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JOURNEY TO UNTOUCHED INDONESIA

Southern Sumatra

JOURNEY TO UNTOUCHED INDONESIA

Southern Sumatra

  • A bucket list destination for experienced bodyboarders

  • Bodyboarding heaven far away from tourist-heavy crowds

  • Raw and untouched tropical perfection in Indonesia

  • We’ve got it all planned! You only have to bodyboard, eat, sleep, repeat!

  • A bucket list destination for experienced bodyboarders
  • Bodyboarding heaven far away from tourist-heavy crowds
  • Raw and untouched tropical perfection in Indonesia
  • We’ve got it all planned! You only have to bodyboard, eat, sleep, repeat!

Experience

Quick Facts

Play Video about Southern Sumatra Our Aim Video

Quick Facts

  • Frontier travel to an under the radar destination – we’ve done the hard yards for you
  • Tropical climate, consistent swell, water temperature 28°C
  • Years of exploration to find the best spots, both beach and reef
  • Expect to be greeted by empty line ups 
  • Includes video & photography package for you to take home
  • Experience & local knowledge minimises risk of things going wrong
  • Fully insured with contingency & emergency plans for any eventuality
  • Locally sourced ocean to table healthy food
  • Accommodation is a 7 minute walk from a 400 metre long left hander 
  • Experiencing a simpler way of life is grounding
  • Our accommodation is owned by a local family
  • Incredible nature, located between Indonesia’s largest rainforest and the vast Indian ocean

Why join a Bodyboard Holiday in Southern Sumatra?

Come with us to bodyboard one of the last Indonesian frontiers, a largely unexplored wave-drenched island, home to some of the sickest bodyboarding waves we’ve ever found. Perhaps you’ve had a dream trip like this lined up for years but not had the friends, confidence or knowledge to organise and tackle an adventure of this magnitude? Well, now is your chance!

What to expect?

Sumatra is frontier travel, where unless meticulously planned and without local on the ground knowledge, there is a high chance of missing out on so much of what this area has to offer or worse still, something going very, very wrong. Compared to the Mentawai Islands, Sumatra has more slabby waves, relatively few surfers in the water and is still an uncharted destination. It’s now or never to take on Sumatra!

Who is this trip for?

Experienced bodyboarders looking for an off the beaten track adventure with expert guides. Those who don’t have the time to plan such a trip, but wish to meet likeminded bodyboarders and want to ride the best bodyboarding waves in Indonesia.

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PRE-TRIP

  • A video call with the trip leader – Here we’ll discuss how to book your flights, insurance and where you will be met on arrival. We’ll cover your objectives, pre-trip planning, dietary requirements, physical preparation, kit list, trip expectations and you’ll have the chance to ask any burning questions about the holiday or bodyboarding in general.
  • Upon completion of the call, you will receive the trip leaders direct contact number so that you have personal, immediate line of communication until arrival in the destination.
  • Bespoke Bodyboard-Holiday preparation fitness video.
  • Bespoke Bodyboard-Holiday preparation Yoga video geared toward bodyboarding flexibility and cramp reduction.
  • If you have footage of your riding, we can offer a pre-trip analysis.

AIRPORT ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE MEETING AND TRANSFERS

A member of our team will be waiting for you at the airport hotel in Jakarta, having tracked your flight. This is within the terminal. We will then check you in to your room before heading out for a welcome meal to have some intro’s and look at the plans for the week ahead. The following morning it’s time to fly to Sumatra. After a surf stoked week we will return you to the airport hotel in Jakarta in good time for a stress-free journey home.

ACCOMMODATION

Jakarta airport hotel (2 nights)

The first and last night of the trip are spent in a modern hotel within Jakarta International airport. This overnight stay at the beginning of your trip is a great way to reenergise and to acclimatise after a long flight. While on the return journey, it ensures you get to the airport on time and without hassle.

Southern Sumatra (7 nights)

Here we spend seven nights in traditional beachside bungalows surrounded by coconut palms and tropical jungle.

  • Twin room for each guest (limited single rooms, must be booked early and supplement will apply, please enquire via online chat)
  • Swimming pool
  • Bar with ice-cold beers and drinks
  • Air Conditioning
  • TV for surf videos and music
  • Daily room cleaning
  • Professional medical care from accommodation owner
  • 7 minute walk from a 400 metre long left hander 
  • Epic sunset view point out the front of the accommodation 

FOOD

The local couple who own our accommodation are very humble and welcoming and share our excitement for these trips each year. As well as hosting us in such a perfect location they provide us with three delicious meals a day. The food is sourced locally and freshly cooked each day.

We order breakfast the night before so that we can take it on the road with us in the morning. After our first surf we’re met with hot coffee, watermelon salad and egg sandwiches on the shoreline. Lunch is back at the camp and takes the form of a large buffet. Then there are options of western or Indonesian dishes for dinner. All dietary requirements are catered for, and you will eat well!

GUIDING

  • Every day throughout the week our expert trip leaders and local guide will draw upon their collective 40+ years of experience to find the best waves for your ability.
  • Each day we’ll have one long 3 to 4-hour session or this may be split in to two shorter sessions. We work around the tides and daily conditions to guarantee the best waves for our guests.
  • Excursion to the untouched Banana Island

COACHING

  • We will find the waves that suit your objectives as discussed in pre-trip video call
  • Using the Bodyboard-Holidays Tree of Knowledge, for those with the desire to really improve their riding, we will plot your progression and sign post you through each stage of your bodyboarding development
  • Using our bespoke resource bank of explainer videos, we will help you to overcome your bodyboarding challenges
  • Coaching can be optional, if it’s not for you we can focus more on free surfing, photography and video. It’s your trip, we will facilitate your fun!

PHOTO AND VIDEO ANALYSIS

  • Land and in water photo and video package to take home with you (all uploaded to an online gallery for you)
  • Daily analysis sessions of the footage to see you improve fast
  • Move specific split screen analysis videos to break down the sports benchmark moves step by step

BODYBOARDING WORKSHOPS

Throughout the week we will deliver several bodyboarding related workshops during our analysis sessions, these are optional to attend, and can include the subjects below or others that are relevant:

  • Surf forecasting & travel
  • Equipment and industry trends
  • Duck diving and paddling efficiency
  • The secret to riding reefs
  • 360 and roll workshop
  • Yoga, stretching and nutrition session
  • Ask Me Anything session (a workshop tailored to your burning questions)

FREE TIME

We spend a lot of time bodyboarding, but when it is finished for the day, people’s time is then their own to explore the local village, or simply chill in the pool or with a book in a hammock.

EVENING ACTIVITIES

The benefit of having a 400m left hander only 7 minutes walk from our front door means that we have an epic location for and end of the day session. Not only that, there is a bar on the edge of the jungle where we buy cold drinks and watch the action. As a group we form a peanut gallery, watching the action as the sun drops behind the waves for some of the most jaw dropping sunsets.  As night falls, we return to camp for our group meal, the those that fancy a chat and a drink will chill in our onsite bar. Some cool off in the pool. For many it’s time to relax with a book in the air conditioning of your room.

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FAQs

We Offer 3 Easy Ways To Pay!

  1. Pay In Full – Pay the full amount in one, that’s it your done! (Available online)
  2. 50/50 – Pay 50% deposit and then 5 weeks later pay the remaining 50%. (Available online)
  3. Payment Plan – Pay an initial deposit of as little as £100 to save your place and the rest in instalments!  (Contact us using our online chat for this option)

 

We can’t guarantee your place until we have received a payment from you.

Once you have made a payment, you’ll then be sent a trip confirmation email with all details on.

Yes definitely! We pride ourselves on being super welcoming and friendly. Most of our guests arrive solo and leave with a host of new bodyboarding buddies.

Due to this trip being in high demand and having limited spaces, we can only hold your space for up to 24 hours without payment.

You are welcome to attend for a shorter period to suit your personal schedule, however the package price will remain the same.

Group booking discounts are available, please contact us for more information.

ASAP! These holidays fill up quickly and, with limited spaces available, sell out fast. We operate on a first come first serve basis. If you want to secure your place on the trip, it is advised that you pay as soon as you can.

If you are based outside of the UK and would like to book or chat through the holiday details, we can be contacted through our online chat.

If you wish to bring a non-bodyboarding partner with you, that is absolutely fine, however, the price stays the same.

We have a great mix of all ages from young whipper-snappers to silver surfers.

The gender ratio at the moment is around 60% men to 40% women. However, this is constantly changing and Bodyboard Holidays is inclusive to all.

Most international mobile’s work in Indonesia, you should check with your supplier before you fly.

Yes there is WiFi which is of a good standard for the area. It can be temperamental but can be used for daily emails and WIFI calls.

You’ll be asked to fill in an enrolment form as part of the booking process. You’ll signify which level of bodyboarder you are. You may be in a different group suited to your ability, however, there will be plenty of time to see each other back at the accommodation and during our social evening meals.

We choose the time of year and location for our holidays based on local knowledge and historical swell data. In the event of flat waves or stormy conditions, we will offer alternative activities and day trips to help you get the most out of your holiday.

Please take a look at our Area section for more information. We may also adjust the format of the week, for example, choosing to run more bodyboard sessions on the days that the waves are at their best.

Please visit our Terms & Conditions for more information.

The area that we visit is blessed with constant surf, you can expect great conditions most days of the trip. To give you a clearer idea, the videos on this webpage were all filmed during previous bodyboard holiday trips.

Please refer to the Waves section for more details.

We do not offer a discount for bringing your own equipment.

Remember to check the baggage size and weight allowance with your airline, as well as reading their guidance for carrying bodyboards. Baggage handlers can be unforgiving, so a tough bag and intelligent packing are a must.

Firstly, pack your board(s) in a protective, padded board bag, and write FRAGILE and TOP LOAD ONLY on it with a permanent marker. Make sure you wrap your towel and clothes around your board inside the bag for added protection. Place your shampoo and other wet toiletries in a separate sealed bag in case of leakage. We also recommend locking the zips on your bag with a padlock.

British nationals can visit Indonesia for up to 30 days without a visa. However, entry into Indonesia may be refused and airlines may turn you away if you have less than six months left on your passport validity, or you don’t have an onward ticket out of the country. If you’re travelling to Indonesia and intend to stay over 30 days (but no more than 60 days), you will need to pay for your visa on arrival at the airport in Bali – this will cost around $35USD. For more or updated information visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia/entry-requirements Please check international travel requirements for your nationality. Please contact your travel agent or airline if you are unsure or have any further questions.

If you are under 18, we will need to chat to you on the phone and you will need to be accompanied on the trip by a parent or guardian throughout the holiday. If you are 60 or over we’d love to chat with you about the trip before you book. Please contact us via our online chat.

On the day you travel please keep your mobile phone handy so we can stay in touch in case of delays and flight changes. Please inform us if you’re early or delayed for any reason.

If you need help booking your flight then just drop us a line or read our helpful blog post about booking flights.

If you can’t find our representative at the airport, stay there and wait, they won’t be far away. Our transfer representatives will have access to your arrival details. However, if you’re having difficulties finding them follow the instructions in your pre-arrival email. One of the team will locate you.  Upon booking the trip the trip leader will share their direct mobile number so that you can contact them if you need them

As with any holiday, full travel insurance is a requirement for all guests booking a trip with the company. 

Please also ensure that your policy covers you for ‘disruption to travel’ and ‘cover for cancellations’ as standard. For the Sumatra trip you also need ‘Medi Vac’ and ‘Repatriation’ cover. We will discuss this during the video call to ensure that you have exactly what you need. 

For further help please read our helpful blog post about travel insurance.

You may need to add additional cover for surfing or bodyboarding, it is essential that your insurance policy covers you for all activities during your stay. Failure to take out travel insurance breaks the contract between Bodyboard Holidays and the client.

If you are joining one of our trips and you are native to the country of its location (i.e you live in Lisbon and are joining our Portugal trip) you do not need to take out medical travel insurance. This is as long as you have your own personal health-care plan or are covered by your country’s National Health Service. Although, we kindly request that you still take out trip disruption and cancellation insurance to cover all possible eventualities. It is essential that you know your travel insurance works if you do need to contact them in the case of an emergency, again we will discuss this with you during the video call. 

Health and safety medical advice for UK travellers can be found online at https://www.gov.uk/world

Otherwise, contact your GP or the Department of Health (DoH) for further information. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) also issues up-to-date information on safety issues for countries world-wide. Contact the FCO travel advice line on 020 7238 4503/4504 if you have any concerns.

Please contact your doctor if you’re unsure about vaccinations. We advise you to take mosquito repellent to avoid getting bitten, though we’ve never been aware of any malaria or dengue fever cases in the areas that we visit. According to netdoctor.co.uk, the risk is very low.

It is difficult to obtain Indonesian Rupiah outside the country so we recommend taking a debit or credit card and using cash points once you’ve landed. You will find some ATM’s at the airport. Our accommodation has lock boxes for both passports and cash. You can exchange sterling cash with Balinese money-changers but this is less convenient than using cards.

We recommend taking at least two bank cards in case one becomes lost or damaged.

Please refer to the “What to budget for?” section.

We are a UK based company that delivers trips all over the world welcoming travellers of all nationalities.

If your circumstances change and you can’t join the trip, please let us know as soon as possible via email. Your cancellation notice will start from the date we receive it.

Cancellation terms:

We hold part or full costs, depending on when you cancel:

  • If you cancel 12 weeks or more before the trip we retain one-third of the total trip price
  • If you cancel between 36 days to 12 weeks before the trip it’s 50% of the total cost
  • If you cancel between 21-35 days, we retain 75% of the total cost
  • Under 20 days – we keep 100% of the total cost.

 

Cancellation may fall under the terms and conditions of your holiday insurance policy and you may be able to claim.

Please take a look at our Frequently Asked Questions videos.