Let's Boogie
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SEPTEMBER 12 - 13, 2009 TODAY L28 LIVING TWO DAYS | AWAY I’VE always wanted to try surfing, but never had the guts to do it. So, when a friend introduced me to bodyboarding some years ago in Bali, I was instantly hooked. Bodyboarding, or boogie boarding, is the easiest way to ride the waves. Instead of spending time learning how to get up — and stay up — on the surfboard, all you have to do is paddle out to sea with your board, watch for the right wave, plop your stomach on the board and let the wave propel you to shore. If you are good enough, you can even do flips. With the help of a friend, who taught me how to spot the right wave and perfect my timing, I mastered the trick in 30 minutes. I’ve bodyboarded in Batam, Bintan, Perth and Sydney. But there is no better place for a gung-ho beginner than Bali. The waves in Batam and Bintan are relatively small, which means they won’t take you very far; while those in Perth and Sydney may be too big for a rookie to handle. Two weeks ago, I ventured back to Bali and opted for Seminyak beach, which is less crowded than Kuta.The waves were small- er than expected, but after a long absence from the sport, they were enough to leave me whooping all the way to the beach. When I returned the board, a big, contented smile on my face, a beach vendor said I did great for a first-timer (I didn’t correct him) and offered me surfing lessons. “Big board for bigger waves!” he said, holding his thumbs up. Next time, my friend. Next time. CHOI PEI SAN Red and yellow flags mark the safest areas for swim- ming and bodyboard- ing. A red flag signi- fies danger (strong cur- rents and/or rocks). DIDYOU KNOW? A BEGINNER’S GUIDE What you need: A rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam.You can buy amateur grade boards for $20 to $50 at sporting good stores or rent them at most beaches. Make sure the Velcro strap attached to the board is in good condition.When fastened to your wrist, it will prevent the board from flying off when a wave hits. How to do it: Walk out to sea and pick the right type of wave. Small ones won’t send you very far and big ones can knock you off your perch. Once you’ve decided, turn around, get on the board and let the whitewater push you to shore. For extra speed, kick your legs.You can bodyboard lying down, half standing (drop-knee posi- tion) or standing up. Watch out for: On popular beaches, you’ll find swimmers, bodyboarders and amateur surfers in the same area.While waiting to catch a wave, do not stand in front of a surfer or behind a swimmer.You don’t want to be hit by a surfboard or hit someone with your board. Once propelled by the whitewater, beginners may find it hard to control the direction they are head- ing. Keep an eye on the beach. �ed and yel- �ed and yel- low flags mark the safest areas for swimming and bodyboarding. �ed flags signify danger (strong currents and/or rocks). Never enter the water when the red flag is flying. Where to try it: Bintan — most hotels have a sea sports counter that rent out boards for $10 to $15 an hour.The waves are relatively small; suitable for beginners. Bali — Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are popular bodyboarding spots.You can rent a board at the beach for 20,000 rupiah ($3) to 50,000 rupiah.Watch out for huge waves, big crowds and strong currents. Choi Pei San Let’s boogie Choi Pei San
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September 12 - 13, 2009 todayl28living
Twodays | away
I’VE always wanted to try surfing, but never had the guts to do it. So, when a friend introduced me to bodyboarding some years ago in Bali, I was instantly hooked.
Bodyboarding, or boogie boarding, is the easiest way to ride the waves. Instead of spending time learning how to get up
— and stay up — on the surfboard, all you have to do is paddle out to sea with your board, watch for the right wave, plop your stomach on the board and let the wave propel you to shore. If you are good enough, you can even do flips. With the help of a friend, who taught me how to spot the right wave and perfect my timing, I mastered the trick in 30 minutes.
I’ve bodyboarded in Batam, Bintan,
Perth and Sydney. But there is no better place for a gung-ho beginner than Bali. The waves in Batam and Bintan are relatively small, which means they won’t take you very far; while those in Perth and Sydney may be too big for a rookie to handle.
Two weeks ago, I ventured back to Bali and opted for Seminyak beach, which is less crowded than Kuta. The waves were small-er than expected, but after a long absence
from the sport, they were enough to leave me whooping all the way to the beach.
When I returned the board, a big, contented smile on my face, a beach vendor said I did great for a first-timer (I didn’t correct him) and offered me surfing lessons. “Big board for bigger waves!” he said, holding his thumbs up.
Next time, my friend. Next time.Choi Pei San
Red and yellow flags mark the
safest areas for swim-ming and
bodyboard-ing. A red flag signi-
fies danger (strong cur-rents and/or
rocks).
did you know?
a beginner’S guide what you need: A rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam. You can buy amateur grade boards for $20 to $50 at sporting good stores or rent them at most beaches. Make sure the Velcro strap attached to the board is in good condition. When fastened to your wrist, it will prevent the board from flying off when a wave hits.
how to do it: Walk out to sea and pick the right type of wave. Small ones won’t send you very far and big ones can knock you off your perch. Once you’ve decided, turn around, get on the board and let the whitewater push you to shore. For extra speed, kick your legs. You can bodyboard lying down, half standing (drop-knee posi-tion) or standing up.
watch out for: On popular beaches, you’ll find swimmers, bodyboarders and amateur surfers in the same area. While waiting to catch a wave, do not stand in front of a surfer or behind a swimmer. You don’t want to be hit by a surfboard or hit someone with your board. Once propelled by the whitewater, beginners may find it hard to control the direction they are head-ing. Keep an eye on the beach. �ed and yel-�ed and yel-low flags mark the safest areas for swimming and bodyboarding. �ed flags signify danger (strong currents and/or rocks). Never enter the water when the red flag is flying.
where to try it: Bintan — most hotels have a sea sports counter that rent out boards for $10 to $15 an hour. The waves are relatively small; suitable for beginners.
Bali — Kuta, Legian and Seminyak are popular bodyboarding spots. You can rent a board at the beach for 20,000 rupiah ($3) to 50,000 rupiah. Watch out for huge waves, big crowds and strong currents.
Choi Pei san
Let’s boogie
Choi Pei san
