Surfing Waves

I'm a beginners (started last May) and had been having problem improving my surf skills. So I went to Bali for 2 weeks and took 5 days course at the Rip Curl Surf School there hoping to be able to surf the reef breaks. The result.....on my 4th day at the surf school I was surfing in Canggu Bali !

To my surf instructors; Komang, Made, and Putu. You guys were the greatest!!! I would recommend anyone to learn and/or improve your surf skills there. You won't be disappointed.

Hey Borneng, sounds like u enjoyed ya stay! Good on u!

Im leaving 4 Bali in about 2 month as well and would be gratefull for some usefull tips.

What are the Breaks like in June?
How much was your Surftraining?
What are the accomodation prices over there like?

Hope u can help me
Greetz
Freddy

Hey Freddy,

You made a good decision on going around June because then you'll be there during the dry season (average 6-7 ft swell). Its better wave conditions and in general better weather compares to when I was there in February (not too hot and not too much rain). How long are you staying in Bali for ? I booked my hotel via www.asiarooms.com and got a pretty good deal at The Oasis Benoa (4 star hotel not far from Nusa Dua area). I paid €33 ( approx US$40 ) a night including tax, service charge and breakfast. The Hotel and the staff was excellent (mind you Balinese are friendly in general). What's your budget ? Asiarooms got a lot of hotels (wide range of standard and prices starting as low as €11 per room per night) to offer and all of them are discounted up to 70% of the hotel rack rate . It's worth checking. I think the surf school can also help you with the accommodation that suits your budget.

My surf course at Rip Curl cost me US$185. I originally booked for the Master class (25 hours lesson) which was suppose to be US$305. But the school is very flexible and allow you to see how far you really can get along with the course before you pay it.
I only managed to complete 15 hours and was too tired after that and needed a break ha ha. As I said before, February weather was scorching hot when it's not raining and only managed to do 2.5 hours lesson each day in that heat. At the end of the course the school only charge me for the Advanced class (15 hours lesson at US$205), and since I made the course booking online they still give me the 10% discount so it became US$185. They pick you up and drop you off at your hotel each day in an air-conditioned car/fan. Not only they provide the surfboard and helmet for safety but they also provide you with sun block, zinc for your face, rash vest, boardshort and mineral water during the lesson. They also provide open air shower, shower gel and clean towel as well as changing room after you finish the surf. And for every 5 hours lesson you get lunch and I mean proper restaurant lunch (with different options of Indonesian and European food) and not just a petty sandwich and bottle of water like most other surf school. To top it all, you will also get the Rip Curl school of surf t-shirt, certificate and stickers.

I'm not trying to sell their product or getting any commission from the school for telling all this. But after being to one other surf school in Lanzarote (cost me about € 500, which I thought was pretty lousy) and a private lesson in Florida (cost me €300 for 4 hours!! and wasn't even good either) I simply think that Rip Curl school in Bali is the best so far and it's exceptionally good value too. All and all I only paid about US$12.50 per hour for the lessons and they really taught me a proper technique of surfing as well as pushing me to do better. I was hesitant about going to Canggu because I was pretty nervous with the idea of reef breaks surfing but the owner (I think he's the owner) of the surf school insisted that I have to go, so I went and experience how wonderful it was.

There are plenty of surf spot ion Bali. I mainly surfed in Kuta (Hardrock area and double six area) and Canggu. Kuta was okay, it was mainly close out type of wave but it's very convenient place. Canggu has better breaks but not very easy to find if you try to go there on your own. But there's a warung (little restaurant that looks like a kiosk) that provides cold drinks/beers, okay food as well as toilet and open air shower for you to wash yourself. They'll also look after you stuff if you ask them nicely (perhaps tip them too for it). I would recommend surfing in Canggu in the early morning. Although there are plenty of surf there, it tends to get pretty crowded in the afternoon. I did drive (make sure you have international license to drive or the cops will get you) to Dreamland and Uluwatu. The waves and its view were spectacular but I didn't have enough courage to surf there as it was pretty big even during wet season. There are also some good surf in Nusa Dua and Benoa area but it's pretty distanced from the shore. When I was in Benoa the watersports rental people offered to get me to the breaks with their jetski for a mere € 1.50 each way. Just make sure you pay on the way back or they won't come an pick you up. Similar services are offered in Nusa Dua surf spots by boat.

I'm going back to Bali towards the end of April for a week. I loved the experience in Bali so much that I decided to buy a little 3 bedrooms house in Jimbaran area so that I can always go back there to surf without worrying where to stay. The house I'm getting is a perfect surf shack because its got a little room and toilet/shower room outside the main house, which is ideal for surfboard storage and sand cleaning before going into the house. I might rent the house out to surfers visiting Bali but I haven't really decided on that matter just yet because I don't have anyone to look after it for rental purpose. We'll see how it goes.

I hope the above helps. In the mean time, surfs up and you should look forward to your surf experience in Bali. It is a surfer's paradise indeed.

wow that's an answer Thx a lot!

If some bloody ++++++ wouldnt have just stolen my lugage, Id book it straight away, but now I have to wait and see how much my insurance company is gonna pay....

I heard that it would be possible to get a nice 3 star all inclusive hotel for 20$/night? Is that true? This would be perfect for me.

Maybe 2 of my mates are joining me for bali, so we might rent a villa. So if youve decided by then to give ur shack away to keen surfers - we'll take it

Thanks a lot
bye
Freddy

Hey Freddy,

Sorry to hear about your luggage. Loosing it definitely not a nice thing, even though insurance will reimburse the cost the paper works are big pain!

Yes it is possible to get a nice 3 star hotel for $20/night but it depends on couple of things. Apart from the duration of your stay (some hotels gives good deals when you stay longer) you need to find out whether or not there's some sort of local event/national holiday during your stay. In general June, July and August are the high season period. Not only it's school holiday but it's also the best 3 months of the surf in the year there. But with the current slow foreign tourist flow into Bali, you could be lucky and get that rate during your stay. However, if you can't find the rate you desire for a nice 3 star hotel, don't be too worry. There are literary hotels and/or guest houses on ever corner of the street in Bali. You bound to find a good clean place to stay for the price you wish to pay.

I just realised that the hotel I stayed was in fact only 3 star and not 4. But the hotel has 24 hours room service, minibar, and even turn down service, which is a characteristic of 4 star. It's possible that the reason why it cannot be classified as 4 star is due to the fact that their standard and deluxe rooms only have shower facility (a good one too may I add) and no bath tub. But then again, I didn't see the need of a bath tub during my stay there. It's hot enough as it is there without cooking yourself in a hot bath. What I am trying to say is, the standard of most accommodations in Bali are pretty good. Be it villas, deluxe hotels, 3 stars, 2 stars or even guest houses, most of them are good and clean.

Unfortunately the deal on that surf shack I mentioned before fell apart because the owner changed her mind But luckily I found another property that's even better than pervious one because this one has got a pool! I will let you know whether or not I will be renting it out. But in the mean time, I am definitely going there in mid April and I can try to find more info on various good value accommodations for you if you like.

Surfs up!

hey borneng, happy to hear that it's easy to find a good and clean accomdation for a reasonable price... was a bit worried to be honest

So what do u reckon, should I book my Hotel in Advance, to avoid the stress and risk, not to like it, or rather start the hunt after my arrival?
Do u get special deals right in Bali, or am I better off, searchin 4 some bargain in the net?

Perhaps u can give me some information or the url of the places you have stayed in.

Best luck with ya surf shack.

Greetz
Freddy!

PS: What's a turning down service?

I personally think it's better to actually pre-booked your accommodation in advance to begin with (try to book direct to the hotel and not one of those pre-paid voucher booking, send an email and request for a quote (they usually look at on how many nights you are intending to stay) as they sometimes gives you better rate than their internet offer rate. If you are not happy with the hotel you initially booked (or you found a better place with better deals once you are there) you can always move out so long as you give the hotel adequate notification of your early departure (usually 24-48 hours notice). But if you know for certain you want to stick to a specific hotel for your entire stay in Bali then I suggest you booked via one of those pre-paid voucher booking like from www.asiarooms.com as they often give pretty good rate which saves you time and effort in contacting the hotel directly. But be sure to compare between the rate published on asiarooms and each of the hotels' own website (some times the hotels have better offers, depending on seasons).


These are the hotels I have stayed in Bali before;
http://www.balihilton.com/
I was here with my parents ages ago. Great hotel with excellent facility and beach but rather expensive. Location not so ideal if you don't have means of transport. Also, they have security check point to enter the area (Nusa Dua area is mainly 5 stars deluxe hotels and up market shopping centre).

http://www.theoasisbenoa.com/
I was here last February, the hotel is pretty new. Good value hotel for its facility and the services you get. Location may not be ideal if you don't have means of transport. The hotel provides shuttle buses but there's schedules on it. There's a mini-mart right opposite the hotel that also sells some souvenirs and clothing (cheaper than in Kuta). Taxi from the airport to the hotel cost me approximately US$ 10.

http://www.hotelkarthi.com/Default.asp
I was here with my husband on our first trip to Bali together. We stayed in a different hotel (cant' remember the name) when we arrived but then moved out of that hotel because we didn't like it and found this one. It's pretty basic but cheap and clean. Excellent location for eating out, shopping and night life. It's also within walking distance to the beach.


While I was at the surf school I got to know few people;

A Russian girl (I think her name was Nadia or Natali). She was traveling alone and stayed here www.contiki.com/en-US/Resorts/Bali/

A German guy (I can't remember his name, possibly Marcus) he was staying here and said the place is pretty good http://www.hostelbali.com/hosteldetails ... mber.11144

A Polish Guy (I think his name was Mathias) who was staying here http://www.sofitelbali.com/ . Apparently that was his 4th or 5th visit to Bali as well as the surf school. I think he also stayed in the same hotel.

Unfortunately the deal on that other house fell apart again so we decided not to go ahead with the plan all together. Too much hassle with this long distance property buying.

Oh and turning down is a service where they prepare the room for you to retire in the evening (usually between 6-8 PM). Apart from general tidying the room up, they fold and put away the bed dust cover (if they have one in your room) and then fold out one corner of your blanket so that you can tuck yourself in the bed with ease. Some hotels put chocolate mints on your pillow. They also change any towels used during the day (people often take shower again in the afternoon after swimming) and clean the bath room again so that it's nice for you to use in the morning. This service is different from the morning room cleaning service. So basically it's the second room cleaning service of the day. Usually only hotels with 4 stars rating and above that provides this type of service as it's costly, but the one I stayed last February did and that's why I mistaken it for 4 stars instead of 3. Mind you they gave better service than some 5 stars hotel I stayed before.

I hope you'll have a good time, experience and surf in Bali. I know I have and I am going back there with my husband in October for 2 weeks and can't wait!

surfs up!

Sounds like an excellent surf school. Like Bali wasn't worth it enough to go and visit, now they have a awesome surf school .

Might have to go for sure now haha.

Although I've been to Bali few times, but last February was my first surf trip there. It is absolutely amazing!

Orbital, I've never been to Canada before and would be grateful if you give me tips on where to go if one wants to go on surf trip there. Is the water really cold there? Last year I read it on the internet that there's a place in Canada where you can surf with whales in the area (I can't seemed to find that url anymore). That could be an amazing experience too.

Thanks in advance.

Wow! You can't pay for a recommendation like that.


Borneng, on behalf of the Rip Curl School Of Surf, we are totally, totally stoked you had a such a great time with us. Stuff like that lets us know we're doing something right.

Check out the website www.ripcurlschoolofsurf.com new look for 2006. Still got the discount, always great service!

Thanks

...thats parcial spam. Acceptable because it's at least forum related!!

free plug, granted, but just wanting to say thanks

hey, how's the surf in phuket? any schools/tuition up there? anywhere suitable for learners/beginners? We've had people heading via Thailand on their way back to europe asking if there's anywhere we could recommend so any tips we can pass on would be welcome.

cheers

I've been following this thread from the beggining and I think the whole thing is Spam!!!
Those prices are a total ripoff!!!! $45 for one lesson!!! You could get a local beachboy to give you a board and a one to one lesson for the whole day for maybe $10 to $15 and the money would be going to someone who really needs it. Don't pay the first price, and bargain hard!!
I know a lot of these boys, and if they dont rent out boards, they dont eat!
The average day's wage is $2, so $45 for a 2 hour surf lesson????
Give the money to someone who needs it and not some fat American businessman!!!!

simmo99 wrote:how's the surf in phuket? any schools/tuition up there? anywhere suitable for learners/beginners?

Yea it's getting pretty good now. Really starting to heat up!

There are a few begginer beaches, and some local surf shack tution.
Its worth a stop down if your'e around.

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

Ok.....maybe a bit harsh thinking it was all spam. For that I apologise.

I also accept some people like to be with a reputable company...fair enough. And I am really glad that people are having a great time in Bali learning to surf.........but I still think $45 for a couple of hours surf lesson is a bit steep!

I know how things work out there, and I'm sure they've had to pay a lot of money to set it all up and keep it all going and I realise in business you have to recoup your costs and make a profit..... fair enough.

I know they are creating jobs and hopefully they look after the locals they employ. I also know that times are hard out there at the moment what with tourists staying away, but when I see the local people suffering even more it saddens me, and money that could be going to help them is going elsewhere................

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.

We've invested a lot of time and money training our staff and instructors, and believe me working for us is a pretty good gig for a beach boy, which is where most of our lads started out.

Sure you can go rent a board from one of the beach boys - you can even rent one of our foamies from them (and yes, they get to keep the rental fee) - and try and learn to surf on your own. Lots of people do.

On the other hand, we can get a raw beginner surfing the reef at Canggu inside five days. For less than 300 bucks, we'll change your life. I think that's a pretty good deal, don't you?

pat42 wrote:... the money would be going to someone who really needs it. Don't pay the first price, and bargain hard!!

The average day's wage is $2, so $45 for a 2 hour surf lesson????

OK, I was nice before, but a couple more things i need to say...

what really ticks me off is people who bitch about a lousy 50 cents and try to bargain because they think they are getting ripped off.

the minimum wage in Bali right now is something like $85 a month, which works out to around $3.25 a day. I'd say the average is higher than that. Besides, we're dealing with tourists who make more than that an hour. We give healthy discounts for Indonesians and if you're Balinese (ie born in Bali) you're entitled to a free first lesson. No strings.

Oh, and we do free surf days for kids from the local orphanages three times a year.

I hate sounding like a sanctimonious prick but i've got a hangover and can't stop. Sorry.

pat42 wrote:.........but I still think $45 for a couple of hours surf lesson is a bit steep!

If you read my second post on this thread, you'll notice that I have been to 2 other surf school. And that's how I was dare to make the comparison. I don't think $45 dollar is steep for the quality of what I have learned from them and that is personal opinion. I paid US$75 an hour surf lesson in Florida and I barely improved my skill.

pat42 wrote:I know how things work out there, and I'm sure they've had to pay a lot of money to set it all up and keep it all going and I realise in business you have to recoup your costs and make a profit..... fair enough.

Just for your information, I was born and brought up in Indonesia as Indonesian. I know exactly how things work down there. If you are foreigner, you will have to pay ridiculous amount of money to the government to create jobs for the locals there.

pat42 wrote:I know they are creating jobs and hopefully they look after the locals they employ. I also know that times are hard out there at the moment what with tourists staying away, but when I see the local people suffering even more it saddens me, and money that could be going to help them is going elsewhere................

Yes, times are very hard there and my initial posts was a genuine recommendation to tell the world it's still a great place to go. When you go there, even if you there to join the surf school then you still help the locals by being there to spend your money there (consume their service and/or buy their products).

I may not have mentioned it before but while I was there, my two little nephews were there to join me with my sister (their mother) and I did pay a local beach-boy US$25 to teach my two little nephew for 1 hour. Although my nephew had great fun during the entire hour, knowledge wise they learned absolutely nothing. I hold no grudge to this beach-boy, in fact I thanked him because he provided my nephew fun time. And in my opinion the beach-boy deserve no bad nor good reference for this.

You see, I don't' really believe in giving bad reference unless it's absolutely necessary because that's someone else's livelihood and I don't want to damage that (hence I don't want to go into details about the surf school in Florida nor Lanzarote). But if I see and/or experience something good, I will make sure to give recommendation as they deserve it.

pat42 wrote:Give the money to someone who needs it and not some fat American businessman!!!!

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

Second of all, when I was there (during my surf course) the school notify me that they are closed for public for one day (and rescheduled my calls for the next day) because they dedicated that one day in teaching the local orphanage (40 or so children) surfing for free. They company put its maximum resources (they make sure all their teachers were on duty for these kids) to make sure maximum safety.
I didn't mentioned this because I didn't think it was really topic related as this was suppose to be about the surf school's teaching quality. But it's you made this matter a topic-related matter

Third of all, in my recommendation I mentioned that my teachers during my course were local people and they were genuinely very good (better than most surf teachers I've been with). And you may find it very hard to believe but they were all genuinely happy and proud working for that company (I speak Indonesian and chat with them).

So in summary, this surf school company is not a self-serving-profit-oriented company as you think (I would not give recommendations to such company). The company is run by good hearted people.

Wealth doesn't always drive a person to become evil and famine doesn't always drive a person to become an angel. Often it goes the other way around in today's world. Don't judge based on stereotype.

simmo99 wrote:Wow! You can't pay for a recommendation like that.


Borneng, on behalf of the Rip Curl School Of Surf, we are totally, totally stoked you had a such a great time with us. Stuff like that lets us know we're doing something right.

Thanks

Yes, you guys are doing something very right all the way through and deserve every single word I post here. Thank you for giving a great fun and experience!

I will be back in October with my husband this time. Hope to see you guys again then.