Is there any swell in Cucukan?

The call, rather SMS, came at around 7pm on Friday evening. I was still, typically, staring goggle eyed at my computer getting things arranged for the myriad of chores set before me in the current gist of things. The message was from Kadek, or 'Dek' as he calls himself, the young Balinese surfer that I have chosen to sponsor for a year, he's a great kid and an excellent surfer so I'm happy with that plan at the moment. I'm sure you'll be hearing lot's about this diminutive character in the months ahead as we navigate through this our first year of business here in Bali.

'Dek' was asking what my plans were for Saturday (today) as he was wondering if we could head out to a small surf break between what I call 'the sprawling monster' of the south that is Kuta and the village of Gianyar. We made the plan to pick him up at 7am and then struck out for the village of Cucukann (Choo-Choo-Kann). Following the coastal road from Kuta one heads towards the town of Candidasa, if you ever are in Bali, drive that road and check on the number of small branching roads that head towards the coastline. You only have to drive 50 to 100m off the main road and you seem to be transported back in time, the noise diminishes and moments later you'll start to see the real elements that make Bali so attractive.

Within minutes we were driving down rice paddy lined roads, so narrow I was hoping that no one was coming the other way, as I'm pretty crap at reversing with the back windows blocked by surfboards. After about eight or so minutes we arrived at the end of the road, a couple of local Warungs, nosh shops, were there selling an assortment of goodies, Nasi Goreng (mixed fried rice) and Noodle Soups. Bali coffee (paint stripper) for the brave of heart or standard soft drinks to give that morning kick. Stepping out onto the black sand the last traces of the night were receding behind the ominously looming silhouette of Bali's tallest peak and still active volcano, Mount Agung. We'd decided to take the furball of a dog we affectionately call 'Muppet' with us to give her a good run in the morning. After getting put in place by the local beach dogs she stuck to us like glue, at just 3 months old, no surprise. We'd made good time, with the new road completed, widened, we were sat in one of the local cafe's on the beach sipping Bali Coffee, pleeuuch, and waiting for the waves to start rolling in.

Nothing seemed to happen fast around Cucukann, at least not from the shoreline perspective. We saw a few fishing boats tentatively bobbing around in the near distance, there was also a couple of old boys collecting small pebbles, and I mean small pebbles, for some form of decoration or another, but not a lot else. Three ladies came into view walking along the gray shores probably swapping local gossip with baskets of varying sizes perched precariously atop an array of differing headwear. Passing us they smiled, leaving the beaches once more abandoned.

The swell that everyone in Bali was so desperately waiting on didn't seem to arrive. 'Dek' was happy to show us the new paint job he's had done one the training surf board we had provided him with. A mixture of patterns and shapes with the liquidmocean logo spray painted to the underside of the board, it all looked very funky, except for a sticker of a major clothing brand that he'd stuck onto the board! That came off pretty sharpish. The education of sponsorship and what its responsibilities entail from the rider starts soon!

Fingers crossed that the swell hits soon. I'm offski out of the water tomorrow, Sunday, as I have a couple of meetings to make in Tulamben on Bali's northeastern coastline and then catching up with a buddy at a rather nice little resort on the return trip.

Here's me signing off again, thanks for stopping by.
Cheers,
Mark.