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;m Screwed!!

Photo: D ave Verra ll

Photo: Chatchai Somporn

Concept by S.A. Martin / Prince of Songkla University

• Relax and float with the current. Do not panic! Remember, the current is not dangerous! —only panicking is dangerous! • Stay calm and swim parallel with the beach! —Let the waves push you back to the beach. • If necessary, hold your breath and dive under the waves! —Breathe after the wave passes and before the next wave comes. • If there are surfers or swimmers nearby, raise your arm and ask for help!

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE IN A RIP CURRENT

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