In Reply to: a place to stay for a surfing beginnger? posted by jollylee on Friday, 4. February 2005 at 16:08 Bali Time:
If you enjoyed staying at Hard Rock and liked surfing Kuta, then any of the hotels along Pantai Kuta would be fine. The further you go towards Seminyak, generally the more the waves dump or close out although this is not always the case. The area you stayed in is probably the best place in Bali for beginners! Just about everywhere else in Bali involves Coral Reefs or Rocks.
We have stayed at Grand Istana Rama hotel which is half way along the beach road and the surf here can get quite good...great for beginners...but it only 500 meters for Hard Rock!
If you want to explore a little head West! Balian River can be ok for beginners sometimes, but it does get pretty big and is a rock bottom...early mornings are best and you would need your own equipment. It is about 2 hours roughly from Kuta!
Further West again and you come to Medewi, A very long, rocky point...mellow Lefthander..very rocky...ok for learners when really small, but still VERY rocky...If you can surf there more than once without dinging your board or feet, you are doing well!!! Great spot to chill out though. Choice of 3 hotels and friendly locals (so long as you dont mind being dropped in on).
Depending on your surfing ability, you can get nice waves on Nusa Lembongan at the Playgrounds break. It is a coral reef and very shallow, but if is small it can be great fun. First time I surfed it with a girl from the UK...it was only about 2 ft, but terrific fun on a longboard. When it gets bigger though take care, Heaps of places to stay on lembongan and cheap to get to the island on the public boat from Sanur. Coconuts resort is straight in front of the break... Do it!!!!!!!!!!!
My wife and I will be in Bali March - April for 4 weeks so look out for an old overweight malibu rider!
Hope this is of help!
Phil