RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s surfing scene is set to make waves on the global stage, with three athletes -- Bronson Meydi, Ketut Agus, and Dylan Wilcoxen -- securing places in the World Surf League (WSL) Challenger Series after strong performances in last season’s Qualifying Series.

Head coach of the national surfing team, Arya Subyakto, confirmed that all three surfers earned their tickets through Asia’s regional rankings. “To qualify for the Challenger Series, they had to finish in the top five in Asia,” Arya explained on Friday, March 6, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

Bronson Meydi, already familiar with the Challenger Series, returns after competing last season. Ketut Agus also reached this level previously but was forced to withdraw due to injury. Both surfers claimed major victories in 2025: Bronson won the WSL QS 6,000 Siargao in the Philippines, while Ketut triumphed at the QS 6,000 Siheung Korea Open.

The breakthrough story, however, belongs to 16-year-old Dylan Wilcoxen, who earned his first promotion to the Challenger Series after a standout season. Dylan stunned observers by winning the QS 6,000 Nias Pro, proving his ability to adapt to different wave conditions. “He was known for excelling in big waves from Mentawai, but his recent performances show he can also compete in smaller surf,” Arya noted.

Looking ahead, Arya cautioned that the Challenger Series will present a tougher test, with 90 to 100 of the world’s best surfers competing across diverse locations. Success, he added, depends not only on technical skill but also on catching the right waves at the right time.

To reach the elite WSL Championship Tour, surfers must finish in the top 10 of the Challenger Series -- a path Arya admits is demanding, but one that Indonesian surfers are capable of achieving. He pointed to Rio Waida’s success as inspiration, recalling how Waida broke into the Championship Tour in his first Challenger Series season.

“Hopefully Bronson, Ketut, and Dylan can finish in the top 10, because they truly have the ability,” Arya said.

Beyond professional competition, Indonesia’s national surfing team is also preparing for the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, which offers a direct qualification route to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics for gold medalists. ***