/tags/surf-kuta.rss en-us Visions of surfers riding gnarly waves fueled my excitement. Forgetting about my nerves I focused on acting the part of these bronzed beach gods, adapting my best laid back surfer attitude. I was in Bali, and I was going to learn how to surf! Bali is a world renowned surf destination in Indonesia offering a large selection of surf locations ranging from beginner spots like Kuta Beach and Sanur, to world class barreling reefbreaks such as Padang Padang and Uluwatu. Going to Bali and not trying to surf, is like going to Paris and not visiting the Louvre. It's unheard of! Shortly after our arrival we began to search out a well regarded surf school in Kuta beach. After some research we choose Pro Surf School, voted best surf school in Bali the past 3 consecutive years. Frank the owner having grown up surfing this very beach, was never too busy to chat with us, offering insight and encouragement, and even taught some of our classes. With no previous skate or snow board experience we opted for five lessons, which we would soon learn meant a ravage beating on our out of shape bodies, from some of the strongest waves we had ever maneuvered. Pounded, pulled, and pushed around, over the next five days we learned to become accustomed to the taste of salt water. On our first day of surf lessons Pro Surf School guaranteed us that we would stand, and sure enough they were right. After a classroom lesson and beach briefing, we entered the waters with our massive surfboards to attempt arching our backs and riding the waves in, and eventually standing. With guidance from our instructors and a well positioned push, we had done the unthinkable, we had caught a wave... or at least the white wash of one. The sense of accomplishment was so great, that we envisioned ourselves carving some heavies by the end of our five days. How naive. Over the course of the next four days we learned about how waves are created, which are good and bad, directions, winds, how to maneuver, some bad habits which seemed necessary in light of aching muscles, and of course the constant in the equation ... falling. Getting up became more and more frequent, but falling was still inevitable and daunting in the face of having to fight the current to get back out to wave territory. By the end of the week we had made great progress, but were still no Kelly Slater by any means. Surfing takes practice and a lot of patience in waiting for the right wave. I have great respect for those who get up everyday and surf, not only for their skill, but also for their ability to become one with the power of the Ocean. Taming the raw force of nature, dancing their boards gracefully along the swells. Fri, 15 May 2009 16:32:42 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/surf-school-bali http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/surf-school-bali