SURFING BALI, INDONESIA

Surfing Bali, Indonesia

Surf Season
best surf on high season (May to Sept) but u can always surf somewhere on the east coast if u r there the low season Oct-Apr......remember high season can be overcrowded!!!good luck...

Flight
always opt. for Airasia if u are looking for the cheapest flight (USD50-150). Airasia charges RM40 for surfboards (15kg) one way. However, your check-in luggage (15kg) is separated from the surfboard weight. But if u looking for a better flight, checkout MAS or Qatar Airways.....


Arrival
Just get a local cab from the airport. It is quite safe to get from the airport as if u take taxi from outside, they will rip you off. Normally taxi from airport to Kuta area is around Rp. 70,000 to Rp. 100,000.

Accomodation
If budget is your type of thing...always look for place in Kuta area.
Best opt. is always around Poppies 1 or Poppies 2 area...it is smack right in the middle of everything for surfing, parties, shopping and so on..........
Normally it will cost around Rp. 70,000 - Rp. 200,000 for both fan & a/c room.
This are some of the places that ive stayed before;

AP Inn, Fat Yogi, Puri Agung, 51 Lima Satu,La Walon Bungalows,Masa Inn,
Kedin’s Inn, Beneyasa Beach Inn, Bali Duta Wisata, Taman Ayu II
Bali Manik, Komala Indah 1&2, Komala Indah Cottages, Suka Beach Inn,
Note: Please browse internet for their contact.


TRANSPORT
Taxi - always lookout for Blue Bird taxi Only...this is the most reliable taxi in
Indonesia. It is a metered taxi so dont have to worry!

Bike - motorbike rental, is around Rp. 30,000-Rp. 45,000 depending on your
negotiation skills. You might need a international license but i always show
police (polisi) my m'sian license and it works!!! just photocopy your passport
and keep it on your bike plus some small change, just in case.

Car - It is hard to drive along the small lanes in Kuta area. So i suggest you get a
bike or else get a car with driver. I have a good car rental with reliable driver.
8 seater 4 WD very clean with a/c.......budget is suited on each individual. Ask
me if u r interested...i can recommend you.

SHOPPING
There is shopping through out Jl. Legian, Jl. Pantai Kuta, Jl. Poppies 1,
Jl. Poppies 2, Seminyak, Baypass Highway...u will see Factory Outlet
and also Billabong Factory Outlet for the best bargain. If u r looking for
cheap local stuff, go for Sukawati market instead of tourist Ubud market.

DVD
U can get cheap copy dvd for Rp.100,000 for 14 pcs. (approx. RM35) almost
whole of Kuta area....remember to test all your dvd. Some is empty dvds,
some is not working.....dont be shy to test out all your dvds.

CLUBBING
Double 6 at Seminyak, Kamasutera at Kuta beach, M-bar-go, Paddy's, Eikon,
Bounty, Sky Garden, Reggae Bar, Espresso...and so many more......

FOOD
Warung Made, Warung Warisan, Ryoshi Jap Rest. Treehouse, Balcony
Warung Nikmat, Warung Malang, Sate Babi, Nasi Padang, Gado Gado,
Es Teler, Ku De ta, Bebek Bengil Ubud and more if i can remember....
not forget to drink ARAK API or Sake Bali.....or even Magical Mushroom!!!



TO SEE
Tanah Lot temple, Uluwatu temple, Mount Kintamani, Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Benoa Watersport, Ubud,
Monkey forest, Oleh-Oleh outlet (souveniour), Nusa Dua....and more.



SURF SPOT(too many, so i listed some with easy access)


Sand Bottom - Kuta beach (In front of McDonald)
Kuta beach "Halfway" (In front of Harris Hotel, Kuta)
Padma beach (near Jl. Padma)
Double Six (in front of Double 6 Disco)
Cangu (Pantai Brawa)
Dreamland

Reef Bottom - Kuta Reef, Middles, Airport Left, Airport Right
(boat ride to all is Rp. 40,000 except Airport Right Rp. 100,000)
Balangan Beach
Bingin Beach
Impossible & Padang Padang
Blue Point (Uluwatu)
Serangan
Keramas

For beginners, i would recommend only in Kuta beach. Other place not recommended. As any intermediate surfer who like to try out reef for first time, can tryout Balangan or Kuta Reef when waves is about 2-4ft.
I have friends who lost their board in Reef....so use thicker leash/new...dont save money! Or u lost your board!!!

When leaving Bali....u have to pay Rp. 150,000 for airport tax and again
Rp. 115,000 for your surfboard with Airasia. Good luck and have fun in Bali

REMEMBER: Show respect to surfers in Bali n u will gain your respect back.
Earn it..........

Want to know more update about surfing in Bali, checkout;
www.baliwaves.com or www.magicwave.org/id/home.html

SURFING PAGUDPUD, PHILLIPINES

I know everyone must be wondering how is the surf scene in Philippines. I was surprise to see the crowds and surf scene there. The waves hit the coast through out the year from Southern to the Northern coast of Philippines. I was lucky enough to do a short trip there with couple of my mates from KL and a surf buddy from Manila. We travel from Manila to La Union right up to the northern part of Pagudpud. The make the trip sweeter, i was driving left hand drive all the way through the journey. Get honk most of the time on the wrong lane!!! To cut the story short, let the picture's tell you the story...... Here is some of the best from Northern Phillipines (Pagudpud)
The Kapuluan Vista Resort "Pagudpud" (our accomodation!!)


The Scenery


The Messenger

The Magical Waves


Photos courtesy from The Kapuluan Vista Resort

La Union



to be continued......

GROMMET SURFER 2009

Most of the grommet surfers from Cherating can't swim. I remember few years back, i was teaching some of them to swim but today.....they are some of the best surfer in Malaysia. Here are some of them...


Name: Mohd Nazrin Bin Nasruddin
Nick: Super Yen
Age: 14
Home: Cherating
Board Size: 5'6"
Style: Goofy
Surfing Experience 4 yrs
Exposure: Phuket/Thailand Surfing Contest(3rd), Bali/Junior Surfing Contest
Sponsors: Billabong


Name: Muhammad Didaqt Bin Musaddiq
Nick: Didaqt
Age: 13
Home: Cherating
Board Size: 5'4"
Style: Goofy
Surfing Experience 4 yrs
Exposure:Phuket/Thailand Surfing Contest (4th), Bali/Junior Surfing Contest
Sponsors: Billabong


Name: Mohd Suhaimi
Nick: Semmy
Age: 13
Home: Cherating
Board Size: 6'2"
Style: Goofy
Surfing Experience 2 yrs
Exposure: Cherating Surf Contest
Sponsors: OXBold Malaysia


Name: Ahmad Syahir
Nick: Syahir
Age: 14
Home: Cherating
Board Size: 6'2"
Style: Goofy
Surfing Experience 2 yrs
Exposure: Cherating Surf Contest
Sponsors: None

BOARDS FOR SALE

BRAND NEW SURFBOARD!!

Board: Bruce Hansel Hawaii (local bali shaped)
Length: 5 feet 10 inch
Width: 20 inch
Thickness: 2 1/4 inch
Fin: FCS 3 fins
Tail: Fish
Price: RM1,600

USED SURFBOARD!!

Board: Webber Australia (Custom shaped in Australia)
Length: 6 feet 2 inch
Width: 19 inch
Thickness: 2 1/2 inch
Fin: FCS 3 fins
Tail: Fish
Condition: Few repairs but mint condition
Price: RM1,100

NEW BODYBOARD!!

Board: Morey "Mach 9"
Length: 40 inch
Width: 22 inch
Details: Very wide board with channel...good for bigger bodyboarder.
Price: RM500

'MENTAWAI 2009' SURF TRIP

'MENTAWAI 2009' with Billabong Team Malaysia & Cali Crews

Late May/Early June 2009,

13 surfers were on their way one of the World’s most famous surf destinations, the Mentawais. Most of the crew travelled half way across the world to surf perfect waves in the warm crystal clear waters of the Indonesian chain of islands.

The swell forecast showed some waves but nothing major the day we arrived. I personally was glad of that as I haven’t surfed since the monsoon in January. Start small first and moving up to bigger waves seemed to be a good deal.

We got off our 10 hour Ambu-Ambu ferry ride at the break of dawn to get onto our small boats which were to be our transportation for the next 1 week. No time was wasted, we chucked our stuff into a small house cum shop and got ready for the first surf session. Destination, Scarecrows.

The day ended really early. By 9.30 p.m the entire team was already sleeping, knocked out by the first day of surf and a good 24 hour travelling and transit time.

Day 2

Unlike surfing in Bali, we didn’t have to wake up before sunrise to catch the surf. Sun rise in the Mentawai Islands is around 6.30 a.m local time but we usually got up at around 7.30 to have breakfast, head back for a quick poo and head onto our boats.

As some of the crew were natural footers, including me, we wanted to surf some right handers. We got on the boat with our lunch packed, headed on a 1 hour boat ride to play grounds on the next island. Play grounds had some right handers which included Bankvaults, Pit Stops, Nipussi and 4 Bobs.

After the hour long ride, we stopped by at the famous spot Bankvaults. It was firing on Malaysian standards. There were a few guys out and looked kinda sketchy with the head plus high waves shifting and breaking on different sections of the reef.

We opted to surf somewhere easier with less crowds/no people. Beng Bengs was our next stop. There, long walls of water passed and broke over a pretty shallow reef. It was undoubtly on of the best waves most of us have surfed. Long over head waves, easy and very smackable for some of the boys. With Khairil getting some Layback Snaps and Mamat some aerial. It was the perfect opportunity for Mark Dimo, our trip photog to snap photos which turned out awesome.

After about two hours surf, we had a generous serving of the typical fried noodles and rice and some fruit for lunch. We scouted around for another spot to surf. This time, we got off at Nipussi to surf a right hander. Although sizeable, the surf at Nipussi on that day wasn’t good. Fellow pilot and friend Tien said he’s surfed it way better before and had a blast then

After a few waves and wipeouts we decided to head back to Tuapejat for a session at Icelands. There, only 4 surfers paddled out (Khairil, Morgan, Luiz and Tien) to catch (or attempt to catch a few waves). We saw a few bombs drop in with one kiwi dude wiping out on a pretty massive set. Luiz snapped his one and only board that evening. I took some photos as the surf was too big for me. At the end of the session, I remember Tien saying after Icelands, “I don’t know why I went out there” especially after a two surf sessions at Beng Beng’s and Nipussi.

Icelands is quite a messed up spot cause of the freak sets that roll in without warning and you’d have absolutely no chance of escaping when it does come in. In other words, get ready to eat it.

Day 3

More to come guys, keep checking surfmalaysia.blogspot.com for more updates on the Mentawai Adventure. Some photoss are taken by Mark Dimo (surfdoc.blogspot.com)

Hope this will keep you guys stoked for your next surf session!

Posted by 'Joel McGuire'

SURFBOARD PURCHASE

Since i have posted on what type of surfboards are available?
now is time to talk about surfboard price and where to get it....

In Malaysia, you can find surfboards available in major outlets in;
1. Billabong Pavillion, KLCC - New boards only
2. Quiksilver (not sure whether still available)
3. Bigfoot Industries (Johor) - New & 2nd hand surfboards
4. Satu Suku Surfshop (Cherating) - New & 2nd hand surfboards
5. Rip Curl - coming soon
6. Rascal Surfshop - Located in bukit bintang
7. surfingmalaysia.blogspot.com - i will post 2nd board for sale soon.

In Bali Indonesia, you can get it almost everywhere from Jl. Legian,
Poppies 1, Poppies 2 or places from Kuta beach up to Uluwatu.....
1. All major imported surfboard brands are available everywhere. Cost about
USD600-900 standard board with fins only.
2. All local shaped boards with own brands will cost around USD300-USD400
standard board with fins only.
3. Custom surfboard bags from local bag shop will cost around Rp. 250,000 - Rp. 500,000
4. Custom surfboard socks from local bag shop will cost around Rp. 120,000 - Rp 200,000
5. Grip & Leash will be based on your negotation skills.
6. Fins - can get FCS brands for around Rp. 600,000 - Rp 1,500,000
local made FCS fins cost around Rp. 150,000 - Rp 250,000

Currency Converter - RM100 is equal to Rp. 290,000.

Note:
Why branded imported board is so expensive? USD 600-USD800?
- This boards are high in quality and doesnt dent or go yellow so easily
compare to those cheaper surfboards available. Trust me, i have a
custom surfboards for 3 yrs now and till in tip top condition and still
white in color!!!! You pay high price for a reason...

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