The Ultimate Guide To The 2022 Rip Curl Cup Padang Padang.
Behold, our guide to everything you’ll need to experience the Rip Curl Cup done right. Because even if you can’t win the comp, you should still be winning at The Cup.
There’s a reason why the best surfers on the planet all clamor for an invite to the Rip Curl Cup: because it’s the most fun any of them will have at a surf contest, period. Even if you’re not one of the 16 best barrel maestros on earth, you can still get in on the performance – just tune in to the live webcast, or better still, buy a plane ticket to Bali and get amongst the action. Just make sure you come prepared. Behold, our guide to everything you’ll need to experience the Rip Curl Cup done right. Because even if you can’t win the comp, you should still be winning at The Cup.
Be Sure to Bring:
Your Padang Picks
There’s nothing better than being able to tell your friends “I told you so.” Be sure to make your Padang Picks by completing a Rip Curl Cup tournament bracket with your heat-by-heat winner predictions. Remember: Don’t count out the local surfers when filling out that bracket. Indonesian surfers have claimed three of the five past Rip Curl Cup titles.
Barrel Board
You don’t make a trip to the Rip Curl Cup just to watch the best in the business get shacked silly. You’re here to get some too, so get in where you fit in. There are plenty of empty Indian Ocean caverns to go around during the waiting period.
Iodine
Surfing tropical barrels eventually means donating some skin to the reef. It’s inevitable and it happens to even the best of ‘em. Keep your cuts clean and you’ll be fine. Let them fester and you’ll be dry-docked the rest of your trip with a nasty infection.
Sunscreen
Welcome to the equator. Now lather on the sunscreen. If you don’t, you’ll be feeling crispier than a deep fried lobster. And remember to reapply after going in the water.
Aloe Vera
Great relief for sunburns (after you forget to reapply the sunscreen).
Indonesian Dictionary
Many of the locals in Bali speak excellent English, along with multiple other foreign languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, etc.), but take the time to learn some basic phrases in Indonesian and the locals will love you. Learn to speak some of the local Balinese language and you’ll be their new best friend.
Dancing Shoes
The Rip Curl Cup waiting period can be as long as one month. That means plenty of nights to get out that anxious energy and try and exhort the surf gods to send a bombing Padang swell. With the best party lineup in surf contests, including the infamous costume party and a live mystery performance at Ulu Cliff House, get ready to get down.
Sunnies
The beach at Padang during the Rip Curl Cup is crawling with beautiful creatures. Make sure you can admire the view without getting busted. Also great for watching the action in the water through the afternoon glare.
Mirage Boardies
Perfect waves + all-day offshore tradewinds + bath-warm water = you’re going to be doing a lot of surfing. Make sure you don’t get held out of the water because of chaffing down south. The only thing more painful than saltwater stinging your chaffed skin is watching perfect waves while you’re stuck on the beach.
Motorbike Skills
The locals know the quickest way to get from point A to point B in Bali is on the bike. Never driven one in Bali? Think MarioKart but without the turtle shells – and a whole lot crazier. Slow down!
Camera
Unlike most surf contests where the athletes are sequestered in a cordoned off VIP area, at the Padang Cup all the competitors hang out in the beach warungs, eat nasi goreng and watch the show along with the everyone else. It’s a great opportunity to buy your hero a drink and get a photo together. Just don’t try to swim out to the lineup with your water housing during the contest. That’s a great way to get a photo of your hero flipping you the bird.
Champagne
2019 marks the fourth year the Rip Curl Cup will be an officially sanctioned WSL event (it remains ASC event as ewll), meaning the bubbly on the winner’s podium will taste that much sweeter. Bring your own bottle and they might even let you on stage to help shower off the new champ.
Leave at Home:
Your Expectations
