Hi all, still holidaying in Bali (in Legian now) but just spent the last 5 days at Lembongan Island. Paddled out at Playgrounds on the shortboard 1st day there, along with about 20 others in the lineup - so after being patient and holding my position I finally paddle into a solid 6 ft wave, down the face and start a bottom turn then bang..... some euro girl pushes her board straight in front of me and wipes me out!!! After tangled leg ropes and wearing the rest of the set on the head and washing over the reef she gives me a spray about not looking around and damaging her board???? Then she says so WTF I am supposed to do now - apparently telling her to learn to duck-dive and watch out where other surfers are taking off was wrong?? 2 more waves later and I'd had enough, get a boat back to the resort and write off the rest of the surfing trip.
So, heres where the story gets good. Jodie and I head into the main village and take a walk along the beach, and see a SUP sign in a shop window. Turns out that Made has 3 SUP's and charges 100,000 IDR for 3 hours ($12). So as luck would have it the swell drops and Jodie and I end up having the Playground break all to ourselves for 3 days in a row (lower tide and small swell made shotboarding near impossible) - even with some decent 5ft sets coming through. The 500m paddle out over seaweed farms and coral followed by awesome 100-200m rides across crystal clear water with amazing coral underneath absolutely made our holiday.
So, I promised Made I would post up on the forum for anyone who ventures out to Lembongan and wants a paddle. Made is in the last shop at the base of the stairs that lead up to Coconuts and Playground resorts. He has an 11ft Starboard (only with a single fin), a 12ft NSP (thruster), and an 11ft fiberglass monster. He has alloy Starboard paddles that suit all heights. The gear is a bit banged up but does the job and if you plan ahead you could even sneak a carbon paddle in your luggage
Heres a few pics of the trip - including my first floater on a SUP. Didnt really stick the landing that well but hey, I've only been SUPing for 3 weeks!!