Latest news with #KellySlater
Courier-Mail
6 days ago
- Business
- Courier-Mail
Aussie tourist shares Bingin horror: 'They started knocking our hotel down while I was in it'
Don't miss out on the headlines from Lifestyle. Followed categories will be added to My News. Sledgehammers are piercing the air in Bingin, Uluwatu's hippie sister. This beloved beachy community, known for its boho vibes, clifftop shacks, sprawling homestays and local warungs sits just north of Uluwatu. Though it has become more busy in the last twenty years, it's still less busy than Uluwatu, which has beach clubs, luxury hotels and now plans for a great big road carved into the cliff. Bingin is also home to one of the most mesmerising waves in the world. Bingin is one of the easiest barrels on the planet, and because of this it draws thousands of surfers every year to try their luck at it. However, this week authorities started demolishing more than 45 "illegal" businesses on the cliffside. This includes a mix of Western-backed joints and locally-run places that have been passed down the generations since the 1980s - from restaurants and bars to homestays and villas. Footage has emerged of demolition crews smashing down local bars with hammers (parts of the cliff are too steep for bulldozers) as distraught employees look on. As for the tourist experience on the ground, one Aussie surfer in Bali told Escape (under the condition of anonymity for fear of deportation) he was in a hotel with his partner when demolition began. "I was in the first hotel they targeted. No warning they just started knocking down and breaking sh*t while I was in it with my fiance." See also: Incredible photos show what Bali was like in the 1980s Eviction notices were sent a month ago, but due to their strange request that business owners tear their own joints down, locals hoped it was just bluster. Turns out it wasn't. X Learn More SUBSCRIBER ONLY After a few weeks of social media outrage, online petitions and community protest, the Badung Regency Government ignored business-owners' pleas and gave the green light to the demolition crew. Aside from devastating the local culture and economy, this has sparked outrage among surfers all over the world. 11-time world champion Kelly Slater said on Instagram that this detracts from "the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Bingin has one of the best waves in the world. Picture: iStock. Mr Slater also said: 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years." Bingin Beach is only reachable via super steep staircases plunging and weaving down through the cliffside buildings that are being demolished, so the state of future beach access is unclear, reports. There has been much social media protest, so far to no avail. Pictures via Instagram (@savebinginbeach and @niluhdjelantik) Social media account Uluwatu Community, which is protesting the demolition, also raised the question: 'Rumours are spreading: is this really about law enforcement or about clearing prime land for bigger investors with deeper pockets?' 'It seems the idea of an 'undeveloped' cliff no longer fits into certain visions for the future.' It also said that Bingin residents and business owners have hired lawyers hinting that a legal battle may just be getting going. Social media account Save Bingin Beach wrote: "Why doesn't the government take the side of the locals? Why are family-run warungs and small businesses being destroyed while money-hungry beach clubs are allowed to stay?" They added: "Why does Bingin's natural beauty have to be sacrificed just to make room for unnecessary developments? This isn't progress – it's greed." See also: This once-secret Bali beach is about to get a glass elevator, and tourists are furious Aussie travellers are now scuttling to find new accommodation, with one holidaymaker posting on Facebook: "If you have accommodation on the beachfront / cliff in Bingin I urge you to contact them… hotel / villa owners are dealing with a lot at the moment and some are not being proactive in contacting their guests to let them know they will not be able to stay there…" Bali surf shop @ mourned the demolition on Instagram. Others warned of similar things happening to them in the past at other locations in Bali. "Be careful" one Facebook user wrote in a Bali tourist community page. "We bought really nice accommodation to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary, got to the resort and the pathway was being built on the beach at Seminyak. No access to the beach at all and the noise kept us awake all night every night!!!" Others guessed authorities were: "Making way for the next new concrete monster" like they did in Dreamland (another nearby beach). "I remember when Dreamland was really a dream in 2007," another Facebook user wrote. "Small local warungs near the shore, in front of a beautiful big wave breaking outside on a big swell and when the tide was low. I really miss so much that little piece of heart." Aussies have also been warned to let the local community do its thing and not get involved, as foreigners caught protesting in Indonesia risk two weeks in jail followed by immediate deportation and a ban from the country. Should a big development now pop up in this prime piece of real estate it could hardly be considered a coincidence. As surf magazine Stab points out, ownership of nearly all of the Bukit has emerged in an informal and at times legally-ambiguous fashion. So why single out Bingin? Stab reports: "The developers lean heavily on the thin reed that these businesses are violating spatial planning laws and building regs. In plain terms: the land families have occupied, built homes and businesses on for generations, back when Bingin was still jungle, is officially not theirs. It's always belonged to the state. The government, after decades of apparent disinterest, has decided to enforce that technicality." Bingin locals like Mega Semadhi have urged the government to involve the community in the reshaping of the land - or at least keep the land a truly protected green zone. "I realise coastal land belongs to the state," Semadhi said. "But these buildings have been standing since the 1970s, long before current laws and regulations existed." "For years, they've been trying to engage in dialogue, urging the government to regulate development to prevent excessive growth and maintain Bingin's authenticity. But this is the result: unilateral evictions, with no real protection for the local community." "If demolition must be done, I beg you: Give the Bingin community the opportunity to collaborate with the banjar/traditional village/government agency to continue managing this area, as they are the ones who have developed, maintained, and made Bingin known internationally." "Or, if not, make Bingin a truly protected green zone. Let only coconut and pandanus trees grow, not the new beach clubs that are mushrooming in Bali." "Bali is Island of the Gods not Island of Beach Club," he added. Footage of locals and tourists gathering together for one last time to watch the sunset yesterday before yet more demolition occurs provided a shred of hope for some. Lucky Fish Lounge, a Bingin bar, posted the following from @tropicamuse on Instagram: "A day after the demolitions began, I walked down to the beach. I wasn't sure what to expect. But what I found surprised me: Locals had gathered for a sacred ceremony - not to celebrate, but to pray, to hold on, to hope for the best." "Tourists, too, had come - maybe for one last time, to sit, to watch the sunset, to soak in the beauty before it's gone. Yes, some businesses are already leaving. Furniture being carried out. Doors closing. Others are staying, still hoping, still standing." "Traces of demolition are there. But so is the beauty. So is the spirit. If this place means something to you - go. Support the local businesses while they're still standing. Let the memory stay with you." The fight to reverse the decision (or at least involve the local community more in its transformation) is apparently ongoing. The petition to save Bingin from forced demolition has 18,141 signatures and counting at the time of writing, and can be signed here. The petition page claims that reports that local businesses are unwilling to pay local government taxes are inaccurate and says: "On the contrary, local businesses have demonstrated a high level of cooperation and a willingness to comply with all applicable requirements." According to the petition page, the local government has not issued the necessary permits to allow these businesses to register and fulfill their local tax obligations. "Meanwhile," the petition page alleges, "a well-known property developer and operator of one of Canggu's most famous beach clubs has begun promoting property investment opportunities using the image of Bingin Beach, despite the lack of official development approval, let alone consultation with the local community." Originally published as 'They knocked the hotel down while I was inside': Aussie tourists reeling as Bali hotspot destroyed
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Kelly Slater's early surfboard heads to auction
A piece of surf history is going up for auction. The mayor of Cocoa Beach is set to auction one of Kelly Slater's first surfboards, shaped by Matt Kechlee, on eBay. Slater, a native of Cocoa Beach and renowned for his surfing achievements, has won the world championship title 11 times. The auction is a unique opportunity for collectors and fans of the sport to own a significant piece from one of surfing's greatest icons. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Daily Mirror
22-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Heartbreak as beloved beach spot is demolished as holidaymakers watch on
The crackdown on "illegally built" buildings at the world-famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu, Bali began on Monday, drawing huge crowds of angry locals and surfers to gather Huge tearful crowds formed as hordes of officials destroyed villas and restaurants at a beloved beach. The crackdown on "illegally built" buildings at the world-famous Bingin Beach in Uluwatu, Bali began on Monday. The destination is incredibly popular among Australians and global surfers in southern Bali, yet has become a source of frustration for local politicians. Local government officials say none of the buildings have been built with the correct permits, ABC News reported. Bali's governor, I Wayan Koster, marched to the beach alongside demolition workers armed with crowbars and sledge hammers. "The buildings for tourism businesses here are illegal — that's it. We should not let this practice continue. If we let this go on, Bali will be damaged," he said. Do you have a travel story to share? Email webtravel@ Owners of the targeted businesses wailed and screamed in distress as their livelihoods were torn apart by the workers. As they were unable to bring in heavy machinery due to the buildings' steep cliff-side construction, they smashed tables and doors to smithereens during the government-enforced demolitions. ABC News reported that a Balinese woman screamed out: "This is how the bureaucrats work. They've demolished our livelihoods." reports that some travellers have had their bookings voided at the popular destination due to the demolition works. Authorities have denied rumours that the demolition was carried out so a high-end resort can be built. Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater took to social media to condemn the move. He wrote: 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else? "Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Known as the "Island of the Gods," Bali is one of the world's top tourist destinations. Yet, the influx of visitors has also led to numerous problems, including disruptive behavior from tourists drawn to the island's idyllic beaches, vibrant food scene, rich cultural heritage, affordable accommodation, and the promise of luxury indulgence. While tourism has been a major economic driver—accounting for over 60% of Bali's economy in 2019—many locals have developed mixed feelings about it. The island has struggled with overwhelming traffic, uncontrolled development, and a growing number of poorly behaved tourists. In 2023, more than five million foreign tourists visited Bali, which has a population of just four million. The island has had several tourist scandals recently, including a visitor who was criticised for posing naked in front of a sacred tree in 2023. American travel publication Fodor's has placed Bali on its 'perennial no list', urging people not to travel there and further add to the island's woes. "This post-pandemic travel rebound has only intensified the strain on the island. While this influx has boosted the economy, it has also placed overwhelming pressure on Bali's infrastructure. Once-pristine beaches like Kuta and Seminyak are now buried under piles of trash, with local waste management systems struggling to keep up," Fodors writes. Earlier this year, faced with the challenges of overtourism, officials in Bali proposed introducing a daily tourist tax, similar to Bhutan's $100 (€£79) Sustainable Development Fee, which is charged to most international visitors. Wayan Puspa Negara, head of the Bali Marginal Tourism Actors Alliance and a lawmaker in Bali's Badung regency, told the South China Morning Post that he envisions Bali 'selecting' tourists, much like Bhutan does. The Himalayan nation restricts its annual tourist intake to just 400,000 people and has previously charged up to $250 (£198) per day for visitors, Euronews reports. Tourists are also obliged to hire a guide, driver and transport from any official tour agency.
Perth Now
21-07-2025
- Perth Now
Iconic Bali beach ‘ruined' after businesses demolished
One of Bali's most iconic surf destinations will never be the same again, as Indonesian authorities have begun demolishing more than 40 businesses along the famous beach. The destruction began on Monday morning as footage emerged of authorities breaking through locked doors and destroying business infrastructure with hammers. The demolition notice comes at a peak time of travel to the island for Aussies, so travellers have been warned that Bingin may not be accessible over the coming weeks. The drastic action begins after dozens of businesses were issued demolition notices in the last two months and were given time to make adjustments in accordance with building regulations. Bali's civil police unit, the Satpol PP, found in an investigation that more than 40 buildings in the Bingin Beach area were violating spatial planning laws and building regulations. If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your . To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide. After weeks of back-and-forth negotiations with desperate business owners attempting to halt the demolition orders, authorities have drawn a line in the sand. 'It is true that we have received a warrant for the demolition of the violating building at Bingin Beach,' Head of the Badung PP Police, I Gusti Agung Ketut Suryanegara, told reporters, according to the Bali Sun. 'We immediately sent a notification letter to the owners of the building in question, stating that the demolition will begin on July 21, 2025, and continue until it is completed.' With its pristine white sand and world-class barrelling lefts, Uluwatu's Bingin Beach has been a much-loved holiday destination for Aussies to enjoy the surf spots — Impossibles and Bingin— or soak up the laid-back atmosphere. Aerial view of Bingin beach in Bali, Indonesia. Credit: Adobe / pierrick The demolition notices, issued via letter, posters, and WhatsApp messages, affect 45 buildings, including villas, homestays, restaurants, and other tourist facilities. The violations included breaches of spatial planning rules, environmental laws, and alleged encroachment on state land. 'We did this notification in various ways, in order to minimise the reason for ignorance during the execution process,' Head of Investigation Ida Bagus Ratu told local media. One Bingin Beach business owner shared his frustration with reporters. 'If we are considered wrong because we occupy the country's land, then where is the country when everything has been running for over 30 years?' the business owner said. Surfing legend Kelly Slater has aired his frustration at the demolition plans. Credit: Kelly Slater / Instagram Eleven-time world surfing champion Kelly Slater is among those in the global surfing community voicing concern on social media. 'Awful to hear and see that the beachfront at Bingin in Bali has been bought up and all the local (eateries) and other businesses will be demolished to make room for some kind of beach club and not sure what else?' he said, alluding to circulating rumours that the removals may be linked to plans for a luxury beach club, though authorities have denied this according to 'Bali has been completely mishandled and ruined by foreign interests in recent years. I hope something can be done to retain the culture and beauty of what attracted everyone there in the first place.' Bingin Beach is only reachable via steep staircases which traverse through the cliffside buildings marked for demolition and the state of future beach access is unclear.
The Star
14-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Breitling pays tribute to Hawaiian surf culture with updated Superocean Heritage
The Superocean Heritage is no ordinary sea watch. It never was. When Breitling first launched it in 1957, it took a different tack from other dive watches of the era. The Ref. 1004 (a sleek time-only piece) and Ref. 807 (the world's first dedicated dive chronograph) weren't just about exploring the underwater world – they were about looking good doing it. The spear-and-arrow hands, ceramic rotating bezel and naturally sleek proportions made it a favourite of stylish adventurers who lived for the sea and the scene. Today, that philosophy is still at the core of the Superocean Heritage. It has the soul of the 1950s, but designed for today. Breitling CEO Georges Kern sums it up: 'The Superocean Heritage is our most elegant sea watch, and this update is all about refinement. Breitling Superocean Heritage Automatic 36. 'Every detail has been perfected, but the spirit stays the same. It's about style at sea.' This refresh takes everything that has made the Superocean Heritage distinctive and makes it even sharper. The collection includes a 42mm chronograph, powered by the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, the brand's industry-leading timekeeping movement. The automatic models, in 44mm, 42mm and 40mm, introduce the B31 movement, Breitling's first exclusive three-hand manufacture calibre launched in March. A further 36mm houses the Calibre 10 automatic movement. The collection's colour palette has been streamlined to a core of black, blue and green, paired with a matching ceramic-inlaid bezel for next-level scratch resistance that will keep the watch looking new long into the future. Thinner, more integrated mesh-metal and mesh-rubber bracelets ensure a watertight fit against the case, complete with folding clasps for a seamless finish. Other refinements enhance symmetry and proportion. Tone-on-tone subdials and a subtle date aperture at six o'clock create a balanced composition, while distinct hands – an arrow for hours, a spear for minutes – and pointed indexes maintain the at-a-glance readability that made the mid-century original essential for divers. Select models introduce responsibly-sourced 18k red-gold to the outer bezels, adding lustre while preserving the collection's sleek aesthetic. Breitling Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 44. The versatile lineup also includes new 36mm and 40mm sizes, designed for those who prefer a trimmer diameter suited to a wide variety of wrists. The launch campaign brings the spirit of the new Superocean Heritage to life in full colour – drawing on the sights, sounds and surf culture of Hawaii. With its modern-retro flair, it channels the lush foliage, saturated tones and sunlit energy that define the 'Aloha State'. Kelly Slater limited edition For professional surfer Kelly Slater, Hawaii used to be the dream. Now it's home. With 11 world titles, 56 event wins and three decades spent redefining the sport, Slater has gone beyond being a champion. He's a force of nature. As he steps away from professional competition, Breitling is celebrating his extraordinary career with the Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 40 Kelly Slater, a limited-edition watch infused with the Hawaiian surf culture that shaped him. Back view of the Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42. 'From as early as I can remember, I dreamt of travelling to and living in Hawaii,' says Slater. 'It was this far-off land of amazing waves, perfect weather and the ultimate surfing lifestyle. 'After living here, I realised it's much bigger than that. 'The people, the community, the nature, all so intertwined. 'The respect Hawaiians have for their land, people and culture runs deep. 'It makes Hawaii even more special than what I dreamt of when I was a kid. And now I call it home,' Slater adds. The dial features a foliage pattern, inspired by the light and shadows of a tropical canopy. Close up of the Breitling Superocean Heritage B01 Chronograph 42. The caseback is open, revealing the B31 movement, while its outer ring is engraved with 'One of 500' and 'Kelly Slater Limited Edition'. Available on a blue rubber mesh strap or stainless-steel mesh bracelet, the watch comes in a special presentation box featuring the same Hawaiian floral motif and includes a personal note from Slater himself. 'Breitling has been with me for years,' says Slater. 'This watch reflects everything I love – the ocean, nature and the easy-going style I've always connected with,' he says. Breitling is also rolling out a sunglasses collaboration with Cutler and Gross.
