Stormrider Surf Stories Java and Bali
This eBook is a chapter excerpt from the book Stormrider Surf Stories Indonesia, which is available in both paper and selected electronic formats.
Other chapters include:
Stormrider Surf Stories Sumatra
Stormrider Surf Stories Nusa Tenggara

Few of the islands across the sprawling archipelago of Indonesia awaken such evocative visions as Bali does. The “Island of the Gods” has always been touted as heaven on earth for surfers and its growth in popularity suggests that the surfing world agrees. It started way back in the 1930s, but surfing didn’t take off here until several decades later. In the early ‘70s, Gerry Lopez thought he was in “a candy store” and later travelers found the island’s mix of spirituality and surf to be thoroughly intoxicating. Hell came to town decades later as the terrorist bombings in Kuta ripped through the heart of the surf community and, along with ceaseless, uncontrolled development, there’s room for debate about how special Bali still is. Despite being densely populated, Bali’s big brother, Java is home to some of the planet’s best waves and wildest stories. From G-Land to Panaitan surfing in Java guarantees adventure. Just remember to take a compass, avoid riding bicycles in the jungle and know what to do if you get caught inside.

The Stormrider Surf Guides and Stormrider Surf Stories Kindle eBooks bring the world’s best-selling and most respected surf guide books to the Amazon electronic platform. The Stormrider Surf Guides come in just about every format possible including paper, iBooks, iOS App and now the Kindle edition eBooks. They are the only comprehensive colour guides to the coastlines of Europe, North America, Central American and the Caribbean, Indonesia and the Indian Ocean, South America, Africa, East Asia, The Pacific and Australia. The authoritative text includes oceanographic, environmental and cultural notes on the entire coastlines. Each guide contains numerous full colour maps and superb photos of the best waves, shot by the best photographers. All information is compiled with the help of local riders whose sensitive approach enables an accurate and knowledgeable appraisal. A Stormrider book, in any format, is an essential tool for surfers, searching for their perfect wave.

Alex Dick-Read is a freelance writer based in the Caribbean. He was Founding Editor of The Surfers Path magazine and before that worked as a news reporter for Reuters and Associated Press. His work has appeared in numerous magazines and newspapers including the Guardian, Independent, High Life, ID, Index on Censorship, and he has worked as a contributor and editor on books for Dorling Kindersley, Schiffer Publishing and Low Pressure publishing. He surfs most days, travels when he can and is always trying to figure out a way to get back to Indo. Bruce Sutherland, a director of Low Pressure, and co-author of The Stormrider Guide Europe, The Stormrider Guide North America and The World Stormrider Guide trilogy has 35 years extensive experience of surfing and travelling.