The Banyuwangi Regency Government, in synergy with the Indonesian Wave Surfing Association (PSOI), is once again hosting the prestigious Gandrung Surfing Competition 2026. Now in its fifth edition, the surfing competition is scheduled to take place at Pulau Merah Beach, Pesanggaran District, from July 18 to 19, 2026.
Head of the Banyuwangi Youth and Sports Agency, Dwi Handayani, emphasized that this event is not just a sports competition, but a strategic step to boost the tourism sector. By adopting the concept of sport tourism, the local government hopes that the local economic turnover through the MSME, hospitality, and culinary sectors can increase significantly, while promoting the identity of Gandrung art in a more modern and innovative presentation.
Chairman of the Banyuwangi Regency Board of PSOI, HM. Zaenul Arifin, explained that this year's competition will feature various categories, ranging from Shortboard, Longboard, and Open classes, to Junior or Under-14 categories. This diversity of classes aims to accommodate the potential of local athletes while nurturing future surfers ready to compete on the national stage up to the Olympics.
In addition to the action of the surfers on the waves, the series of events will be enlivened by an MSME product exhibition, a coastal culinary festival, and traditional Gandrung art performances. The synergy between the adrenaline-pumping challenges of surfing and the richness of local wisdom is expected to strengthen Banyuwangi's image as a creative tourism destination with international competitiveness.
