Trippin on island

Since Bali is undisputedly one of the best surfing destinations in the world, it would not be too difficult to agree that the local surfers should well be forgiven for having earned the reputation of being lazy travellers. After all, why leave the comfort of your island paradise, your home, your food, and some of the best waves on the planet to go somewhere that has mediocre waves, worse weather, disgusting food, strange language, and too many rules?

In the early days of surfing in Bali, a few of the guys like Ketut Menda and Gede Narmada ventured off the island to experience places like Australia, California, and Hawaii, coming back with tales of how radically different life was compared to their small Indonesian island. But most were content to be armchair travellers and just listen to the stories, watch the videos, and look at the magazines for their experience of life on the other side.

However, the surf industry began to grow, and the big surf brands took notice of the talented Balinese surfers and enlisted them to their surf teams and with it came sponsorship requirements dictating a certain amount of travel each year for competitions, photo and movie shoots, and public relations events.

The (un)fortunate few would be bundled aboard an airplane and whisked off into the sky, to eventually land in some galaxy far, far, away where they had to compete in cold water, crappy waves, and eat weird food that got them little more than homesick. It was out of adventures like this that the ISC was born back in 2004. Having had enough of spending lots of time and money to travel and compete in foreign lands, while at home there were plenty of great waves, the idea of having an Indonesian Surfing Championship series in their own country was the perfect solution.

However the increased exposure has ultimately resulted in more travel requirements, as the unique skills of the exciting Indonesian surfers have become more and more in demand for travel documentaries, video shoots, exhibitions, and competitions here in Asia and beyond. There is rarely a month that goes by without one of the crew being off the island travelling somewhere, especially during breaks in the tour schedule and in the off season (November – March).

The Philippines, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Vietnam, as well as on the North Shore of Hawaii, California, Australia, South America, and Europe are some of the spots the boys have been this last year.

Wayan "Betet" Merta is currently enjoying the waves of the North Shore in Hawaii as a newlywed, having been married recently here in Bali. Team mate Mustafa Jekson took some time to go exploring up in East Java to tune up for his upcoming trip to Australia, where he will spend the next couple of months competing in multiple Pro Junior events including the Hurley Pro Junior at Burleigh Heads in Queensland, the Oakley Pro Junior at North Stradbroke Island, the Billabong Pro Junior at Coffs Harbour in New South Wales, and possibly the Quiksilver Pro Trials at Snapper Rocks which starts on the 28th of February.

island trippin

Garut Widiarta, Lee Wilson, and Marlon Gerber will spend a few weeks on the North Shore of Hawaii, pitting themselves against big Hawaiian waves, hanging out with their pro surfer friends, and checking out the contest scene. Garut also spent time in Southern California, visiting his girlfriend and surfing the chilly waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Raditya Rondi, the young superstar goofyfooter from Kuta, has been logging some serious air miles lately, with two trips to the Philippines and a trip to Malaysia, and is currently in Australia for the next two months training and competing in several of the same pro junior events as Mustafa Jekson.

His fellow teammates Wayan "Kopling" Wirtama and Rahtu Suargita also travelled to compete in the Cloud 9 contest in the Philippines in September, and made the trip up to Malaysia to help out at the Billabong Pro Am in Cherating in December.

Last but not least, Lakey Peak's wunderkind Oney Anwar took a break from his school and surf training program on the Gold Coast of Australia to come back to visit his family and friends in Sumbawa and Bali. The not-yet 16 year old has been making quite a name for himself over the last year, having won a couple of comps over some very tough Aussie competition, and is well on his way to his goal of being the first Indonesian to compete on the World Championship Tour.

So while it‘s certainly true that there is no place like home, there is also nothing like travelling around to make the boys truly appreciate home, and while they can't take their beloved Nasi Campur on the road with them, it‘s waiting in plentiful supply for them on their return.