A sneak preview of the 2011 collection Otis photo shoot at Komune Resort in Coolangatta. Shot by Grant Dostal and edited by Adam Bennetts.

Bennetts leaps tall sections in a single bound. Pic Damea.

This week was by far the most hectic week I’ve had in Bali. We surfed our rings off all week followed by a massive weekend. On Friday night Reef premiered their movie, Cancer to Capricorn (on the cover of ASL 263 on sale now) at the Hard Rock Hotel. Along with the movie premiere they also had the semi-finals of the Miss Reef Bikini contest and I was in charge of the music for the night. Who was I to complain?

Team Reef hit the Hard Rock.

After surfing hung-over all morning on Saturday we had to meet down at the beach mid afternoon so Nate Lawrence could whip us in on his ski for an expression session. The conditions were perfect, the wind was super light cross/off shore and there was a perfect three foot left bank in front of the massive stage Reef had set up for the Miss Reef finals.

Paul Fisher and Bennetts behind the decks at the Miss Reef semi finals.

Best view in Bali. Pic Damea

The surf contest finished earlier in the day but the beach was still crowded with everyone gathered on the waters edge where we were whipping in. At one point I looked in and it resembled the shoreline at Snapper during the Quikky Pro. It was really cool ‘cos the crowd was so close to us in the water but the cheers were epic when someone landed something big.

There’s no half measures here in Bali. Reef going all out for the finals day.

During the expression session, Paul Fisher and Tai Buddha were on the mic writing everyone off. It was the funniest afternoon of surfing I’ve ever witnessed and when the surfing wrapped up the finals of the Miss Reef bikini contest began. Once again I was in charge of the music. You should have seen this set up they had on the beach, the thing was amazing! It was like being at a festival at home and it was best sound system I have ever DJ’d on. Off to the side of the stage there was a VIP area where we were signing posters for the crowd. Miss Reef Argentina also flew in and I had the best seat in the house. 

Miss Reef Argentina taking my ‘Fat Cat’ for a spin.

After the Miss Reef finals, a couple of sick bands from Jakarta played until late. I was DJing at Divine Wonderland that night as well so naturally the party kicked on there until the early hours of the morning. 

The surf was small for the next couple of days so it gave us some time to nurse our hangovers and recover from going big during the tow session. Keramas turned on for some good waves on the Wednesday. Check out the video below. 

More Bali goodness coming next week, get over here if you can!

Bennetts

Mark Matthews, Taj Burrow Adam Bennetts and more...

Living the dream in Bali for my first week. Waves were firing and the surfing was even better. Enjoy!

Words: Dino Adrian
Photos: Jamie Scott

http://surfinglife.com.au/news/asl-news/4430-dinos-diary-part-1

West Aussie lad Dino Adrian has decided to bail the early West Oz winter and head for the surfer’s paradise that is the Mentawais. While holed up in heaven he figured he may as well keep us up to date on his doings, and will be filling the odd blog or two over the next coupla weeks. Turns out Dino’s also staying in about the only place you can park your boat and buy a beer, so as well as plenty of refreshments, he’ll be meeting plenty of crusty old salts while he’s at it. It’s a tough life, but somebody’s gotta do it. Here’s Dino’s Diary – Part One.

This is home for the next two weeks. Shithouse hey? On a tropical island in the middle of nowhere with a coupla china plates. And you couldn’t get better hosts, some of the best people I’ve met and there are waves all around us.

This is our bedroom. It’s a bar, the Monkey Bar. Every night crew from the boats come in to sink a few ales, so there’s not going to be much sleeping going down. The two lads behind the bar are absolute mad horses. The Bintangs going down out here are like angels pissing on your tongue. Oh yeah, take note of the rig too. If we get some swell, which is apparently arriving the next few days, I’ll be able to tick all boxes for the perfect Indo mission.