What brings adrenaline junkies to Bali may be the waves, but there is so much more to this surf paradise. Establishments like Drifter and Deus Bali give surfers a community space to call their own. Surfing in Bali has indeed come a long way since its humble beginnings. Chill and have a cuppa and hang out with other like-minded surfers.
Drifter Surf Shop
50 Jalan Oberoi, Seminyak, Bali
Tel +62 361 733 274
www.driftersurf.com/
Drifter Surf Shop on Jalan Oberoi is unlike any other on Poppies Lane. Here, mainstream brands and typical boards are shunned. Instead, this retail collective is ‘committed to the celebration of the surfing lifestyle as art rather than sport’ and features a tasteful selection with a real design focus – replicas of classic surfboards, handcrafted ukuleles, surf illustrations and photographs, as well as books and films.
The name Drifter was based on the thought that there are tons of people passing through Bali every year, and the fact that lots of old boat wood, driftwood and other recycled woods were used in the shop. It’s also a shout out to the surf documentary, The Drifter, about celebrity surfer Rob Machado’s adventures during his half-year stint in Bali.
Head down there to get all things surf-related or enjoy a freshly ground cup of heavenly coffee. They brew Indonesia’s finest “Mandailing Estate” coffee beans from Sumatra. Not a coffee drinker, not to worry. They serve up wheat grass shots, fresh juice, smoothies, milkshakes and iced coffee, along with a selection of freshly baked cakes and cookies daily.
Deus Ex Machina
Jalan Batu Mejan 8, Denpasar, Bali
Tel +62 361 368 3995
www.id.deuscustoms.com
In the charming, pastoral village of Canggu, where surfers in the know frequent a strip of black sand beach with exhilarating reef breaks. This is also where the Deus Temple of Enthusiasm is located. Here, you can place an order for a modified motorcycle, get a custom-made surfboard or refuel with food and drinks.
Deus started as a motorcycle company in Australia, but was brought in to Bali by surfers. Motorcycles are the vehicle of choice given the congested roads of Bali, especially among surfers who don’t want to waste precious time getting to the beach. With this in mind, Deus’ set-up with adjacent bike and surfboard workshops in the back makes perfect sense.
In the bike workshop, stock motorcycles are stripped of their old parts and rebuilt into gorgeous, powerful road machines. An old bike that originally comes with a 200cc engine is expertly transformed into a gorgeous 400cc beast.
Right next door, surfboards are shaped, painted, glassed and sanded. These one-of-a-kind boards are built entirely from scratch, complete with Þns and resin tints. Specific artwork and customised surfboards can be requested, but with each piece made individually, no two beauties are exactly the same.
There is a lively vibe in the sprawling compounds of Deus Bali. Perhaps it’s the gallery that showcases work by local and international artists; maybe it’s the half-pipe in the corner where kids can perform stunts on their skateboards; or possibly the weekly concerts that feature live bands and acoustic music.