Peter Neely chilling somewhere in Indonesia in the early ’80s

ORIGINS INDO SURF & LINGO

REST IN PEACE PETER NEELY 1950-2020

Peter Neely the original founder and creator of “Indo Surf & Lingo grew up surfing Sydney’s northern beaches.
Like many other surfers in the early 70’s, after viewing Alby Falzons Iconic surf flick “Morning Of The Earth” Peter joined the first wave of surf tourists tripping to Bali’s shores in the mid-1970s. In search of surf and solitude and the elusive perfect wave.
Peter was a good surfer and mastered the waves around Bali quickly.
He lived in Bali for almost a decade and was surfing with many of the early pioneers of the time . . . surfing uncrowded waves with local Balinese who became surfers: Big Froggy RIP, Gede Narmada, Wayan “Billy” Badra RIP, Wayan Suwenda RIP, Ketut Kasih & Bobby Radiasa.
It was a big deal in those days for a Balinese to start surfing as it was a big change from tradition and centuries of Hindu beliefs which considered the ocean to be a sacred place where spirits lived.
A lot of Bali ‘s first foreign surfers were not looked upon favourably and Indonesian authorities and many Indonesians regarded surfers as slackers and drug-users, whose presence corrupted Bali and its people.
As the late Wayan Suwenda recalled: “The hippies didn’t wear shirts and their hair was long, and our parents didn’t like us to associate with them, I often angered Bapak and lbu by going off with my hippy friends.”.
Even with these obstacles . . . Peter picked up the language and made stronger and deeper connections with the locals . . . more than most ex pat surfers of the time did.

Peter surfing Sanur in the early days

Peter was a judge at the early OM Bali Pro comps in the early ‘80s and he also won the Bali Legends Surfing Contest in 1995 at Kuta Reef.
In 1986 he returned to Australia and opened a Bali themed shop in Noosa Heads with his wife Lynn.
In the next few years Peter came up with the idea of a Guide book for surfers travelling to Bali and Indonesia . . .
But his idea was not to create just a guide to surfing. But also, a guide to the culture and traditions and lifestyle of the Balinese and Indonesian people
With chapters on the basics of the language, local customs and the overall theme of “giving respect gets respect”
While “the Island of the Gods” was truly a surfers paradise Peter saw it as more . . . a spiritual and cultural experience
The book was more than just a practical guide but a way to help surfers develop a better understanding of the country they were travelling in
And so, in 1991 “Indo Surf & Lingo “was born
Each year for 25 years, Peter would update the book with more surf spots and more advice on travel and the “cultural experience”
He was always careful not to give too much away, when it came to secret spots. . . but just enough, so that if you were to go a little further on “the road less travelled” and maybe respect and befriend the locals you might find something more

Peter Neely working with Locals in Bali, to produce clothing for his shop in Noosa Heads

Unfortunately, Peter passed away in 2020, a short time after being diagnosed with Motor neurone disease
Peter was survived by his lovely wife of 27 years Lynne, who speaks fondly of Peter and how he immersed himself in the Culture and tradition of Bali for so many years.
“Peter was as deep as the ocean. When he was in Bali, it was like he became Balinese as soon as he walked off the plane.
It was as if he walked like a warrior, like a Balinese. He loved to do Balinese dancing and immersed himself totally in the culture.
he understood their sense of humour . . . it was like he was one of them”

R.I.P. Peter Neely

Peter riding a bike through the coconut trees on the beachfront in Kuta in the 70s

Peter at Tanah Lot, one of his favourite places

A poem by Peter Neely