The Documentary Podcast

G-Land: Surf and spirits


Listen Later

Off the coast of Java, Indonesia, lies G-Land, one of the world’s most legendary surf breaks, framed by a dense forest that was once home to the now-extinct Javan tiger. Alas Purwo (which literally means “Ancient Forest” or “First Forest” in Javanese) is considered one of the most mystical places in Java, with deep ties to Javanese spirituality and legend. Despite Java being one of the most crowded islands on Earth, this sacred jungle has remained largely untouched. In the 1970s, surfer Bobby Radiasa arrived from neighbouring Bali to visit American surfers who had set up a remote base there, hammocks and tree houses, what some say is the world’s first surf camp. He discovered both myth and magic in its waves. Also features an interview with Jim Banks, an Australian surfing legend known as a pioneer of big wave surfing and among the first group of surfers that arrived in Bali and later to G-land.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Documentary PodcastBy BBC World Service

  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3
  • 4.3

4.3

1,603 ratings


More shows like The Documentary Podcast

View all
Global News Podcast by BBC World Service

Global News Podcast

7,692 Listeners

From Our Own Correspondent by BBC Radio 4

From Our Own Correspondent

368 Listeners

Business Daily by BBC World Service

Business Daily

528 Listeners

Newshour by BBC World Service

Newshour

1,045 Listeners

World Business Report by BBC World Service

World Business Report

293 Listeners

In Our Time by BBC Radio 4

In Our Time

5,433 Listeners

Witness History by BBC World Service

Witness History

956 Listeners

The History Hour by BBC World Service

The History Hour

586 Listeners

6 Minute English by BBC Radio

6 Minute English

1,782 Listeners

Learning English Conversations by BBC Radio

Learning English Conversations

1,088 Listeners

The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4

The Infinite Monkey Cage

1,917 Listeners

The Interview by BBC World Service

The Interview

369 Listeners

Lives Less Ordinary by BBC World Service

Lives Less Ordinary

601 Listeners

Discovery by BBC World Service

Discovery

961 Listeners

The Inquiry by BBC World Service

The Inquiry

737 Listeners

The Audio Long Read by The Guardian

The Audio Long Read

840 Listeners

Today in Focus by The Guardian

Today in Focus

993 Listeners

You're Dead to Me by BBC Radio 4

You're Dead to Me

3,189 Listeners

Americast by BBC News

Americast

735 Listeners

Cyber Hack by BBC World Service

Cyber Hack

1,618 Listeners

The Global Story by BBC World Service

The Global Story

252 Listeners

The Explanation by BBC World Service

The Explanation

25 Listeners