Billabong Girls In Bali

Ryan Brower

August 10 2009
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Billabong recently amassed their top female amateurs from across the globe, packed them on planes, and unleashed them on the island of Bali. Bali has not been the same since…

The crew was an eclectic mix of Aussies (Felicity Palmateer, Ellie-Jean Coffey, Dimity Stoyle, and Kirby Wright), Americans (Courtney Conlogue, Alessa Quizon, Catherine Clark, and Taylor Pitz) and a lone South African (Heidi Palmbloom).

They first arrived in Bingin for a few days - a bit out of the way from the urban sprawl, but still picturesque Bali and miles away from the hubbub of Kuta. This put them right in the surf epicenter of Uluwatu, Padang, and Dreamland, though and gave all the Americans a good taste of Bali in what was their first venture to the island.

They then took the 30-minute boat ride to the island of Nusa Lembongan. The island can be seen from Bali, but it is a different world. There are no cars, only scooters. The water is the bluest in the world and there are massive tide swings. The surf there only breaks at high tide, otherwise it is dry reef. The locals on Nusa Lembongan have seaweed farms which they tend to when the tide drops. Unfortunately there were no waves when the ladies were there, but they took a boat around the island and saw it’s entire beauty.

With a swell picking up they headed back to Bali a day early - literally getting off the boat and driving straight to Keramas, which was spewing flawlessness. They stayed in Legian the last few days and realized the perfection that is Bali - good food, good shopping, and good waves.

Traveling with nine surfers, plus photogs can be a challenge. As Billabong Girls US Team Manager Megan Villa pointed out, “It was a bit hard traveling with such a big crew. Going to eat was a nightmare.”

All in all, the top youngsters of Billabong’s girls’ team tore through Bali and made it a trip for the ages.