Local flowboarders head to Singapore

PHUKET: Phuket’s rising stars are set to depart our sunny shores for another installment in the new sport of flowboarding (surfing on an artificial wave) when they head to Singapore for the the final round of the Asian FlowJam series at Sentosa Island, Singapore.

Locals may know that Annissa Flynn, who won the Asian Women’s surfing trophy in 2012 when she was 14 years old, has already won the first two rounds of the FlowJam competition and will be going to see if she can make a clean sweep in the Pro Women’s category along with Fin Ratanachan, also known as BM, who will be competing in the Junior Men’s division after scoring second place in the local comp at Phuket’s own SurfHouse located at Kata Beach.

Local men’s champion Chaiyasit Sermsai, also know as “Surf”, who is now manufacturing these high-tech flowboards, will also be going to challenge his rivals in the highly competitive Pro Men’s division.

If Annissa wins the event she will be in a commanding position to take on the FlowTour flowboarding series, whose eventual winner will be invited to attend the world finals in the US.

In preparation, Annissa has been training daily with the team at the SurfHouse and hitting the Elite gymnasium in Chalong to get in top physical shape. There is a long gap in the surf season here in Phuket and she says that, “It’s great to have another thing to do in the high season.”

The next local competition scheduled is the “Pearl of the Andaman Long Board Classic” to be held on the May 24i in Kalim. Young and old alike are encouraged to get out their longboards, rub on some Gecko Glue surf wax and throw on a wide hat for the fun family-oriented event.

Proceeds from this event and the recently completed “Stand Up Paddleboard” event held in Kamala beach will go towards Phuket’s first skateboard park. The park, which is planned for Surin beach, will be constructed on land that the local OrBorJor has donated.

— Michael Flynn