INDO SURF & LINGO CHECKLIST

OK! So you’re amped up, ready to go right now eh? But there’s still lots of planning to do before you can enjoy paddling out into your first surf in Indonesia.

The Book has a handy Checklist of some of the things you’ll need to think about before you’re ready to board your airplane. It’s by no means a complete list, but it’s a good start. 

One of the best things you can take along with you on your first overseas surf trip is A Good Attitude…

Plan to meet lots of “strangers” who will eventually become your new “best friends”. Plan to be respectful and helpful to everyone you meet. Fellow travellers and locals alike.

It’s a tough world out there and you’re going to be all alone, so go forth and be friendly with everyone you meet. And catch a few good waves along the way.

• Airline Ticket, into and out of Indonesia
• Passport valid for at least 6 months
• International Driver’s Licence from home
• Travel Insurance – Indo Surf and Lingo Travel Insurance
• If you can’t afford insurance, you can’t afford to travel – Emergency airlifts cost $50,000!
• Credit Cards, ATM Cards, Traveller’s Cheques
• $50 of Indo small currency
• Budget minimum $50 a day. $70 to $80 is more comfortable. $80 to $200 is first class!
• Travel Health Plan – www.traveldoctor.com.au
• Vaccination Record Book – Vaccinate for Polio,
• Hepatitis, Tetanus, Typhus, Diphtheria, Smallpox.
• COVID vaccination (as of April 2023 still required)
• Research Malaria and Dysentery information.
• 3 photocopies of all Documents. Keep 1 at home, 1 in your suitcase, 1 in your boardbag.
• Surfboards (with removable fins easier for travelling and you can take more boards)
• Wet Shirt/Rash Shirt
• Board Bag (and extra bubble wrap)
• Reef Boots for everywhere except Kuta beach
• Wetsuit Vest (you can buy surfshorts in Bali)
• Sunglasses
• Cap ( you can buy a broad brim hat in Bali)
• Wax – tropical warm water
• Legropes – take only new ones
• Gath Helmet and surfing suncap
• Board Repair Kit – sun curing is good otherwise there are plenty of Board repairers around in Bali
• Soft racks or straps for outside Bali
• Beach Towel – small and light
• Sunblock, waterproof 30+
• First Aid Kit – Antiseptic, Antibiotic pills and powder, Aspirin or Paracetamol, Bandaids, Diarrhoea pills, scizzors, Swiss Army knife.
• Mosquito repellant, tropical strength
• Malaria pills for all travel outside Bali
• Toiletries Bag – soap, toothpaste, etc
• Condoms, just in case you get lucky
• Recreational drugs? Don’t even think about it! Death penalties are not worth the risk.
• Clothing and Shoes (pack only half what you think you’ll need). It’s going to be very hot and sweaty!
• Books, Mags, writing paper & pens
• Small flashlight, new batteries
• Electrical Adaptor (two round pins, 220 volt).
• Surge protector if taking a laptop.
• Camera, data cards, new batteries
• A Hotel reservation for the first 3 nights is a good idea, so you can get over jetlag and check out the area.
• Check for Government Travel Warnings: In Australia phone
  1300 555 135, or online www.smarttraveller.gov.au
  From USA check www.usembassyjakarta.org
• Phone numbers of friends and family at Home, in case of an Emergency
• Your Itinerary – leave it with your parents so they know where to send the rescue helicopter!

Some Swell Forecast Websites:
Some of the most accurate, up to 5 days:
www.surfline.com,
www.stormsurf.com,
www.oceanweather.com,
www.bouyweather.com,
www.magicseaweed.com,
balibelly.com
www.baliwaves.com, 
www.surf-forecast.com, 
www.coastalwatch.com

Pack your bags the day before leaving, label them inside and out with your Home and Indonesian Address (or care of your Airline).

Try dragging all your bags 100 metres, then throw out anything heavy. Two back packs is good – one large one and a smaller day-pack. Also a “bum bag” for money, tickets, passport and other valuables. Arrive at the airport an hour earlier than required to do some duty free shopping. On the plane relax, rest, and read all you can about the Indonesian culture on the long flight over. Learn some of the key words and phrases. Don’t drink too much alcohol. Drink plenty of water and walk around the plane every hour to stay loose. Have fun!