There are surf contests and then there’s the Deus Bali 9ft and Single Log Fest. This friendly gathering of ocean fanatics surfing in fine waves together felt like it was more about feeding off of each other’s good vibes than anyone winning or losing.
Seeababe Mele Saili (placed 3rd) was honored to be apart of the first invite-only women’s expression session on Sunday, June 1 where she paddled out next to Kassia Meador (placed 2nd), Jen Smith, Leah Dawson (congrats to Leah for being crowned the winner), Erin Ashley, Ryo Bay and Borabora Hwang.
"It was a completely surreal and an honor to have the chance to surf with the women I grew up idolizing," Mele says. "For the women's heat it was head high plus. The conditions pushed everyone to take their surfing to the next level. The obvious stand outs of the whole contest were Leah Dawson and Devon Howard who both received 1st places."
The whole weekend from May 29 – June 1 had a bunch of rad happenings going on: an Andy Davis art show opening at the Deus Temple of Enthusiam in Canggu, a Bali Fish Fry displaying an enviable spread of boards, a shaper’s forum and of course different surfing events divided by the wavecraft (9ft and up, under 9ft, hand plane body whomping).
"It was a great way to meet and mingle with everyone that traveled from all different parts of the world to get here, just for this contest," Mele says of the experience. "Once I got here I was amazed how you can just hop on a scooter with your board and ride past all the open rice patties on your way to the beach. This is my first time to Bali and found the waves to have so much more power and speed than back home."
Follow Mele in Bali through this photo gallery of the weekend's festivities!
Seeababe Mele Saili (placed 3rd) was honored to be apart of the first invite-only women’s expression session on Sunday, June 1 where she paddled out next to Kassia Meador (placed 2nd), Jen Smith, Leah Dawson (congrats to Leah for being crowned the winner), Erin Ashley, Ryo Bay and Borabora Hwang.
"It was a completely surreal and an honor to have the chance to surf with the women I grew up idolizing," Mele says. "For the women's heat it was head high plus. The conditions pushed everyone to take their surfing to the next level. The obvious stand outs of the whole contest were Leah Dawson and Devon Howard who both received 1st places."
The whole weekend from May 29 – June 1 had a bunch of rad happenings going on: an Andy Davis art show opening at the Deus Temple of Enthusiam in Canggu, a Bali Fish Fry displaying an enviable spread of boards, a shaper’s forum and of course different surfing events divided by the wavecraft (9ft and up, under 9ft, hand plane body whomping).
"It was a great way to meet and mingle with everyone that traveled from all different parts of the world to get here, just for this contest," Mele says of the experience. "Once I got here I was amazed how you can just hop on a scooter with your board and ride past all the open rice patties on your way to the beach. This is my first time to Bali and found the waves to have so much more power and speed than back home."
Follow Mele in Bali through this photo gallery of the weekend's festivities!
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| View from Bali. Photo on Mele Saili's Instagram. |
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| Board racks not required. Photo by Erin Ashley's Instagram. |
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| Single fin log fest! Mele in the Leucadia skirt. |
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| The scene at the festival. |
