Do not want to take a surf lesson? Tips and tricks to learn to surf on your own when in Bali:
I am here to give you both sides of the story. So let’s just say that you want to do it on your own. It’s not about saving money, well on second thought, it might just as well be. It is about proving to yourself that you can do it on your own. I get you and I am here to help.
Here are some tips of how to do it right or at least the best way possible.
Tip Number 1: Magicseaweed or Indosurflife should become your best friends. You should check daily swell and tide in order to choose in which spot to surf.
Swell and tide @magicseaweed: your new best friend
Tip Number 2: It is also good to go on a night patrol at the beach the previous night and just check the waves. You can do that once you call it a night and head back to your room after one too many bintangs at Old Man’s.
Tip Number 3: Learn how each spot behaves. Each spot works and behaves differently. For example some spots work at low tide. Other spots work at mid, while some work at high tide. As a general rule, waves are more mellow and break more in towards the shore at high tide. And waves are more hollow and break further out at low tide.
Is there more to know?
Tip Number 4: Ok you did all that, checked the swell and tide and did the night patrol a bit too drunk to remember. You also know that the surf spot you will go tomorrow works better at mid to low tide let’s say…Now what if the swell is too big or too small? This should be taken into account. For example, with a big swell day, you might be better off going to your selected spot on mid to high tide (as waves will be more mellow) even if the spot normally works at low tide. And there are always the spots you go when swell is too big or too small.
Swell too big to jump in? Always good to know in which spots to go when swell is too big…or too small
Tip Number 5: Before you jump in the water, observe the surf spot. Check what other surfers are doing. Check where to go in, where is the current and where you should stay while in the water. Most importantly where you should stay if you don’t want to get the big set on your head but still want to catch some waves. A good tip is to avoid the peak (where the good surfers usually are). Stay a bit more in towards the shore where you can catch smaller waves.
Below comes the most important tip:
Tip Number 6: I know you want to see as many breaks of Bali as possible. You also want to enjoy surfing in every single break. However, unless you have reached a good level, the safest thing to do to improve your surfing is to select a spot or two and just surf there. This way you will learn how the spot behaves and have more fun. Changing spots all the time, makes it hard for you to get used to them and will not help much with your surfing.
We love Batu Bolong:
I know I know this is way too much info, but I have already warned you: do take a surf lesson!
…Or just go to Batu Bolong and surf on your own and don’t worry about the swell and tide and how each break behaves.
At the end of the day you are here to have fun!
