Surf safety in Bali for a first time surfer

[surf_noob]

Hey!

Im going to Bali this summer to surf and relax. This will be my first time surfing and I have some thoughts on surf safety that I was hoping you might be able to help me with.

From what I’ve heard Kuta Beach is the best beach for a beginner in Bali. Is this correct? Are there any risks for a total beginner to learn how to surf there? If so, what should you be cautious of? I should also mention that I don’t have any problems with swimming but is’nt as good with swimming underwater.

Thanks for any help,

[teaweed]

Never been to Bali, but a friend of mine has been several times and one of the things he always keeps with him on his trips are a pair of booties due to the coral and sea spines in the beaches in Indo

[robotspares]

Yeah, Kuta is the only beach break that I can remember... there is an outer reef too, lots of the breaks around the bucket peninsular all require a paddle out to the reef and are then full of good surfers... so best to stay out of the way if you want to actually learn anything!

[RockieBalboa]

Dreamland has a lot of stretches of beachbreak, but I don't know if it still exists. I heard they were building a resort.xxxxx gets crazy crowded though.Kuta is not so nice to relax :p
If you're in kuta, go to the Perama bus station and book a cheap ticket to Nusa Lembongan. ( Book all your tickets with perama for that matter, all the other people offering you transport will ask at least 5 times what they charge)
So take the boat to Lembongan, when you get to the beach turn to the left and walk as far as you can. The further away you walk from the condo's on the right, the cheaper it gets.
They have a reefbreak called playgrounds
it is the xxxxx for a medium beginner,just make sure you get the hang of it in kuta and then head here.

[Hang11]

Kuta is a laugh, that arak stuff is rocket fuel, the pharmacists sell speed pills over the counter, and the mushies are nuts. Getting chased around by pissed off hookers at 3am after consuming all of the above is pretty funny too.

Kuta and Legian are fine for learning, pretty heavy waves, and the water was real dirty both times I've been there. Most of the spots are reefs, and there are some great waves, but probably not for a total beginner.

[indahvoo]

Hey there, if you're a total beginner I think Kuta is the safest for you to surf on. Many beginners are there, so should you need any help, you'll get it fast(er) from the other swimmers or surfers. As for risks, there's always a risk, no matter what you do. Just try to minimize it by going with a friend, just in case something bad happens, you have someone to help. Dreamland still exists, but now you have to pay 10,000 rupiah (US$1) to get to it. I hate the fact they're so commercializing it. It was so gorgeous with strong waves and quiet (hardly any sellers to bother you). Stay away from the arak (local alcohol) for a while, lately it has been tampered with poison and has killed 23 locals and I think 5 foreigners (you can google it to see for yourself). If you want to try local alcohol try the local beer called Bintang or Anker, they're cheap and supposedly good (not a beer drinker here). Also stay away from mushroom (that the bad locals are trying to sell to you), speed or other illegal drugs. Bali police will not tolerate those and believe me, you do not want to get into Indonesian jail. Make sure you lock your bags prior to leave your country's airport, there are stories that drugs smugglers will try to put drugs in your bags to steal later and get the goods. Always keep your passport, tickets, and money at the safe at the hotel. Don't carry them around. Bring just enough money at one time. As long as you stay within legal boundaries, you'll love Bali. Enjoy!!

[robotspares]

Nusa Lembongan was beautiful... wish all of bali was that chilled, went to somewhere up the east coast.. a rivermouth break and a nice left hand point, can't remember the names though.... pity about Dreamlands that was nice too

Dreamland has a lot of stretches of beachbreak, but I don't know if it still exists. I heard they were building a resort.xxxxx gets crazy crowded though.Kuta is not so nice to relax :p
If you're in kuta, go to the Perama bus station and book a cheap ticket to Nusa Lembongan. ( Book all your tickets with perama for that matter, all the other people offering you transport will ask at least 5 times what they charge)
So take the boat to Lembongan, when you get to the beach turn to the left and walk as far as you can. The further away you walk from the condo's on the right, the cheaper it gets.
They have a reefbreak called playgrounds
it is the xxxxx for a medium beginner,just make sure you get the hang of it in kuta and then head here.

[travel]

been there twice, and loved it both. surfed kuta and only. waves are long, stable, yet small to medium, so suitable for beginner.

u don't need to worry abt anyting. just go for it. u can easily find a surfing school along the beach, if u r a beginner and still need some help. else, there'll be lots ppl on the beach renting their board. it's like personal instructor if u rent from them, plus they're local so they make sure u stay out of trouble. that said, the locals r really nice n speak reasonablly good english (n japanese too)...

have fun!