Wave House Surf Camp, Bali - time for me to improve!

When you love something and want to get better at something - what do you do? Practice, practice, practice. And then what happens? You get better!

I've been surfing for a few years now but not progressing in my ability. I know that daily practice is what benefits the most, but I have only been going out sporadically. Sometimes three times a week, most times once every week or three. I was getting frustrated, so I decided to carve out the time to make improvement happen.

Bali flights were going cheap so suddenly I was logging in and hitting 'purchase'. Then came the task of finding somewhere to stay. I looked at hotels, AirBnB's and surf camps. I decided a surf camp would be best because, heck, how many times was I going to get out and surf a new break on my own? I knew... not many.

Wave House stood out as a great place because of it's location to the beach (a 3-minute walk away), Seminyak (with the salsa places I was keen to check out), the beautiful grounds and being inclusive of surf lessons each day. I've been to a few surf camps around Bali so knew that I'd be surrounded by like-minded people that were chilled but exciting. What I didn't know was that I would be one of the only native speaking English guests there! That doesn't happen often.

Other guests were mainly Russian, but thankfully, their English is fantastic. We chatted at breakfast and on the surf trips, but other than that, I was normally by the pool listening to Gabrielle Bernstein's 'The Universe Has Your Back', journalling or taking trip notes. The camp was so quiet, I often wondered if I was the only one there. However, I knew otherwise, that there were quite a few guests tucked away in their rooms working. It made me smile - knowing that people are here living their life the way they want. Combining their passion for surf, travel and work. Now, that's my type of person.

Surf lessons were at different surf breaks, depending on tide, wind and swell. It was 'off' season for surf in Bali but we found some great waves and clean (as in wind, definitely not always clean water) conditions. We surfed Old Mans, Padma and Kedungu - all located within a 30-minute drive of camp. We surfed with meet up times from 5.30am to 11 am. Small groups, one instructor and a couple of guides. It worked really well. Guests are split up into ability from beginner upwards. I was in Intermediate 4 and it worked well with everyone being a similar ability. We got feedback in the water and when we got tired, our guides helped push us onto the waves. How's that for pampering! Seriously, the instructors and guides at Wave House are the friendliest and most helpful I've experienced in Bali.

After our surf lesson, unpacking the boards and grabbing food (if it was an early surf) we met in the yoga pavilion for the second part of our lesson. Photo feedback. Eek! This scared me the first time. I hate seeing photos of myself - and I've seen myself surfing before. I described it as 'taking a poo while holding my nose from all stink'. Thankfully, I'm not 'that' bad anymore so seeing myself wasn't too bad. And the feedback was helpful. Picking up on things like hip rotation, pop up technique and working the wave.

Other bonuses of staying at Wave House? Surf skills lesson in the pool, a training area to practice, a cute resident cat and the occasional visit by the most gorgeous little pup (owned by the Aussie surf instructor). Staff are also super helpful - getting me about on the Gojek service (think Uber for mopeds), organising massages and being there for a chat.

So, after five days... would I do it again? Heck yeah. I relaxed, met some awesome people and learnt new surf skills. I conquered my fear of lefts and overcome trauma I had from previous experience at Old Mans. Growth all around. While having fun. The best surf camp I have stayed at yet.

Check it out at https://wavehousebali.com/surfcamp/

A girls trip to Bali - surf, sun, fun.

Jimbaran - early morning

Early morning at Jimbaran

My alarm went off just before 6 am. I ask myself again, 'what are you doing? It's a holiday, sleep in.' I lay in bed for a few more moments, trying to decided what to do. Then I roll over, pull on my bikini, rash vest and shorts and tip-toe out the door. I'm going surfing! 

I arrived in Bali the night before and finally got to our accommodation, Rapture Surfcamp at Padang Padang, just before midnight. Getting up before dawn wasn't ideal - but the idea of surfing was. I am nervous but excited. I'd been dreaming about this for months.

Feeling spoilt. Surf guides looking after our boards.

I meet the other surfers in my group, grab a board from the 'cupboard' and let the surf guides tie it up on the roof of the van. We then all pile in and head off on our reccie. I love seeing the countryside that was a blur of black the night before - we are far removed from the concrete city of Kuta. 

After a squizz at Padang and Thomas, we head down to Jimbaran. Swell is big which means there are clean and small waves (perhaps 2 foot) over the reef. It's the perfect intro to my Bali surf trip. I laugh at the tourists pulling suitcases along the beach, a Japanese couple prancing through the shore break while making a home video, and an older gentleman trying hard to lift weights but looking like he was swatting flies. I'm sure I also give someone a laugh or two when crashing about in the waves. But hey, I have fun. And finally, I'm catching green, unbroken waves - something that has scared me before.

Photo anyone? Photographers for each surf school and camp

I like a good reflection. And someone who says 'yes, sure, take a pic of me'. 

We surf til late morning then head back to camp. I'm buzzing. I love being out in the water and feel energised. 

The steps back up to the paddock car park from Thomas Beach

The following day we head out around 9 am. Swell is still big, and we struggle to find somewhere for beginners. We look at Padang, Thomas, Balangan, Nusa Dua 1 and Nusa Dua 2 before heading back to Thomas for lunch and wait for the high tide. Finally, we get in the waves at 2 pm and have a blast. I catch some good waves, and get slammed by some ultra good ones that I was silly enough to try for. The reef, which we had been told would not be a problem, was suddenly best mates with me.

Waiting for high tide. Waiting. Waiting. Fish and chips was yummy.

Perhaps slightly too big for newbies? But damn, it looks good.

Obviously not much to look at in that surf. Nusa Dua pea soup - rough guts swell.

I need one of these at home. Indoboard practise. 

When not surfing I laze by the pool - swimming, practicing duck dives on a board, reading and chatting to new friends (plus my friends from home). I'm sure I gave some guests another laugh too. Diving into the pool one afternoon, my bikini bottoms slipped right down. I was quick to get them back up but, embarrassing. I pop up at the other end of the pool with a squeal, spinning around to see a few smirks on faces looking my way. 

As the sun lowers, we head out to Uluwatu's Single Fin or nearby bar for a few sundowners while watching the surfers in the big swell. Who said eleven people couldn't fit in one eight seater van? 

Big swell at Uluwatu. Spot the surfer - looks like an ant. 

Single Fin from our rooftop bar. 

One night, on a whim, after everyone else had gone out, my friend and I decide to meet them at Single Fin - touted as 'the place' to go on the Bukit. Arriving, I'm intrigued by the sight of a multi-level nightclub jam packed with (mainly) young tourists wanting to pick up. I haven't been in this environment for a long time - being wife and mum to two children. It doesn't keep me still for long, though. Two songs in, and I'm dancing away. We then find some others from camp and join jiggy-bopping forces. Shame it shuts at 1 am and we only arrive about 11.30pm. The bartender laughed at me when I asked if there was anywhere else to go. 

Next morning, I get to have a look at the photos taken while we were out surfing. I have never laughed so hard at myself! There is a large stack of images of me - and nearly all of them have me in a pose that looks like I'm hovering over a toilet while holding my nose. I should get copies of them and make a 'funny board' for when I need a pick me up. 

It'd also make an awesome reminder of surf, sun and fun at Rapture Surfcamps Padang.

Refreshments.