Picture of the Day: Going Big at Padang Padang Beach in Bali

10 years, 9 months ago - July 02, 2013

The surfing wave at Padang Padang beach in Bali is known as the 'Balinese Pipeline'.

Like it's namesake on Hawaii's North Shore, when the ocean swell gets big, the reef forms perfect (but very dangerous) hollow barrel waves breaking in just a few feet of water. Balinese local surfer Mega Semadhi risked it all by dropping in to the most dangerous part of the wave when another surfer wiped out ahead of him. They say that traditional dancing influenced the style of Bali's surfers, and Mega landed his air drop with the grace of a cat and went on to have a perfect ride.

Location: Padang Padang Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Photo and caption by Tommy Schultz

More pictures of the day

Text by National Geographic

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