The image of a surfer carving up waves against a beautiful backdrop has long been synonymous with Bali, which is not only Indonesia's number one tourist destination but a global hotspot for those seeking sun, sund and yes, surf.

The school and summer holiday periods are a peak time not just for tourists, but for those running surf schools on beaches around the province. With so many potential customers, the business of surf schools in Bali has exploded in the past few years, with more and more affordable and competitive rates and packages being offered for surfers of all levels.

Australian Matt Scarff, 37, is a surfer and co-owner of the Bali Learn to Surf school (affiliated with the Hard Rock Hotel in Kuta) who transformed his lifelong passion into a business with another surfer, Jakartan Dion Hilliard, almost 10 years ago.

"At first we were the only surf school in the area. Now, there are around 20 other surf schools around Bali, with the majority in the Kuta area. The competition is quite high," Scarff told The Jakarta Post last Wednesday. With its links to the hotel chain in Kuta, Scarff said, the school was the only in-house surf center connected to a hotel of its kind anywhere in the world.

The season for business varies quite a bit throughout the year, but Scarff said the peak times were always the mid-year dry season, with a particular spike during the Indonesian school holiday period.

"During the June to August peak season, we usually get more domestic customers from Jakarta and Bandung. It could reach more than 20 people per day, compared to one or two customers a day during the low season," he said.

During the summer holidays, the school can cater to around 50 students, both local and international, every day.

"Our international customers usually come from Germany, Sweden, Iran, Iraq, Japan, Korea and China, but the majority definitely come from Australia," said Scarff. Most students, he said, were just beginners who usually opted for the entry-level class.

"We guarantee it will be a safe class, as our instructors are trained to prioritize safety, especially considering the waves," said Scarff, who claimed no accidents had so far occurred.

Bali Learn to Surf has two full-time instructors and five available when needed, meaning there are never more than 4 students to every instructor. For those starting out or still finding their feet, the classes take place at Kuta beach, while those with greater experience head to the more challenging Canggu, Uluwatu and Sanur beaches.

While this well-established western outfit is perhaps too much for some, there are other cheaper local instructors offering to impart their wisdom up and down Kuta Beach.

Wasis and Arifin are two brothers from Malang, East Java, who decided to give it a shot on Kuta Beach and offer surf lessons to those coming down to the waves for the first time.

They wander the beach, a few meters from the water, keeping their eyes peeled for those looking for lessons. Competition in the less-established arena is difficult too, with dozens of other surfing gurus looking for customers also.

Wasis started the business seven years ago after teaching himself to surf and ran the operation solo for quite a number of years. Just last year, he asked his brother Arifin to join in and lend a hand.

"The business is not bad at all. It has been supporting me fine, but you cannot predict how many customers you will get in a day," said Wasis. He and his brother offering hour-long lessons to potential students for a negotiable Rp 150,000 (US$15), board included.

Arifin said that even if the business was sporadic and very unpredictable, they were always guaranteed at least one customer per day.

Arifin said they take very good care of their students.

"We stay close to the students in the water and ensure they stay comfortable and confident. We have not once had an accident while teaching."

Wasis and Arifin currently own around 24 surf board sand body boards.

Best friends Evelyn and Nadine, Germans on holiday in Bali, said they were interested in learning how to surf and planned to include it during their trip.

"I am very interested in learning how to surf, just for fun," said Nadine, with Evelyn nodding in approval.

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