NEWSLETTER

Hi to you all from Freeline,

Our 2004 season is now over and to you guys who came with us "thanks" and we hope you all enjoyed the experience and got plenty of quality waves. If you didn't join us this year we hope you had a good winter (OZ & NZ) and the info on our web page will tempt you to come along next year and give us the chance to show you some of Indo's best waves.

 

We had a pretty good season. Good to see crew are coming back to Indo with surfers again leading the way. Boat trips were popular and land trips, although on the increase, were still suffering the effects of the bombings, media hype and security warnings. Although there are a tiny element of fanatics and radicals, the reality is that the vast majority of Indonesians enjoy our company and we're always welcome. They like us and need the financial benefits of tourism, especially in the remote areas where surfers go. The crew who did travel on land were rewarded with good waves, fewer surfers and happy locals.

 

Nev's Update
As I mentioned in the last newsletter my surfing was a non event this year due to the effects of Bells Palsy and later by a couple of infected ulcers on my foot requiring an operation and 10 days in hospital in Jakarta. All of which kept me out of the water until I had been back in OZ for about 3 weeks. However I got to do a few trips to the Big Rock 5 losmens at West Java & Sumatra. I hooked up with a lot of guys in Bali either going to or coming from some of our other tours and boat trips.

 

I was also kept busy shaping in Bali doing boards for Freeline, Naga, Online and several other board shop brands there. I was pretty envious of Stu, who got a few trips in to the Mentawais and Timor. He got into some good juice (see photo) and will report on that later in this newsletter.

 

Life at the Big Rock 5 losmens was busy compared to last year and guests were treated to great waves, good food and company. It always amazes me the diversity of the surfers passing through, one stage at Batu Besar we had crew from 14 different countries. I never really thought of surfers coming from Switzerland and Austria but they were there along with crew from all over the globe.

 

Not too many real big swells this year, but plenty of good quality and not too many flat days. I could only watch, take photos and listen to the stories each time the boys came in to have a feed, drink rest and go back out for another session. We had a bunch of doctors in camp for a tour and a 'conference', most of which took place in the water. They were kept busy surfing taking photos, (thanks for the ones you sent us Jamie, the new camera works just fine eh?) and attending to various wounds etc. It's always a good feeling to know there's doctors on call out there.

 

New Web Site
You might've noticed the new look web page, that's thanks to Stu and our good mate and computer whiz Anthony Riddette. Let us know what you think. Stu's also been busy getting the new Rubber Time 2 onto DVD. We delayed it a bit so we could include footage of Timor and the Mentawais. It's worth the wait, so check it out when you can.

 

New Packages
We've got some new adventures ready for 2005. In addition to our buget Mentawais charter with Moose aboard the Kuda Laut, we now have an upmarket package aboard the Barrenjoey. The Barrenjoey is owned by John Mc Groder, another highly experienced captain and surfer of the area.

 

Next is the Simeulue Combo, a 10 full days surfing by land & boat to Simeulue and islands north of Nias. This area is one of the the "last frontiers" with awsome uncrowded waves. Sydney surfer Brian (Will) Williams has put the whole package together and Stu will be getting up there early next season to check it all out. Reports from guys that went this season were all good.

 

Finally for any crew going to Bali for the first time, we have a package that will remove some of the hassle and uncertainty of that first visit and get you away from the confusion of the airport, into accommodation of your choice and into the surf with no worries. Check all these new packages out on the destinations page.

 

Board Service
We've also got a new board service happening. You can avoid the hassles of airport charges, customs charges for extra boards and just all round ease of travel to Indo. Just pre order your board/s and they'll be ready for pickup in either Bali or Jakarta, up to you. We do 2 brands, Freeline and Naga (means Dragon in Indonesian) shaped by a shaper with extensive experience making boards for Indo conditions, me! Prices are pretty much the same as you'd pay in Sydney and quality is assured. Australian materials and Australian trained workers.

 

Check the surfboard page or email me at nev@freelinesurf.com.au. Next year we'll have a surf shop open in Jl Jaksa in Jakarta, so if you forget anything like spare fins, leggies, wax etc we'll have you covered. We'll also have a range of stock boards and clothing available too. Now over to Stu.

 

Timor Trip
It seems a long time since June when myself, Jules Groom, Andy Quilty, Ed Berry and Scott Keanie boarded the Sri Noa Noa for Roti and beyond. Our aim was to try and see how far west we could get, and to get some footage for a short promo clip.

 

It was a memorable trip that included some good waves, high seas adventure and the special experience of visiting places that not many people get to see. We made it as far as far west as Sabu and Raijua, but didn't score waves there due to low swell and strong trades at the time. Scotty has cut a fantastic clip on the journey, which you can check out on the new Rubber Time 2 DVD. I'll be back there again early season next year doing the circuit from Roti to Sumba, finishing in Sumbawa. Let me know if you're keen to come along.

 

Surfboard Giveaway
We're always keen to get feedback from everyone about what they thought about their trip, and thanks to everyone who has returned their backwash questionnaires. For those of you who haven't, or did not receive your form, we just wan to remind you that we are giving away a free surfboard, the winner being drawn at random from all completed 2004 backwash forms. The winner will be drawn in January.

 

Photo Competition
Also a final reminder to photographers out there that we will be drawing the photo comp in January. We are giving away 5 prizes ('Rubber Time 2' DVD plus a Surf Aids Tubular Legrope) to the 5 best pics sent in. Pics must have been taken on a Freeline trip, can be prints sent by mail or digital images emailed, and only one prize per customer. You can send in more than one pic to increase your chances.

 

In closing,

We'd like to welcome aboard Julian Groom from WA and Scott Feeney from QLD, who will be helping us spread the good Freeline word. They both love a chat, a wave and a beer, not necessarily in that order, and we look forward to working with them.

 

Well, that's it from us for now. Thanks for your support this year, hope to see you in 2005, we're looking forward to a big one. In the meantime have a good Christmas, don't get too wasted on New Years Eve and we hope you get plenty of waves.

 

Cheers Nev & Stu.