Rip Curl Surf School in Bali

[borneng]

You pay that money for a profeesional Rip Curl surf teacher.
I believe in paying locals, but some people want lessons from pro's


*I don't think it's spam

I paid a local beach-guy here in Ireland to teach me surfing before and I learned very little to improve my skill.

My teachers in Bali were locals and they were no pro, but they sure were better in teaching than the semi-pro guy I paid in Florida.

(this part onward is not directed personally to you hiphopdec)

I could be wrong but it's really starting to feel as if it's a crime to pay to learn how to surf. Or even branded as being lazy not to go through the painful learning experience. But I truly need the help to progress. And I am not lazy as I still have to work hard even with a paid-teacher. I am just an unfortunate person who is not a gifted surfer. Isn't the whole idea for surfing is being able to surf and have good time? Who cares how and what way I chose to reach it? I mean I don't think I am endangering anyone in doing so, am I?

[Dec]

Indeed.

Surfing is about fun and this thread was about a recommondation of the Rip Curl Surf School. If you disagree with the prices then thats your opinion.

Also, whether you want to pay a beach boy, or a trained professional is your opinion.

No worries Borneng. all is good

[borneng]

Pat42, we're not fat American businessmen. We have a staff of around 20 people, all Indonesian, and one expat manager. It is an Indonesian company, owned by Indonesians, and we pay our taxes.

First of all, Rip Curl Surf school is owned/run by an Australian company.

My apology. I made the assumption based on the fact that Rip Curl itself is an Australian company.

[pat42]

Simmo99 and borneng, thank's for your replies. I stand corrected, or should I say better informed.
I too wrote my first post with a stinking hangover and before my first coffee of the day, and after posting, I knew that I would be "corrected".

On the subject of haggling, we all know how things work in Bali and most of Asia. When I say bargain hard, I didnt mean haggle over 50cents (I've seen people do this), but I have sat with beachboy friends on the beach and watch them lose deals because they start high and lose an interested customer because the westerner isnt accustomed to haggling and walks off!!

I don't know how much surf lessons are aroud the world, but I was judging by what I know my local friends earn and I think that $45 is expensive. (By the way is that U.S or Aussie dollars?) I've got nothing against paying for lessons, and in a way I wish I had done so when I was learning. If someone pays a price for a service and is happy to do so and happy with the service received then it's a good deal all around, and borneng, I'm glad you enjoyed you time with ripcurl.

The only thing that concerned me is that when I see some of the friends I've made over the years, sitting on the beach in the shade, not able to afford a 50 cent bowl of bakso or nasi campur because they havent rented out a board for a couple of days. And then they see people paying $$$ for a lesson, it pisses them off just a bit and if your friends are pissed off about something, you cant help but empathise!

I've done the little I could by buying beachboys some food or cigarettes, but simmo99, I totally respect the fact you employ local beachboys and give your time to helping orphans...good on ya and good luck for the future (I think everyone needs luck in Bali at the moment)!!

[simmo99]

Ha, clash of the monster hangovers! We really should know better, eh?

Thanks for your support, you're right about needing a bit of help down here at the moment. The last six months have been pretty grim. Fortunately things are starting to look up. The rainy season's been dragging its feet this year but the winds have just turned, which is good. Hoping for a good July/August where we all get a piece of the action.

have a good surf!

[drowningbitbybit]

Bali is one of the best spots to surf at, just be careful of the reef and those sneaker sets! I actually wrote a blog article about my trip to Bali if anyone ever wants to read it! Had to use that college degree for something. It's on my site if you are interested.

[pjkl]

I jump back of western bargaining in Bali.
When I see Western people trying to bargain to pay 20000 rp (1,5 Euros) for hiring a surfboard, that makes me really sick. Boards are expensive in Bali, when you ask for such a price it's like you gonna make starve the guy who's working.
Balinese are good and cool people with poor negociation skills, so don't be an a..hole, respect them and their work, if somebody can not afford to pay 50000 rp for a board (4 Eur), stay at home, don't come with that neo colonialism spirit, you know how much it costs to hire a board anywhere in the world, so stop trying to abuse them and don't pretend to be cool, you're not. (I target nobody here, it's just daily observation of western people hanging around Kuta beach)
Also if you can buy your cigarettes and beer from local warungs instead f 711, you will make good for the local community rather than giving money to golbal companies for the same price.

[jaffa1949]

I jump back of western bargaining in Bali.
When I see Western people trying to bargain to pay 20000 rp (1,5 Euros) for hiring a surfboard, that makes me really sick. Boards are expensive in Bali, when you ask for such a price it's like you gonna make starve the guy who's working.
Balinese are good and cool people with poor negociation skills, so don't be an a..hole, respect them and their work, if somebody can not afford to pay 50000 rp for a board (4 Eur), stay at home, don't come with that neo colonialism spirit, you know how much it costs to hire a board anywhere in the world, so stop trying to abuse them and don't pretend to be cool, you're not. (I target nobody here, it's just daily observation of western people hanging around Kuta beach)
Also if you can buy your cigarettes and beer from local warungs instead f 711, you will make good for the local community rather than giving money to golbal companies for the same price.

Bapak Jaffa's call on this, bargaining is a social skill in Bali, but you need to know several things.
A lot of the stores are run by somebody outside the local seller and the local seller is restricted in what he can lower the price to.
Buy water chocolate drinks cigarettes etc at local warungs you'll pay local prices or near them, for these it is plain bad manners to bargain. 711s are killing local small shop keepers that is definitely true, be a good customer, you will be remembered and get the warmest of Balinese smiles. Be a bad customer expect bad Karma
First look around, realise how cheap everything is in relation to what you would pay at home.
For board shorts tee shirts etc, Don't pay first asked price and don't be abusive or aggressive, you have much more money than most sellers ( you flew to Bali). Bargain and chat and if you have looked around you will have an idea of the going prices. It is quite acceptable if the price is good and you buy to offer some small amount of money as a thank to the store holder for "personal service" but only if you have not been hassled.

As to boards or anything take your time sit down talk and find out what is the real situation as to the cost and wages etc base your negotiations and bargaining on knowledge not greed mentality.
IMO the ugliest thing in Bali is bad attitudes and big mouths on visitors and the response it can create. I've been going to Indonesia since the 70s, and we can be the problem or the solution
Have serious look at the westerners around you and see how evenly the genuine Balinese cope with the mega flush of tourists.
Could you do that if your local beach had that sort of avalanche and still genuinely smile.

Rant over, Terimah kasih banyak

[pjkl]

I agree with you, but if bargaining is a social skill, they are much better in Thailand than in Indonesia. Truth is that they don't know how to say no and sometimes they really get fooled especially at the moment where there are not many tourists and the guys say yes just to buy some rice.
So you are right, know before you bargain what is a fair price and don't abuse them, you may get your deal but for what consequence for them.