Bringing surfing @ cox's Bazar

[akabir77]

An AFP file photo dated June 30, 2008 shows Bangladeshi surfer Jafar Alam with his surf board in Cox's Bazar. The 25-year-old Jafar is often found surfing the waves on one of the world's longest beaches. Jafar claims to be Bangladesh's first surfer and is working not only to popularise the sport but also to build international recognition for the largely untouched beach where he surfs.

With his fluorescent board shorts and muscular body, Jafar Alam does not look like a typical Bangladeshi.

While most men his age in this conservative Muslim country are obsessed with cricket, the 25-year-old is more likely to be found surfing the waves on one of the world's longest beaches.

Alam, who says he is Bangladesh's first surfer, is working to not only popularise the sport, but also to build international recognition for the largely untouched beach where he surfs.

This month he will hold his fourth annual surfing competition, when a group of 15 American surfers will descend on the beach to compete against locals.

Until Alam started the Cox's Bazar Surf Club in 2002 -- based out of the two-room house he shares with five family members -- he said the sport did not exist in his country. He now has 48 students, including 12 girls.

Although home to a 125-kilometre (78-mile) stretch of unbroken coast, it was only the occasional intrepid international tourist who would test the waves, he said.

Rest

[akabir77]

Where is Shohel_NR is he the 1st one or this guy is?

[Nocturnal]

সাবাস Jafar Alam

[Tigers_eye]

Jafar can't tie Sohel's shoes. 25 bosor'er pola. Sohel bhai tho 25 doira surf korey. And if you count internet surfing (posting), Dang!! Add few light years to that resume.

[Rabz]

Its really nice to read about our first surfie.
Cox's Bazar unfortunately is not the ideal place for surfing. The waves are gentle and smaller in size.
Being the gateway of a delta certainly does not help the cause. If it was more on the rocky ends, probably we could have had a better surfie joint.

[BANFAN]

Fantastic news, I had been waiting for years to see this happen. I am a passionate Scuba diver & water skier. I had been diving in St Martins in 1994-1998 with a lots of risks. Then tried in kaptai Lake. That was good, got some partners as well even for Water Skiing. I always thought that we had a great potentials for the wind surfing & board surfings. There is also a domestic market for that. The younger generation spends a lots of time and money in unproductive acticities.

This guy really needs a government support. It's too hard for pioneers, as they spend a lots of money and energy inviting people to try it. Please help this guy and build the water sports facilities around this guy. It can make a lots of good things for shaping our younger generation, along side tourism.

Best wishes for Jafar Alam !!

[One World]

I found the following statement very interesting
"“Surfing will revolutionize how people in Bangladesh think about the water in the same way surfing has revolutionized the beaches in Australia.”
- Tom Bauer, coach of JA

And whats up with Taipei Times.

[Puck]

this jafar alam just looks so ugly.

[Nocturnal]

Zafar's Hawaii tour a success


Bangladeshi surfer Zafar Alam holds aloft a trophy he won in Hawaii last month. PHOTO: COURTESY
Our Correspondent, Cox's Bazar
Bangladeshi surfer Zafar Alam impressed on his month-long trip to Hawaii, claiming a third spot in the Long Boat competition of the International Surfing Contest that took place in the American island state last month.
The 28-year-old Zafar who returned to his hometown here on Monday, also performed quite well in the Short Boat competition, finishing fifth out of 170 surfers.
A documentary based on Zafar Alam's life titled 'Gum For My Boat' was highlighted during his Hawaii stay.
Zafar told this correspondent that on September 22, a daylong international surfing contest will be held in the tourists' destination.
Thirty-five surfers from around the world confirmed their participation to Zafar during the Hawaii contests. The Cox's Bazar contest had to be cancelled last year because of a depression at the Bay of Bengal.
http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesig...php?nid=139077

[bujhee kom]

Big congrats to Surfer Zafar bhai! Great honor!

Where is our Sohel bhai, he is the BC resident surfer here! From West coast California sunshine dreaming, total surfs up dude!!! Kawabunga!!

[ialbd]

Keep making us proud Jafar.... poverty cant stop us....

[akabir77]

thanks nocturnal bhai for putting this in here. I was going to do that and got busy with work. Very proud of this guy...

[yaseer]

I am feeling very proud for Jafar Alam.
Thanks for sharing and letting us know.

[Nadim]

Congrats J.Ali...

It's only the begin...