With a one-way ticket, Naif left Kuwait behind, chasing a dream of being a free soul, surfing Bali’s perfect waves. Naif, a 47-year-old Kuwaiti, has been captivated by extreme sports since childhood. As he grew older, his need for more daring experiences pushed him beyond Kuwait’s borders. "I’ve been a swimmer for 15 years, and in 2015 I pursued my number one passion for surfing. I’ve traveled to many countries to surf but always returned to Bali, the international surf center of the world,” he said.
Naif’s journey began when the pandemic hit, and Kuwait’s airport was about to shut down. He faced a fateful choice: stay in Kuwait and put his surfing passion on hold or catch the last flight to Bali and pursue his dream. "I followed my gut and went. Amid the chaos of the pandemic, I realized that Bali is my home and has everything I need — good surf, good people with positive energy, and smiles all around. Simple life, great healthy food. I knew the locals and the culture. It’s welcoming, and they believe in karma, similar to my beliefs.”
Naif explained Bali’s surf culture: "The surf scene is international, with a mix of beginners and advanced surfers. There are both friendly and selfish people from around the world. In the end, everyone on the waves is dealing with a powerful force of nature. Waves bring out both the best and the worst in you. You don’t want to hurt yourself or others. You also want to be aware of your surroundings and respect nature and people.”
Surfing gave Naif a better understanding of people’s energy. "You sense who you can trust and who to be cautious of. Facing fears with different sizes of waves helped me feel comfortable outside my comfort zone, even with people and their intentions. Now, I can tell who’s comfortable in their skin and who’s struggling. You have to respect both equally because we’re all on our journey of self-discovery. I love that — the humanity and compassion.”
Adjusting to Bali’s simple lifestyle wasn’t difficult for Naif, but he acknowledged that it’s not for everyone. "Unlike big cities, Bali doesn’t have everything, yet its people are the happiest. I concluded that life is about beautiful experiences, not material possessions. Sunset and sunrise are events where everyone appreciates nature and its colors. People from all walks of life come with stories and experiences to share. I didn’t need to adjust — I felt right at home.”
Naif elevated his surfing passion by competing in local Indonesian surf competitions. "It was a beautiful experience to compete in Bali among local and international surfers. The referees were kind, and the other surfers were happy to see me trying. Not a single negative remark. It felt like a family picnic — everyone was happy to see each other! I can’t wait to compete in more competitions and improve my skills.”
Naif indicated he became a better person, with a stronger mindset and more compassion towards others. "I’m proud to be known in the Munich river surfing community as one of the locals. I’m also honored to have been sponsored by the Indonesian government to surf the 50-kilometer river wave known as the 7 Ghosts, which is a luxury in the surf world. I’ve surfed at the Mentawai Islands on the King Millennium II charter boat with amazing people, including Nazaré big-wave surfer Benjamin Sanches.
I’ve made friends in Japan while surfing in the southern town of Ohki Beach. In Bali, I have a strong reputation and many surfer friends from different villages. Together, we’re always happy to surf and learn from each other. I’ve become one with nature, constantly pushing my surfing boundaries to new levels.”
Naif’s morning routine involves riding the waves at dawn. "Sunrise surfing is the best. I love the colors in the sky, the silence, and the smaller crowds. My favorite time is during the full moon — I surf at 4:30 am under the moonlight, like a football stadium’s floodlights. When it gets crowded, I have breakfast and rest before the next session.”
He shared stories of surfing in challenging conditions. "In Cape Town, my local friend kept an eye out for sharks while I surfed. In Munich, river surfing hazards included bricks lining the wave bottom. I hit my shins and cheek but avoided serious injury. In Bali, I once thought I saw a rock at the top of a fast-moving wave, but it was actually a turtle surfacing for air. These unexpected moments — a mix of fear and thrill — become something you laugh about with experience.”
Before surfing, Naif follows a pre-surf routine. "I always sleep for 10 hours. I bring dates from palm trees to eat before surfing for energy and nutrients. Sometimes I take a banana and share it with monkeys along the way. Once in the water, I paddle gently to warm up, then catch smaller waves to get my body ready before going for bigger ones.”
Naif advises beginners to follow their passion, reminding them that the mind can push the body ten times harder. "Be mentally tough and never give up. Repetition is key!”