Few places on earth are more iconic to surfers than Bali, Indonesia. Bali instantly conjures images of perfection, adventure, tradition, and beauty. Rio Waida is lucky to call Bali home. Rio’s hometown connection to this legendary locale makes him the perfect ambassador for Quiksilver to kick off it’s “Iconic for a Reason” content series that lifts the lid on iconic surf locations through the eyes of a Quiksilver team rider.
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In this first film, Rio Waida shows us what it’s like to see a place as fabled to surfing as Bali through a local’s eyes. Every wave Rio surfs throughout his typical day - including Canguu, Padang, Uluwatu, Keramas - are iconic waves in every sense of the word. Rio’s surfing has benefited greatly from this, as you’ll see and while you watch.
Rio’s influence has recently been on the rise, with a growth of 340,000 Instagram followers over the last month. Rio was the flag bearer for Indonesia during the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this past July, then he competed for Indonesia in surfing’s first Olympic appearance. This all happened just before he got the call up to make his debut on the World Championship Tour as a Wildcard at the Corona Open Mexico presented by Quiksilver where he finished a credible joint 9th place.
His surfing is as well-rounded and lively as anyone and is a reflection of growing up in a place so full of perfect waves. “The culture of Bali is so strong. I love the people - everyone is so nice and enjoys life,” Rio says of his beloved homeland. “And for me, I want to focus on my dream and getting to the [Championship] Tour.”
Rio’s debut as a Wildcard is a sign of things to come for him and Indonesia as he hopes to qualify through the WSL Challenger Series to become the first Indonesian on the Championship Tour full-time.
The Iconic For a reason campaign celebrates Quiksilvers Iconic Original Arch boardshort reintroduced this summer.
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