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CAUGHT INSIDE # 134

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WINDOW TO INDO: SIGNS OF THE TIMES, BALI, 2024 By Matt George For surfers, it’s all still here. Despite all the expat and visitors doomsday talk of the final stages of over development and the final surrender of Bali to the almighty tourist invasion, and the destruction of the Uluwatu cliffs and on and on…it’s all still here for us. The waves, the fun, the romance, the famous dream. And it’s all thanks to the indomitable Balinese culture. Yes, the Canggu madness is very real and the traffic is very bad and the overpopulation is scary and very depressing to the veteran visitor or expat, but on the other hand, the Balinese Hindu culture is thriving and surviving completely intact and undiminished amidst all of it. Everywhere on the island. As is its perennial way. Adapting and benefiting from all the changes throughout its history ever since it was “Discovered” by the outside world. After all, it is the Balinese people’s island, not ours and they can do with it as they wish. That...
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THRIVE TO SURVIVE: OUR CURRENT CONTEST STATE OF THE UNION
By Tim Hain, Asian Surf Cooperative (ASC)

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As we end the year 2024 and look back at the number of events around the archipelago, from tiny local boardriders comps at far-flung breaks on remote islands to international WSL events at world renown destinations such as Krui and Nias, to niche events like Earth Island Surf Fest, Twinny Finny and Twinkle Toes in Bali, it’s amazing what has been accomplished during the last 12 months in Indonesia. Back in December of 2019 when we were blissfully unaware of the world wide pandemic catastrophe that was about to befall us; we were full of optimism that 2020 was going to be the best year yet for Indonesia’s surfing scene, as we looked at an exciting schedule of events headlined by the World Championship Tour coming back to G-Land after a two decade absence. Hopes were soon dashed unfortunately as the world shut down, which began a very dark time for us in the surfing contest world, not knowing when or if ever we’d be able to work and travel again. The surfing light however refused ...
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RIP CURL INTERNATIONAL GROMSEARCH: THE BEST OF THE BEST

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The 2024 Rip Curl GromSearch International, presented by Sun Bum, wrapped up in Bali today with great performances at Pererenan Beach, solidifying its reputation as the premier event for young surfing talent around the globe. The event saw the UK’s Lukas Skinner successfully defend his title while the USA’s Eden Walla claimed victory for the girls. . Lukas Skinner’s journey to the final was extraordinary. He scored a perfect 10, with a flawless alley-oop into a carve, finishing with a clean air reverse. In the nail-biting final, Lukas faced off against Spain’s Dylan Donegan. Lukas was trailing for most of the final, but caught one of the biggest waves of the day at the end, launching a huge straight air to seal the deal with a 9.33. “Man, it means the world to me,” said Lukas. “Dylan had me on the ropes. We both got two eights, I knew I had to go big on my next chance. I’ve been struggling to beat Dylan all year, he pushes me so much, and I’m stoked to finally get him.” In the Gir...
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PORTFOLIO: A TOM SERVAIS MENTAWAI 2000 RETROSPECTIVE

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World Champion Marco Luciano Occhilupo, Big Wave World Champion Shane Dorian, World Champion CJ Hobgood, Eddie Aikau Champion Bruce Irons, Three time World Champion Andy Irons. Digging on the Mentawai vibe during the OP Pro Boat Trip Challenge, 2001. Has there ever been a more talented and accomplished group of close friends in the history of surfing? Who would be the five man equivalent of today? And who of those new five will be going on to unquestioned legendary status in their careers? History changing surfers don’t come along that often. But at this moment in time, five of them gathered on the bow of a boat a long way from home and smiled for the camera. A simple moment in the complicated lives of five unforgettable surfing greats. Photography by Tom Servais.
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DESERT STORMED:
Photography by Pete Frieden

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“One year we went off on this great adventure,” Surfer Pioneer Dave Andrews shares of his many 70’s Indonesian exploits. “We had no idea what we were getting into; there were ten surfers, five crewmen and my wife, and we all got onto this forty-foot turtle boat, sailed out of Benoa Harbour at midnight and saw Mount Agung as the sun rose. We turned across the Lombok Strait and one of the crewmen started tying everything down. I had no idea we were going to be going out into these radical ocean currents, with whirlpools and raging rivers in the middle of the ocean like you could never imagine. We had everything on that trip; there were three fires on that boat, we had a mutiny, a mattress caught fire and they couldn’t put it out so they just threw the whole thing over the side. But that’s when we discovered Desert Point. Bangko Bangko, it looked a lot like a desert to us and it had a perfect point wave, so we named it Desert Point.” Like some blissful, beneficial parasite, the memo...
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ARTIST OF THE MONTH: DULLY JABRIK

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In a brand-new column for Surftime, each issue we will now be featuring the surf artists of our community. This issue we are featuring the art of Dully Jabrik. His simple, folk-art style and Naivety belies its complicated context and the skill that it takes to produce such visions. Here we see three of his works that reflect the passion that only a surf artist could retain. A green barrel that looks back at us, eliciting that feeling we get when paddling out over riderless waves while staring into the vortex. A visual love poem to the complex emotions that overcome us all in the surf and simple figure riding above and beyond with the sun on his back and the darkness of night chasing him down. One last wave before the stars appears. It is this kind of expression, this kind of art that helps us all regard the cosmic forces of our sport beyond photographs and into the realm of pure imagination. To see more please visit instagram at digital_dully_art. Surftime looks forward to more ar...
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OUTSIDE CORNER SURF SHOP OPENS IN ULUWATU

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In what is the newest and welcome addition to the Uluwatu surf scene is the Outside Corner Surf Shop. With its name that honors the waves of Uluwatu themselves, this modern, ultra cleanly designed surf shop is ideally located right in the middle of all the Bukit action. And with its generous parking right out front, the convenience is a huge plus in the busy scene of the Bukit these days. Whether you need to run in for a quick bar of wax or take your time for some early Christmas shopping, the Outside Corner not only has everything you need for a great day of surf. And plenty for the women too with brands like Sisstreevolution, Lili Koi and Blood + Bone. Outside the bright white entrance calls while once inside the cool confines you will find a wood accented shopping experience that is all class. And with the latest styles from over a dozen different brands on display in this spacious, well-lit shop, you are sure to find exactly what you are looking for. And don’t forget the surfb...
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