Padang-Padang

When a large SW swell hits the Bukit, and has enough energy to wrap around past Uluwatu and into Padang-Padang, it is the pick of the Bukit for a lot of skilled surfers, travelling from far and wide to get a taste of what Padang-Padang has to offer.

The take off is reasonably approachable for such a heavy wave; as it breaks on a deeper part of the reef, and gives you time to set up for the first section.

This section will Barrel as it hits the reef, but will typically stay high and relatively tight, compared to the next section, so its important not to be travelling too fast off your take-off and finding yourself at the bottom, and missing this barrel all together. A take off from behind this section will pay off for the skilled surfer.

As you exit this barrel, the wave actually stops racing down the reef, before the dangerous, shallow second section. Typically surfers who know the wave well, will drop all the way to the bottom, completing a deep bottom turn to burn off any down the line speed, and set up under the lip for the up and coming barrel.

When the wave gets to the last piece of reef, it will bend towards you, and throw out a heavy thick lip that can be as wide as it is tall. Be sure to hold your line through this part, as falling off here will almost always end in hitting the reef. The wave opens up giving a lot of room, to show off some flare, and stand tall or hold your arms out wide while looking for the exit. If you make it you will be spat into the channel, where the waves energy will dissipate into the deep water leaving you clean and dry to get back on your board and paddle up the reef to do it again.

If you can get another one…