surf camp
Q&a
*Do we start surfing on the first day of the camp schedule? Do we surf on the last day as well?**
The camp schedule starts with a surfing lesson on the morning after check-in,
and the last day includes a surfing lesson followed by check-out.
Check-out time is at 11 AM, so for those whose last day of the surfing camp is on this day, please pack your belongings the night before and leave them in the living room before heading out for surfing. Of course, you can take a shower after surfing before checking out.
*How many lessons are included per day in the camp, and how long are they? Also, how are they conducted?
The surfing lesson included in the camp is 1 session per day, and each session lasts 2 hours. After that, we have a video review and ground training, which takes around 2 more hours.
The surf camp includes 1:2 ocean lessons with local instructors, video analysis and review sessions at the accommodation, supplementary pool lessons for beginners who struggle with paddling (for those who signed up for the special beginner package), takeoff training for first-timers or new visitors to InSum, and optional ground training using InSum's unique training tools.
There is no ground training on Saturdays that are the day before a holiday.
*Are the lessons only once a day?
The camp lessons are once in the morning.
If you feel that one surf session per day is not enough, you can sign up for an additional 1-day session. Please book at least 24 hours in advance. The lesson will be a 1:1 session with a local instructor and does not include video filming, review, or ground training.
For those who want to surf on Sundays, sessions are available in the morning.
Please be aware that cancellations due to personal reasons are non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. We encourage you to make your booking carefully.
*What time does the lesson start?
Wake up
5:00 am
Go to spot
5:40 am
Start surf
6:30 am
Finish surf
8:30 am
Breakfast
9:00 am
Review
11:00 am
Training
12:00 am
Lessons typically start between 6 AM and 8 AM. Too early, you say? Let me explain the benefits of surfing early in the morning:
1. In the early morning, there’s little to no wind, or you might get an offshore breeze, which means better wave quality. The chances of catching offshore waves are higher.
2. The beach is less crowded, so you can catch more waves safely and enjoyably.
3. Bali's sun can be intense, and surfing at midday increases the risk of sunburn or even corneal burns.
4. Even after the lesson and review session, it's not even 10 AM yet, leaving you with a long day ahead to explore Bali and enjoy other activities.
I've heard that Canggu (Batu Bolong) is a spot for intermediate surfers. Wouldn't Kuta be better for beginners to learn surfing?
Many beginners start their surfing journey at Canggu (Batu Bolong) every year. In fact, more foreigners than Koreans take beginner lessons there.
There's a common misconception that Canggu (Batu Bolong) is an intermediate spot because surfers don't touch the ground in the lineup, while Kuta is a beginner spot because you can stand in the water. However, it's actually safer to surf in deeper waters where your feet don't touch the ground. Pushing off the bottom or the board when getting on can lead to injuries. There might be reefs or rocks under the water, and even if it's sand, getting caught in a wave can cause abrasions or other injuries.
Surfing involves paddling, pushing through waves, and doing turtle rolls to reach the lineup and catch green waves. Those who take lessons at Canggu will constantly practice these skills. As a result, they'll gain more experience and develop more techniques than beginners who only walk in and catch whitewater waves. Plus, at Canggu, you can enjoy long rides of over 25 seconds, which isn't possible at Kuta. Every spot has its pros and cons, though.
We don’t conduct all our lessons in Canggu. Instead, we move to different surf spots like Kuta, Jimbaran, Baby Reef, Serangan, and Nusa Dua, depending on wave conditions and the weather, to find the best waves for longboarding.
*What are the criteria for choosing Indian Summer Bali's daily surf spots?
Since we are a longboard specialty camp, we look for wave sizes and spots that are ideal for longboarding.
In Bali, there are various surf spots suited for different types of longboarding, such as spots favorable for nose riding or for long rides with turns. We carefully consider factors like tide times, wave sizes, wind direction and strength, and less crowded times and locations to choose the best surf spot for the next day.
*Can I surf more after the 2-hour lesson? Can I surf personally outside of lesson times?
This is a frequently asked question. The waves in Bali are much stronger and more consistent compared to Korea, so you will expend significantly more energy. Generally, beginners tend to get tired and come out of the water after about an hour.
Even with the practice of 100 take-offs during ground training, it’s rare for someone to surf twice a day due to fatigue.
You are welcome to surf personally outside of lesson times. It's only a 3-minute scooter ride to Berawa and 5 minutes to Batu Bolong.
**Does the camp fee include surfboard rental?
**Surfboard rental during the lesson is included in the camp fee.**
**However, hardboards (epoxy, PU) are not included in the camp fee. You can rent hardboards from Vibe Surfboards.**
**Hardboards are only rented to those who have good board control, as losing control can cause significant injury to oneself or others. Please attach your recent surfing video when applying for hardboard rental.**
* What should I do if a rented surfboard gets damaged during the camp?
You will need to pay for the repair costs of the board, round-trip delivery fees, and rental costs for the period the board is being repaired. Please make sure to check the condition of the board before renting it.
* Is it better to buy your own leash code?
Yes! The leash is your lifeline, so it’s best to buy your own and manage it personally.
Although the camp's leashes are maintained daily, they can't be checked as thoroughly as you would yourself. If a camp leash breaks, you won’t be compensated, and the camp is not obligated to provide mental or physical compensation. It’s recommended to keep, store, and manage your leash personally before and after surfing during your camp stay.
* What are the differences between the camp, trip, and one-day session?
The camp includes accommodation, lessons, soft-top board rental, video filming, video review, and ground training. Because the camp covers a lot of content, participation is only available for 7 days or more.
The trip includes video filming and transportation, but accommodation is not included.
The 1 day session includes soft-top board rental, one-on-one instruction, and transportation (traveling by bike with a local instructor).
For the trip, you will not receive care from the instructor in the water, so only intermediate-level surfers who can handle waves on their own should apply. Additionally, while video filming is included, review and ground training are not. If your goal is to improve your surfing level during your time in Bali, it might be more efficient to choose the camp to make the most of your time.
*Can I apply for the Deluxe program even though I’m still a beginner?
Drone footage is effective for improving the skills of beginner surfers and correcting poor surfing habits.
High-angle footage provides detailed analysis by showing your foot positioning and angle on the board, your stance in the middle of the board, your balance while paddling, and hand movements. This precise review helps significantly in improving your skills.
If you think of beach footage as X-ray imaging, drone footage is like CT scanning. Just as a CT scan provides a precise diagnosis by revealing exact details, drone footage is crucial for beginner surfers aiming to level up. It captures various aspects such as paddling posture, footage of crossing waves during lineup, and more. This comprehensive recording greatly aids in detailed reviews and improvement.
The drone package and deluxe options are conducted as group shoots, so your best rides might not be captured. If you want to ensure that your personal best rides are recorded, you can opt for private drone videography, where we'll shoot for the full 2 hours just for you.
* June, July, and August are considered the big swell season. Is it still okay to go?
Waves are generated by winds over the open ocean, so their size is ultimately related to the weather. Nowadays, we are seeing unusual weather patterns globally—Siberia is melting, and places that usually don’t get rain are experiencing it.
Ultimately, Bali's waves, like many other weather patterns, are becoming less predictable with current data due to changing weather anomalies. The term "big swell season" might be an overgeneralization, akin to "a blind man touching an elephant's leg." In reality, the waves from June to August in recent years have not been particularly large.
Bali has a vast array of surf spots, so we can always find great waves for longboarding.
* When does the rainy season start? Is Canggu good for surfing during the rainy season?
The rainy season usually starts from early to mid-December and lasts until the end of March the following year. Bali is located just below the equator, so you can think of it as "winter when it's summer in Korea, and summer when it's winter in Korea."
During the rainy season, there are occasional rains and slightly higher humidity. Many people expect it to rain all day like the Korean monsoon, but in reality, it’s more sporadic, with localized rain showers that come and go. Weather apps might indicate all-day rain, but this isn’t always the case.
In the rainy season, the wind direction shifts from west to east, so you might need to move to surf spots on the eastern side, such as Baby Reef, Serangan, or Nusa Dua. However, the wind doesn’t blow every day, so if there’s no wind, you can still find good waves right at Canggu in front of the camp.
*Are rash guards and water leggings available for rent?
We do not provide rash guards or water leggings for rent.
You can purchase them locally, but water leggings are not easily available in many places here, so it’s better to bring them with you. For beginners using soft-top boards, it's advisable to use water leggings and rash guards as the board can cause skin irritation.
Given the strong sun, these items are essential to protect against sunburns.
* Does the skin burn easily? What kind of sunscreen do surfers use?
The sun in Bali is intense, so using sunscreen and other protective products is essential for your skin. Surfers commonly use cream-type sunscreens on their body and neck, while for the face, they prefer products containing zinc, which are harder to wash off.
It's better to choose zinc-based sunscreens with visible color. This way, you can easily see where it's been removed and reapply it as needed. Also, since zinc can be tough to remove, it's a good idea to prepare cleansing oil or cleansing wipes for effective removal.
You can purchase zinc-based sunscreen, such as the Korean AA Sunscreen Stick, from the Vibe Surfboard Store connected to our camp.
* I'm afraid of the water, I'm afraid of the waves, and I'm scared of the ocean where I can't touch the bottom. Can I still learn to surf?
We can teach you how to understand the waves and how to surf, but we don't offer training for overcoming fear of swimming or being in the water.
Bali's waves are generally powerful and large, and many surf spots here are in deep water where your feet don't touch the bottom. We aim to choose surf spots with smaller waves that are suitable for longboarding, but there may be days when larger waves are present due to the overall swell or wind conditions, making it difficult to find smaller waves.
Additionally, each individual may perceive the size and intensity of the waves differently. Spots where your feet can touch the bottom can actually pose a higher risk of injury if you're swept by the waves.
If you have a fear of water or waves, please make sure to thoroughly research and carefully consider your decision before applying for the camp.
And on the first day of the camp, you can try out the group lessons. If you find you need more individualized attention, you can request a 1:1 lesson. With 1:1 instruction, the instructor will provide focused care, which should help ease your concerns.