Surfing
Essential Indonesian vocabulary and phrases for surfers in Indonesia
I still remember my first surfing trip to Bali. I was fortunate enough to be with a friend who knew the island, so we didn't even touch base in Kuta. Instead we travelled overland from Surabaya, arriving in the early morning to get a pedicab to the port and then a ferry from Banyiywangi. We watched the sun rise from the top of the ferry as we travelled towards Gilimanuk, before getting a motorbike taxi and and a bemo to Negera. Then my friend led me across a field to a small homestay, from where we watched the longest wave I had ever seen break perfectly of a point break.
Note: Do be aware that outside Bali and the other surfing hotspots, many Indonesians are not really aware of surfing – and even some of the associated vocabulary. Selancar can can also mean to ski, so don’t be surprised if people don’t understand you when you say you are in Indonesia for the surfing. In fact, this is the only part of this website where my wife didn't know all the vocabulary, so apologies for any mistakes!
| Surfing | Berselancar |
| Surfboard | Selancar |
| Sea | Laut |
| Wave | Ombak |
| Big waves | Ombak besar |
| Small waves | Ombak kecil |
| I like big waves. | Aku suka ombak besar. |
| I don't like small waves. | Aku tidak suka ombak kecil. |
| Good waves | Ombak bagus |
| Rolling water (i.e. broken waves) | Air guling |
| Full tide | Air pasang |
| Low tide | Air surut |
| Tube | Terowongan |
| Coral | Batu karang |
| Shallow | Dangkal |
| Deep | Dalam |
| Be careful | Hati-hati |
| Look | Lihat |
| Watch out | Awas |
| Repair | Memperbaiki |
| Snapped | Patah |
| My surfboard has snapped on the rocks. | Selancarku patah di batu. |
| Can you repair my surfboard? | Bisa perbaiki selancarku? |
| How much to repair my surfboard? | Berapa untuk memperbaiki selancarku? |
| Be careful - the coral is sharp. | hati-hati - karangnya tajam. |
| Ini/itu ombakku. | This/that is my wave. |