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Check out this video from Kosuke of local Kombong riding the busy break of Keramas in Bali. He is getting some great waves but surfing busy breaks like this on a SUP can be a real nightmare. It looks like Kombong frequently surfs this break by the confident way he’s riding it and the fact he’s a lone SUPer!
SUP surfing point breaks with a busy take off area is hard work. If everybody is playing by the rules you should just be able to wait your turn in the lineup, but if not it can turn into a competitive take off area where standing still on a small Naish Hokua can be somewhat impossible and dangerous!
Maybe this is why Kombong catches a few waves lying down and then pops up. Ok it’s not pure stand up paddleboarding and you wouldn’t get away with it in a competition but does it make it easier and safer for the other surfers in the water?
Tips for busy point breaks
If you are heading to a busy break especially one you don’t surf that often, there’s a few things you should do to catch some waves and maybe even get a friendly hoot in the line up.
- Paddle out and sit or stand on the shoulder of the break (edge) and watch the other surfers. If any waves come through that are free and unridden have a ride.
- Control your SUP. If you’re frequently falling off your board and kicking it out in-front of you DO NOT go into a busy line up. This is not safe for anyone.
- Wait for your turn. You’ll understand how the breaks working by watching the other surfers. Don’t be a wave hog.
- Take your time, respect the other surfers and slowly work your way closer to the peak. Other surfers will respect that and then in time they will respect you and even your SUP!
Read more about SUP surfing etiquette here.