NEWSLETTER

Hi. Well, it hasn't been too bad of a summer

but we're getting to the end of it now and thoughts are turning to the upcoming Indo surf season with it's warm water, consistent off-shores and friendly laid back vibes.  Stu and I spent 2 weeks  over there in February checking things out and making sure that all will be "Bagus"  for  the lucky crew who're coming with us  this year.  Bookings for Sumatra are filling fast with only a few vacancies still available, move fast to get your booking in if you're planning to join us there.   The new West Java boat and boat / land combo tours are also attracting plenty of interest, and vacancies are steadily filling.  Overall it looks like we'll have another busy season ahead of us. 

 

While Stu & I were in Indo

it was the wet season so we didn't get too much surf, just enough for us to  really look forward to April, when I'll get there for the kickoff, and May when Stu gets over to make sure I'm not getting it all to myself.
The wet season has been pretty heavy, especially in West Java where the roads have taken a beating.  Due to someone's greed and/or stupidity, the areas around Kiara Dua, Surade and Ujung Genteng have lost significant, and , in places, all the rainforest thanks to uncontrolled logging.  We just couldn't believe the shortsighted thinking that allowed this mindless destruction of an irreplacable asset. 

 

Thanks to this brilliant, (NOT !!) action, the area has seen untold damage and destruction, flooding and the closure of several roads due to landslides and lack of concern by those people who should've been concerned.  To those of you who have spent some time in Indonesia this will have a familiar ring to it.  The poor buggers who live there had been without electricity for 2 months, a situation that is probably unchanged as yet.  Fortunately, we have an excellent transport team working for Freeline so Andi will make sure that you all get to the waves.

 

A lot of the news about Indo recently

has been about riots and deaths in Kalimantan and Aceh, and the people getting impatient with the new president's (Gus Dur) obsession with overseas travel ( maybe he's on a good frequent flyer deal) rather than  focussing on the  problems facing the economy of Indonesia and stabilising the government and doing something for the people.  As far as our surf tours are concerned, the areas we visit are a long way from trouble spots and the situation there is stable and the locals are looking forward to seeing Freeline coming back.  They seem to have more idea than the government of the value of tourism and the boost to the local economy.  Over the years Freeline has built up a good reputation and we'll get our usual  warm welcome.  Through our staff and contacts in Jakarta and with the Australian  Embassy there we're usually pretty much up to speed with the situation in Indo.

 

One of the many good things

about our tours is the number of guys we have coming back for repeat or other tours with us each year.  I always look forward to seeing familiar faces during the season and I know that  Andi & Rinal are stoked too. It makes us think we must be doing it right, and due to the mainly positive (99%) feedback you give us on our "backwash questionaire" we're always amped to give the best  we can and to keep a high standard of service to you all.  We're getting a good reputation and want to keep it, so don't be shy to tell us what you think. Uh!  This isn't an invitation to mindless whingers, constructive critisism we can handle !!

 

 Freeline Surf Designs

are offering a 10% discount  on new boards you may need for you trip to Indo with us.  Check the 'Surfboards' page on our website.

 

We are also happy to announce a new tour to the range

'Sumatra Boat'.  It's a 14day/13night boat trip to the Mentawais.  It's the usual Freeline style: basic creature comforts, plenty of food & drink, safety, heaps of waves in some of the lesser surfed breaks in the area.  Check the ''Sumatra Boat'' page for prices, dates etc.  

 

That's about it for now.

Stu and I are looking forward to showing you a great holiday in Indo this year and we'd like to take this  opportunity to welcome all the crew who're going to join us this year, we'll do our best to make sure you all have the best time in Indo. To the repeat crew, I'm sure the 'Memories' will be just as good as you remember. To you guys who can't make it this year, maybe we'll see you next season.

 

We'll  try

to update this newsletter every 2 months or so from Indonesia so look out for news as the season goes on.

 

Good surfing!

Nev & Stu

 Good surfing!

Nev & Stuart
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