Bali surf reports since 1999
Baliwaves has been reporting on Bali’s waves since December 1999. Ketut is out at the breaks with his camera, and each report is built from what he sees, so you know what it’s like before you paddle out. Thousands of reports later, it’s still the same idea: honest, on-the-ground information from people who live here.
Slim
Kenneth James Bristow, “Slim” (died July 2024)
Slim lived and breathed Bali surf. For decades he watched these waves, photographed them, surfed them, and shared them honestly. He believed good information helped surfers stay safe, surf better, and respect the places they travelled to.
Baliwaves exists because of that belief.
He came to Indonesia in the mid 1990s with a few thousand dollars, an outboard motor and a motorbike, and never really left. Most days he was at the beach before sunrise with a camera, and his reports had a way of putting you right there on the reef: the size, the wind, the tide, the crowd, what a dollar was worth on the street in Tuban, and a bit of cheek to finish. Every reader remembers his disclaimer:
Baliwaves accepts no responsibility for absenteeism, daydreaming, depression, divorce, lethargy, alcoholism, jealousy, black magic, midlife crisis, Bali belly, or loss of wages.
Slim passed away peacefully in July 2024, surrounded by his wife Ayu and their children Ray and Amanda. His voice, values and love for the ocean live on in every report, every photo and every page of this site.
As he always said, life’s better in Bali.
Read more about Slim in his 2013 interview with SurfCareers.
How it started
In November 1999 I (Troy) stayed at the homestay where Slim was living. I’d found him through the RealSurf website, where he was writing semi-regular Bali surf reports, and he spent the week showing us the best waves on the island. On my last day he said he’d like a website of his own. A month later, on 19 December 1999, baliwaves.com went live with its first report:
Bali 19Dec1999. Once again there has been a few ok waves over the last week in Bali. Not quite as good as the previous, but still good enough to clear the head. Wave height dropped away on the 13th down to 4 ft at Nusa Dua, which does pick up the most swell during the wet season. But was back solid again on the 14th, Nusa Dua a solid 6-8 ft with offshore winds from the WNW… Have a good week. J Bristow.
25 years of reports
The archive is the history of Bali surf as it happened: more than 6,000 reports from Uluwatu, Keramas, Canggu, the Outer Reefs, G-Land, the Mentawais and everywhere in between, plus the swells, contests, friends and photographers along the way. Browse the surf reports.
Who’s behind it now
Ketut is on the ground in Bali. He’s Slim’s brother-in-law, has been part of Baliwaves for years, and now carries on Slim’s work with the same dedication, out at the breaks most days with his camera. His photos are the heart of every report.
Troy Roennfeldt has been part of Baliwaves since the first report in 1999, and keeps the reports and socials coming.
To everyone who has read, shared, contributed or surfed Bali’s waves because of this site: thank you. Baliwaves wouldn’t be what it is without you.
Support Slim’s family
Slim’s biggest wish was for Ayu, Ray and Amanda to be looked after, and for the kids to finish their education. If you’d like to help, you can support the family through GoFundMe.
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