Balian has three different surf spots. The peak is an A-frame located directly in front of the river and is always the biggest spot. For centuries the rainwater from Bali’s mountains has been running out here, etching a deep water channel that funnels the swell directly here. The right-hander is a fast down-the-line quality wave but can be difficult to paddle back to the lineup on bigger days. The left breaks slower and can wall up perfectly or be mushy. It is not unusual to get a left all the way to the beach. Very rippable and fun on its day. Easy paddle back out if you make the section, as there is deep water on the western side of the river.
Ketuts is located on the eastern side of the river and is a fast, high-performance right-hander. When it’s on, there is always a crew of dedicated natural foot expats who know exactly where to sit and which wave to take. It can be a bit fast for goofy footers and breaks very heavy on the inside, which is shallow with boulders of variable size and depth.
The Inside left is located on the western side of the river next to the A-frame peak. It is always smaller than the peak, closer to shore, and popular with intermediate surfers. On very big days when the A-frame is cloud-breaking, the inside left is the go-to spot and is also partially protected from the trade winds by the whitewater running through the peak.
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