A HERO’S JOURNEY

By Rio Waida



(The following is the entire narration transcript for PERTAMA, the new short film featuring the life of Rio Waida. After a number of popular premieres on the island, Surftime is honored to offer these heartfelt words from Rio in hopes that they will inspire the next generation).

“I am Rio Waida. The first Indonesian surfer in history to make it to the world stage of professional competition surfing”.
“I knew pro surfing. Would happen to me. My dreams were too powerful for it not to happen”.
“I never dreamed that I would carry the Olympic flag for my country on the biggest athletic stage in the world”.
“Entering the Olympic stadium. I felt like I was walking on a cloud. But I also felt the weight of Indonesia on my shoulders. And all I could think of was to stand up straight and try not to weep with pride”.

“I know that I must carry the spirit of my past into the future. The spirit of my struggles, the spirit of my family, of my dreams, of my island, of my country. I must never give up”.
“When I was very young I told my Mother that I knew I could be a world champion. I guess she believed me”.

“Because I was a small child, and my bones and my body were not growing properly. Girls laughed at me and there were a lot of bullies. I would fight, but the bullies were always bigger than me. My school uniforms never fit and in restaurants they would always hand me the child’s menu. It was very hurtful. I know it hurt my mother too”.



“Then my mother saw a documentary film on Lionel Messi, the great footballer. And Lionel Messi was once a tiny kid just like me. But Lionel Messi’s mother put him on a growth hormone therapy program. And it worked. And Lionel Messi became a world champion. So my mother was determined to give me the same chance. But we were a humble family and the GH therapy was very expensive”

“So, my Father left Bali to go work the high steel in Tokyo. Big Buildings. Skyscrapers. It was hard work because my Father was no longer young and Japan is very strict on their workers. My mom found work too, we all did. It was not easy times. But we did not fail”.
“I am so grateful that the GH therapy program was successful for me and now it is my turn to take care of the people who sacrificed so much for me. My mother and my Father and my younger brother, they all deserve to enjoy life, not just survive it. And that is a daily motivation for me”.



Yes, I am very dedicated to my discipline in the gym, but that is not all that keeps you strong. You must never forget the place you belong to. That is why between my travels, I always take the time to connect with the natural beauty of my Bali home. The spirit of the island talks to me. And I listen. And this fills my mind and body with a different kind of strength. A strength that will always be with me. I love this island and its people. And with that in my heart, I can face any place in the world with confidence”.

Being a professional surfer means facing adversity. And fame can bring so much of that into your life. Even as a Brand ambassador, personal focus on who you really are is important. You must be sincere. You must be real. Your reputation must be the truth. To be a professional athlete is a test of character, something you must prove to your brand partners and yourself. That’s the balance you want. That’s the balance I want.



“Surfing is a mind game, but your body has ears too. And the closer I can get to that look in my surfing, that connection with ocean, the better. That’s how to surf like a champion. And that is what I must do”.
“Yes, it is a gamble, this professional surfing life, but what are dreams without putting everything on the line. And as for me, I’m all in”.

“I am Rio Waida. The firstIndonesian surfer in history to make it to the world stage of professional competition surfing. And for my family, for my country and even for all of you…I am here to stay”.