14 August 2026, Kuta, Bali: The Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC) is delighted to announce Indonesian siblings Dhea Novitasari and Dhany Widianto as the inaugural APSS (Asian ProAm Surf Series) Longboard and Shortboard Series Champions for the 2025–26 season.
Both siblings topped the APSS series rankings following three events: the Afulu Pro in North Sumatra, Indonesia; the Dongsha Open in Zhoushan, China; and the Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS in Taiwan.
Due to challenges caused by world events and budget constraints, several planned events were unable to take place, limiting the inaugural APSS season to three stops. Despite this, the first season successfully established the APSS as a practical and accessible competition platform connecting surfers and events across Asia.
Photo Credits: Asian Surf Co / Tim Hain
Dhea and Dhany both claimed Longboard victories at the Afulu Pro, with Dhea also finishing equal 3rd in the Shortboard Division and Dhany finishing equal 5th.
At the Dongsha Open, Dhea and Dhany continued their winning form, with both siblings claiming victories across the Longboard and Shortboard divisions. At the Pingtung Jialeshuei event, Dhany won both the Shortboard and Longboard divisions, while Dhea won the Longboard and finished second in the Shortboard.
Photo Credits: Asian Surf Co / Tim Hain
Photo Credits: Asian Surf Co / Tim Hain
See the full APSS rankings breakdown on LiveHeats: https://liveheats.com/asiansurfco/rankings/?series=74769&division=235589
The APSS was created as an initiative of the Asian Surf Cooperative to unite surfing events across Asia and create a valuable and meaningful competition platform that is economical, practical and fun for participants of all levels, while giving them experience competing in an event that is managed by a recognized professional surfing organization.
According to the inaugural APSS champions, the first season achieved those goals.
Photo Credits: Asian Surf Co / Andiko Budiarto
Recently winning the 2026 Hamamatsu Open WSL LQS and making history as the first Indonesian, male or female, to qualify for the WSL World Longboard Tour, Dhea Novitasari said:
“I feel so happy to win both the shortboard and longboard divisions in the first year of the APSS tour. It was so much fun traveling and experiencing Afulu, China, and Taiwan. I was able to make a lot of new friends, meet old friends, and have fun competing and learning about new places. And even though I have qualified for the World Tour, I am still going to join the APSS again because it is a fun experience and great training for my upcoming competitions. I hope there will be more events this year, and I hope a lot more people will join.”
Her brother Dhany was equally stoked to be crowned an inaugural APSS champion.
Photo Credits: Asian Surf Co / Andiko Budiarto
“Competing on the first APSS season was a really great experience. Traveling to events in places like China and Taiwan gave me the chance to surf amazing waves, try great food, and make new friends along the way. Winning both the Longboard and Shortboard divisions was definitely the highlight of my year and a great memory for me. Having my sister there to travel with and inspire me made it even more special, and I really hope to see the tour grow to even more countries like Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines next season.”
APSS 2026–27 Season Underway
Although the 2026–27 APSS season officially began on 1 July, the cancellation of the Afulu Pro 2026 means the Dongsha Open of Surfing, scheduled for 18–20 September, will be the first event of the new season.
The Dongsha Open will feature Men’s and Women’s Longboard Divisions this year, with prize money remaining the same as last year at US$2,500 per division, with US$1,000 going to the winner.
In an exciting new development, the Dongsha Open organizers are also offering free accommodation and meals to the first 16 men and 16 women competitors from outside China to register for the event through LiveHeats!
Register now for the Dongsha Open on LiveHeats:
https://liveheats.com/events/536000
Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS — Taiwan
The second event of the 2026–27 APSS season will be the Pingtung Jialeshuei APSS in Taiwan, running from 30 September to 4 October.
The event will feature both Men’s and Women’s Longboard and Shortboard Divisions, as well as the first-ever Grom Patrol event in Taiwan.
Prize money will be US$5,000 per division, with US$1,500 awarded to each division winner.
Registration for the the Pintung Jialeshui APSS is at https://liveheats.com/events/548475 and for
Grom Patrol Taiwan at: https://liveheats.com/events/548474
Stay tuned for more detailed information on an upcoming press release!
More APSS Events Coming
The ASC plans to add additional APSS events in Thailand, India, Malaysia, the Philippines and Indonesia later in the season, further expanding the APSS network and creating more opportunities for surfers across Asia to compete, travel and connect through surfing.
Keep watching for APSS announcements through the Asian Surf Cooperative website at asiansurf.co and on Instagram at @asiansurfco.