Hello my fellow breezy companions,
looking into taking a paddle board to bali but would like to find out more about how people get around with the board? I.e. how do i get from the airport to the hotel without roof racks? And then from the hotel to the beach and so forth.
Regards
Phillip
It depends how big the SUP you're taking is, but ultimately its a pain in the ass. I've done it many times and don't bother anymore as I always hire SUP's from the Rip Curl school of Surf in Sanur as thats where I always base myself. The only thing I'll bring over now is my paddle.
For transporting to/from the airport make sure you bring your own tie-downs as the hotel transfer taxis generally wont carry them. They don't have roof racks so you'll be trying your board bag straight to the roof.
Hotel to the beach - make sure you are staying close to the beach so you can walk! Sanur is the best for this.
Rob
The flash new airport in Bali has made it an effort , you used to just get mobbed for assistance ,you just stood there light a cigaret stand back bark a few instructions and walk along pay 5000r now your on your own
Been there 3 times in the past 8 years with different SUPS from 9'6 down to 7'8.
Was there in January at Sanur and you need to take your long tiedowns as every driver has a van of some type and will take you and your SUP anywhere if the price is right
I used the same driver and had his number and called him whenever needed. Also rode a pushbike round with my 7'8 minion, heaps quicker and easier to chuck the bike down and paddle out to the reef.
Take spare fins and a strong leggy. Make sure you take the biggest set, make the drop and don't kook your first wave or you won't get anymore as all eyes will be on you as you hit the line up.
Take a sup to bali every year now
long tie downs for the airport to hotel they just throw your board bag on the roof and if it's under 9 ft it will fit in the board racks on any bike just remember to try surf away from crowds and haven't been showed the welcome mat at Kuta reef ever
There heaps of guys offering transport from the airport to hotels once you arrive,most hotels will pick you up free once you arrive also.
Most of the drivers have vans so take long tie downs as non have racks.I stay at the same place 2 3 times per year with transport arranged
prier,I laugh at some of the prices these drivers hit the newbies up for at the airport,the worst thing you can say is its your first time to Bali
the dollar signs light up on their faces Getting the right driver is important on a surf trip because 99.9 % don't surf and don't know where
most places are other than the popular spots.Roger and Storman Norman are a couple of drivers who I use and have done for 15 years,both great
guys very trusting,best to text them with your flight details and transport sorted as you arrive,the last thing I want after getting off the plane
is haggling with a driver.
I see guys sup everywhere in Bali but there are 3 places I would stay clear of. Kuta reef I find is full of tourists not too many locals out unless
its pumping and everybody has a right to surf there imo.
Thankyou for the advise. looking forward to getting some sweet Bali waves and yes i guarantee that I'll kook at least one wave
Going to Bali Thursday, taking a SUP instead of a short board for the first time so will let you know how I go at Kuta Reef, Sanur and Nusa Lembongan.
hey there be real careful out kuta and dont hog waves they will not like you out there at all i surf kuta every year and the past 3 years surf board and sup and am friends with the locals so i get away with it your best to head to middles and surf there youll get soo many waves and no hassle good luck
Still this topic make me more quiet to get back in Bali with a paddle even if i try to not kook , hog or stay apart of a crowd as Wazza, Carter , Macaha said about
I'm suspecting to get bad vibes in Bali coming back there with a SUP anyhow if it is small SUP. Getting bad vibes there will make me specially sad and might give me some reasons to give up surfing after all these years I spent in any where .
Here is a BaliWawes's post I shared about Impossible's wave with a reluctant member " Davo"
www.baliwaves.com/surfing-in-bali/surf-spots/impossibles/
If you would rather not take your own racks etc, PM me as I have a mate over there (Balinese) who has racks on his Kijang and carries tie downs. He is super reliable, honest and very well priced. I have been using him for carrying SUP and kayaks for about 10 years and he has never missed a beat. He also drives for most of my family and many friends use him as their regular driver.
Just checked out the Baliwaves surf report before taking off tomorrow. One of the photos of the day shows a sticker encouraging prone surfers to take action against stand-ups. Not a very classy move on the editor's part in my opinion!
www.baliwaves.com/2015/06/uluwatu-to-balian-canggu-plus-more-15th-17th-june-2015/
Well, got here last night with no dramas at all. SUP checked in as luggage on Virgin flight, picked up by van big enough to fit SUP inside. No damage or problems. Had a reasonable dawn surf at Kuta - decent swell. Things will improve with the tide. Tropical fruit breakfast next on the agenda.
Were there any other sups at Kuta? Been a few times and havn't seen one out!
Was the reception ok.
Went out at Sanur Reef, last time and had a ball.
Heading over at end of July wondering whether to take the sup or kite?
Keep the updates coming, Enjoy.
Only one other SUP seen today. Surfed Kuta Reef (middles) early this morning. Had a peak to myself for about an hour and a half before the offshore picked up too strong. No aggravation from anyone because I kept away. The other peaks were crowded (15-20 per peak) so I was catching about 5 times more waves than anyone else. Much better situation than I expected . Another dawn surf at Kuta tomorrow before heading to Sanur.
Easy transfer to Sanur using "soft racks" on van roof. Dawn patrol showed low tide, low swell and light onshore. Went for a paddle anyway and admired the coral and fish life. A freak set yielded a nice long right hand wall which lifted my hopes but was not backed up by others. Hoping high tide will improve things and that the onshore doesn't pick up.
No problems getting SUP to Nusa Lembongan. Good surfs at Shipwrecks. Went to Playgrounds when swell got big on Saturday and came across the first bit of aggression - a knee boarder who became upset when I failed to catch the first wave I went for! I politely ?? pointed out he was being unreasonable and then took great delight in watching him miss three waves in a row before he dropped in on a prone surfer. I smiled at him each time. He left!
Sunday and Monday saw HUGE swell, well beyond my capabilities. I waited until the falling tide to pick up smaller ones between sets but still managed to snap a paddle shaft.
Now back at Sanur where I've hired a paddle from Jankie at Bali Kitesurfing.
Bringing the SUP over has been no drama. Just pack a spare paddle/shaft!
Sometimes you can't help bad luck! Volcanic dust meant flight home cancelled and rescheduled for three days time. Staying on at airline's expense. Sanur currently overhead and glassy. About a dozen surfers out but plenty of long walls to be had. The best surf so far. Damn volcanoes
Sometimes you can't help bad luck! Volcanic dust meant flight home cancelled and rescheduled for three days time. Staying on at airline's expense. Sanur currently overhead and glassy. About a dozen surfers out but plenty of long walls to be had. The best surf so far. Damn volcanoes
And no more arrivals as well, so good for you
I took my own tie downs and hired a driver in Bali and the scooter in Nusa Lenbongam.
A bit of agro every single day, in the most crowded spots, like ulu and impossibles.