Medewi Oct 17 2023:
What a difference a few weeks makes! On October 5th and 6th we were at Desert Point, a world class left that challenges the most skilled surfers. This week, we are at Medewi, a wave beginners can enjoy!
Medewi is one of the most laid back surf areas in Bali. It is a 2 to 2.5 hour drive from Kuta Beach to Medewi but a completely different experience. Gone is the party scene, the congestion, and aggressive surfers in the line. It is replaced with tropical landscapes, happy locals offering to push beginners in waves and encourage them to learn. At times it becomes a party wave but when it happens, people smile and enjoy the ride most times. Beginner and intermediate surfers feel comfortable here. For the most part higher skilled surfers pick more challenging breaks to test their skills or surf Medewi as a relaxing break from Bali's more challenging breaks.
The line up: There's the outer take off spot that has a couple of turns in it followed by a mushy mid-section in which you need to turn right to stay in the wave. The inside section builds up faster, steeper and is a pumping down the line type wave. The local groms love this inside section.
Surf lessons, photography are available. Don't be surprised if the locals hit you up to buy a Medewi T shirt. The proceeds go to fund the local grom surf contest and the locals really enjoy watching their kids compete. While you are there, try a beach massage, they are great. If you hike down to the fishing boats as they come in, you can buy fresh fish and seafood. If you ask, they will cook it up at Gede homestay.
The Medewi left is a medium to to high tide break. It is wise to pick you your days surfing there with high tide before 11am because side shore winds usually pick up starting around 10am and it being choppy by 11am. On this day, the winds stayed calm and we filmed from 11am to 1pm, taking advantage of the high tide at 11:21am. Medewi is best at waist to headhigh. Too small, it might only appeal to the longboarder's and very beginners. If it gets overhead, the current becomes strong making the need to be constantly paddling. Most locals don't surf it big because they know the current makes it not worth the effort.
Best to paddle in and out near where the finishing boats are beached. If you paddle out near Gede Homestay there are large rocks in the water and sea urchins in-between the rocks. There is a keyhole to paddle out just past the deepest take off spot but I only recommended it for intermediate and advanced surfers (strong paddlers) at high tide.
We recommend the Medewi Secret Surf Camp as a place to stay (link below). The owner, Muklis Anwar is a former professional surfer, grew up in Medewi, and is the perfect guide for telling you where and when to surf. The key to staying at the Medewi Secret Surf Camp is Muklis' hospitality and local knowledge.
If you want a basic but affordable place to stay right on the point, Gede homestay is a great option (link below). You might want to book ahead of time for both these places. Gede homestay is popular and the location cannot be beat. Access to ATM and money changers is limited (again, it is not Kuta) so wise to bring enough money and surf supplies with you.
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18 окт 2023
