Surfing is now part of the new school extracurricular programme in West Sumbawa Regency.
“This programme is designed to support the development of wave surfing, or surfing sports, in West Sumbawa,” said Julmansyah, the Acting Regent of West Sumbawa, during the launch of the surfing programme at Jelengah Beach, West Sumbawa, on Saturday, as reported by Antara.
Surfing in schools is a collaboration between PT AMMAN Mineral, the Education and Culture Office, and the Youth, Sports, and Tourism Office.
As a guide, PT Amman Mineral Nusa Tenggara (AMMAN), one of Indonesia’s largest copper and gold mining companies, launched ‘Surfing Goes to School’ at Jelenga Beach in Jereweh District, West Sumbawa Regency, on 23rd November 2024.
According to Julmansyah, the initiative aims to prepare the tourism sector as a key pillar for the regional economy following the closure of the Batu Hijau mine. Meanwhile, AMMAN’s Vice President of Social Impact, Priyo Pramono, stated that the book Surfing Goes to School has a broader purpose than merely introducing surfing.
“Through this launch, AMMAN invites all parties to jointly protect the ocean as an invaluable heritage while utilising it to develop tourism and cultivate a generation of young people who care about the environment,” said Priyo.
The Decree of the Regent of West Sumbawa, Number 100.3.3.2 of 2024 supported the idea of introducing surfing into schools, concerning the Determination of Basic Education Units for implementing Surfing Extracurricular Activities in West Sumbawa.
“West Sumbawa is blessed with an abundance of waves and is an extraordinary surfing destination. This must be the entry point for community-based and sustainable tourism development to expect life after mining,” Julmansyah remarked.
Jelenga Beach, Sumbawa
Jelenga Beach was chosen as the location for the launch because it reflects the natural beauty of the area, as well as its status as a prime surfing destination in West Sumbawa. This activity not only showcases the beach’s appeal to attract public attention but also strengthens the position of Jelenga Beach as an icon of tourism and water sports, particularly surfing, in Indonesia.
Moreover, Jelenga Beach has been recognised as one of the best beaches in Indonesia, even ranking number one according to several travel recommendations.
Lonely Planet included Jelenga Beach’s beauty in their list of Indonesia’s 11 Best Beaches on December 10, 2023. The top of the list of the Best Beaches in Indonesia is not a beach in Bali, Labuan Bajo or Lombok, but a beach that rarely hears its name in the ears of tourists, namely Jelenga Beach in Jereweh District, West Sumbawa Regency.
This beach is also famous as a beach that has a beautiful sunset. If you want to enjoy the beautiful sunset, sit on the soft sand and feel the warm reflection of the reddish sunlight.
