The beach everybody calls Padang-padang or just
Padang is in fact Labuan Sait, Padang-padang is the next beach
on the way to Uluwatu where the pioneer surfers coming from
Ulu´s use to walk down to get to the waves. Anyway,
in order to don´t make confusion, we will call here
Labuan Sait by Padang-padang.
Considered the best wave in Bali or the "balinese
Pipeline", the first registers of surfing in this wave
was made in the early 70´s a few years after the discovery
of Uluwatu. Amongst the pioneers of this spot are the australian
surfers Richard Harvey and Peter McCabe and the american Gerry
Lopez. It can be paradise or hell to many.
Best conditions:
Swell from S.W. of at least 6 feet solid (the
bigger the better) and medium tide going low or low coming
high.
Localization:
It´s situated 5 min. before you get to Ulu´s
on the same road under the bridge.
Type of wave:
Left hander perfect and hollow that produces the
best and most intense barrels of Bali and one of the best
tubes in Indonesia. A bit dangerous when small, the wave in
Padang start with a vertical drop close to the rocks followed
by a barrel section that connects into the last section producing
a deep and open barrel on the shallower part of the reef also
known as "the surgery table" ending on the channel.
Access:
By the same paved road that goes to Uluwatu. There
is a big and safe parking lot from where you can go down a
tunnel like stairway to the beach.
Crowd factor:
Because of its perfection and world wide fame,
when Padang is really working it gets very crowded with photographers
and filmmakers on the channel registering everything that
happens. One of the favorite waves of the locals, it´s
almost impossible to get a set wave on the good days unless
you are already known in the area.
Infraestructure:
Nowdays at Padang the access is made by a paved
road, there is a big parking lot plus guest houses all over
the area with restaurants and internet cofee. At the beach
you can find many warungs selling local food, snacks and drinks
and also sellers and masseurs.
Tips:
On samller days beware of the last section of
the wave, this part of the reef makes skin collection. At
any swell size with medium or dropping tide is strongly recommended
the use of booties and helmet.
On the good days Padang gets over crowded, pay
attention and don´t even think about paddling for a
wave if there is a local already paddling for it even if you
got the preference.
On dead low tide take time to explore the reef,
the walk to Bingin and the cave are worthwhile. On the full
moon days check the beach out as it is a sacred place and
those are the best ceremony days by the lunar hindu calendar.
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