Introducing Gede Adnyana - ASI Surfing Instructor Bali

Gede Adnyana is an ASI Level 3 Surfing Coach in Bali.   He started surfing after a friend said “try surfing. And he was hooked.  He decided to make a career in the surfing industry and now owns and operates his own surf school in Legian Beach. 

We chat to Gede about his background and his success to date.

What is your background ?

I was born in a small village called Les (Sinaraja region) in north-eastern Bali.   It’s a beautiful area and coastline.  My family are traditional fisherman.  So I grew up by the sea.    The ocean has been my second home all my life.

I studied hospitality, to be a cook.  And also learned English.   

What got you involved in the surfing?

In 2009, I visited a friend who worked on the Double Six Beach, Legian.   He suggested I try surfing.

In the north of Bali, there are no waves, so it never crossed my mind to surf.  

I loved it straight away. I borrowed surfboards and practiced every day. Finally I bought my own board.   Coming from an ocean background, I was easily able to adapt and learn how to surf.  I watched the more experienced surfers and asked them questions and kept practicing.

Why did you become a surfing instructor ?

After getting hooked on surfing, I decided to get a job as a surfing instructor.  I first worked for a surf school in Canggu.   I learned how to drive so I could transport people to and from the surf and assist the other instructors.

I also worked for a surf school located the Intercontinental Hotel, at Jimberan Bay.   It was a completely different location to Canggu and caters for the guests at the 5 star hotel. 

What made you set up your own surf school?

In 2012, I met my wife, Henney a school teacher from the UK.  We got married and she moved to Bali.   We decided to set up Santai surf school, based at Double Six Beach Legian.   We wanted to offer more personalised sessions. We now have a small team of other instructors who assist us with lessons.

Why did you become an ASI instructor?

In November 2016, I did the ASI instructor training course. I wanted to learn as much as possible and hold international surfing instructor qualifications.  And I then did the Level 2 Surfing Instructor and Level 3 Surf Coach courses (able to instruct and coach advanced level surfing skills). 

All our surf school instructors are also ASI qualified.

What do you like about being an instructor?

I love sharing the passion with other people. 

You get to meet people from all over the world

As I am Balinese, I can also share some of the Bali culture with our clients.

It’s just great being near and in the ocean everyday, in a sport I love doing.

Having an ASI international qualification and ability to obtain higher levels of qualifications.  I can also work in other countries around the world.

Tell us about funny or interesting or nice situation that has happened to you with instructing?

We often have larger size clients.  One client in particular, wanted to learn to surf and stand up and catch a wave. But they believed their weight size was hindering them and that’s why they were falling off all the time   I  try to give my student the confidence to surf.  I said  “everyone falls off when learning.” 

By the end of the class, the client was standing.  You could see the happiness in their face.  They then had the confidence to come back and keep practicing. 

It is very satisfying to see how people’s lives can change because of surfing !

Thanks Gede for sharing your story with us…
Santai Surf School more info

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