Padang Padang Surf Camp

Padang Padang Surf Camp is a small, coaching-focused surf camp on Jalan Labuan Sait at Padang Padang, on Bali's Bukit Peninsula, and has been teaching in the Uluwatu area since 2005. It takes around 20 guests at a time, all in private rooms rather than dorms, and guests can arrive on any dates rather than fixed programme weeks.

The surf day is built around two sessions, with groups split by ability into beginner, novice, intermediate and advanced. Between sessions there is a daily coaching slot of video review, land training, pool drills or surf skate. Spots are chosen the night before from the forecast: beginners usually surf Padang Padang, Balangan, Dreamland, Toro Toro or Jimbaran, while stronger surfers are taken to the Bukit's reefs. The camp also has a pool, ice bath and sauna, daily yoga, in-house meals, and runs surf-and-yoga and surf progression retreats through the year.

You don't have to stay to surf with them. Lessons run 1.5 to 2 hours in groups of up to six with a coach in the water, and semi-private and private lessons and surf guiding are also offered. Published lesson prices are £29 per session (£47 for two in a day) for non-residents and £20 (£35) for camp guests, including the board and a rash vest, with transport to the break included. Lessons must be booked in advance; note that Padang Padang beach is reached by a steep staircase.