NEWSLETTER

Apa Kabar from Sumatra, Indonesia

There's been a few more crew

then previous years but the waves have consistently given us some epic sessions. We’ve scored pretty much each trip and Jimmy’s Pt has turned it on several times. Hell man of the season so far would have to Noel McAlary. Paddling out at Jimmys Point at 10 ft on his own. Some of the waves were so monstrous they didn’t have exits, just a smashing on the reef awaited the wrong choice. He was later joined out there by "Steve" the WA hell man, who surfs a lot of big waves in this area, but Noel was the only one to catch a wave, three in fact before a huge set drove him in. "Big Balls, man!" 

 

The first group this year liked the place so much they bought some of it. Good stuff guys – there’ll be a good Aussie presence on the Point. Brad Mankelow caught the biggest fish so far on a Freeline tour.  A nice big sailfish which we all ate after sharing it with some Indo friends. Speaking about records, Brad Jackson broke John Rich’s long standing wafer stick eating record by munching his way through 70 of those dry, semi bland chocolate wafers 25minutes, 35 seconds. Then just to go one further, next day he then broke it again by chewing his way through 80 of them with 5 minutes to spare. He could’ve downed more he said but felt 80 would be hard to beat. "Body boarders rule.......... Burp!" was his final comment.

 

We’ve worked hard over the last few years

to earn and maintain a good reputation with the locals but someone in a Freeline tour didn’t help things when he cleaned the wax off his board on the hotel balcony and chucked it on the little roof at the front.  The scraps of wax promptly melted in the hot sun, making an ugly mess. After that I had about a week of people telling me about the lack of respect and manners the culprit displayed. Whoever you are, have a think about it!

 

We’ve had a few "Ikan Bakar"

sessions down at Ujung Bocur and a good quantity of Bintang has crossed the counter at Toko Gobell and Abu’s. I’ve met my first surfer from Alaska, "Gentleman Jim" Craig. "Mate, a real pleasure to meet you. I hope our paths cross again in the near future". Good to see another father son combo Kingsley & Mitchell Dyson from WA. Bad luck about the snapped board Mitch. You too "Mr Orry".

 

Brendan Leo

gave a hell man display on the big end section at maxed out Ujung Bocur. Another big billing solo effort. Good stuff!. Good to see "Mr Harro" from Windensea and the Surf Shop in Erina back again. Over the years Harro has made a lot of friends in the area and he has most of the breaks wired. Still a grommet after all these years. Don’t worry Harro, we’ll all remember your last "barrell of year" at LL. Harro and Cy Cox were badly outnumbered by the lid riders on their trip but the boys lying down let the stand ups get enough waves to get a few memorable rides.

 

The Panaitan boat trips

have generally scored good waves. Andi reports most crews have been lucky and happy. Mick Waters (FADE) got some good video footage for his next movie, as did the lid riders that followed and then came over to Sumatra and were stoked with their wave hunt. Ujung Genteng & Cimaja have turned it on regularly (as usual) this year keeping the crew happy, also a few trips to the new spot up the coast. Check it out at the "360 Surf Shop" next to Cimaja’s only wartel.

 

Keith ‘Mr Keet’ Gollege of the Mentawai tour

has purchased a new boat which should soon be a regular at the south Mentawai surf spots. ‘Mr Keet’ has traveled the area for a long time now and has ‘full knowledge of surf spots’ and conditions. Stu did a test dive in June & scored good waves (see pics below). The new losmen in Sumatra is nearly ready and shoud be open right about now.

 

Well that’s about it for now

so to all you crew who’ve already come along "Thanks!" and to the rest of you, "we’re ready!"

 

Oh yeah,

sometimes in Indo, the wheels fall off for no apparent reason and there’s nothing much you can do except be patient and work it out. Thanks guys for the last July tour, you’re your understanding and patience when we were supposed to leave Jakarta Monday morning.

 

Late News:

The wafer stick record has been broken - 82 sticks in 19 minutes by Phil Birchall. Stand ups rule!

 

We'll  update this newsletter

before the end of the year to give you a run down on what's happening for next season add some pics from this season to the web site.

 

Good surfing!

Nev & Stu