Page 305 - Melanesia

1996 - Fiji surf shop and brand Wai Tui opens in Suva.
1997 - The Inaugural Oceania Surfing Cup (OSC) was hosted by the FSA at Tavarua Island Resort attracting teams
from eight Oceania nations. The success of the Rip Curl Tavarua Oceania Cup and an outstanding work by the Fiji
Surfing Association helps secure Rip Curl’s continued support and sponsorship annually up to the year 2000. The
cup has since been held in Tonga, Tahiti, Samoa, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, and Australia.
1997 - Offshore Surf Shop opens in Sigatoka, owned by Scott Lower and Vivien Counsell.
1999 - Tavarua Resort receives unprecedented Special License from the Fiji Ministry of Lands giving them private
ownership of surf breaks around the island.
1999 - Inaugural Quiksilver professional World Championship Tour (WCT) event held at Tavarua Island. Winner
is Mark Occhilupo from Australia.
2005 - Six-time world champion Kelly Slater from the USA claims the inaugural Globe WCT Fiji title in 6-8 foot
waves at Restaurants, Tavarua, that are described as some of the most perfect ever surfed in the Foster’s Men’s
World Tour.
2008 - Last Globe WCT event is held at Tavarua. Won by Kelly Slater.
2010 - Fiji competes in first ever International Surfing Association competition and attends first ever General
Meeting of the ISA. Alifereti Kananalagi is our lone competitor in the under 16 division.
2010 - Surfing Areas Decree passed by the Fiji Government ending the private ownership of Cloudbreak, Restau-
rants and Namotu Lefts.