Surfing Inside Ekas from Ekas Panorama, Lombok

The two Stuarts and I took an outrigger canoe to the Inside Ekas surf break in the morning. There were around 15 people surfing there.  People come across from Kuta by boat and also from access point below Ekas Surf Resort (who have one SUP for hire).

The reef break was clean but not too easy to catch. I wasn't having much success on my the surfboard I rented from Ekas but it was great to be out there watching others carve up the waves.

I eventually caught one and got a good ride in then headed back to the canoe feeling quite tired. Surfing is hard work for me - lots of paddling and my sternum was tender from the harness pressure in yesterday's very strong winds.

Some days there is no surf at this location. Outside Ekas reef break generally has bigger waves.

We headed back to Kaliantan in the afternoon for more kitesurfing.

Epic first kitesurfing at Kaliantan beach Lombok #558

Session 558. Our first day kitesurfing of the trip at Kaliantan was everything we had hoped for. 

We headed toff after lunch in a van to Pantai Cemara, the location now favoured for kitesurfing, which is to the east of Kaliantan. The driver took us close to Tampah Boleq as the vehicle track into the kitesurfing location is quite rough. We walked around the corner to get to the kite beach.

The wind was howling around 25-30 knots.  

This spot is around the corner from the main Kaliantan beach and has a nice sandy beach. The wind is cross onshore and there is a good tack out into deeper water in the lagoon.  

There is a local kitesurfing school operating there. Herman and the friendly guys from Kitesurf Lombok provided us with good assistance launching and landing kites and advice on local conditions.  They are based at the nearby  Kaliantan Paradise Bungalow and can provide local food at the beach if you order it. They also have accommodation in bungalows.

I would have used my 8m kite if I had it. I borrowed Stu's 10m Union, rigged the lower knots and headed out close to overpowered.

This is the strongest wind by far I have encountered in Indonesia - its worth packing a smaller kite for this location!

The water is warm and the sun was blazing. The reef had a good cover of water at the high tide,

We tacked out to the reef break next to the channel which had a serious rip going out through it. The waves were big and a bit intimidating. I was overpowered and finding it difficult to stay on them.

Kaliantan beach

Kaliantan beach

Walking to Pantai Cemara

Pantai Cemara - kite beach

THe 

Flying from Bali to Lombok and transfer to Ekas Panorama Hotel

Our Lombok kitesurfing trip was finally happening after being cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID restrictions!

After flying to Bali last night and sleeping in the well appointed Novotel airport hotel, and a great breakfast, we walked to the domestic terminal to catch a flight to Lombok for our kitesurfing trip.

It took about 15 minutes per person to get the Lion Air boarding pass and to book our baggage on. They only accept cash for the excess baggage, which cost more than the flight.  Lion Air directed us to the Wings Air counter, it turns out they are the same airline.

My luggage trackers indicated both my bags were on the plane.

It as a short scenic flight over.

Lombok airport was very quiet on arrival, but outside taxi drivers were clamouring for rides. An army soldier was keeping them under control

We met our host Max, loaded his SUV and he drove us away.

They have built some good quality new roads for the Moto GP race. The smaller roads are narrower with lots of small enterprises and dwellings along them.

We stopped at ATM for cash, they can be difficult to spot.

We arriving at Panorama Ekas hotel, our base for kitesurfing. There are good views across the bay, lots of fishing boats, and a good pool.

Good locally cooked meals are available, including Indonesian Nasi Goreng, Mee Goreng, pancakes, steaks etc.

After lunch we organised our gear and headed of for our first kitesurfing session at Kaliantan.