My Bikini Mayhem In Bali

Padang Padang Beach, locally referred to as Pantai Labuan Sait, is one of Bali’s most famous surf spots, located close to the most southerly tip of the island’s Bukit Peninsula. This beach features an exotic setting; a simply stunning one hundred meter-long stretch of sand that is accessible down a flight of stairs through a unique hollow rock entrance. Each year during the dry season the offshore trade winds create perfectly groomed swells that attract wave riders from all corners of the globe to test their Surfing skills at the famous Balinese Pipeline. The break is also host to world-renowned Tube riding event The Rip Curl Cup, now in its 15th year. So it seems fitting that the Ultimate Surfing Company should open its brand new concept store just a stone’s throw from the beach entrance.

Last Friday Rip Curl invited everyone to come and visit the new store for a meet and greet with the Rip Curl Women’s Team currently on location for a global My Bikini Women’s training camp. 12 of Rip Curl’s best team have been testing themselves Surfing the islands best waves from Uluwatu to Keramas to celebrate the start of Bikini Season and to officially cut the red tape and open its brand new concept store at Padang Padang.

Kicking off at 4pm last Thursday, hundreds of excited Surfers of all ages lined the street from the Padang Padang parking area to the store entrance waiting for Surfing icons Bethany Hamilton, Alana Blanchard, Nikki Van Dijk as well as the entire Rip Curl Junior women’s team’s arrival and to get their hands on free gifts, a signed poster and a photo with some of the best Women surfers on the planet.

Girls as young as 6 years old also took the opportunity to signed up to Surf with the Pros during the My Bikini Girls Go Surfing Day, which took place on Friday 21st September. Diah Rahayu (Bali), Kirra-Belle Olsson (Aus), Kobie Enright (Aus), Molly Picklum (Aus), Leah Thompson (USA), Alyssa Spencer (USA), Brisa Hennessy (Haw), Leilani McGonagle (Costa Rica) and Ella Williams (NZ) joined more than 60 girls gathered for a once in a lifetime opportunity to rub shoulders, hang at the beach and surf with their idols.

A highlight of the day was when Professional surfers, World Tour competitors, Mothers, and Surfing icons Bethany Hamilton, Alana Blanchard and Nikki Van Dijk joined 15 of the luckiest girls who were selected for a final Surf session together at the closing of the event. Alana and Bethany gave tips on best technique while Nikki rode tandem on long boards with some of the youngest girls making the afternoon an unforgettable experience at the same time promoting Surfing as a healthy fun lifestyle for Girls of all ages.

This event was supported by Rip Curl School of Surf, Infinite Wave School of Surf, Balian Water and Sensatia Botanical.