Isolation Diaries – KAYU Surfboards
The past few months have been trying on us all to say the least. Here in Bali, the economy is highly dependent on the tourism sector. This has had a devastating effect on the local community. People are out of work and really feeling the struggle. With domestic tourism now open, hopefully, this is a start for new opportunities here in Bali. With the hope of international tourism starting in early September, we all hope the people of this beautiful island will soon flourish.
With new procedures bouncing around daily, it’s hard to comprehend what effects or changes may lay ahead. If you are a surfer that has been in Bali in recent months you have scored in a massive way, I don’t think there will be a time like this again in our lifetime. All around the island there have been PUMPING waves with very few people out and some days completely empty.
A lot of people have compared this time to Bali 15-20 years ago with empty roads and only a handful of tourists around, so if you are still in Bali, take this time to go and explore some breaks you wouldn’t usually surf due to the crowded line ups, this won’t last. It has been a hell of a season so far.
For KAYU things will very much stay the same as it has always been, keeping the traditional values and roots of surfing from the ’40s with a modern-day edge. The traditional Balsa board element stays the same, but with the addition of high performance, new construction techniques, massive weight reduction, and super sleek and elegant design and look.
Balsa wood is stronger and stiffer than any foam used in surfboard production. In combination with the great flex of balsa wood, this results in smooth riding characteristics, control, and stability in the water. KAYU surfboards trim the wave very fast and develop unique drive-in messy sections of the wave.
Surfing on Balsa has a very special feeling to it, you know that this magical piece of equipment has been made from the earth with the sole purpose of being used in the great elements of the ocean. This connection is not the same as a typical mass-produced surfboard that has been pumped out of a factory-made with materials that are far from the natural world. Being kind to the environment should be high on the list of TODO’S for any surfer so a surfboard that has all the same capabilities and far fewer negatives should be a no brainer.
KAYU has a lot in the pipeline for the years ahead and we are looking forward to sharing this with the world, it’s time to make a change in the surfing community and do the earth a favor, little by little, the more wood in the water the better. Here at KAYU we always want to spread hope and positivity, even through the tough times and what better way to express this than through the love of surfing. We look forward to welcoming all old and new friends back to Bali soon, and we hope you can stop by to check us out even if it’s just for a coffee and a chat we will be happy to have you.
Keep your eyes peeled for new content with collaborating partners that will show you what our boards are capable of in some of Bali’s most iconic spots.
Yeew!!
