Want to take your surfing to the next level? Live the “eat, sleep, surf, repeat” lifestyle for one month at some of the most epic locations in the world with Damara Surf Adventure’s one-month surf development academy course. This course begins on the first Sunday of each month, and you’ll get to surf in several different locations across three Indonesian islands: Bali, East Java, and Nusa Lembongan. This development course will help you improve both your surfing skills and fitness level, all while making some great friends along the way. I loved this course so much, I ended up coming back to do it for three more months because it was so much fun!
What makes this surf development course so awesome are the inclusions. You only have to focus on surfing and training; you really get out what you put into it. Included in the one-month adventure are as follows: airport pickup and drop-off, unlimited board rental, transport to all the surf locations, transportation between the islands, three meals a day from Monday to Friday (weekends not included), 28 nights of accommodation, surf lessons, video analysis, and fitness. A range of different sizes of boards are available for you to use during your time with the academy. You can use them as much as you wish; just need to pay for any damages (it is super cheap to repair boards in Indonesia). The default accommodation is dormitory style, however, you can upgrade to a private room for an extra cost. What helped me the most was the once-per-week video analysis. Getting to view yourself surfing on film really makes a huge difference.
The Adventure begins
The first week of the course starts in Canggu. You will be picked up on Sunday from the DPS airport in Bali. On Sunday afternoon, you will get a brief introduction to the course from the academy manager and an explanation of what the month ahead will look like. The tide and swell will determine the different locations where you surf. There are heaps of locations to surf; the head instructor will pick the right place for the lesson. The location in Canggu also has a pool, so it is great to jump into after a surf session. Meals in Canggu are à la carte from the menu, and on the weekends we explored Canggu for some Western food before heading to the jungle in Java for weeks two and three of your academy.
Weeks two and three of your surf academy will take place in Red Island, Indonesia. It’s about a seven-hour journey from Canggu to Red Island, part of which is spent on a ferry crossing. Red Island feels like a true surf camp. It has a pool, volleyball court, an outdoor space for yoga, and a pool table in the center of the camp. The setup of the Red Island makes it really nice for everyone to hang out. It is really a wonderful place to be and is usually everyone’s favorite location. The surf lessons take place on a beach break 400 meters from the surf camp. No transportation is required to get to and from the surf break, which is lovely. There is also the option to visit G-Land, one of Indonesia’s best world-class waves on offer. There is also an optional boat trip to a nearby secret beach which is so beautiful; I highly recommend it. Food at the Red Island surf camp is geared more towards local Indonesian cuisine, and the majority of the meals are buffet style, all you can eat, my favorite. I always loved coming to Red Island and was a bit sad when we all had to leave.
Read Zander’s G-Land blog below!
The final week of your academy itinerary will take place on the island of Nusa Lembongan. You will head back to Canggu and spend two nights there before the transportation company picks you up and takes you to the boat in Sanur to head to Nusa Lembongan. It is a much shorter journey to Nusa Lembongan; the boat ride is about 25 minutes at most. In Lembongan, you get to stay on a cliff that offers a wonderful view of Mount Agung in Bali and the different surf spots that you will surf. In Nusa Lembongan, you will take a boat to get to all your surf spots. Nusa Lembongan is absolutely beautiful, and because it is a reef break, the waves on offer can be amazing! There is also an option to go on a snorkeling trip to see Manta Rays. I highly recommend going on this trip because you will get to see some really amazing corals and fish. There is also a floating bar that is really nice to check out to watch the sunsets. After about five days spent in Nusa Lembongan, you will take the boat back and head back to Bali..
Wrapping Up
An epic one-month surf development course that takes you through three different islands of the Indonesian Archipelago. I guarantee you will make many great memories that will last a lifetime. Your surfing will improve dramatically, as will your fitness. At the same time, you are getting to experience being in one of the most beautiful locations on the planet. I would love to be able to go back and do it all over again. It was truly one of the best things I did. I definitely improved my surf level a great deal. You will truly get out what you put into this course and can reach new levels of competency with your surfing.
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