We are living in Bali and i have tried to organize a surf camp with Raja Ombak for my son during the school holidays. They gave rates and schedules but they said they were busy for the first week of the holidays and we scheduled to start for the following week. We waited the week to pass by and when the starting day came the guys became unreachable. No pick up the phone, no reply to the text messages, i passed by the camp to find out what was going on just to be said from one surf instructor (that was sleeping) that he was busy with beginners and there was 'no option' he would take care of my kid (he was the one that scheduled the program with my son!) and that he handed over the job to what i understand to be the owner of the camp. I called and text many times the guy and he never picked up or reply. Beside being very rude and unprofessional, I am pissed off because my son wasted his school holidays waiting for the Raja Ombak guys to take care of him as they agreed to do.

My first stay at Stormrider was last year and I fell in love with the place and the staff and just had to come back. It is in a beautiful rice field neighborhood that is a short (5 minute) scooter ride from Ecco Beach or Batu Balong which are excellent waves if you feel like just going on your own, but for around $45 US a night for your room, you also get twice daily surf guiding from the Bukit to Medewi. Whether you go with the Indonesian guides or Arnd, the outgoing German owner, one of the few westerners who is fuly licensed to guide in Indonesia, they will get you to the right place for your surf level and the swell conditions of the day. Arnd and his guides know the sneak routes to avoid traffic too, which is a crucial plus. The place is very nicely designed and has spacious rooms and bathrooms that are a bit nicer than other camps i have stayed at on Bali. If you look at the photos on the stormrider site you will get an idea. The restaurant has a limited selection, but all the food is good and a good value, except for Arnd's curry chicken and curry fish, which is not good, it is excellent. And its such a good deal! Bali overall is a bargain, but the quality of the rooms for the price, if you compare to other local accommodations, its like you are getting the surf guiding free and just paying a fair price for room and breakfast.