Surfing Association of Papua New Guinea launched its eighth surfing site in the country in Madang last week-end. Tupira Surf Club at Ulingan is the Madang’s first surfing area to be officially recognized and declared as such by the President of SAPNG Mr Andy Abel at Ulingan Harbour on Saturday 12th April 2008.

Speaking at the launch Mr. Abel thanked the people in particular Hardie Tomol who made it possible for the formation of a surf club in Ulingan. He expressed special gratitude to Honorable Justice Nicholas Kirriwom and his family for making it possible for him and his wife to be in Ulingan in his official capacity as SAPNG President to officially declare Ulingan as Madang’s first surfing site. In launching the site, Mr Abel donated three surf boards to Hardie Tomol and challenged the community to take up the sport as it was fun and healthy for the mind and body.

Welcoming the visitors on behalf of the land owners of Ulingan, and in particular Tupira Mira where surf site is located, Justice Kirriwom told the gathering that the visit and reason underpinning that visit by not only the SAPNG President but also by two international visitors who accompanied Mr. Abel and whose interest was in investing in eco-tourism related resorts connected with sports like surfing, marked a milestone for the people of Ulingan.

He said that it was the beginning of realization of his long struggle to keep out loggers and logging companies from Ulingan harbour after millions of kina worth of damage has been caused to the environment within the harbour and the adjacent land area where the proposed surf club is to be established.

As a landowner, Justice Kirriwom said, he was totally against further logging operations inside Ulingan harbour, not only because of the pollution generated by the nature of the work associated with logging and the damage it caused to the environment, it also brought about untold miseries and social problems on the unsophisticated and vulnerable local population whose livelihood is already beginning to be supplemented by cash economy.

Once the club is fully in place, it will include in its protection zone as members, three other surfing sites within the area including Sukula Point of Meriman village, Sovesov Point of Simbini village and Patakai Point of Tombenam village, all within the Almami LLG of Bogia District.

The event was solemnized by a traditional dance group from Meiwok/Sikor villages leading the visitors to the beach hut, followed with a string-band item from Meiwok youth group and sealed off by some spectacular displays of surfing skills by Andy, Tony McCoy and Alisdair McLure to the amusement of 100 – 150 curious villagers gathered to witness the occasion.

For further information on surfing in PNG, log onto www.surfingpapuanewguinea.org.pg