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To celebrate Kartini Day, a female surfer community in Bali Province performed an unconvetional activity: surfing while wearing kebayas. The activity at Kuta Beach in Badung Regency, Bali on Apr. 19, 2026, was part of the Kartini Go Surf event, which is regularly held to commemorate the spirit of women's emancipation.
This year was the 12th edition of Kartini Go Surf. The activity had 20 participants, six of whom were deaf young women. One of them, Arkelia Kasih Prajawarsita, expressed her enthusiasm for the event.
"With Kartini Day, we can provide exposure for surfing and our culture. We can share it with others by wearing kebaya. We also open up space (for women) to participate in this sport," she said.
Arkelia noted that surfing in a kebaya presents its own challenges, admitting that surfing in a special surfing outfit is easier.
"It [feels] tight and difficult to stand up," she explained.
Meanwhile, I Gusti Agung Ayu Mirah Maheswari, an event organizer and Chair of the Corti Foundation, stated that the participation of deaf female surfers alongside other female surfers is a concrete manifestation of the inclusion and emancipation movement. The female surfers can pursue their passion through Kartini Go Surf.
"In the future, if the opportunity arises and they can pursue it professionally, perhaps they could become surfing instructors as well [to] provide additional income. If this is their passion, many of our tourists enjoy learning, especially through inclusive learning," she explained.
