Sup surf trip in indonesia with my 9' inflatable surf sup

The preparation is always the same. I prepare the carry bag with the SUP carefully rolled up. The strap keeping it in place helps maximize space. This is important because, as we often travel as a family, the bag doubles up as a kit bag. I add some accessories in addition to the split paddle and the high-pressure pump. I pack three "easy breath" masks, a snorkel mask, fins, boots, hammock, all the necessary equipment to make the most of the environment we encounter with every trip! The capacity of the SUP bag means it replaces a standard bag. It is also useful for storing any wet and sandy items on the way back. Total weight 21 kg, a little over the limit of the local airline. We get away with it! They are not very strict here. The bag goes off on the conveyor belt, I'm not worried, I know I'll be reunited with everything in good condition at the other end.

The next morning, we all climb back into the pick-up and head towards the beach of the nearest village. We find a fisherman who lets us get on his boat to reach the spot. Offshore waves are common in Indonesia, hence the need to be dropped off near the break by local fishermen. The waves are as expected! Our timing is perfect, 15 people in the water, locals, and foreigners. We manage to easily get out to the spot from the side without having to face the waves head-on. 

This is all the more important on a SUP because 'duck diving' is impossible and the inflatable board pulls harder on the leash than a surfboard if caught in a wave. The water is deep enough to stop us from hitting the coral if we wipe out. No large rocks either, so the spot is pretty safe! I position myself a little behind the break, with my paddle in the water like an anchor to stop me from drifting away. The sets are spaced approximately 5 minutes apart with 12-second periods. The waves are big piles of water that do not barrel. Perfect for my level of SUP surfing. I'm loving it and take the opportunity to improve my carving, planting my paddle in the water to steady myself. It's a bit risky catching the biggest waves, standing right at the back of the board during the take-off. The board becomes very responsive, the paddle then becomes a real source of stability as soon as I pick up speed. Two hours of perfect rides with a really sweet right-hander, with the following waves picking up where the previous left off. Two paddle strokes and I'm off to do it all again to make the fun and the experience last. 

In between sets, the brief chats with the locals are always friendly, an opportunity for me to practice my Indonesian and for them to dust off their few words of English. They all come from the village opposite. The vibe in the water with the locals is generally very good in Indonesia and they are all intrigued by the SUP, which they are not used to seeing, especially an inflatable for surfing. The spot is gorgeous, overlooking the white sandy beaches formed in small coves surrounded by cliffs. The cherry on the cake: the unobstructed view of Mount Rinjani (Lombok's highest volcano, 3700m). Living the dream! The other days, the conditions were not quite right for surfing and SUP, so snorkeling was on the agenda, with my SUP of course to explore the coves and the best spots. We saw two sharks in the middle of all kinds of fish and some colorful coral!