Bali Wind Surfing

03 April 2007, 15:23:30 (641 clicks)

Wet season wind surfing on December to March. The on shore winds hitting the west coast of Bali, makes windsurfing very difficult except for the experienced with their own equipment. The shore break and big waves along this coast encourage you to arrange your own rescue as ell. If your are looking to hire gear or take some lessons, you will need to go to Sanur.

The stretch of beach south of Sanur Beach hotel is the best during this time of the year as inside the lagoon, the water is very flat whilst out on the reef, the waves are like a ramp. Serangan island channel is good for speed the wind here is always a few knots stronger than elsewhere. Conditions are gusty at times, up to 30 knots. The windtest months in the wet season are usually January and February.

Sails from 6.5 to 9.0m2 freeride or slalom. (75 kg sailor) BOARDS big wave board, freestyle, freeride or slalom board.

BLUE REEF LEFT
Bali is very own Ho'okipa. Side shore winds, with waves up to 10 feet providing perfect conditions for jumping and wave riding. Looking out to sea its about 200 meters, left of the light tower. The waves can be very hollow and over 6 feet so no margins for errors here. Better conditions with windside shore winds and a medium/low to high tide.

BLUE REEF RIGHT
About 300 meters right of the light tower, you will find this wave very nice to ride especially when the wind is little bit side offshore. It's easier than Blue left, as the reef is deeper and the waves smaller. The peak is pretty far out and the waves not too big. Holds up quite well. Watch out for the big set that closes out on all the line. Jibe and run away. Not too good at high tide.

Dry season wind surfing on June to September. It's all good along the coast Sanur during this part of the year, but south of Bali Hyatt is still the best. All the west coast, with the exception of Jimbaran and Canggu, is hazardous at best, between June to Septmber and even then, conditions would be difficult even on good days for all but the very experienced. The easterly trade winds are very consistent but not so strong, around 12 to 18 knots. the windiest months are usually June and July.

Sails from 6.5m2 to 9.0m2 freeride or slalom. (75 Kg sailor) BOARDS freestyle, freeride or slalom board.

BABY REEF
A great spot to learn to jump and practice with the waves. the waves are easy and for giving also on big days as the reef is mostly covered by sand. the are of flat water between the waves and the light tower, is like a mirror and the speeds you can reach there are incredible.

YO-YO REEF
Directly opposite to Baby reef, providing ideal starboard jumping conditions.

HYATT REEF AND OKA POINT better to kite there when the wind is strong or windsuf when the waves are small because usually they are three times bigger than Baby and Yo Yo reefs. on big days the waves are like walls. Leave them alone. Excellent starboard jumping but for experts only.

You can rent equipment at Sanur's mostly san lagoon for some smooth cruising or mast height jumping action on the reef. Speed freaks check out the channel between shore and Serangan, where its always a few knots more.