Mentawai Surf Charter September 15-30, 2009
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This was my third trip to the Mentawais with this particular group, all of whom are seasoned Mentawai veterans. I know that there is someone in this group that must have some extremely good Karma, because the prior two trips were absolutely incredible. Needless to say we were all looking very forward to the trip, and consistent swell in the forecast, everyone was buzzing with excitement.
After an easy crossing from Sumatra out to the islands, we awoke at daybreak to clean, fun, head high Maccaronis. Widely regarded as the most playful, rippable wave on the planet, it was a spectacular way to start the trip. And as an extra treat, we had the whole place virtually to ourselves. All around it was a spectacular day, and with 11 more days to go, it was only the tip of the iceberg.
This would be the story for basically the rest of the trip, flawless waves and hardly anyone else around.
After a brief session at another left, we motored to another spot hosting fast hollow right and an equally jaw-dropping left. Hardly anyone got out of the water that day, it was just too good to leave. I think Brad totaled over 8 hours in the water. After too many barrels to even remember, we finished the day with an incredible meal and some well deserved sleep.
After a few days the trip started to blur together as if it were a dream. Between surfing epic rights and lefts, along with the company of good friends, Mark’s consistent humor, Captain Joel’s expertise, plenty of fresh fish caught by Bill, and the luxury of the Indies Trader III, the trip went by much faster than I think anyone anticipated it would.
Toward the last couple days of the trip the surf started to slow down, but nobody seemed to care. Everyone was more than content and pretty much surfed out.
The only downside to the trip was on our second to last day was the 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit near Padang. While everyone was fine on the boat, and we all made our flights and left the country with no issues thanks to Martin’s help. But being witness to the devastation and destruction of the event was quite saddening, and a bit of a rude awakening from the dream we had all just been living. Unfortunately it was time to head back to the real world, but there’s always next year. Cheers!
Riley Cooney
Mentawai Islands Surf Trip- September 2009 – Images by Salty Camera Surf Images
