BALI SURFERS GATHERING AT DRIFTER SURF SHOP



There was something special in the air during the Bali Surfers Gathering at Drifter Surf Shop, Uluwatu. The place was filled with stories, laughter and generations of surfers who helped shape what Bali’s surf culture has become today. We felt so much gratitude for being able to host an evening dedicated to the people who paved the way long before surfing in Bali became what it is now. Legends and pioneers like Ketut Menda, Wayan Gantiyasa, Mangku Weta, Wayan Sudirka, Nyoman Radiasa and Wayan Sujana joined us for a night of connection, storytelling, and reflection on the history of surfing in Bali. These are the people whose passion, courage, and love for the ocean helped create the foundations for the generations that followed.

One of the most meaningful parts of the evening was seeing younger surfers sitting alongside elders, listening closely to stories from the early days. Tales of simple beginnings and the journeys that these legends have gone through over the decades. Respect for those who came before us is what keeps the spirit and the community of surfing alive and thriving.

The screening of Balinese Surfer with scenes from 1976–2001 brought everyone back through an important chapter of Bali’s surfing history, while The Hydrant took over the night and carried the tunes late into the evening.

More than anything, the gathering was a reminder that surfing has always been about community first. Sharing stories, preserving history, and creating spaces where old and new generations can come together is what keeps Bali’s surf culture strong. We’re incredibly thankful to everyone who spent the evening with us and made the night what it was.

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