Early March trip to Bali - Board / Spot Advice?

[Woodstock496]

Hey guys, first post here, I've been lurking and gleaning great advice from these forums for a while, so firstly, thank you.

I'll be heading to Bali, likely to Canggu in early March.

I've done a bit of research and I'm hoping the off-season will make it slightly less crowded than is normally reported, but anyway, spot and board advice? I'm 5'8 (171cm) and usually ride a 6'4" NSP Elements fish (41 ltr), because that's what I was able to get delivered to Myanmar where I live and I'm comfortable on it. You guys think that'd be ok for Old Man's or some of the other slower breaks? It's obviously much bigger in Bali than here.

Any and all advice is appreciated. I know it's not the peak time for West Coast Bali surfing but I'm hoping for the best.

[Big H]

Lots of trash in the water west side at the moment.

Depending on the time of day you go and the winds the west can be ok sometimes this time of year. Swell has been small for the most part for the last couple of months coupled with an inordinate amount of rain this year. Lots of infections are reported after Canggu surfing following rain....filthy. Small swell at old mans you’re better off renting a longboard in the parking lot. You’ll never get a wave since several longboards will be on the wave before it gets to you where you can catch on a shorter board. Could try Canggu; more short board friendly.

Get out of the water if you see or hear thunder or see thunderheads approaching. Two lighting fatalities in Canggu earlier this year from an in water strike.

[Big H]

Also, paddle every day between now and then that u can....breaks can be a fair distance from shore, waves are bigger and their speed faster, currents stronger. And there will still be crowds to compete with. That and you’re going to want to surf daily so start training ASAP.

[Woodstock496]

Thanks for the advice there. Considering I'm not comfortable on shallow reefs/rocks yet, would ya'll have any other recommendations for easier to get to East Coast breaks? I have 8 nights there, will spend at least the first 3/4 in Canggu.

Additionally, any advice for good local guides who I could get a good lesson out of and show me around? I'm about at the level where I'm just happy to just get feedback from a good surfer who knows what they're talking about and watches me surfing, then tells me what I'm screwing up/how to improve/what to focus on.