We are heading to Bali next April for 2 weeks. I want to know from the experienced here. Should I take my own SUP or Hire one there?
I ride a JP Pro surf 8x28 101Lt and ideally I'd love to have that board there to rip it up! But are there the logistics of taking it wearth wail?
Also are there better spots to go to for SUP Surfing over others?
All feedback welcome.
Thanks in advance.
That size should be ok to travel with - provided you protect it properly in packing. I've used a split pool noodle strapped along the edges to help inside a board bag.
If not, it's easy to hire and usually the shop will bring the board to your hotel. Others can post who the shops are.
In terms of spots - it really depends on where you're staying and the kind of waves you like surfing.
That time of year is best usually on the Kuta side of the island.
- Uluwatu, Pedang Pedang, Impossibles, Bingin are all super high quality reef waves. I've been poleaxed at Pedang a couple of times. Shortboarders can make it hard for you, just be sure to show em you can rip then they'll leave you alone.
- Airports - at the end of the runway is good for sup and damn good too.
- Kuta Reef
- Kuta Beach, Legian Beach, Canngu all can work on the right wind / tide.
- Medewi is sweet on a sup, but a good 4 hr drive from Kuta - soft and fat, but fun.
Here's something that can help:
indosurf.com.au/bali-west-coast/
as mentioned
impossibles is great, balangan on big high tide is great, airports is fun not too far to paddle on a sup.
balian is amazing
waves around sanur are sup paradise, even nusa dua
take your own board
makes all the difference
Hi all,
Take your own board is the best way that go. You know what you have under your feet and in your hands. As for surfing.
I just got back from the Mentawaiis/bali surf trip with a sup. You can surf all those breaks, just need to make your first wave count so you get respect in the line up, then pending the crowd everyone will take their turn and let you have a go. Some will crowd you a bit at the take off point which can be an issue but generally if they think you can surf they will let you go and even hoot and whistle if it's a good one. Make sure you put heaps of padding around your board. I traveled 3 times to Indo with a SUP and never had an issue until this trip. My board is destroyed. The board went to Melbourne instead of Sydney on Garuda. Then came up on a Qantas domestic flight. That's when I think they got damaged. Not happy
Select to expand quote02Nudger said..
Hi all,
Take your own board is the best way that go. You know what you have under your feet and in your hands. As for surfing.
I just got back from the Mentawaiis/bali surf trip with a sup. You can surf all those breaks, just need to make your first wave count so you get respect in the line up, then pending the crowd everyone will take their turn and let you have a go. Some will crowd you a bit at the take off point which can be an issue but generally if they think you can surf they will let you go and even hoot and whistle if it's a good one. Make sure you put heaps of padding around your board. I traveled 3 times to Indo with a SUP and never had an issue until this trip. My board is destroyed. The board went to Melbourne instead of Sydney on Garuda. Then came up on a Qantas domestic flight. That's when I think they got damaged. Not happy
There's a product called flexi hex or noodles and cardboard might prevent for future.
ha ha, yeah, might have to rethink my packing practices.
The board was wrapped in bubble wrap, clothes and towels, inside a padded travel bag. Both the board bag and the bubble wrap was damaged.
Sunova Boards are very strong. This has taken a huge or repeated force to damage the rails as it has.
Garuda are good at transporting boards, Our luggage and boards went to Melbourne and not Sydney. (Flights were leaving within an hour of each other in Jakarta, it is Indo remember). They then came up 3 days later on a Qantas domestic flight, I think thats when the damaged happened.
Definitely take your own board. Just got home from Sanur Monday night, fly AirAsia regularly and no damage. Sunova travel bag with 4 mm extra foam on the bottom,nose,tail & half pool noodles taped to the rails.Ocean & Earth SUP trolley for airport transit,makes life so easy 
Select to expand quotefester said..
Definitely take your own board. Just got home from Sanur Monday night, fly AirAsia regularly and no damage. Sunova travel bag with 4 mm extra foam on the bottom,nose,tail & half pool noodles taped to the rails.Ocean & Earth SUP trolley for airport transit,makes life so easy
Fester - Do you take the trolley apart and stow it in our carryon during the flight? Been trying to figure out a better way to carry in the airport, especially getting between customs - thanks
Select to expand quoteVolSUP said..fester said..
Definitely take your own board. Just got home from Sanur Monday night, fly AirAsia regularly and no damage. Sunova travel bag with 4 mm extra foam on the bottom,nose,tail & half pool noodles taped to the rails.Ocean & Earth SUP trolley for airport transit,makes life so easy
Fester - Do you take the trolley apart and stow it in our carryon during the flight? Been trying to figure out a better way to carry in the airport, especially getting between customs - thanks
When I took two boards to Portugal, plus a big bag for a 3 month stay, I simply loaded the 9'0 on top of the 9'4, picked up the nose handle of the 9'4 and dragged them everywhere.... even through parking lots and over curbs. The hardened pad on the tail of my Sunova Bags slide along easily without even showing wear after I returned home. 
02Nudger, bummer about your Speeed, that was some heavy damage there! 
Hopefully the Airline will buy you a new board!
If you you have a decent older board and are a regular visitor, many hotels will be happy to store your board. I have left one there for the past 3 years, so much easier. Priority SUP, rent decent boards, have a good range, and are rented at a reasonable price. Don't forget to take straps, drivers are happy to tie your boards to the roof of their cars but rarely have straps. Sounds a bit dodgy but driving in bali cars rarely get up to 50-60 Kph
Late May plans here. 18 yo son will want to be short boarding...I am only SUP...
Best general area to satisfy both of us?...and will need rental equipment
You can short board any break there and have plenty of fun it's more a question if he will be happy without a barreling wave or if turns are good enough. It's tempting to stay within striking distance of kUta/bukit area because there are so many options, or maybe coast out by medawi cangu area for more point break like experience. Not sure how crowds would be for sup that might be a major factor for me. It already seemed way too crowded 30 years ago!
Could depend on day too if it's small medawi could be slow, and it's a long haul back to kuta, that's the biggest problem with that area your kind of stuck out there without a lot of options. A surf guide with a vehicle to drive you around might help with that. Any way report back I'm always curious about Bali now that I'm sup only. That nusa dua area sounds nice when it's the other wind season never tried that.
