Above: Big Kassia and life size Kassia in Wanning
The female longboard fraternity - Kassia Meador, Jen Smith, Justine Dupont and co - have flown their guns into somewhere new for the contest circus: China.
The first ever ASP World Tour event in the land of the rising sun begins tomorrow - The Swatch Girls Pro, as part of the women's world longboarding championship.
Set in Wanning, on the tropical island of Hainan, the event kicks off tomorrow, October 26, with a window to Sunday, October 30.
On the same latitude as Hawaii, the Chinese isle has the same weather, forests, mountains and warm air, yet remains undeveloped. Not surprising it's named the 'jewel of the South China Sea.'
It also has consistent swell, clean offshore and spots dotted along the coast - beach and point breaks.
But, while this sounds idyllic, there's been teething problems and ever present ASP controversy: defending World Longboard Tour champion Cori Schumacher refused to attend and enter the event.
"I have deep political and personal reservations with being a part of any sort of benefit to a country that actively engages in human rights violations," Schumacher said.
The ASP's response to Cori's boycott? Understanding and diplomatic:
"[We] would like to see Cori compete in the event as the defending ASP Women's World Longboard Champion, but we respect her personal decision in choosing to withdraw from the contest... The action sports scene is growing in China and a women's World Longboard Tour event is a great opportunity integrate surfing into the world of Chinese action sports."
Yet not everyone sees this window into China as negative: former pro Mary Osborne caused a stir after surfing the legendary Quintang tidal bore in September last year, and sees events like the Swatch Girls Pro as a positive influence for cultural change - with contestants ambassadors for equality.
"I had one of the best experiences I have ever had [surfing the tidal bore] at an event. It was a bigger event than any women's surf contest here in California I have been involved with. Overall, it is a great place with lots of potential," said Osborne."We were treated with the highest respect from the organisers, government officials, press, and spectators. It was one experience I will never forget in my career as a professional surfer. I honestly can't wait to go back and hope I get invited this upcoming year...If China is offering to host an event, we should be honored and take advantage of this opportunity."
While Schumacher will be missed, the Swatch Girls Pro will still be an historical event - and well worth watching, as 32 of the world's best longboarders compete for the champion title. But, the politics and bigger implications behind the scenes? We will probably never know.
To find out more and stream live got to www.swatchgirlspro.com
Images by Kassia Meador - with more to come over the next five days.
