It took a year for the dream to manifest into reality, but finally here I was being paid to go to Bali and coach a group of Brits for 10 days. With a whole month of visa available I decided to spend as much time as possible there; surfing left hand reef perfection, sampling exotic yoga classes, chowing down on the local cuisine, diving to the deep depths of the ocean bed and simply enjoying the eden that is also known as “the island of the gods”.

 

 

Here’s my account of 30 days in paradise… just a little bit back to front…

WEEK 3 (part one)

With the recent volcano disruption, it’s a miracle all the guests arrive at all – let alone on time!¬† Aidan and I are there to meet and greet them at the airport, mirroring their relief that they’ve actually made it to Indonesia.¬† We complete our head count and hot-foot it to the waves – job done!

We head straight to the Bukit, to our surf camp and bungalows that are overlooking bingin surf break.¬† It’s first time I’ve managed to get in the water all week due to a wrist injury (see WEEK 2) so I am FROTHING!¬† It’s 2-3 foot, pure sunset glass, with peelers breaking at the way to the inside.¬† I’d just read Sarah Beardmore’s article on barrel riding in Surf Girl and it must have been fresh in my mind because I even managed to tuck in and make it out, generating whoops from the small but perfectly formed crowd!

With the tides working in our favour for dawnies (less wind and crowds are a priority) we spend a solid week of surfing from 5.30am each day!¬† Not much of a holiday lie in for the group, but we are blessed with perfect waves; surfing at Ulu’s, Padang Padang, Inside Impossibles, Bingin and Balangan.¬† Things start to ease up as the week progresses and reef cuts, board scrapes, aches and pains are soothed with a sunset cocktail session at the Uluwatu infinity pool.¬† The coaches especially enjoy the chance to unwind with a couple of daquiris!

I spent my time coaching the beginners and intermediates, which for most meant their first time surfing reef.  It was a major feat for them, and not only were they surfing empty peaks surrounded by breathtaking scenery; they accomplished getting waves they will most likely remember for a lifetime!

Big Friday boss, buddy and my fellow “chicks with sticks” co founder Kate also had a secret SurfGirl mission to complete with my help – the headdress photos are a sneaky peak into our fantasy photoshoot!