Canoe business promises endless fun along the shore of Sindu beach

Dicky Christanto, The Jakarta Post, Sanur

"Look. I'm going to that patch of water over there," Kadek told his playfriends that evening. The four-year old was sitting in a canoe.

He enthusiastically moved the paddle, pushing the water to the back of the canoe. The resulting momentum launched the canoe and moved it away from the shore of Sindu beach, Sanur.

His little hands gripped the paddle tightly, struggling to reach the spot he was aiming for. He smiled proudly as he reached it. It was obvious the canoe was the most exciting thing he could imagine that afternoon.

Unlike Kuta Beach that offers high waves to thrill those who like surfing, beaches in Sanur area offer much calmer swell, which suits children and others who long to get wet.

"The relatively quiet water here is the main reason we started the canoe rental business," Wayan Martika, owner of the canoe told The Jakarta Post.

Martika, who has a fleet of 20 canoes, was very busy that afternoon. As the beach grew more crowded Martika ran out of canoes. He had to convince potential customers to wait patiently for their turn to go out on the water.

When he started the canoe business around five years ago, Martika paid Rp 1.9 million (around US$211) per boat to canoe makers near his banjar (traditional neighborhood organization).

For a Rp 10,000 rental fee, visitors could take canoes without any fixed time limitation.

"I share their happiness today. I am very thankful for the profit I have made."

On busy days like that Wednesday afternoon, Martika said he could bring in anywhere from Rp 100,000 to Rp 150,000, which was money used to support his family.

But part of that day's profit would have to be tucked away, he said, "just in case there aren't any customers tomorrow".

Along with four other canoe owners in the area, Martika shares all the ups and downs the canoe business has to offer. Unlike business people who often try to undermine competitors, Martika acknowledged that he and his colleagues in the rental business had managed to create a healthy business environment.

"We fairly divide the area of the beach among the five of us and we have also set a standard rental tariff to ensure that everybody can benefit from the business together."

I Made Sedyadana, another canoe owner, shared similar feelings. He acknowledged that one of the important factors keeping him in the business was his friendship with other canoe proprietors at Sindu.

Sedyadana, who said he could save up to Rp 500,000 per month from the canoe business, also owns a passenger boat that takes tourists out to Nusa Penida Island.

"Over the last few years the number of visitors to this area has kept increasing. Based on this trend, I am very optimistic that the business will generate more profit in the future," he said.

However, Martika and Sedyadana admitted they hadn't been able to develop the canoe business to the extent they had dreamed. The reason: they didn't have the guts to take out a loan from the bank to expand the business.

"Somehow, I feel very reluctant to go to the bank to borrow money. I wonder if a villager like me can understand the sophisticated procedure involved. And I'm afraid I'll get trapped in debts that I can't handle," Martika said.