There comes a time in every surfer’s life when they reach a crossroads of sorts.
For many, this moment comes after they reach a certain level of progression. For others, it’s when they suddenly realise that in order to transform from serial barrel dodger to voracious tube pig, they need help (and they need it badly).
This is where we come in.
At Indo Surf Crew, we focus on providing surf coaching in Indonesia to everyday people just like you who simply want to surf better.
From time-tested tips on technique to revolutionary training methods designed to make you one with your board, our programs are a cheat code for your surf skills and a tangible shot of confidence for anyone looking to take that next step forward in their surf journey.
But we’re getting ahead of ourselves.
The purpose of this article isn’t simply to brag about what we do. It’s to give you all the information necessary to decide whether surf coaching Indonesia is right for you!
With that in mind, let’s dive in.
What is surf coaching?
For those of you unfamiliar with surf coaching, it’s basically when another individual helps you to improve your technique, wave-reading capabilities and overall surfing performance through surf theory and video analysis.
Surf coaches can be ex-world tour shredders, seasoned competitors or simply highly qualified surfers who have travelled the globe and learned a thing or two. No matter where they come from or how they got their though, surf coaches are all passionate about one thing.
That is, to share their knowledge in order to increase your rate of progression and educate you on how to become a more confident surfer in a faster amount of time. With the best surf coach you can expect to learn:
- How to better understand different surf spots
- How to generate more speed and power on your waves
- Which surf equipment is best suited to your surfing abilities and style
- Proper paddle technique for the maximum wave count
- Barrel riding tips for when it’s tubing
- How to leverage dry land training techniques to surf more efficiently
- Surf pro secrets that only a qualified coach knows
Surf coaching in Bali: A snapshot
Pros
+ Warm water
+ Holiday vibes
+ Great variety of waves
+ Relatively cheap
Cons
– Busy lineups
– Poor water quality
– Terrible traffic
– Pollution
Of course, surf coaching is available to beginner, intermediate and advanced surfers all over the world. And as long as there’s a breaking wave, a keen student and a master willing to impart words of wisdom, surf coaching can exist.
But if you ask anyone about where the best surf coaching is, they’re going to say a place that has world-class waves. And we can’t think of a more famously surf-break-rich country than Indonesia.
Bali is the first place that comes to mind when we talk about Indo.
With its abundance of surf schools, surf camps and a vast array of beginner-friendly beaches, Bali is a surf coaching mecca.
Better yet, it also offers those with little surf experience the chance to gradually take on bigger and gnarlier waves thanks to the sheer number of reef, beach and rock-bottomed breaks on offer. And all under a blue sky in warm water with a tropical breeze kissing your skin.
Magic.
But there’s a downside.
The beauty and accessibility of Bali as a surf coaching destination is also its downfall. And every year thousands upon thousands of people flock to its shores to surf (and wipeout on) its many unbroken waves.
This has contributed to Bali’s lineups becoming more chaotic.
With multiple people clawing for every wave, softtop boards being launched like guided missiles through the air and water quality that’s questionable at best, it’s not all glassy barrels and gently breaking rollers.
Of course, we’re not saying it isn’t worth a visit.
And truth be told, no matter how many people come to the Island of the Gods, it will never lose its charm. But if you want to book a surf coach in Bali, we recommend doing a little research first.
For example, jump on a Facebook group for expats or surfers on the island and ask around. Or, if you’re already in Bali, head down to one of the more popular beaches or breaks and ask the locals for a suggestion. They’ll give you the lowdown on who best to speak with.
If you’re serious about getting better though. And we mean serious in the sense that you want to become a genuinely good surfer through practice, surf theory and video analysis, here’s a little secret:
There are dreamy surf coaching spots in Indonesia that are less crowded with better waves… and we know where to find them!
Surf coaching in Indonesia: A snapshot
Pros
+ Actionable surf coaching
+ Access to remote surf spots
+ Great value for money
+ Chance to meet new people
Cons
– Multiple flights
– Airline surfboard bag fees
– Change of timezone
– Patchy internet coverage
Explore empty Indo line ups with a surf coach, more info here.
Now, we’ve covered the current status of surf coaching in Bali, but what about the rest of Indonesia?
The reality is that there are some pretty darn good surf spots all over the archipelago. From world-famous reef passes like Desert Point in Lombok to empty, perfect waves in North Sumatra, Sumbawa and the Banyaks, Indonesia has breaks for all skill levels.
Of course, it’s only natural to question whether surf coaching is even the right move. After all, you probably aren’t turning pro or becoming a glamorous free surfer (we can dream though, right?).
So what’s the point of booking surf coaching in Indonesia anyway?
If we’re tapping into your line of thinking here, consider the following benefits to booking surf coaching in Indo as part of a retreat.
The benefits of surf coaching in Indonesia, Bali and Beyond
The right surf coach shaves years off your surf progression journey
Sure, you can continue surfing your local beach or going on surf trips with friends year after year. But if you’re serious about becoming a quality surfer, there’s really only one way to make REAL progress – engage the services of an experienced surf coach.
A surf coach based in Indonesia is even better, as the year-round warm water and consistent waves make for an ideal learning environment. And with daily sessions, video analysis and expert guidance, you can literally shave years off your surf progression journey.
See here the surf coaching retreats schedule with Indo Surf Crew.
The smaller the crowd, the more waves you catch
Another benefit of surf coaching in Indonesia, specifically with a surf coaching retreat provider like Indo Surf Crew, is that we aim to surf only the most uncrowded waves.
The advantages of this approach are twofold. Firstly, you get to meet other people in an intimate setting and forge genuine connections that last well beyond the trip.
Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, you get to surf a lot more waves. Like, a hell of a lot more. And because we rarely run into other groups when we surf, you never have to worry about getting snaked or dropped in on.
This ultimately results in more waves for you which play a huge role in speeding up your surf progression journey.
Surf coaching retreats connect you with Mother Nature
This is a big one. And it’s becoming more so due to the fact that surf travel experiences are in danger of becoming fly-in, surf, fly-out affairs with little consideration for the local environment or culture.
That’s not us.
In fact, we believe that part of the surf coaching experience is connecting with Mother Nature and giving something back.
Whether it’s by bringing local issues to the forefront, using our platforms to push eco-friendly products or simply picking up rubbish on the beach, we protect the waves and the environments that give us so much. And this shows when you join a surf coaching retreat in Indonesia.
Small-batch surf coaching means you get the attention you deserve
The more people in a surf coaching group, the less individual attention you receive. And if you’re trying to milk your surf coaching experience for all it’s worth, being ignored or feeling like a burden is the last thing you want.
To ensure this doesn’t happen to you, we run small-batch surf coaching retreats in Indonesia. No massive groups. No instant crowd setups. By capping our numbers, we make sure our surf coach has all the time in the world to work with you.
Whether it’s understanding how you learn, seeing where you’re currently at or providing you with tailored tips, small group surf coaching is the most effective way for people like you to become a better surfer in a condensed period of time.
It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance to surf secret spots
It’s every surfer’s dream – to surf empty waves at a secret break and trade life-changing rides with only a core group of friends. It’s our happy place. The thought that we drift to when the surf’s flat and we’re stuck at our desk
But it doesn’t have to be a pipe dream.
By coming on one of our small-batch surf coaching retreats, you have the opportunity to do just that. We take you to some of Indonesia’s most secret and secluded breaks – places where you can surf all day without ever seeing another soul. And we do it all while providing world-class coaching and hospitality.
A dedicated surf coaching trip is fantastic value for money
Any surf trip is going to cost you money.
It doesn’t matter whether you hail from landlocked Europe and you fly to Portugal or you live in California and you do a trip to the Baja. Food, fuel and accommodation can be costly and time-consuming to arrange, so why not let someone else take care of the details?
This is exactly what a surf coaching retreat does – takes care of your daily needs so you can focus on progressing your surfing. And with all-inclusive packages that offer great value for money, you know exactly what you’re getting when you book a surf coaching trip.
Plus, as opposed to the vast majority of surf camps or surf schools that offer surf coaching, our small-batch approach ensures our coach is never stretched too thin. This means you get exactly what you pay for, which is his or her focus, attention and care.
The result? A world-class coaching experience where everything from where you sleep to what you eat is sorted.
Surf coaching retreats are for all levels (but intermediates benefit most)
Worried that you’re not good enough to go on a surf coaching retreat? Save your concern for something serious – we take surfers of all levels.
In fact, our surf coaching retreats are designed to help people progress their surfing, no matter what level they’re currently at. So whether you just want to get over your whitewater fears or you’re keen to start nailing those airs, we have different trips for different levels.
One thing to note, however, is that if you’re an intermediate surfer looking to take your game to the next level, our surf coaching retreats will be better suited to you than someone who’s starting from scratch.
This is because the vast majority of our time is spent in the water working on your technique and refining certain skills that are more relevant to those who have a few years of surfing under their belt.
Conclusion
So that’s it!
Whether you’re actively seeking surf coaching or you want to combine a surf trip with expert guidance, Indo Surf Crew has the perfect solution.
Not only do we pack an almost ridiculous amount of knowledge and training into our retreats, but you still have plenty of time to relax, ride epic Indo waves and experience the local culture.
After all… isn’t that what it’s all about?
