THE FIRST MAN
BRONSON MEYDI IS ON HIS WAY TO THE TOP



Despite Bronson Meydi having just won his historic World Junior Title, he has been carrying around the label of Indonesia’s “next big thing” or “the future of ” for years now. Growing up with front row access to Sumbawa’s world-class waves combined with unique talent and athleticism certainly helps, but it is no guarantee. It takes a life changing event to make it to the goal line. Enter Rizal Tandjung, who, taking a pre-teen Bronson under his wing provided just that. “Aside from being a great surfer, Bronson has always been considered a member of our family,” Says Rizal. The Tandjung clan had adopted Meydi in 2008 and brought him to Bali. “My oldest son Varun and Bronson always try to push each other in and out of the water and I love to film the boys surfing these days as it is like a mini pro junior contest whenever they surf together. But they are also best friends and are like brothers. I think this family stability creates opportunity for all progressive young surfers”



Today, at 19 years old, Bronson’s no longer a grom and like so many who do not, he appears to have grown into the reputation and proven to his believers that he is indeed the real deal. . His style and poise stand out in big barreling waves as much as his consistency and creativity with inverted aerials in smaller surf. He’s working on the total package and it’s always exciting to see young talent turn into a standout surfer as an adult. As was witnessed at the recent WSL Abu Dhabi Wave Pool Championship Tour event, Bronson’s first. His debut for a wildcard was spectacular when you think he was the darling of the warmup sessions and that in his first heat he kept the pressure on former World Champion Italo Ferreira and missed defeating him by 1.70 points. In the end Bronson’s performance was considered a shot across the bow to the top pro’s. Even another former world champion, Felipe Toledo was heard saying “That kid surfs like me”.



The thing is, Meydi didn’t grab all of this attention just because he’s been winning contests since childhood. He’s been turning the heads of everybody who visits Indonesia for years now with his free sessions. Slater, Fanning, or just about any of the world’s most famous competitive surfers know Meydi well from their visits and have taken notice of his ability, which says a lot of the young Indonesian. “He’s a real talent” Says three time world Champion Mick Fanning, “And I should know one when I see one”.

“In the beginning, when we wanted to bring Bronson over from Sumbawa, I talked to his mom and his dad for a long time. And first of all on our mind, it was because I saw the potential of Bronson to come to Bali and to get educated here in better schools. It wasn’t just about trophies, it was about maximizing his potential” Says Rizal of the decision to take Meydi under his wing all those years ago. “His parents agreed that a talent like Bronson needs to get out of Lakey Peak for more opportunities to present themselves”.



When it comes to the importance of a media presence, most surfers spend months and sometimes even years collecting clips. Not Bronson. “Bronson is next level,” says Max DeSantis, a local Bali filmmaker who has been working with Bronson for some time. “We get so many clips so fast that would be A+ for any other surfer, and we didn’t even think to use them. It’s crazy, I honestly think Bronson could film five edits in five months. He’s that good. Bronson is one of the most progressive surfers in the world right now. It’s as though someone is controlling him with a PlayStation while playing Kelly Slater’s Pro Surfer video game.

Clearly, it’s not a matter of if, but when Meydi will join Rio Waida as the second surfer from Indonesia to qualify for the Championship Tour. Still, a massive test looms in the future. The grinding proccess of qualifying for the CT through the Qualifying Series has eaten surfers alive more than once. But as Rizal has oberved, “Bronson burns with heaven’s fire, and I believe he’s gonna give ‘em all hell”. For Indonesia and Bronson, fingers crossed, may it be so.

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