Padang Padang is known as the Balinese pipeline and breaks very similar to its more famous cousin in Hawaii, except that there is no backdoor right-hander, and it is more deadly on the inside, particularly at low tide. The take-off is relatively easy, and it’s about positioning yourself for the inevitable barrel, which is fast and furious. The end section tends to pinch, so a clean exit is not always possible, and on lower tides, it is deadly shallow with the added complexity of a strong rip.
Paddling to the lineup is very easy, as you just need to lie on your board and let the rip current take you out. The reverse is the case paddling back in, and on bigger days, even professional surfers can struggle against the fast-flowing water. If low tide shallow reef is not your thing, then be careful at higher tides as you don’t want to join the unlucky crew who have been slammed against the rocks on the inside.
On smaller days, it doesn’t break very well and tends to section. The bigger the swell, the better it gets, and it will hold up to about triple overhead. Crowds are a factor as you need to contend with hot locals who got it dialled, visiting pro surfers and hordes of Brazilians who have come a long way just for the chance to get the barrel of a lifetime. To be able to snag one of these barrels off the crowd, best to surf with a top local surf guide who has the authority in the lineup to get you into a wave. This is an incredible wave offering big rewards with big consequences; check out our ultimate guide for everything you need to know to surf the wave!
Baby Padang, otherwise known as Padang Rights, is located just on the other side of the channel and is a completely different deal. There is a short right breaking into the channel, offering an easy paddle back and a longer left-hander that is never perfect but can be quite good. Best on a small to medium-sized swell; when it gets bigger, there is a strong current, which can get heavy and nasty. Very popular with beginners and intermediates, this is the place to catch your first wave. The left can reform on the inside so you start riding green waves, then white water and then green again. This is due to the shape of the reef giving different depths of the water.
Baby Padang is a surf camp favourite located very close to us, and on most days, it is excellent for novice surfers. The white sand beach is absolutely beautiful, and there is a great scene around sunset. This was the setting for the Julia Roberts movie, Eat Pray Love.
