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ISLAND ADVENTURE
Home to some of the finest waves on the planet, the island of Bali has naturally become a popular destination for travelling surfers. But with 22 years’ experience visiting here, we’re able to avoid the crowds, bodyboarding with little or nobody in the water.
Consistent swell, tropical warm water, mechanically perfect waves and our videographer capturing all your rides, means that you’ll notice huge improvements in your riding in just one week.
We’re up early in order to have two sessions before the onshore trade winds arrive around 11am, which means you have the whole afternoon to take advantage of all that Bali has to offer. – It’s no coincidence that Bali ranked #1 as the world’s most popular destination in 2021 by Tripadvisor, when you consider its cultural and historical richness, incredible flora and fauna and its wide variety of excellent restaurants and retail options.
Of course, Bali, with its world-famous breaks, is a bucket list destination for any bodyboarder, but it is also the ideal destination, for those bodyboarders looking for more than just waves on their week away.
Bodyboarding wise, Bali has something for every ability. If you’re new to bodyboarding or an advanced rider, we have got you covered from personalised coaching and confidence building to nailing advanced manoeuvres in waves of consequence.
Our week of bodyboarding in Bali comprises of 7 nights accommodation in a modern hotel within walking distance to cafes, shops and an idyllic stretch of coast – known as Echo Beach
Private room for each guest
Throughout the week we will deliver several bodyboarding related workshops that are optional to attend.
We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to visit Bali’s famous tourist attractions or local cafes and shops. We can direct you to the best areas of local interest.
The evenings are for kicking back, watching a stunning sunset at the beach, going for food in town, chilling in the swimming pool or catching the latest bodyboarding film on the TV.
The west coast has a reputation as having more left-hand breaking waves than Bali’s east coast. However, there is a great mix of both rights and lefts. The swell size and direction will dictate each daily surfari. In previous years we’ve travelled to the same spot for 6 days in a row and scored it uncrowded and perfect. On other trips we have visited numerous different spots throughout the week and ticked off a list of well-known and under the radar waves. It is essential to know where you need to be, at what time for the best tide, to miss the crowd and to avoid the traffic. It’s this mission that our awesome guides have spent their lives achieving. So, your experience will benefit from their years of experience.
All of our guests have a private, en suite room.
Our accommodation in Bali is just a 50-minute drive from Denpasar International Airport. After landing, our driver will collect you and head west, away from the hustle and bustle of the capital city and towards our bodyboarding paradise.
The hotel itself is within walking distance to an awesome bodyboarding spot called Echo Beach. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the awesome waves along this stretch – you might just fall in love a little bit yourself! These relaxed and authentic beaches are perfect for watching the sun disappear behind the horizon while you enjoy a cold evening beer.
The atmosphere in our Bali hotel will allow you to relax as you soak in the new culture and lifestyle. The roof top restaurant and swimming pool provide everything you need for a comfortable stay during your time bodyboarding in Bali.
Our accommodation consists of twin and double rooms in a hotel that we have been working with for many years. You have an ensuite room to yourself. Why not pull up a sunbed for an afternoon of chilling on the roof terrace? Grab a massage to take your relaxation to the next level or make the most of the free wifi by catching up with friends and family back home. The hotel is centrally located so you’re within walking distance to the shops and cafes. The rooms all have air conditioning, they’re fully secure and you will benefit from the ever-present and helpful hotel staff.
Brief Overview:
Southeast Asia is well-known for its busy streets, bustling street vendors and colourful food markets. Bali is no exception and you’ll find an array of street-side restaurants, local warungs (family-owned eateries) and westernised cafes and bars. When the sun goes down, the streets come alive with the buzz of tourists and locals alike searching for their favourite evening meal amongst a hive of friendly open-air diners.
Bali may seem a world away from the UK, but its close proximity to Australia, New Zealand and the classic backpacker trail has seen many modern westernised restaurants pop up throughout the island. As well as the local dishes like Nasi Goreng (fried rice mixed with meat and vegetables, served with a fried egg), Gado Gado (Mixed steam vegetables and rice with a peanut sauce) and Satay sticks (Your choice of skewered meat served with a spicy sauce, vegetables and coconut milk), you will also find a whole host of international cuisines to choose from.
Some of the staff at Bodyboard-Holidays are lucky enough to call Bali home, and they each have their own favourite when it comes to local restaurants. They will have the most up to date, on-the-ground recommendations to make sure that you’re eating in the best spot for your taste and budget.
The variety of Indonesia’s surf breaks means we’ll always be able to find quiet peaks offering mellower, long walling waves – perfect if you’re a beginner learning the basics or an intermediate rider looking to reach the next stage. Then there are more challenging reefs for the advanced rider. We split the group by abilities to cater for all levels of bodyboarding experience. It’s an amazing location with a veritable fun park of waves to suit all skill sets.
Foundation level Instruction
Indonesia caters for bodyboarders of all abilities, and you’ll often find gentler, mellower waves breaking at one end of the beach or reef, when at the other there are waves offering barrels and steeper sections for more advanced riders. This is great if you’re looking to test yourself without jumping in at the deep end. A great mix of waves for all abilities.
Whatever your level, our coaching team is on hand to offer daily guiding and tuition should you want it. This is tailored to your ability, with instructors who are in-house qualified and fully insured, and includes beach, water and classroom-based tuition.
Our team comprises experienced lifeguards, some of whom have 20 years of surfing and worldwide travel behind them, all trained by multiple-times British National Champion and Team Coach Rob Barber.
We’ve got your back whatever your ability, and that’s a promise. Don’t stress if you’re only now giving it a go – on this trip there’s something for everyone, and we all have to start somewhere.
In fact, you’ll be amazed how quickly you master paddling out to catch good-quality waves, and we’re committed to patiently helping you progress.
Foundation level tuition includes
Our instructors are on hand with groups in the water, able to give extra tips on the beach, and give detailed feedback during our informal classroom analysis.
As well as coaching, we’re also keen to develop your learning and understanding of the sport in general. This is why we offer a separate Q&A sessions, answering all things bodyboarding: equipment, travel, safety, surf prediction, understanding pressure charts and bodyboarding fitness.
Intermediate and Advanced Instruction
There is good reason why there are so many amazing bodyboarders making an annual pilgrimage to Indonesia. The waves lend themselves to high level bodyboarding and we can help you perfect specific moves from carving reverse spins to airs. Ben Player would regularly use Uluwatu, Padang Padang and Canngu as his pre-season training ground when he competed on the world tour, and for good reason too. The variety of the waves in this area is huge and as a result we can focus on every aspect of your riding. Or put more of a focus on guiding you to the best waves each day and letting you enjoy them while being videoed by our team.
Photography and video analysis will be available throughout all sessions to help improve your riding. There is simply no better way to see your riding sky rocket than to benefit from slow-motion analysis of your biggest moves. By the end of your trip we guarantee that you will feel that you have up’d your game. If coaching isn’t your thing, then you can benefit from our guiding, to know that you’re in the best spot for the waves each day.
You will need to arrange your own flights to Denpasar International Airport (DPS) in Bali.
We highly recommend that you have a read of our ‘How to book a flight’ blog post to help you organise the best flights for your holiday.
RECOMMENDED FLIGHTS FROM THE UK
Please arrange your flights to coincide with the following times:
Many of our guests choose to arrive a day early in order to acclimatise and get over jet lag.
FLIGHTS AND CONNECTIONS
If your flight includes a stop, please allow enough time to make your connection and factor in short delays. It’s best to book a ticket that transports your luggage directly to the airport in Bali if possible.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
We arrange airport pickups for those arriving on the first day of the trip between 13:00 and 16:00. If you do not arrive in time to meet our pickup, we can organise a taxi for you but you will be responsible for the transport cost. Please let us know if you would like this option. We have our welcome meeting at 18:00 on the first day of the trip so please try to arrive in good time.
IF YOU’RE TRAVELLING FROM ELSEWHERE
We welcome guests from all over the world. If you’re flying from elsewhere in Europe or the rest of the world, please arrange flights to land between the times stated above.
BAGGAGE FEES
Make sure you check the airline’s baggage charges when you book, especially if you bring your own kit. Remember – we also hire equipment which works out cheaper than paying extra for a ‘sports equipment’ bag in the hold, and saves you carrying it! Just let us know in advance if this is something you’d like to do.
ARRIVING AT THE AIRPORT
Our Indonesian transport driver will meet you on arrival at the airport in Denpasar.
WELCOME MEETING
Once we’ve all arrived at our accommodation and checked into our rooms, we’ll have a group meeting (at 18:00 on the first day) to chat about the trip and start getting excited for the waves ahead.
During this incredible week of bodyboarding in Bali, our base will be on the beautiful west coast. We’ll have transport at our disposal to go to the best waves on the island. The black-sand beach of Keramas lies to the east with heaps of secret waves on offer. The east coast is littered with awesome set ups. Then the Bukit peninsular in the south holds the jewels in the crown; Uluwatu and Padang Padang. Our secret bodyboarding spots lie off the beaten track so you can be sure to enjoy your own slice of the Indian ocean in peace.
Heading east takes us to the manicured lawns and white sandy beaches of Nusa Dua. Here you can surf the offshore reefs as they provide incredible barrels and perfect waves. If you’re a fan of art, you can also take time out to explore the relatively undiscovered Pasifika Museum.
The surrounding town of our Bali hotel is arguably somewhat juxtaposed. This incredible part of the west coast is one of the most well-established tourist areas on the island, there are awesome surf retailers every 50 yards along the street. It’s a town built on surf culture.
Driving 10 km along the west coast of Bali, the area of Seminyak maintains a fantastic mix of local and international restaurants and bars. This part of the island has always attracted a fusion of international visitors, content with eating well along the seafront or lazing on the beach.
The main streets of Canggu are packed with clothes shops, boutiques, local craftspeople, surf retailers and a whole heap of coffee shops. Be sure to relax with an iced coffee after a morning of waves. Bali is also renowned for its picturesque rice paddies, and a short drive to the west coast has some incredible views. The Jatiluwih rice terraces are certainly worth a visit too, if a little tricky to find, but definitely worth the effort! Some of these breathtaking systems of agriculture are thought to have been created as far back as 500 years ago.
THINGS TO DO
On arrival we will recommend to you the best hotspots to visit. In previous years our groups have supplementd their daily surf missions with visits to the waterfalls, hiked volcanoes, visited temples or used the time between sessions to hang out at Echo Beach which is a hive of surfing activity every day.
FOOD
Daily food budget – £25 per day. This will be ample to see you eat at some fantastic spots.
VISA
Visa on arrival at the airport in Bali – $35 USD.
ACTIVITIES
Ubud waterfalls, rice fields and monkey visit (optional) – £20 per excursion
Shopping to surf shop warehouse/factories (optional) – £10
Sunrise trek up Mount Batur (optional) – £40
Massage (optional) – £10
Rent a motorbike (optional) – £5 per day
EQUIPMENT HIRE
If you decide not to bring your own kit (or you don’t own it) to hire equipment for the week the prices are as follows;
Swim fins – £45 per week
Board – £60 per week
You can expect warm and sunny weather every day with the odd evening downpour depending on how quickly the seasons are changing from wet to dry. We hit the road early to score the best waves and benefit from the early morning temperatures. A huge benefit of surfing on the west coast are the evening sunsets. If you finish the day with a surf, it’s an experience that you will remember forever as you paddle out to an illuminated red sky as the island of the Gods ends each day in style.
At the time of booking, you will receive an email listing all of the kit you need for your bodyboard holiday in Bali.
What’s more, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss, with Grant the trip leader, the required kit and equipment, on the pre-trip video call.
