Jan 05, 2025

Vast Lives Episode 14 - Betet Merta

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with my good friend Betet Merta aka Da Guy in the newly opened surf store called Outside Corner, right in the heart of Uluwatu, Abuzz with surfers and shoppers I could feel he had created a space that is representative of himself & the local surfing community.

We started with his excitementabout the store's opening and the great support he received from friends and other surfers alike. Betet shared his move to Uluwatu and how, over the last decade, it has turned into a hotbed for surfers and tourists in general. He said he felt lucky the waves were good and the local economy strong. Though it was costly, Bali was still value for money compared with other tourist destinations globally, he noted.

As we went deeper into Betet's surfing background, we reminisced about the early days of the original KUTA crew. The friendship and all the experiences shared. He remembered how he used to hang out at Rizal's parents' hotel and the famous Balcony, where all the pros would hang out.

Betet showed enthusiasm when tellingme how he started surfing at avery young age, and one of the main reasons for this was Rizal Tandjung, who played a big role in his development within surfing.

We discussed the development of Indonesia's surfing scene,most especially the rise in young talent in the sport.

Betet added optimistically that the future of professional Indonesian surfers like Bronson Meydi could one day become world champion.

He underlined that resident competitions and training programs are helping nurture the next generation of professional surfers.

We did a round of questions regarding increasingly crowded surf spots and respect among surfers-especially as more and more surfers have gone to Bali. Betet himself brought insightful ideas about the local culture and the balance between tourism and tradition.

As we concluded the podcast episode, Betet talked about Bali's future, the surfing community, and what lies ahead for him. His love of surfing, his commitment to his roots, and his commitment to inclusion make him an absolute Indonesian ambassador for the sport.

Join us in this engaging conversation full of stories, insights, and great appreciation for the surfing lifestyle in Bali. If you are an avid surfer or even just a curious mind about the culture, this episode will bring a unique perspective into the world of surfing through the eyes of one of its most passionate ambassadors.

Catch the episode on:

Spotify .

Apple Podcast.

Youtube.

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