Rebecca Sheedy is one of our Surfer Girl team riders. Becky was pretty much born in the surf and is passionate about the ocean; she started bodysurfing with her Dad as a baby in Western Australia, and then took up body boarding, before graduating on to a stand up surfboard during high school. She has surfed for 14 years in the big, powerful waves of Western Australia, and frequently calls Bali home. You'll usually find her up for an early surf at one of the famed breaks on the Bukit Peninsula such as Uluwatu, Impossibles, or Dreamland.
Please feel free to ask Becky any questions related to surfing like; learning to surf, surf lifestyle, women's contest schedule in Bali and Indonesia, fitness and surf training info, traveling in Bali and Indonesia, travel related health inquiries, surf injury treatment and prevention, natural medicine and natural products... even issues related to surfboard design and getting a custom made surfboard in Bali, where to find the best surf in Bali, great snorkeling spots in Bali and directions for anywhere you want to go... or just share you surf stories and experiences with us!
For questions regarding Surfer Girl, please visit our Contact Us page.
- Sarah 11, Jakarta asks:
I want to learn to surf but do not know how to start. I am 11 years old and can swim already but normally in a swimming pool. What is the best way for me to learn to surf and what size surfboard should I get to begin with? - That's great that you can already swim! Truthfully I believe the BEST way to get started with surfing is to have a few surfing lessons. One surf lesson is a great introduction to surfing where you will learn essential surf safety tips, how to carry your board, where to lie on your surfboard to paddle successfully, how to stand up on your surfboard and how to get out through small waves with your surfboard and then turn around and catch a wave into the beach. If you were able to book into a 3 day course you would start paddling into small unbroken waves and then learn to take the drop on your own which is one of the most fun things to do ever! From then on Sarah you would be on your way to start learning to surf in small waves without a coach and have never ending fun in the sun!
To start out in the surf, the most fun and safe type of surfboard to use is called a softboard. A softboard that is between 7ft - 8ft long would be perfect. These boards let you catch waves easily, then they allow you to get to your feet and develop your balance while you smile all the way to the shoreline. Softboards have user friendly rubber fins and are much better for wipeouts because if they do knock into you while you learn its ok because they really are quite soft.
Good luck Sarah and if you do come to Bali come and have a few lessons with us at the Surfer Girl surf school, and we can get some fun little waves together!
- Kaz 27, USA asks:
Where is your favorite spot on Bali? - In the wet season my current favorite spot in Bali is Serangan because it can be surfed on all tides and picks up a lot of swell. It is a great small wave and an awesome big wave too. It is rich in Marine life with frequent Dugong (Manatee) sightings and an endless variety of fish and coral species. So rewarding for snorkeling when the water is clear.
- Melissa 15, France asks:
If I want to improve on my surfing, should I focus more on the bottom turn or the top turn? - A good top turn must follow a good and well-timed bottom turn. The bottom turn is probably the most important and overlooked turn in surfing. All the best surfers have mastered the bottom turn and it’s the first turn to focus on getting good at. Remember timing!
- Jasmin 19, Singapore asks:
Do you think that skateboarding helps your surfing? Living in Singapore is hard for surfing as we have no waves and I want to practice any way possible. - Hey Jasmin, I think skating is great to practice your surfing, and it's great to see you're so dedicated!