Bali has long been one of the world’s best surfing destinations. The island is home to such a wide range of breaks that it is popular with both world champions and total beginners.
For more than three decades, Bali has been the destination of choice for aspiring surfers who want to learn to ride the waves.
One of Bali’s leading surf spots is hitting international headlines for its new stance on newbie surfers. Technically speaking, there is nothing stopping anyone who has never surfed before from renting a board and running out into the ocean….nothing except fear perhaps.
However, with so many top-notch surf instructors and guides available at a moment’s notice all along Bali’s top surfing beaches, most people who want to learn to surf make the wise decision to book a lesson or two before they head out on the waves alone.
One surf camp in Bali’s Medewi has taken its safeguarding measures to a new level. Medewi Board Riders have recently implemented a new set of rules at the left point break.
The new rules were agreed upon by club members and local stakeholders to help respect the ocean, respect the lineup, and most importantly, keep surfers of all levels safe. The biggest rule change is that beginners are no longer allowed to surf the break unaccompanied.
The meeting minutes stipulate, “Beginner surfers/soft-top users who are just learning to surf are not allowed to surf at the point or outside area. They are only permitted to surf in the inside area/near the fishermen’s boats.”
Adding “All beginners are required to be accompanied by a surf instructor/coach to minimize accidents in the water.”
The rules go even further and stipulate that moving forward, there must be one teacher for every two learners, and anyone who does not comply will no longer be allowed to surf in the Medewi area.
The new rules also call for active participation from the community to uphold the agreements. The minutes conclude “Maintaining safety, especially regarding plastic waste and ensuring the comfort and cleanliness of the beach, keeping it free from trash.”
Maintaining unity and solidarity by strictly adhering to the rules that have been mutually agreed upon. Members must be vocal and proactive in reminding and communicating the agreed-upon regulations to any member or outsider who violates the rules.
As Medewi is first and foremost a local fishing community, the new rules also put on paper an agreement that surfers must stay out of the fishermen’s boat channel.
The rule comes into effect in light of last year’s tragedy, where a Chilean surfer died after being hit by a boat.
The new rules have been given the thumbs up and mutual nod of approval from local community members, local instructors, and top surfers, including Flora Christian and Tipi Jabrik.
There is now a dialogue rippling through other, busier surfer spots in Bali. As Bali becomes even busier and with more tourists wishing to try out surfing, the issue of respect in the line-up and space out on the breaks has become a real talking point.
Many have noted how Bali’s surf spots, from Canggu through to Kuta, and down to Uluwatu, have become not just busy but dangerously overcrowded. Many have raised concerns over illegally operating surf businesses and foreign surf instructors working illegally, impacting the livelihoods of Balinese and Indonesian surfers who have operated in these areas for years.
Just this week, a Swiss national was deported from Bali for illegally managing and coaching at Soleai Surf Camp in Canggu, breaking the conditions of his Remote Worker KITAS.
Many in the surfing community in Bali feel that these kinds of regulations should be implemented across the island’s top surfing hotspots.
It is evident that greater regulation is needed to protect the island’s most beloved surf spots, while respecting both Bali’s culture and surf culture, and to safeguard local livelihoods and the safety of those who want to learn the sport.
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