Arif Hakim (Top) deep in a Lombok barrel

FREESURF FEDERATION · A FUTURE HOUSE BRAND

Arif Hakim (Top)Surfer, Coach& Entrepreneur

Surfing made me
who I am today.

ARIF (TOP) PROUDLY SHOWING HIS SURFING ROOTS.

Arif (Top) is a second-generation Indonesian surfer, and first-generation Lombok Surfer. From humble roots surfing home-made single fin boards before Lombok tourism burgeoned, to starting up in Doctor Ding in Canggu, Top is a name recognized in Indonesian lineups.

Recently, Top is known for running the Dylan Shapes factory in Bali, and for his advanced-level surf guiding hospitality all across the Bali Nusra region.

A self-made surf entrepreneur who gains the respect of the young, upcoming generation, and a kind soul who gives much more than he asks.

Top is with Freesurf Federation to share Indonesia's surf heritage with the world.

01 / BIO

From Lombok lineups to Indonesia's known names.

Originating from Lombok, Top started as the first generation of Lombok surfers. His passion brought him to Bali, where the surf economy was burgeoning — where his passion has persisted through the ups and downs of life.

Top's name is known throughout lineups across Indonesia's trodden paths, and comes with a degree of social credit reserved for those of a certain history in the sport.

Beyond the known spots, Top is also a pioneer acquainted to the lesser known secrets of Indonesia. To extract the knowledge from him however, may require a discretionary approach.

02 / MY APPROACH

Relaxed, simple and effective.

Top has a relaxed and uplifting coaching style, and never pressures his students beyond their abilities.

However, he knows the sweet spot on when to push his students — never too far; but just enough that they always have fun along their pathway to progression.

Having worked with and won medals in PSOE, Top has a granular approach to dissecting scoring strategy, and knows how to transfer lineup knowledge without overcomplicating.

His coaching is relaxed, simple and effective — suited to advanced-level competition riders and freesurfers of all levels alike.

03 / EDUCATION

A Civil Engineer who took the lesser-trodden path.

A Civil Engineer who took the lesser-trodden path in surf pioneering, Top made his career self-starting and running several surf businesses, and has managerial-level experience in surfboard manufacturing.

From doing his own interior works and renovations for surf shops and hostels to running sizeable manufacturing operations, Top has been a driver of industry growth.

SCHOOL OF LAW

UNRAM (University of Mataram)

Accepted, enrolled into University of Mataram's Law school.

DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING

University of Mataram

With an academic background in Civil Engineering, Top chose to follow his passion to pioneer an early and growing surf industry in Indonesia, where his professional background in engineering has given him an upper hand in real-estate ventures.

04 / SURF VENTURES

Six ventures, one surf-built career.

SINCE 2025

Freesurf Federation

Future House is a collective of founders pushing innovative entrepreneurial ventures to the mainstream. Our ethos is that anyone can be an entrepreneur; entrepreneurs will create the future, and as such we teach & enable innovation.

SINCE 2025

Bale Nara Lombok

Bale Nara is a boutique eco-resort in Lombok that blends traditional Sasak architecture with sustainable tourism practices. It offers guests an immersive cultural experience while supporting local artisans and promoting environmental conservation.

SINCE 2020

Better Together Indonesia

Better Together Indonesia is a social enterprise focused on community development and environmental sustainability. It collaborates with local communities to implement projects that improve livelihoods and promote ecological balance.

SINCE 2020

The Kind Surf Hostel

Self-started by Top's surfer's entrepreneurial spirit and leveraging the resourcefulness of any founder, Top built and runs his own surf guiding operation with rooms in Kuta, Lombok — where guests can experience the breathtaking waves of Lombok with stunning backdrops in a culturally immersive setting.

SINCE 2007

Doctor Ding, Canggu

Doctor Ding is an iconic surfboard repair shop in Bali — where those who brave the power of the Indonesia's Roaring Forties come for repairs. The price is so good that international surfers are well known for flying their boards to Indonesia just to get their repairs done at Doctor Ding.

SINCE 2000

Dylan Shapes — Surfboard Factory

Dylan Longbottom is an accomplished Big Wave Surfer and shaper, and his brand is well-known internationally, reaching as far as Portugal and Israel. Top is a key player at the Dylan Factory and is the surfer credited with bringing Dylan's boards into the Lombok lineup.

05 / WHAT PEOPLE SAY

Words from the lineup.

"Pioneering entrepreneurship through surfing and action sports is not easy — believe me, I have tried. Top's resilience, focus and dedication has earned my admiration and full support — not only that, but I have learned a lot from him over the years and continue to do so."

Michael Chan

Founder, Future House

"I have been fortunate to meet Wahyu, a real and passionate soul who is working so hard day and night to contribute to the digital transformation of his country. With his thoughtful, charismatic and ready wit characteristics, he did a fantastic job in some of the session he moderated during our Public-Private."

Mega Samadhi

Corporate Relationship Manager, FlyHub Travel Group

"Top is our advisor and coach."

Fuad Andhika

Founder, Bale Nara

"Top."

Dylan Longbottom

Owner, Dylan Surfboards

06 / ACCOLADES

Recognition beyond the wave.

Featured Speaker and Collaborator

Expert Contributor to Aquaculture Research

Authored and contributed to studies on seaweed cultivation and floating raft aquaculture technology, widely used as references in Indonesia's marine development sector.

Pioneer of Regenerative Coastal Enterprises

Community Impact Advocate and Digital Inclusion Leader

07 / FEATURED

On screen and in print.

YOUTUBE PODCAST

The SpeakuP Monday "Destination Indonesia Series" showcasing Indonesian changemakers and thought leaders which have a positive impact on the lives of locals and foreigners — either in or coming to Indonesia.

WATCH →

MEDIA ARTICLE

Launching online petition to create a nomad-style visa to facilitate the large and growing community of Digital Nomads. Wahyu Taufiq advocated for Bali's Digital Nomad Visa in 2021 by raising awareness, engaging in policy discussions, and promoting the benefits for both Indonesia's economy and global remote workers.

INSPIRATIONAL TALKS

In his talk titled "Tips for Filtering Negative Self-Talk" on Josh Talks Indonesia, Wahyu Taufiq shares his personal journey of overcoming negative self-perceptions and offers practical strategies to manage and transform self-critical thoughts.