Girl traveling solo looking for beginner course in Indonesia

[rlo]

Hi There,

I'm traveling in Indonesia and would like to do a 3/4 day Beginner surfing course. I don't want to go to Kuta. Which other places / camps / resorts would you recommend? I am planning to do this between 17 and 25 May 2014 (yes, pretty soon, your comments are appreciated)

Thank you!
Rosanna

[dtc]

Where exactly in Indonesia are you? Or all over?

There are places like 'the Chillhouse' outside of Kuta (Kuta is ok for total beginners on white water but actually isnt great for the next stage, catching waves, because the waves can often be a bit dumpy).

Jaffa (one of the other regular posters) knows this stuff, I'm sure he will be along if you can provide some further details - where you are, how much you want to pay (eg really cheap, moderate etc)

[jaffa1949]

Rosanna Hi, this is a bit of a hard call as there is not much time to help.
The further out from Kuta you get you start to get into good to expert zones ( serious stuff)

You could consider this place in Lombok
http://surfcampindonesia.com it's definitely out of Kuta.
That of course then involves travel to Lombok but it is only a 30 minute flight.

You could consider Padang Surf school which is on the Bukit peninsula and works out of Dreamland but chooses easier spots around at which to teach.
Chillhouse is also one place to look at.
I'm looking for one spot that caught my eye in East Java
This one, http://aredislandsurf.com/ they can also be contacted in Kuta at
Shop 10 Benesari Lane, Poppies2
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia

Phone +61 447 263 663 +6282139649049

Email sales@aredislandsurf.com

[dtc]

I'm looking for one spot that caught my eye in East Java This one, http://aredislandsurf.com/

That does look very nice and suitable for every level; although the comment that "its only a 6-hour drive from Bali...traveling there is no hassle at all" made me laugh. Even for us Australians, a 6hr drive is a reasonable trip. Although in Indo that probably means its about 150km away. Still, the drive (presumably along the Bali coastal highway) will be quite spectacular

[Lebowski]

I have surfed at Red Island, although I didn't stay at the camp there. There are a few places to stay on the street to the beach, but there are very few places to eat and there is nothing to do there. No bars etc.
From what it says on the website in Jaffa's link, it sounds like a deserted paradise. However, whilst we were the only tourists in the area, the beach was absolutely packed with locals, many of whom wanted to pose in photo's with us.

The surf was frankly poor while we were there (3 days), although you will have it mostly to yourself. There was swell, but the banks seemed terrible at the time, and most waves closed out instantly. Overall, I wish we went to G-land.

The surf camp costs similar to the camps at G-land (~$70/day - expensive by Indonesian standards).

I rode over from Medewi with a friend. It's a long stressful trip and Java is very busy, so there was no time to relax on the journey at all.

[rlo]

Wow guys, thank you so much for your help. I'm currently in Yogijakarta and the idea of Lombok sounds really nice. When I said I didn't want to go to Kuta I meant the Kuta in Bali. I will get in touch with the one you recommended in Lombok and any other good places in Lombok are also welcome.

Thanks again!!

[jaffa1949]

OH we know and understand about the Bali Kuta.
Thanks Lebowski, it is good to get a hands on heads up on Red Beach.
websites and brochures always make places look epic
Grupuk I know is a good beginners area and around Kuta Lombok
There is a resort of reasonable quality at Heaven on the Planet with inside Ekas and a sand bar break as a beginners wave but it is a little too dependent on having the swell just right to recommend for a three day set of lessons and I'm not sure of the quality of coaching there.
Be aware in Lombok there are some fairly strong pockets of strict Muslim belief so beyond the beach it is good to wear very modest clothes and be fully respectful in behaviour.
You are probably up on this anyway traveling across Indonesia but it helps to say it.
Have fun I'll wave as I fly over to Rote

[dtc]

Have fun I'll wave as I fly over to Rote

For some reason I thought you had already gone on this trip - anyway, have a great time. I'm sure there will be no surf in NSW so you wont miss anything

[jaffa1949]

I froth for days beforehand. Fortunately I'm so level headed I dribble out of both sides of my mouth

[rlo]

I'm flying to Lombok and will probably just go straight to Kuta and try to find something from there. The surfcamp indonesia is fully booked and couldn't find anything else. I'm sure it will be fine.

Thanks again for the tips and enjoy your trip Jaffa!

[jaffa1949]

You too and remember , tidak apa apa!