November is a time of transition across the Indonesian archipelago.
The large, long-period groundswells that define the peak winter season start to become fewer and farther between, while the ever reliable trade-winds back off as the north-west monsoon starts to poke its head down from Eurasia.
As humidity builds and thunderstorm activity increases, so does the attention of surfers to the more open stretches of reef that otherwise become blown out through peak season.
While generally not providing the A-grade quality of the marquee reefs that fire under winter trades, these spots make up for it in their swell magnifying capability.
It’s this reliability for B-grade surf that most intermediate surfers would find appealing, with options aplenty opening up with the morning and evening doldrums.
While requiring a little more effort and planning, the fruits of uncrowded surf make it all the more rewarding.
Comments
Classic shots Craig.
Great shots.
Is that FR surfing the left?
Not in this shot, he was throwing down some heat before tweaking his hammy though.
Swellnet work trip?!
Are the photos from Bali or elsewhere? Looks very fun.
Undisclosed location.
Fair enough.
Good to see you guys scored!
Lovely. Good doggy too.
Those lefts look dreamy.
Thanks for those shots - brings up memories of many uncrowded "off season" sessions at a left known for its right hander
Rather be there than here.
Great pics- love how you throw a little salt and pepper on to add to the story.
Cheers Zen, looks like things have really transitioned in Japan now?
Yep, offshores have arrived and swell from the north. Winter is on the way.
Scored the rivermouth we wanted to take you. Perfect offshore and solid OH. Pics don't do it justice.
Great Pics
Now who Rode What
Guessing Freeride on 6'6 DS and you Others . . .?
Did Stu Steal the Show on a Wizz Fish.
Barely surfed. Copped a flu and was sick the whole time.
No Wiz Stix over there.
6'6 Dingaling (Steve Powell) went a treat for me.
Actually, I think it's this very board:
https://www.instagram.com/elusivsurfboards/p/Cn1CbF0pX_N
Glad I took the 6'6"- it was a good crutch when I did the hammy.
5'10" Sculpty
5'11 Stuart BMG quad
Great spot. Rarely surf the left there but further down the reef. 9/10 times there will be something wrong with it, a wobble, rip etc, but when the stars align can be such a great wave!
Can get big!! and ya want a bigger board....
The go to NW wind / small swell spot. The photos of the right make it look way better than what it actually is.
'Twas properly pumping for a few days.
Sounds like you got lucky! Have tried to score it but have always been disappointed.
Have seen it looking like the photos, but was always a fleeting moment and literally 2 seconds either side of how it looks in the photos it was a closeout or a fat burger.
To be fair, there's a good chance that my Tweed-calibrated brain was overcompensating.
Haha yep the Indo stoke gets all of us and a decent size long period swell with offshore winds can often seem better than what it actually is when you've just had 4 months of 2ft/8sec swells.
BTW the left here can get good, its just the right that is deceptively appealing, from what I've seen anyway.
The first two days we found the best section up the reef to surf which was pretty reliable and predictable, then the second two days more so down the reef but again worked out great. The last day with a new long-period groundswell building it was different and very hard to find a good one. Interesting eh.
Na its a hoax.....
Yesday 4-5 ft First light Looked Nice
17 seconds ?
How goods the 'Os scoring empty waves with monkeys and hounds.
Hopefully the great man lines us up with a few summer specials down in the southern lands.
Good to see Thermal lurking around Indonesian corners too
Wife's in Sanur with some girlfriends & she facetimed me yesterday with the reef a perfect 6ft with two in the lineup! Damn! Offseason def has it's moments & it's usually not so busy away from the Bukit /Greater Kuta scene. GR8 to see you scored gentlemen!