Surftime Magazine

In honor of the 2025 Rip Curl Cup, Surftime asked Bali’s resident surfing artist Gene Kreyd for a spontaneous take on a surf spot he has been calling home for many years: “I’ve been surfing Padang since 1985. I first came to Bali to experience the Padang Padang tube and the Bali vibe. I met so many great lifelong friends surfing this wave. Having beers on the beach after the surf and watching the sunset. So many beautiful experiences. I was blessed to have so many amazing, mind-altering rides over the years. And even though I don’t surf as much like before, I am still in love with the Queen of the Coast. The world changed big time, and so has Bali, but “The song Remains The Same”. The Padang Padang magic is as strong as ever. Mystical, beautiful, and timeless. This sacred place will be in our hearts forever. I really enjoy the contests at Padang Padang and watching some of the world best tube riders get barreled. The 2025 event was unreal. Padang Padang generously offers the gifts...

Photography by Pyzel Archives Jon Pyzel’s pedigree runs much deeper than just being the shaper for the best surfer on the planet. You gotta go back a bit. As a teen surfer kid in Santa Barbara, Jon Pyzel was close witness to the birth of the 80’s Tommy Curren era and Al Merrick’s subsequent global design dominance. A powerful influence that caused Jon to pivot his dreams from a pro surfing career to an underground shaping career. At first mentored by shaper Matt Moore of the famed Rincon Designs surf shop (that was within sight of California’s best point break), Jon upped stakes when he moved to the North Shore in 1992. It was there, now mentored by maestro shaper Jeff Bushman and possessing a keen interest in modernizing the Hawaiian designs that came before his time, that Jon Pyzel developed a reputation as a shaper for the future. As it happened, John John Florence and his family lived right next door. A lifelong friendship with the Florence family grew and soon Jon Pyzel was ...

It’s a rare move within the surfing industry when a sponsor sets out to make a high quality, dramatic short film about one of their team riders. And not just a clip of his latest action in the water, but a very personal profile of what makes a certain surfer click. His very personal story, his motivations, his inner thoughts. But that is exactly what Nusa Cana, Indonesia’s leading rum company, set out to do with Pertama, the Rio Waida movie. Sparing no expense, Nusa Cana, who are also “bringing back the forgotten story of Indonesian rum”, wanted to highlight the rise of Rio Waida as a metaphor for their own company’s rise within its industry. And provide a re-invigorated passion for the beauty of Indonesia and its surfers. And indeed, something very special happened. Shooting between Australia, Bali and Abu Dhabi with four RED cameras and the best shooters behind the lenses, not only is the footage of this film remarkable, but a strong sense of purpose comes through. Never do...

Photography Courtesy of Snapt 5 In today’s online surf media glutted world, it is not often that an honest voice arises. With endless surf clips at our beckon and call it seems as if everybody is just having a hell of a good time out there without having to offer any perspective or context on the vanguard performances of our sport. The meaning of it. It’s almost inhuman in a way. Scrolled. Disposable. Designed to simply be consumed without any nutritional value in regards to the soul of surfing. But now and then a saving grace occurs. That feature surf film that comes along. One created with concept and forethought. The one that barnstorms around to live audiences and inspires mass gatherings on big screens that swerve our attention away from our phones and back to the visual wonder that surfing is. Where we as a tribe can look on together and hoot ourselves hoarse at just how great surfing makes us all feel. How much it means to us. And see just how outrageous what we do in...

Westen Hirst and Jasmine Studer Triumph at the Queen of the Bukit Photography by Nate Lawrence and Joey Griffiths • Words by Trent Cohune “It’s on when it’s on,” as the saying goes here in Bali. Surf competitions, as we know, can be a long and gruelling process, dragging on for days waiting for Mother Nature to produce adequate conditions. That agonizing wait is exactly what the locals endured through the month of July, which was meant to host the local trials for the Rip Curl Cup at Padang Padang. The Indian Ocean lay dormant as Indonesia’s best young surfers from across the archipelago waited on the cliffs of the Bukit for a chance to prove themselves on the global stage. The trial window was their shot, a moment to showcase a lifetime of love for one of the planet’s most iconic and technical tuberiding waves. But Mother Nature didn’t deliver. It was in fact, not on, and the fate of these young hopefuls hung in the balance as the opening ceremony kicked off on August 3rd. Th...

In Canggu, movement is more than motion, it’s the heartbeat of the island. At Holiday Inn Resort Bali Canggu, Where Movement Meets the Moment is a way of life, where the rhythm of the waves and the glow of each sunset shape your stay. Just a three-minute walk from the iconic Batu Bolong Beach, you’re perfectly placed to paddle out at first light or watch the surf roll in from the shore. After the ride, retreat to your sanctuary, with warm wood tones, plush bedding, a private balcony, and ocean-inspired design that carries the calm of the coast indoors. Couples and friends gather at the rooftop pool bar to toast Bali’s legendary sunsets with 180-degree Indian Ocean views, while families enjoy the Family Suite and the “Kids Stay & Eat Free” promise. Here, energy flows easily. Start your morning with a surf, explore Canggu’s vibrant streets by day, and unwind with yoga, boxing, or simply a crafted cocktail as evening falls. Whether you’re chasing the thrill of the swell or savour...

Nestled less than a kilometer from Padang Padang, the spiritual heart of Indonesian surfing, Rip Curl Uluwatu isn’t just a store; it’s a statement. Inspired by The Search, this flagship space celebrates Rip Curl’s deep roots in the Bukit and beyond. Step inside and you’ll feel the soul of surfing: teakwood interiors, murals by local artists, and walls lined with boards from the pioneers to today’s world champions. At its core lies a dedicated Rip Curl museum, a tribute to 22 years of the iconic Rip Curl Cup and countless Search trips that shaped Indonesia’s surf history. It’s more than retail; it’s a home base for the community, a venue for athlete film screenings, and a canvas for Balinese art and culture. Exclusive to Uluwatu? The chance to meet legends like former CT winner Dean Morrison in the boardroom and immerse yourself in virtual experiences of the Search and Padang Cup. Every corner tells a story meant to inspire your next adventure. Whether it’s chasing waves across th...

Uluwatu proved once again why it stands as one of the world’s most iconic surf arenas, as the 6th Annual Single Fin Classic turned the cliffs into a festival of surf, music, and community. Over the weekend, fans, surfers, and locals came together to celebrate the timeless spirit of surfing, with flawless waves and an electric atmosphere from start to finish. The energy kicked off with Friday’s opening ceremony before rolling straight into two days of non-stop action. From sunrise to sunset, the reef came alive with clean, powerful sets that tested both style and grit. Spectators lined the cliffs, cheering every drop, carve, and wipeout, while Single Fin’s decks became a hub of music, laughter, and stories shared between heats. The stoke carried through each moment, blending competition with the unmistakable laid-back vibe of Uluwatu. The highlight of the weekend, as always, was the surfing itself. The Masters division saw Joe De Santis claim the win with smooth, powerful lines,...

A familiar figure on any beach at any time is photographer Antonio Vargas. He remains a tireless chronicler of surfing in Bali and quite often finds himself turning his lens to the surfing of the younger generation. Hardly a local contest can pass without “Tono” on the beach, pacing back and forth with his tripod and camera, looking for the best angles as heat after heat unfolds. One day Canggu, the next Halfway and then the next Uluwatu. Active and always positive. And yet his motivation is so simple. Certainly not monetary, Tono shoots for the love of it. The love of surfing, of our island and of its surfers, both young and old. As this portfolio will attest, we are lucky to have him.

Only once in all that time he had again a glimpse of the earnestness in the anger of the sea. There are many shades in the danger of adventures and gales, and only now and then that there appears on the face of facts a sinister violence of intention. -From Lord Jim by Joseph Conrad- Photography by Pete Frieden

Cory Lopez, now 48 years old, has certainly earned his place in the pantheon of surfing greats. In bald statistics, even his long passage in the the venerable Encyclopedia of Surfing recognizes this. Calling him a “Nervy goofyfoot pro from Indian Rocks, Florida…world-ranked #3 in 2001…A visceral show-stealer, with diamond-hard balls…began surfing as a preschooler… made a reputation as the world’s best young high-performance free surfer, quick and flexible, with gyroscopic balance that guided him through the most ambitious tailslide and aerial maneuvers ever seen…During an early round heat at the 1999 Gotcha Tahiti Pro, the handsome dark-haired Lopez rode deep inside the tube on a pair of big, thick, deadly lefts at Teahupoo, getting annihilated both times but setting a world tour standard for reckless cool…he returned to Teahupo’o in 2001 to win the event…in 2003 he won the US Open of Surfing… Lopez was featured in more than 30 top ranked surf video’s and was one of the first to sur...

It’s been two years now since Harry Mann left his home in Torquay, Australia to join the Indonesian Marketing team for Rip Curl in Bali. Surftime recently got a read on where Harry’s head is at when it comes to settling into our very unique surfing community. The following are some of his thoughts and reflections in what became a surprisingly personal conversation. - I am from Torquay, Victoria, Australia and the surfing culture there turned me into a very competitive surfer. Before coming to Bali I held six Victorian state titles, I had spent three years on the QS and I had won the Rip Curl Bells Beach trials. But I felt that that the trials win was a real closure on my competitive career and I was ready to create a new life experience. I guess the universe was listening because the opportunity to come to Bali and work for Rip Curl came out of nowhere and I jumped at it. -Sure, I had come to Bali a number of times before as Australians do, and you get an idea of the surf scene a...

Photography by WHSUP!! Bobby’s G-Land camp set the stage for a very unique happening recently. Chelsea Hedges, a top coach with Surfing Australia, led a team of rising amateur female surfers to our premiere wave in order to help hone their skills. It’s all part of Surfing Australia’s serious and enviable national coaching program to develop young hopeful surfers as they move into a professional career. And if not that, then at least to help them reach their full potential in surfing. Surftime met with Chelsea about this extraordinary opportunity and here is what she had to say: Chelsea Hedges : This was one of Surfing Australia’s latest strike missions for coaching. The concept is to identify waves that are either world tour locations or locations that are similar to CT contest locations. This is so we can take our athletes there for exposure and experience in those types of wave profiles. Like if it’s not a world tour location like cloudbreak, we try to go to a place like G-Land ...

As discussed with Matt Biolos By Matt George In this conversation, maestro shaper Matt Biolos opens up about his singular relationship with team member and young Mentawai Phenom Dylan Wilcoxen. And why he feels that surfers like Dylan provide essential meaning to our sport. Matt Biolos : I first saw Dylan surf in the Mentawai in the Fall of 2020. He was probably eleven years old. And what immediately struck me was, regardless of his provenance, you know, that he grew up at the Kandui Resort in front of flawless waves, was that Dylan seemed to be touched by that rare, innate, raw natural talent that is hard to find in any sport. That un-planned, un-coached, natural ability, free from thought or pre-meditation. Which I don’t see often in my world today, not with all the parents involved and the intense coaching and training that is going on. But I have seen Dylan’s kind of talent before. Like I once saw it in Chris Ward and Curren and guys like Bruce Irons and Dane Reynolds. I me...

Front-row to the surf breaks of Batu Bolong, The Lawn Canggu Beach Club isn’t just your average beach club hangout—it draws both locals and travelers looking to lounge by day, catch the island’s best sunsets, and move to curated beats. Beyond its iconic location, The Lawn offers a laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere, with music at its core. From daily sunset sessions featuring resident DJs spinning everything from balearic grooves to tropical house, to high-energy nights headlined by international acts, The Lawn has cemented its reputation as one of Bali’s most sought-after music destinations. Past events have seen global names like Anderson .Paak, Tame Impala (DJ Set), Tash Sultana (DJ Set), and FKJ take the stage—bringing serious sound to the Bali coastline and setting a new bar for beachside music culture. Music and surf culture have always been about freedom and expression. At The Lawn, it’s all baked in. Whether you’re fresh off a surf or just chasing the vibe, this is where...

Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway. Remember this, life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it. Pete De Vries facing a moment of cold truth somewhere in the wilds of Tofino, Canada. Photography by Marcus Paladino

“The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides. The sea is only the embodiment of a supernatural and wonderful existence. It is nothing but love and emotion; it is the Living Infinite. The sea does not belong to despots. Upon its surface men can instill unjust laws, fight and tear on another to pieces and be carried away with terrestrial horrors. But at below its surface, their reign ceases. Their influence is quenched. Their power disappears. Oh sir, Live, lie in the bosom of the waters. There is only independence. There I am free”. ― Jules Verne, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea

Photography by Dylan Lucas Gordon • Words by Jared Mell Cuban cigars, checkers and chess. Her laughter, a melody against the back drop of Havana’s crumbling facades, echoed in my mind. The sea’s salt mingled with diesel fumes from vintage cars. Sweat trickled down my neck as I sipped a cold beer waiting for the others to arrive. Cuba, “Patria o Muerte, Venceremos”. Homeland or death, we will win. The locals watched with curious eyes, their faces etched with stories of revolution and resilience. Old men played dominoes under the shade of ceiba trees, their cigars casting spirals of smoke into the humid air. Children laughed, splashing in the shallows, their joy untainted by the island’s scars. We loaded up the old Chevy bus. No expectations, most of us had never met each other before. The driver looked like had been left behind from the Soviet Union. With the potential of surf with over 3,000 miles of coastline we headed off. The surf was fickle, waves rising and falling with...

"The most fundamental kind of love, which underlies all types of love, is brotherly love. The sense of responsibility, care and respect, for the life of that other human being who is part you, and the wish, no matter the strife, to further his life." —Erich Fromm, German social psychologist and psychoanalyst, 1900-1980 There are many reckoned forces in this world. Many things we do not understand. There are many things we take for granted. One such thing is brotherly love, a love that helps to keep our lives intact. There isn’t anything stronger than love in this world. But brotherly love stands as a whole different type of love. Through the ages, mystics, sages, singers and poets have all expressed the ballad and call to love. As humans, we have searched endlessly for the experience of love through the outer senses. Great nations have come and gone under the guise of love for their people. Religions have flourished and perished while claiming the true path to lo...

Because at sunset, after that first cold gulp after a long day of surfing with friends, the history of beer feels as important to surfing as the waves themselves. Ok, maybe not that important, but it’s undeniable that the stuff is entwined with the history of surfing. And human civilization when you really think about it. Some anthropologists believe that man moved away from a hunter–gatherer existence to a settled agriculture-based existence largely to grow enough grain to brew large amounts of beer. This appears to be unproven to non-drinkers, but the thought that beer would have been a powerful motivation to Neolithic humans would be no surprise. Virtually the entire animal kingdom, from insects to elephants, from fruit bats to monkeys, shows a clear predilection for the consumption of booze. It is reasonable to believe that we and other animals evolved according to advantages alcoholic beverages can confer. Fruit, when ripe, gives off an alluring scent that tells animals and hum...