Surfing Lombok: Travelling Light and Letting Go of Expectations

There is something liberating about booking a surf trip later in life. You know what you love, what you need, and what you can live without. When I packed for Lombok, I made a conscious decision to travel light, no board bag, no excess luggage, just a few pairs of swimmers and an open mind.

After years of hauling boards through airports and worrying about dings, I decided to rent once I arrived. It was the best decision I could have made. The surf shops in Lombok are full of great boards, and the surf shops are more than happy to help you find something that suits your style. Within an hour of landing, I had a fun mid-length under my arm!

Freedom in simplicity

Travelling light changes the whole rhythm of a surf trip. You move easier, think less, and flow more. There’s no stress about baggage limits or waiting at the carousel hoping your board made it. You just arrive, breathe, and let the island show you what it has to offer.

Lombok has a slower pace than Bali. The beaches are quieter, the water is impossibly blue, and the waves suit every level. From the mellow rollers of Selong Belanak to the long, glassy walls at Gerupuk, there’s something for everyone.

Confidence in the unknown

Travelling solo or with a few close friends in midlife feels different to those trips you might have taken years ago. There’s a deeper appreciation for each moment, and a new kind of confidence that comes from experience. You don’t need to chase every set wave or prove anything to anyone. You just want to enjoy being out there, moving, floating, breathing, feeling alive.

Renting boards also gives you the freedom to try something new. I swapped between a 7’2 funboard and a single-fin longboard, and each session taught me something different. Without the pressure of my own board, I found myself more open, more playful, and a little less serious about it all.

Surfing for the joy of it

Travelling to surf as an older woman is not about chasing the biggest waves or perfecting your cutback. It’s about reconnecting with what surfing gives you, peace, perspective, and that childlike joy that bubbles up when you catch a good one and can’t stop smiling.

If you’ve been dreaming of a surf trip but hesitating because of the logistics, do it. Book the ticket, travel light, rent a board and trust that everything you need will be waiting for you when you get there.

Because at this stage of life, surfing isn’t about proving your strength. It’s about celebrating it. 🌴💙