It’s been two years now since former multiple Victorian Junior state Title holder and LIPPED podcaster, Harry Mann, left his home in Torquay, Australia to join the Indonesian Marketing team for Rip Curl in Bali. Tracks recently got a read on where Harry’s head is at when it comes to settling into a very unique surfing community as an expat. The following are some of his thoughts and reflections in what became a surprisingly personal conversation.
HARRY MANN: “I am from Torquay and the surfing culture there turned me into a very competitive surfer. Before coming to Bali I held six Victorian state titles, I had spent three years on the QS and I had won the Rip Curl Bells Beach trials. But I felt that that the trials win was a real closure on my competitive career and I was ready to create a new life experience. I guess the universe was listening because the opportunity to come to Bali and work for Rip Curl came out of nowhere and I jumped at it.”
“Sure, I had come to Bali a number of times before as Australians do, and you get an idea of the surf scene and the waves, but obviously you don’t get deep enough into the culture during a vacation. But once you live here you realize that the Balinese culture is the main highlight”.
“One of the first things that happened when I came here to work was the Padang Cup. And I remember being at the opening ceremony watching the Kecak dance and I was hanging with the Indonesian staff and they gave me a deeper understanding of the story behind the dance. That just blew me away. It was one of the best experiences I had ever had. And it made me keen to learn everything I could about the people and the culture of this island”.
“Bali has taught me to just have a go at things, to let your guard down and be yourself. As soon as I did that I felt like my life just really expanded here. And I am so grateful to Bali for that”.
“Moving here I fell in love with surfing again. I felt sixteen again. I was getting up at 4am and driving around, on the search again. It was exhilarating. It was a new spark in me. The adventure of it all. Going to other islands and surfing new waves. A renewed froth to get out into the ocean and enjoy the sport I have dedicated my life to”.
”Like just recently, spur of the moment, I just decided to wake up and jump on the ferry to Nusa Lembongan for the first time. And I caught up with friends over there and started surfing five hour sessions with them. It was new waves and new challenges that really stoked me up. It’s that sense of simple exploration here, even if its just a drive over to the east side, it still feels like exploration in a way”.
“The biggest lesson for me is that in the Bali culture I feel like no one is bigger than anyone else. And you are not bigger than anything either. Like you can shut down the streets here for ceremonies because something bigger is going on, a belief in life, is more important than just rushing around in the rat race. I have already seen people who resist this rather than flow with it and they just don’t last long here. The power of the beliefs in something bigger than yourself here are just to strong for them”.
“I am not a big future planner but my original plan was to do only two years. But now I feel like I have been through a big, valuable experience professionally and personally and I am hoping I can work here for at least another two years, maybe more”.
“I have been so impressed with the rate of how much the boardrider clubs have developed here. I feel like they are growing at an amazing rate here and it really looks good for Indonesia’s future. There are some powerhouse clubs here, I mean the Halfway and Legian club boys are competitive at a global level already”.
“I have been really impressed with Darma Wisasa. When we did the first Gromsearch I saw a little 11-year-old kid with a proper rail game and amazing airs and just a polished act. I got him on the team because I think he is a future CT surfer. He has all the skills and the fire to develop into something special”.
“Right now there is a massive pool of talent here led by Rio Waida and Bronson Meidi. I would be very surprised if Bronson didn’t qualify for the CT this year and join Rio out there. Bronson is easily a top ten CT surfer”.
“The greatest thing about surfing in Bali is having a launching pad to search and discover the best waves in the world. If you are willing to put in the effort, you will be rewarded. That is what is happening to me now. If I ever move away, that will be a heavy loss. What can compare? I have learned now that I will always love Bali. As we all should, really, considering it’s Aussie connection.”.
