Sun Darkened Foam. A story about a Covid-19 Surf Competition.

Aug 24, 2020

Sun darkened foam was the common denominator across all the boards at this year’s Uluwatu Singlefin Classic held 15 & 16 August. A whopping ninety six starters broken up to run with 6 man heats and everyone getting wet twice, this was the third time they had held the event and due to the obvious, it wasn’t what we’ve seen in the past “This year's event was run a little different to the norm.” Tai Graham the events director as well as the co-founder of the Single Fin Surfer Bar. “We had the choice to obviously skip the event this year, but we sat down with the local boardriders and village and they all agreed that it would mean a lot to the community to run this year's event, of course in a responsible way. We asked all the surfers to judge, we asked them to commit, we made sure everyone stuck around and helped out. It was a real community vibe. No one got paid, everyone just rolled up their sleeves and helped and most importantly - had fun. I was super stoked to see a local boy take it out as well”

The big line in the sand with this event is that all boards ridden must be Pre-1984. This is a massive adjustment in equipment for most of these guys the majority of whom were younger than the boards they were riding. They came out of sheds, the rafters, or peoples back rooms, most hadn’t seen the light of day for more than a score of years. There was a fair spread of them but not enough for every man. So typical of these events that are high on stoke, people smiled and just shared them. Deni Pirdaus, Dean Permana & Dylan Kaczmarek were our guys on-field and took advantage of Monty’s collection of boards that graces the ceiling of Canteen Café here in Canggu. Dylan chose a late 70’s Hot Buttered Shaped by Stu Campbell. Another person who was granted some vintage goodness from the Canteen rafters by Monty was Jared Mell who nabbed a Peter McCabe Mid 70’s White Tradewinds. This board must have had some magic in there as it came to be under the winner’s feet in the final round.

The cliffs at Uluwatu are lined with cafes, restaurants, and bars, connected by winding paths tying them all together. People spaced out, seeking shelter in all that were open enjoying the stoke, keeping hydrated, spreading cheer, and enjoying the stadium like view that they all give of the waves out front. Up on top with speakers washing the rest of the hill, the MC’s and judges sat in Single Fin and gave us a blow by blow, general insights, and a fair bit to laugh about.

Conditions came together on the Saturday with head high waves and cliff blocked winds. Things really cemented themselves on Sunday though with a lot more frequency in the lineup and as the contestants distilled they showed everyone their focus and determination.

Sunday passed whittling the massive pack down to the final six; Desert Point’s Usman Trioko, Brazil’s Kian Martin, and Bali locals; Koki Hendrawan, Sima Rai, Tumbling Sudiantara and Mega Semadi.

And what a final it was. Channeling those early Uluwatu surfers Tumbling Sudiantara riding that White Tradewinds did everything perfectly and in sequence. As the wave finished and he rode the foam in front he knew he’d done good, thrusting his hands in the air and looking up the cliff claiming it. He pulled off a wave that the judges could score no more with, the Perfect 10.

" I can't believe it, I am so happy to win the Uluwatu Single Fin Classic at my home break. This means a lot to me, our family and our community of Uluwatu. We have been hit really hard with the Covid-19 making it impossible for anyone to visit us here in Bali. I know everyone around the world is also finding it hard, but this event really means a lot to us here at Ulu’s. A big thanks to everyone involved to make it happen and everyone for coming to support us in Uluwatu. " said a stoked Tumbling upon receiving the trophy.

These events don’t just happen and require not only a huge amount of work and support. While Deus Ex Machina Indonesia was not directly involved in the event, other than having some of our guys compete and others enjoying the amazing atmosphere and hospitality extended to everyone over that weekend, we would like to acknowledge and thank all those that did. Single Fin Surf Bar, Uluwatu Boardriders, Billabong, Channel Islands Surfboards, The Bakery, The Asian Surf Co., and the Community of Uluwatu.

ENGLISH TEXT BELOW

Setiap tahun, teman-teman kita Tasix Adventure—penyelenggara petualangan ban berlumpur dan adrenalin berbahan bakar terbaik di Bali—mengadakan acara akhir pekan berkemah yang sangat dinanti-nantikan. Mereka menamakannya “ The Wild,” dan jujur saja, tidak ada kata yang lebih pas dari itu.

Ini bukan sekadar acara; ini adalah petualangan wajib bagi siapa saja yang mencintai tanah, tantangan, dan persahabatan yang hanya bisa terjalin saat tertawa melihat teman lain terjatuh.

Hal tentang The Wild adalah misterinya. Kamu tidak tahu ke mana akan pergi, bagaimana sampai di sana, atau apa yang akan kamu temui—seperti hidup, tapi dengan lebih banyak asap knalpot.

Tahun ini, The Wild yang berlangsung pada 7 Desember 2024, mengumpulkan 135 pecinta motor enduro, trail, dan cross di Desa Kopi, Tabanan. Tepat pukul 9 pagi, kami berangkat menuju Desa Gesing, Singaraja. Rute tetap dirahasiakan hingga hari acara, meningkatkan sensasi penasaran dan antusiasme. Dengan dibagi menjadi beberapa kelompok kecil, kami melengkapi diri dengan perlengkapan motocross lengkap untuk menghadapi tantangan musim hujan.

Perjalanan? Murni magis. Jalur berkelok melalui permata tersembunyi Bali, di mana setiap tikungan menawarkan pemandangan yang memukau atau hampir membuat jantung berhenti. Rute tahun ini menghadirkan medan tanah liat merah—dijuluki tanah "keramik" karena teksturnya yang licin dan keras saat basah. Untuk melintasinya, diperlukan teknik khusus yang disebut “paddling the throttle,” sebuah manuver yang mendebarkan dengan motor yang sering bergoyang liar. Dari kejauhan, mungkin terlihat lucu, tetapi saat di atas motor? Ceritanya berbeda.

Setelah menempuh 68 kilometer petualangan liar, kami tiba di perkemahan di puncak bukit yang sudah dipenuhi tenda-tenda peserta lain dan deru knalpot. Destinasi selalu mencuri perhatian, dan yang satu ini tidak terkecuali—tempat tinggi dengan pemandangan 360 derajat yang menakjubkan dari laut, gunung, hingga kota.

Saat hujan turun, tenda-tenda didirikan, dan malam itu diisi dengan berbagi cerita tentang penyelamatan heroik dan kecelakaan yang menggelikan. Dan tentu saja, ada balapan. Bayangkan sekelompok pengendara penuh semangat meluncur di perbukitan dalam kekacauan yang terkontrol. Balapan tahun ini termasuk duel 1 lawan 1 yang seru di sekitar puncak bukit, dengan peserta menyelesaikan dua putaran penuh adrenalin.

Bukan soal menang; ini tentang hadir, tertawa, dan menikmati momen. Para pemenang dan peserta tercepat yang mencapai puncak bukit dirayakan dengan hadiah, tetapi senyuman, persahabatan, dan kebersamaan membuat semua orang merasa seperti juara.

The Wild tahun ini benar-benar sesuai namanya, bahkan lebih. Petualangan, tawa, dan cukup banyak tanah di gigi untuk menyebutnya otentik—kami tidak akan menginginkannya dengan cara lain. Terima kasih yang sebesar-besarnya kepada semua peserta yang menjadikannya pengalaman tak terlupakan. Sampai jumpa di petualangan berikutnya!

Every year, our mates over at Tasix Adventure—Bali’s finest purveyors of muddy tyres and fuel-driven adrenaline—host their much-anticipated camp-out weekend. They’ve named it “Wild,” and honestly, there’s no better word for it.

It’s not just an event; it’s a pilgrimage for anyone who loves dirt, daring, and the kind of camaraderie you can only forge while laughing at someone else’s wipeout.

The thing about Wild is that it’s shrouded in mystery. You don’t know where you’re going, how you’ll get there, or what you’ll find—kind of like life, but with more exhaust fumes.

This year’s Wild, held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, brought together 135 enthusiasts of enduro, trail, and cross motorcycles at Desa Kopi, Tabanan. The route was kept a secret until the event day, heightening the thrill of the unknown. At exactly 9 am, they shared the destination, Desa Gesing, Singaraja, Divided into small groups, we geared up with full motocross kits to tackle the rainy season’s challenges.

The ride? Pure magic. Twisting trails through Bali’s hidden gems, where every turn promised either breathtaking views or breathtaking near-misses. This year’s route featured red clay terrain—nicknamed "ceramic" soil for its slick, hard texture when wet. Navigating it required a special technique called “paddling the throttle,” a nerve-wracking maneuver that had bikes swaying wildly. From a distance, it might have looked hilarious, but on the bike? It was a whole other story.

After 68 kilometres of this wild adventure, we arrived at the hilltop campsite already alive with the buzz of activity and the roar of exhausts. The destination always steals the spotlight, and this one was no exception—a high-altitude perch offering stunning 360-degree views of the sea, mountains, and city.

As the rain came down, tents went up, and the evening was all about swapping stories of heroic saves and laughable crashes. And then there were the races. Picture a pack of overexcited riders tearing up the hillside in what can only be described as controlled chaos. This year’s races included thrilling 1-on-1 duels around the hilltop, with participants pushing through two laps of sheer adrenaline.

It wasn’t just about winning; it was about showing up, laughing, and embracing the moment. The race winners and the fastest hilltop arrivals were celebrated with prizes, but the smiles, the camaraderie, and the shared triumphs made everyone feel like champions.

This year’s Wild lived up to its name and then some. Adventure, laughter, and just enough dirt in your teeth to call it authentic—we wouldn’t have it any other way. A massive thank you to all the participants who made it unforgettable. See you on the next adventure!