Fifth ESSA Sunset Open surfing competition gets green light

What’s On and Hype have news of the 2015 ESSA Sunset Open surfing competition in Dubai, on one of the best beaches in Dubai, Open Beach.

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Dubai’s 2,000-strong surfing community have finally been given the go-ahead to grab their boards for the fifth ESSA Sunset Open surfing competition. With winter winds sending head-high waves to the shores of Sunset Beach, ESSA chiefs called the start date as Friday March 6.

The ‘waiting period’ was scheduled to run until March 14, which for the uninitiated means as soon as the waves are good enough to surf within this timeframe, the competition – the only officially accredited surf comp in the region – would begin. Last year, the community had to wait an entire month before getting the thumbs up.

The Sunset Open – on Umm Suqeim Open Beach – has grown in popularity year on year and sees huge crowds gathering to watch the action. Live music adds to the beach party vibe and this year The Big Art Co will also be encouraging spectators to get involved with their interactive art installation.

**BEST PICTURES: ESSA Sunset Open 2014

Out on the water, there are five categories in the competition – men, women, long board division, ‘groms’ (that’s surfer slang for kids under 16) and ‘super groms’ (youngsters between six and ten years old). Contestants can register at premieronline.com. Competition judges – who judge according to international standards – will be scoring on surfing skills, including speed and technicality, with trophies and surfboards up for grabs.

A spokesman for Sunset Open said ESSA – Emirates SUP and Surf Association – was committed to “creating and nurturing a proactive surf community in Dubai”. He added: “We’re keen to inspire young talent in the region with a view to one day having representation in global surf comps.”

Visit surfingdubai.com for more.