We Attended The 1st Ever Surfing Event In Perhentian & You Should Totally Join Too!
It's a three-day festival of sea, sand, and surf.
Surf Perhentian is your friendly neighbourhood surf event that welcomes new surfers with open arms
Aiming to attract tourists to the island during the low season, Surf Perhentian is a surf camp and festival that is held twice a year in November and March.
While the Northeast Monsoon usually deters people from travelling (and this is accompanied by closure of the island's resorts and shops for a few months from October to March), we learnt that the consistent rain and strong winds actually turn the island into the perfect surfer's playground.
The event, which started in 2021, hopes to entice people to make the most of the island's swells and point breaks, while generating income for island operators during the low periods.
It also doesn't hurt to grow the local surf community!
True enough, from 4 March to 6 March this year, we found ourselves watching new and seasoned surfers alike catching waves on Long Beach in Perhentian Kecil for the very first time
The event organisers, Persatuan Pengusaha Pelancongan Pulau Perhentian (5P), said Long Beach is an excellent spot to learn to surf.
The shallow seabed means students learn in waist-deep water, so it feels safe and easy.
The beach break also produces consistent one to three feet-high waves that are great for freshies.
Meanwhile, advanced surfers can enjoy higher waves and longer rides farther out at sea.
Other than surfing, there are lots of other fun beach activities to do during the three-day festival
Your non-surfing friends and family (or those who need a break from flopping off of surfboards all day) can also chill on the beach, play volleyball and frisbee, join a relaxing class of yoga, or take a leisurely hike up to Windmill Point for an amazing view of the island.
In the evening, participants are encouraged to join their beach clean-up to help restore the island's pristine environment.
At night, there are fire shows, giveaways, and dance parties for islanders to kick back, relax, and enjoy at the end of a full day at sea.
So, who says you can't surf in Malaysia?
Join Surf Perhentian when it comes back for its next edition in November later this year.
