By MARY CHRISTINA BRITTO
The sun shone brightly across the sky onto the shimmering water, which morphed into blue-green waves that pelted the shore. In the water, surfers clustered together, each eager to catch a wave.
Surfing is incredibly fun and presents many with an excellent way to keep in shape. As a result, the sport is well accepted and gradually gaining momentum in Malaysia, especially in Pulau Tioman.
The locals have hosted the Tioman Surf Competition for four years so far.
Tioman is situated 32 kilometers off the state of Pahang, and is accessible by ferry from the town of Mersing, Johor.
This picturesque and serene island is the ideal place to visit if you want to experience some of the best waves that make their way to the Malaysian shores.
There are eight main villages scattered around the island. Kampung Juara is where most of the action can be found. A wide range of accommodation is available along this stretch.
I explored the ‘Beach Shack’, as this is the place that rents out surfboards, but more importantly, it is run by a surfer with over 30 years of experience in surfing – Timothy Brent.
Brent, who settled in Kampung Juara after discovering the waves, said there are four surf spots at the island.
“The best time to surf on Kampung Juara beach is during the monsoon from November to February, when there are nine foot waves,” Brent added.
Surfing comes in several variations such as body boarding, paddle boarding amd body surfing.
Many consider body surfing to be the purest form of surfing, as the surfer’s body moves in sync with the waves without the use of a surfboard. The experience is one of a kind.
The waves in Kampung Juara beach are daunting for a beginner to tackle, but once confidence is built, a sense of freedom is experienced.
“Standing up on the board is the best feeling ever; it’s like you’re floating. You feel the power of the wave pushing you,” surfer Basel Hamadeh, 31, beamed.
Basel had been surfing here for three years. “When you head out, be a bit careful, the undercurrent is strong and can pull you out,” he cautioned.
Surfing is not the only thing you can dabble with, as Pulau Tioman has many prime diving spots you can explore.
The island itself is also home to a variety of wildlife which includes animals such as the slow loris, red giant flying squirrel, mouse deer.
In the tropical rainforest, you can find exotic plants like the world’s biggest flower – Rafflesia.
If you have a break of some length, grab a surfboard and go to Tioman. It may not be the monsoon period, but that’s a good thing. I am sure you would not want to learn to surf to the tune of the monsoon’s nine foot waves.
“Surfing is pure freedom. It makes me believe in magic,” surfer Matheo Laruccia, 24, said.
The sun shone brightly across the sky onto the shimmering water, which morphed into blue-green waves that pelted the shore. In the water, surfers clustered together, each eager to catch a wave.
Surfing is incredibly fun and presents many with an excellent way to keep in shape. As a result, the sport is well accepted and gradually gaining momentum in Malaysia, especially in Pulau Tioman.
The locals have hosted the Tioman Surf Competition for four years so far.
Tioman is situated 32 kilometers off the state of Pahang, and is accessible by ferry from the town of Mersing, Johor.
This picturesque and serene island is the ideal place to visit if you want to experience some of the best waves that make their way to the Malaysian shores.
There are eight main villages scattered around the island. Kampung Juara is where most of the action can be found. A wide range of accommodation is available along this stretch.
I explored the ‘Beach Shack’, as this is the place that rents out surfboards, but more importantly, it is run by a surfer with over 30 years of experience in surfing – Timothy Brent.
Brent, who settled in Kampung Juara after discovering the waves, said there are four surf spots at the island.
“The best time to surf on Kampung Juara beach is during the monsoon from November to February, when there are nine foot waves,” Brent added.
Surfing comes in several variations such as body boarding, paddle boarding amd body surfing.
Many consider body surfing to be the purest form of surfing, as the surfer’s body moves in sync with the waves without the use of a surfboard. The experience is one of a kind.
The waves in Kampung Juara beach are daunting for a beginner to tackle, but once confidence is built, a sense of freedom is experienced.
“Standing up on the board is the best feeling ever; it’s like you’re floating. You feel the power of the wave pushing you,” surfer Basel Hamadeh, 31, beamed.
Basel had been surfing here for three years. “When you head out, be a bit careful, the undercurrent is strong and can pull you out,” he cautioned.
Surfing is not the only thing you can dabble with, as Pulau Tioman has many prime diving spots you can explore.
The island itself is also home to a variety of wildlife which includes animals such as the slow loris, red giant flying squirrel, mouse deer.
In the tropical rainforest, you can find exotic plants like the world’s biggest flower – Rafflesia.
If you have a break of some length, grab a surfboard and go to Tioman. It may not be the monsoon period, but that’s a good thing. I am sure you would not want to learn to surf to the tune of the monsoon’s nine foot waves.
“Surfing is pure freedom. It makes me believe in magic,” surfer Matheo Laruccia, 24, said.