tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20781684392535321762024-03-13T13:50:08.072-07:00Mal Gregson Surf CoachingMy surf coaching has taken me to many different places around Australia and the World. I have been lucky enough to meet some great people along the journey and surfed some amazing waves. I haven't been every where yet but I am working on it. I will try to share some of my experiences on this blog.mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-80025770935173158302013-06-22T02:58:00.000-07:002013-06-22T03:01:10.772-07:00Nicaragua 2013<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Nicaragua June 2013</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">ISA World Junior Surfing Games</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Winter in Australia and a call up from a young Russian surfer named Nikita Avdeev to accompany him to Nicaragua as his coach. Nikita is a good little surfer living in the city of Yekaterinbug situated in the Russian Urals. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">He gets to surf Bali around four times a year. He has been selected by the a russian Surfing federation to represent his country. Pretty cool and at 12 years old a big call but great experience.</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I fly through Los Angeles, Miami and then on to Nicaragua. 20 plus air time hours in total so a long haul. I decided to break the trip at LA. Huntington Beach is only a 45 minute drive from LAX. Taxis and shuttle buses don't really offer much of an option. You can get a car to pick you up for $150 or most hire a car at the airport because you need one to get around anyway. Pretty cheap but make sure you get one with GPS . I am staying at the Hilton on Pacific Highway about 500 metres south of the famous Huntington Pier. Pretty good value?</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXXD1ZezaxFlQ1oy4FVp0QVKrfYk73wT_SpTATzXpIEapwIKehKBlis82Fi1AHnXwOj2YI5wiRpqDawUh0Dopn4Pfo6gx7k6NuraWe4_3yc6EoQ-2vq_y9_lKWPw8x9rp9Faz-CW5OrCv/s1600/DSCN0361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeXXD1ZezaxFlQ1oy4FVp0QVKrfYk73wT_SpTATzXpIEapwIKehKBlis82Fi1AHnXwOj2YI5wiRpqDawUh0Dopn4Pfo6gx7k6NuraWe4_3yc6EoQ-2vq_y9_lKWPw8x9rp9Faz-CW5OrCv/s320/DSCN0361.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4dfshmxzgvQIeFY_tVuVAp12DJUoYEYr89raqQ3aX1Zf9Z4mYg7ikKPXnY_NoYr6NrTIJmldlbSmTP6_ovnLyD_PfYeTnvLlu5zxNBBEt9QpzFxSwVBhWqwjrsA8ETPMt6me44UMPW59/s1600/DSCN0350.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt4dfshmxzgvQIeFY_tVuVAp12DJUoYEYr89raqQ3aX1Zf9Z4mYg7ikKPXnY_NoYr6NrTIJmldlbSmTP6_ovnLyD_PfYeTnvLlu5zxNBBEt9QpzFxSwVBhWqwjrsA8ETPMt6me44UMPW59/s320/DSCN0350.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">First night PT, the very first Pro World Champion picks me up for dinner. He has his non surfing brother with him. PT has been living here for 30 odd years after moving from the Gold Coast. We eat right in front of the pier at Dukes. </span><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">I have eaten at Dukes in Honolulu and here was the same. Great seafood and cool memorabilia. </span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Huntington Beach is surf town, maybe a big version of Torquay in Victoria. Plenty of cheap eats and bars. Hard to get a real coffee though. There are a million versions of coffee drinks here but I could do with a decent espresso.</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">The surf? Onshore 2-3 ft slop. Cool water so will wait for boardies and warm central American temperatures. So instead of hunting surf I hunt all the old surf spots that I used to dream about back in the sixties. You can go north along pacific coast highway up to Malibu and Zuma beach or south down past Trestles and Oceanside. While you are at it you may as well check the skate boys and weirdos at Venice Beach. </span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Wednesday 5</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">Up at 5.30 to LAX. Need to catch a four hour flight to Miami and then two and a half flight to Managua in Nicaragua. I meet Nikita and his father Andre in the transit lounge for the last leg. Andre has been here for work and Nikita does a solo flight from Moscow through Rome to Miami. Gutsy effort!!</span><br style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;" /><span style="font-size: 15px; line-height: 22px;">We arrive at Managua airport around 7pm local time our driver Martine is waiting for us for the three hour drive to the Tola area. Wet season has just started and it is bucketing down with rain. The last 40 kilometres of the trip is just mud and slow going. Arriving at night anywhere is strange but when you are in the middle of a central American jungle it is even stranger. The road is over grown with vines and trees. We pull up at a big gate made of cane. It takes a while before the security guy will let us in. The owner arrives and while we expect to drive to a hotel of some sort he explains they have 6 rooms spread over a 15 acre organic farm. This is normally a yoga retreat (Equilibrio) run by James and Gabriela, We grab our gear and head off on a muddy track through the jungle by torch light. After 10 minutes of dodging vines, branches etc we get to a small room made of local timber. There is a separate bath room dwelling up the track. All fairly different. We are tired and crash out with the rain hammering down with thunder and lightning thrown in. The room is open with big fly wired windows. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span>June 6th<br />Nikita is up at dawn (5am) we try to ignore him and eventually wander through another jungle path to the kitchen hangout area. The Argentinian team are also staying here which is cool because I know a few of the coaches from a level two course I presented in Mar Del Plata. They are super friendly. Our host Gabriela is very hospitable, she drives us to check the surf. There is a hurricane in the gulf and the swell is huge with no quality surf. We decide to check the contest site and register for the event. The beach is covered with drift wood washed down the river from last nights storm. The water is soupy brown with the surf exploding on a shallow bank. Only a few guys try to get out but not much surfing going on. They reckon the swell will peak tomorrow. The ISA organisation team are concerned the peak swell may crash through the podiums and grand stand set up on the beach. Nikita is keen to surf but we opt for resting up back at the hacienda. There is a deep bricked up well near our room. In the afternoon we join the Argentinian team and take turns jumping down the 7 metre drop. Everyone has a lot of fun. Meals are in the main room, food is good and <span style="line-height: 22px;">Gabriela and James are great hosts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br />June 7<br />We take off early with at an Argentina. The swell is still massive and about the only place to surf is "magnificent rock". Pretty cool spot but with the swell size a nightmare to surf. We rename it "duck dive point" We have a couple of goes and get pretty cooked on the beach. The Hawaiian and French teams are trading there as well. We all head back to the hotel packed in the Argentine team bus like Sardines. The Argentinians are super cool and very helpful.<br />Steak for lunch and a well earned rest in the arvo.<br />We have an early evening meal and head to Rancho Santana for the managers meeting. Plenty of talking of rules and regulations.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />June 8<br />We head off early for another surf at Magnificent Rock. The swell is smaller but still plenty of wash throughs. Nikita tries his small board and gets his confidence up with a couple if good waves.<br />Back for lunch and then the opening ceremony. Major operation. Everyone congregates at the contest site and we bused in to San Juan Del Sur. Pretty cool marching through the streets while the locals cheer us on. Every country has a name banner and flags. Drums, horns, everything is going on. The ISA president Fernando Aguerre shakes Nikita's hand and makes a big deal of him being the first Russian junior competitor. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />The whole ceremony mimics a small Olympic Games opening. Athlete pledge, entertainment etc. the cool difference is the mixing of the sands. This tradition requires each nation (30 in all) to bring sand from there country and a designated surfer from each nation is called by name, country and beach and then invited to pour the sand I to a glass tank. Very symbolic and super cool. Nikita is stoked by the privilege. During the whole ceremony we manage to get rained on but no one is that bothered.<br />We make a quick getaway with Gabriela but still don't make it home until 8.30pm. We quickly eat our dinner and are about to head off to sleep when a few of Andries friends turn up. I think is glad to have a good Russian conversation. Nikita and I sneak off to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /><br />June 9<br />We are up early for the start of the contest, the swell gas dropped on the beach break but still majority closing out. Tough conditions. Nikita goes out in the first heat and has a red hot go. Half way through he is in second place but by the end just gets pushed down to fourth. He has down really well. We have been joined by a couple of Andre's friends. We move up the contest site a little and kick back in a beach side Restaurant while Nikita free surfs with the other competitors who are warming up.<br /><br />June 10<br />Nikita is surfing in the rep round today. We have a surf in the morning to warm up them cruise back to the farm for lunch and a rest up. Back down to the contest at 1.30pm. The Argentinian boys take Nikita for a quick warm up surf and then we wait for the action to start. The surf is pretty good offshore but a little tricky picking the right waves. Both surfers in the water start with good waves but Nikita's is better. He surfs well and wins the heat. Everybody is really happy. Nikita advances to the next round. He has reached further into the contest than anyone thought. Super Kruto.<br />We move hotels tonight. It is further away from the contest site but Andre has some friends there and i am pretty sure they will be celebrating tonight. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another tough heat today and Nikita just misses out on advancing placing third. He has finished above surfers from Argentina, Ecuador, Uruguay, Nicaragua, Germany, Chile, Panama, El Salvador, and Puerto Rico Everyone is very proud of his effort. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">June 12</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So the surf, you will see plenty of smoking' barrels in all the photos but all the beaches are similar, shifting left and right beach breaks with plenty of duck diving. the wind is almost always offshore and living is pretty cheap. It is a long haul from Australia so a quick holiday it ain't but if you have at least six weeks up your sleeve and want to do the Central American trip Mexico, Costa Rica etc then put Nicaragua on the list.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The contest finishes with the Hawaiians taking out the Under 16 and 18 girls titles and the Aussies the Under 16 boys. The blue ribbon under 18 boys is so tight with Hawaii getting the nod over Australia by point one of a point. The Australians hit back by winning the overall team points gold medal.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Japan takes out the Aloha Cup for the very first time and everyone is stoked for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almost 300 competitors and thirty countries are represented in these ISA World Junior Surfing Games. this event is a real stepping stone for the Pro surfers of the future.</span></div>
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<div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-55408833430234144032013-05-10T02:18:00.000-07:002013-05-10T02:18:11.476-07:00Tavarua Fiji<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">24th November 2012</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tavarua, first time and am pretty excited. Although this
time of year is not the best surf window it looks like we may have some
shoulder high waves when we arrive. I am travelling with a couple of buddies
and it is first time for all of us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Flight time from Melbourne is only a short five hours
jaunt.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hot weather in Fiji and after a forty minute bouncing
ride in a battered Hi Ace van we stop in front of a mangrove swamp.</span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We wade out to a small boat and cruise over to Tavarua
Island. The trip lasts about twenty minutes and the smart move is to pack a
water proof spray jacket and sit in the middle seat.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfwEnAQSQHn6tKBA7v2D-jR9-5nR2q93okyxLxxIul22ZhFNERQxJciCmXx8UhhlfdM0V0xAW-QGSI3GQh2Lp7OFL5uz84trBMp6bii7w7ll30rWj7mR4yGWIt1uTSvAY9CStxSXcWZoW/s1600/GOPR2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqfwEnAQSQHn6tKBA7v2D-jR9-5nR2q93okyxLxxIul22ZhFNERQxJciCmXx8UhhlfdM0V0xAW-QGSI3GQh2Lp7OFL5uz84trBMp6bii7w7ll30rWj7mR4yGWIt1uTSvAY9CStxSXcWZoW/s320/GOPR2663.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The staff greet you on the sand and with a minimum of
check in procedure you will be in your Bure or bungalow in no time.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The island resort is pretty spectacular and if there is
some swell and offshore wind Woo Hoo!!!</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUKz5MFkfQOux8GjhvDZ395aX5YSjg-AyGQHy2IXEfgt8CbZxuYoSPFQubxT8hdzLSpGuTHikfXBrzfqkxNtiO8KKODVJA2uh2I4mbsHplaROZvyHlP5ubJM0c5xUhxx2igUoo4hn-Ln2/s1600/IMG_2866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSUKz5MFkfQOux8GjhvDZ395aX5YSjg-AyGQHy2IXEfgt8CbZxuYoSPFQubxT8hdzLSpGuTHikfXBrzfqkxNtiO8KKODVJA2uh2I4mbsHplaROZvyHlP5ubJM0c5xUhxx2igUoo4hn-Ln2/s320/IMG_2866.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are in for a week and the surf varies from waist to
shoulder high to just over head. The wind is sort of offshore but the wave
faces are clean. For a few hours of the day it glasses off. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The water quality is brilliant. Racing down the line at
cloud break you can clearly see the coral bottom and fish as you you surf.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cloud Break and Restraunt's are the two classic left
handers<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>here and were exclusive to
Tavarua. That has all changed but the upside is you can boat to all the other
breaks close by. Namotu is only a stones throw away and has three waves around
it. The surf here is fast breaking hollow waves over coral.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oM_5QHeue-pipLAoaWS9i9NnlyZAhDxcTiky6EFUmciFa5gHxooc8pqyGx3C8sJ_1nyngi6is1qjzTgyqRCF3UNCA0bnbJhicI2pQi6b0HDuXSfOiASqXdvW50TwANGrYJ6u2qe4VyHJ/s1600/IMG_4209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oM_5QHeue-pipLAoaWS9i9NnlyZAhDxcTiky6EFUmciFa5gHxooc8pqyGx3C8sJ_1nyngi6is1qjzTgyqRCF3UNCA0bnbJhicI2pQi6b0HDuXSfOiASqXdvW50TwANGrYJ6u2qe4VyHJ/s320/IMG_4209.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you are fifty fifty on deciding whether to pack reef
booties throw them in your bag along with your rash vest, Board shorts and sun
screen.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As for your quiver! The small fat beach break model can
stay at home, you need a good paddler that goes good down the line, preferably
at warp speed. Extra concave always helps. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If eight feet plus thundering cloud break or five feet
super hollow restaraunts is out your league don't despair it ain't always like
that and even if those are conditions when arrive on your trip Nomotu lefts and
swimming pools can be great fun.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM576E3yLIVVtfpCKsZ07ohuJOhWALEFmawixP27NSBPUVEU2_uC1MNrP0b0BSqzCuuWEe20JU3BhX2iI6iTnRL8Qq3-6V_JVtHbRgPdSk9M6OhWSwq3P5S4fPUowVUu0tuuj3sw60tGav/s1600/GOPR2713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM576E3yLIVVtfpCKsZ07ohuJOhWALEFmawixP27NSBPUVEU2_uC1MNrP0b0BSqzCuuWEe20JU3BhX2iI6iTnRL8Qq3-6V_JVtHbRgPdSk9M6OhWSwq3P5S4fPUowVUu0tuuj3sw60tGav/s320/GOPR2713.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All the surf spots bar Restaraunts have to accessed by
boat. The surf guides are cool and know there stuff. Boats start leaving at 5am
and then<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>all through the day. It isn't
an on demand service but with a little planning and cooperation from other
guests the boys will look after you. There will always be a guide/life guard on
a boat or in the water with you. You will not get dropped off in the lineup by
yourself and the boat leave. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, Stand paddling, tennis,
table tennis and a massage are all on the to do list.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served from the buffet at
set times during the day. If you hear the conch shell being blown, tucker is
on. The bar stocks are pretty cool and everything is on the room bill to be
settled as you leave. Plenty of people get a bit of a shock at there bar tab. (
did I drink that much? Answer - Sure did)</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cava Night is usually on a Thursday and comprises of an
official welcome by the chief, a ceremonial drink of Cava and some
entertainment.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPqiqF9hTLKbMng82RGd6NF_NbF0i0nhjx2ghB7py6prcTabHaHScgSanZYcdwLR_xW6f-eSmPhd80ZKLPO8JpvOneMi6xWvvkLcWQDxdqWRy7-qYU_C6gxPfeU01ODcIvTB_ih-YTTId/s1600/IMG_4275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlPqiqF9hTLKbMng82RGd6NF_NbF0i0nhjx2ghB7py6prcTabHaHScgSanZYcdwLR_xW6f-eSmPhd80ZKLPO8JpvOneMi6xWvvkLcWQDxdqWRy7-qYU_C6gxPfeU01ODcIvTB_ih-YTTId/s320/IMG_4275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Fijians love it. Laughing, singing, traditional
dress<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and dancing. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't pick up too much of the language but Bula is
welcome and Vinaka means thank you.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Never been to Fiji ? put it on your bucket list because
you won't be disappointed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Looking to
take the family and are frothing on Restaraunts and cloud breakTavarua works a
treat. Prefer the late night bar life try Nomotu.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10kKAFcyaUEja-810FvukGiiXDRfGiAlywErOkvZXZcLwNp59S9kJKM2UxCS-k2v0W7dBeWjXlkLcUpse_q51_1WKmXPaqeao5p48tJ8_uARMOcOHRZBZVzZZDCaXUShqWK9mK7MT9F_O/s1600/bee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10kKAFcyaUEja-810FvukGiiXDRfGiAlywErOkvZXZcLwNp59S9kJKM2UxCS-k2v0W7dBeWjXlkLcUpse_q51_1WKmXPaqeao5p48tJ8_uARMOcOHRZBZVzZZDCaXUShqWK9mK7MT9F_O/s640/bee.jpg" width="515" /></a></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Consolas;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Consolas;"> </span></o:p></div>
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</span><br />
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Consolas;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-86775065294989945772013-01-30T23:23:00.001-08:002013-01-30T23:27:14.566-08:00Banda Aceh 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Banda Aceh<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">January
2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So where
do I start, and please cut me some slack on my writing coz I only just passed
fifth form English back in 1970 and only because the one novel we had to review
at exam time was fortunately for me also a movie. The extra study I did was to
ask a few A grade students the difference between the book and the movie.
Bingo! Question one right there. I winged the rest and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Voila</i>, pass mark at 52%. The missing 48% was or were ?? transitive
verbs, correct tense and the like. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So back to
Aceh, there is good news and sadly bad news, but I will get to that later, just
to set the scene which is quite different from any other surf destination you
may end up in.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOBJf8xEm7ImPAbJy0z20XA2Te6gonlZf1IHUt-PgjXmyqs_oZ1CDYNt55GyUXcomf9u-NCzkW4mD-NTdK33gtNNqmaXmAmWzrKTvm64FiySbUNUpy3satu16ML-spNVS4m2LVGdCM6q5/s1600/sunset.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCOBJf8xEm7ImPAbJy0z20XA2Te6gonlZf1IHUt-PgjXmyqs_oZ1CDYNt55GyUXcomf9u-NCzkW4mD-NTdK33gtNNqmaXmAmWzrKTvm64FiySbUNUpy3satu16ML-spNVS4m2LVGdCM6q5/s400/sunset.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sitting in the line up with a fiery
red Sumatran sunset in twenty eight degree water, small hollow lefts running
down the coral reef and an A frame across the channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A ramshackle warung sits on the beach in
front of a golf course. Hard to tell it’s a golf course, not your average
garden variety manicured greens and pro shop deal but it is green and there
where people with golf clubs walking around on it along with the odd cow and a
family of goats. There is clear view of a cement factory across the river that
looks like the Helms Deep fortress from Lord of the Rings. It is eerily quiet
with the only noise from the imam on the loud speaker from the local mosque
conducting evening prayer. I am not big on any formalised religion but an imam
can sound pretty cool as it drifts over the water. Mind you sometimes the noise
from those loud speakers is not dissimilar to raucous sound a cat makes with
its tail caught under a rocking chair. </span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></i> </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiojJvPVWUNHvt5c639a13PYHCo1Vi5ujnqbzrtmEUZt3IKxXyPW9w33BlFSYy0gLaUaxqwFu6YzNIVC1c-NHUJCm-57GQa9XFrKVeGzOLJRN5RMXXcoN41vE3bb4vPhs6BIglBp9DO6H/s1600/big+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXiojJvPVWUNHvt5c639a13PYHCo1Vi5ujnqbzrtmEUZt3IKxXyPW9w33BlFSYy0gLaUaxqwFu6YzNIVC1c-NHUJCm-57GQa9XFrKVeGzOLJRN5RMXXcoN41vE3bb4vPhs6BIglBp9DO6H/s400/big+one.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biggest wave of the trip</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">After
travelling around Indo since the mid seventies I found Banda Aceh pretty mellow
and damn interesting. Sharia law is part of life here and to foreigners that
means no bikinis for the girls and under the counter beer. Definitely no
spirits. Don't get too upset if there are limited supplies, one shopkeeper got
sent to the big house for eight years just having eight cartons for sale on his
premises. That’s one year per carton, case, box or slab depending where you
come from. There are also rumours this will become law throughout Indo. Another
one is women should only ride side saddle on a motor bike. Given women are
often on the back of a scooter holding two kids, five live chickens and the
weeks groceries I reckon these laws are a tad impractical and will struggle get
through parliament. Mind you Indonesian law can change daily.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLaHsaWe89r76PNcsR06n46doySPyCZzydKSuy_wmMWFSyfbefkuWooup4I_EoI7JYb-2_gKJswqmvLymdCZ0G82Iel6J3NgrflO66rMOC8GlOGJJxpLlINQtgxZBULVgsgAqREli3a40/s1600/golf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXLaHsaWe89r76PNcsR06n46doySPyCZzydKSuy_wmMWFSyfbefkuWooup4I_EoI7JYb-2_gKJswqmvLymdCZ0G82Iel6J3NgrflO66rMOC8GlOGJJxpLlINQtgxZBULVgsgAqREli3a40/s320/golf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golf!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You may be
wondering why I am blabbing about a secret surf destination in Indo. Two
reasons, last time I checked my Google analysis blog Info I only had about a
hundred hits. Twenty five of those were from me and apart from you the rest
were from my dear 87 year old Mum's senior citizens 'how to use a computer
class'. Second is Aceh ain't no secret. The bad news is Lhoknga can hold around
20 -25 guys. There were fifty odd tourists including Aussies, Euros, Seth
Efricans and Americans and 20 odd locals when I was there squabbling over 2-3
ft short waves. Granted they where hollow fun little runners but if you a surf
nazi the frustration factor will kick in big time before the end of day one. If
you like to spend time absorbing the Indonesian culture and can handle doing
two or three airports there is plenty to do and see cruising around checking
the markets, snorkelling and scoping a different area you will enjoy the
experience. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Speaking
of culture and the values of sharia law, tourism etc I did see the proud Aussie
exhibition at 10.30 am on Australia Day here. One really pissed unit dive
bombing a plastic toddler’s pool half full of water without spilling his beer.
'Way to Go'. Pretty sure some of the locals where starting to think eight years
in the big house for selling grog was light on.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The waves
are not heavy and only turn on in a short two month season around January. The
rest of the time is onshore. Anything over head high is considered an epic
swell. Waist high is the norm and be prepared to hang for a swell. Locals are
super friendly although a few of the surfing variety don't share waves all that
well. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8nrylcEBM6EnE3XKJrz6qGAG3zF3vVjhteuy5ohzWbQC0Qy8sWTKBsZLarkMNBs3z0cGqWGCMVXYO2QnW72MGGzgNuUaoalQCGiNAnMPD58MLGIAkzH8KKVnjSAXAoapNCundnZDkzAS/s1600/coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8nrylcEBM6EnE3XKJrz6qGAG3zF3vVjhteuy5ohzWbQC0Qy8sWTKBsZLarkMNBs3z0cGqWGCMVXYO2QnW72MGGzgNuUaoalQCGiNAnMPD58MLGIAkzH8KKVnjSAXAoapNCundnZDkzAS/s320/coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We stayed
at Udi's place, awesome hospitality, only basic rooms with a fan and a
trickling version of a shower but a five minute walk to the beach, great food
(try the BBQ fish) and coffee. Speaking of coffee, Aceh coffee rules. If you
want to ante up you can splurge of coffee lewak. A lewak is a small cat like
animal that seeks out the best coffee beans in the wild and eats them and only
digests the beans outer skin before crapping them out. You give them a wash and
roast them up as per normal and it is a great drop. It is expensive and
unfortunately the latest trend is to capture a lewak and feed them as many
beans as possible. The poor animal doesn't have a chance to select the best
beans as it would in the wild but that's progress for you!!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Masakan
Padang food is a treat and you gotta try the Rendang. It is beef curry slow
cooked by mama for a week or two but Woo hoo taste bud sensation. I should add
it may take a few days for those taste buds to regrow after the Rendang chilly hit
has killed them. You can even score a Magnum or Cornetto at the local super
market.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT9WegivOREXSSaJNeotJzhjNsNmP4XhI66ZhPfvLLGDBCsIQi7ob1FE2U7xg38LcjI-B2PMKHii5GGCiMmjnVqLB-kiETgQUCQ6h5SjqPntkbW_ghrf_Q6SArWjv4tnIDDq4poaXCI_M/s1600/shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJT9WegivOREXSSaJNeotJzhjNsNmP4XhI66ZhPfvLLGDBCsIQi7ob1FE2U7xg38LcjI-B2PMKHii5GGCiMmjnVqLB-kiETgQUCQ6h5SjqPntkbW_ghrf_Q6SArWjv4tnIDDq4poaXCI_M/s320/shop.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Easy place
to travel around, plenty of buses and scooters or Yudi will organise a car for
you. The roads are great. There has been a massive rebuild here after the
horrific tsunami in 2004. They stared with roads and mosques, although I
suspect the other way round. There are tsunami evacuation signs everywhere but
the nearest hills that surround the area look at least a half marathon away, if
another one came I couldn't tell you where to head because it is flat as a shit
carters<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>hat in between those hills.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe a mask and snorkel while sitting on
your board ready to kiss your arse good bye might work.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><strong>Two
hundred and fifty thousand people lost the lives due to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami.</strong></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fPMjdf-fGdulgIkShkJq67VI3f6x2lhgbq6vpO_durLKYMxjramYqCTDrNHSGtXrVYFTfxmV-wBPQaBrAGP-XqBLzFz9F93qTerds83lpZIwmE1g3L8IQ0s7OQK9QF0Dm53e58O7Uo5U/s1600/tsunami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6fPMjdf-fGdulgIkShkJq67VI3f6x2lhgbq6vpO_durLKYMxjramYqCTDrNHSGtXrVYFTfxmV-wBPQaBrAGP-XqBLzFz9F93qTerds83lpZIwmE1g3L8IQ0s7OQK9QF0Dm53e58O7Uo5U/s320/tsunami.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tsunami damaged hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HLDBmbEBVtfEQQB22-S1IlLhTQu6hUDXz0n6np51URWtWP7FbIn1vvIsBAra0TgULEqpTruaeLRoa3ZbJdj0O_9UKVnhGvQKn3pdmMsDJF8qk4ZpjNZOmiOJIc2sS8t6275HlD6NMMCa/s1600/tsusign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0HLDBmbEBVtfEQQB22-S1IlLhTQu6hUDXz0n6np51URWtWP7FbIn1vvIsBAra0TgULEqpTruaeLRoa3ZbJdj0O_9UKVnhGvQKn3pdmMsDJF8qk4ZpjNZOmiOJIc2sS8t6275HlD6NMMCa/s320/tsusign.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">That is almost
the ammount of supporters at three AFL grand final days at the MCG. Another perspective
is more people tragically perished from this Tsunami than all the US soldier fatalities in The American
revolutionary war, World War One, Korean, Vietnam, Afgan and Iraq wars
combined. !!!</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I don't
want to end this little story on a downer though, the place is up and running
and a credit to the Acehnese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I visited
here with my Russian buddies, old and new. A big Spicey Bar (thanks) to Alena.
I learnt six more Russian words and forgot twenty three other ones. It's a
complex rich language. I did learn Russians don't have green with envy in the
vocabulary rather white and black envy. Pretty handy to know these sorts of
things.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span> </div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">So I
probably won't be back in hurry but we had a blast soaking up the culture despite
the fickle crowded waves. Hope you have a better perspective of the place now
when you are considering how to spend you surf travel dollar and if you ever decide to check it out remember to decline any business offer
to start a lewak coffee venture or more importantly a bottle shop.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-86878066682133467182012-10-16T03:54:00.000-07:002012-10-16T04:02:08.951-07:00Mentawai 2012<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mentawai October 2012</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RQd0Zan478O6ietK_zPSu8P7ad-fg_jXDuOwnt2iPXy_hlwlXdQOKf_6mG0g0kewxBys-V8mGIDGxAn9ZZaqJq3fGdP_bUf5GNQezTDiQB6NMfc9PbnvsmBgyp_1qAD1rxeIXJez46Y/s1600/DSCN0310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RQd0Zan478O6ietK_zPSu8P7ad-fg_jXDuOwnt2iPXy_hlwlXdQOKf_6mG0g0kewxBys-V8mGIDGxAn9ZZaqJq3fGdP_bUf5GNQezTDiQB6NMfc9PbnvsmBgyp_1qAD1rxeIXJez46Y/s320/DSCN0310.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thankfully not our charter boat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another boat charter trip to the Mentawais with my
Russian buddies Alena and the Endless Summer Surf School crew from Bali on the charter boat
Addiction. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Take off from Tullamarine on AFL grand final eve. Have
decided to spend a couple of days in Singapore on the way through. It is not
the quickest way to go but I enjoy spending time in Asia and Singapore is a
cool city.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you are coming from Australia there are a couple of
tips if you are on a mission to get straight through to Padang. Air Asia does
the final KL - Padang leg. If you get a real airline to KL and then Air Asia
into Padang you will have to change airports in KL. AA flies out of the low
cost terminal. It takes around 40 minutes to get there. It should cost a few
bucks but if you are travelling with all the team on the trip they will try and
slug you extra.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Garuda always look a little expensive but they fly
through Jakarta and then straight to Padang. You may have to wait for the
connection but you won't have to drag your boards around to different airports.
Grab a VIP lounge in Jakarta for $10 and chill out with free food and drink.
This info maybe outdated soon. The mail is Tiger Airlines are reopening their
Singapore - Padang flights with Garuda to follow. Given how user friendly
Singapore Airport is this would be good news. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am staying at a small guest house style hotel called
Lloyd's inn recommended to me by Mr Ajill of the Singapore Surfing Association.
Pretty sure it doesn't have any star ratings and it could do with a facelift
but it is just behind Orchard road and costs only $90. Great spot with super
friendly service. Another cool spot is Rucksack Inn in Clarke Quay. This one
has dorms as well as rooms. If you want something more upmarket try Albert
Court in little India, another good location. If you are a five star traveller
take your pick, they are all here.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Taxis into the city are pretty cheap. I had some time
to kill so I jumped on the train which is easy to use. I went straight to
little India for breakfast. Masala Dosai (a spicy potato pancake) and sweet
Indian tea. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After that and the hotel check in I am off to find a bar
with the footy. I ended up at Clarke Quay and managed to find a big screen one
minute before the bounce. Sitting in 28 degree temp watching the footy with a
bunch of expats and tourists was surreal. Great afternoon and a good match to
boot. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my mates was flying in to Singapore as well and we
had planned to meet at an Indian Restaurant that night. Tom and I ate at the
same place 37 years ago. If you like Indian, Komala Vilas or Banana Leaf Apolla
are institutions.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL34Kecs0jZK7fjB0c-jYfPLAYvheDp_jdviR1-Er4Pm8qwJk1t1UICXTk8kMkfj5Jx1ZI81fxzlsdA4GcYjJ-RFTp449yImy0htuItSQbqt-EFYvb6BouD1sWcI5ptTGbQsY4iKE931I-/s1600/DSCN0157.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL34Kecs0jZK7fjB0c-jYfPLAYvheDp_jdviR1-Er4Pm8qwJk1t1UICXTk8kMkfj5Jx1ZI81fxzlsdA4GcYjJ-RFTp449yImy0htuItSQbqt-EFYvb6BouD1sWcI5ptTGbQsY4iKE931I-/s320/DSCN0157.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met Tom and his Wife Lisa at the new Gardens by the Bay
the next day. Lisa had a bunch of her family as well. Not that keen on the
tourist thing but these new gardens are really awesome. A totally self
sustaining complex with huge rain water catchments in the guise of massive
plants and a bio steam furnace that is fuelled by pruned plant material within
the park. Well worth a visit. It is right in front of the massive hotel with
the boat on top. 56 floors and takes 15 seconds by lift to get the top.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo-3hbSW4RcV8zX85pMI1RJvmFH5SXYQAWDiQ5HsSCWkUB1vt76T4bodModCKHCFMV_rW8CxjuInIWnS5mPXW0tGGiHRAiB5GotO0J74lLcaS7ncOrKo6GNzjrwyuthnNpTMsWUoVvHe6/s1600/DSCN0178.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAo-3hbSW4RcV8zX85pMI1RJvmFH5SXYQAWDiQ5HsSCWkUB1vt76T4bodModCKHCFMV_rW8CxjuInIWnS5mPXW0tGGiHRAiB5GotO0J74lLcaS7ncOrKo6GNzjrwyuthnNpTMsWUoVvHe6/s320/DSCN0178.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An Indian lunch at Zam Zam's another food institution on
the corner of Arab street and Beach road. Great food and laughs with all the
crew.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had Murtabah and Byriani. (
Enak Sekali) If you are a keen fisherman you can get all the latest gear in
this area way cheaper than home. Could come in handy on your boat.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 3</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have to do the bun fight through KL to get to Padang,
not too bad but am keen to get to Padang and on our boat. I am the first of our
guys in Padang. Nothing to do but walk around town all afternoon. Apart from
the Tsunami threat Padang is fun. Andre, Anastasia and Dimma from Endless
Summer surf school arrive with their two guests Alex and Froddo (not really the
correct spelling and pronunciation but that is what I am calling him). We head
to the port and board the Addiction. Alena, Artem and Tanya are coming in from
Europe and arrive at Midnight. Really super Kruto to see everyone again.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crossing to the Ments is about 75 miles, it is a bit
rough and we arrive at Telescopes about 8am. Everybody is tired but by lunch
everyone except Anna and Sleeping beauty (Tanya) have surfed. 20 guys in the
line up with shoulder high waves. An OK first surf.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mmy10vRpNHln5zx-7v9azlAT_FHQavQZcTbYvB3gxavLUSQVnxJlsb_zHvbnlCFetSIU6EjjTTnP_H_ypoHziWhvdRSGwm89IqeCVGfo4bdic9U5wOazFsPlAl2j5T7QbPi4kv88z9Uz/s1600/DSCN0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Mmy10vRpNHln5zx-7v9azlAT_FHQavQZcTbYvB3gxavLUSQVnxJlsb_zHvbnlCFetSIU6EjjTTnP_H_ypoHziWhvdRSGwm89IqeCVGfo4bdic9U5wOazFsPlAl2j5T7QbPi4kv88z9Uz/s320/DSCN0251.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wind picks up a bit and a couple of bigger sets, we
head around the corner and try a left by ourselves. It looks OK from the boat
but hard work in a strong current. We anchor near Aloita Surf Camp for the
night.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After dinner we all watch Geni photo's from the days
surfing.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 4</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Captain Eric has the boat back at Telescopes by 6am. Just
a puff of wind and 6 ft sets. Some of the guys head out on the high tide. The
girls and I wait for the tide to drop a bit so we can catch a few inside waves.
It gets pretty crowed. Some of the boats have 12 to 13 guys on them. Way too
many.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The surf is solid and the wind is across shore putting a
few ridges on the wave face. There are some good ones but it is tough
conditions for most of us. Tanya and Anna go for a paddle on the two SUP's that
are on the Addiction.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are eating really well with great food. Our chefs Andy
and Tony are doing a great job. Azman is the boats engineer and Yudi the boat
boy. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We surf till dark then back around to the same anchorage
as last night. Uno, drinks, dinner, slide show and a movie before bed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZdvaqINQaJNKQY4DSED8gBw5ONwQpyzIlxx6ePALK3somxPwAXZc3iHdo9SrfFas1hkdQ772TcosLaqpXyUC13aME1nuOewCMr4HMM62xOpHS3rO3YVYuaGFAIPKYJoBKXK9H60Zb0ht/s1600/malments3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYZdvaqINQaJNKQY4DSED8gBw5ONwQpyzIlxx6ePALK3somxPwAXZc3iHdo9SrfFas1hkdQ772TcosLaqpXyUC13aME1nuOewCMr4HMM62xOpHS3rO3YVYuaGFAIPKYJoBKXK9H60Zb0ht/s400/malments3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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</div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are back at Telescopes at 6am. Glassy conditions and
although the swell has dropped a bit there are still head high sets. Not as
many guys but testing conditions. Burritos for second breakfast today then a
snooze. After our snooze the blue sky has gone and it is raining. The across
shore southerly has come in but as we watch the wind tends more offshore and
strengthens. More rain and squalls. Alena and I sneak out as the last squall
finishes. It has glassed off, we paddle up the line and end up having a great
surf. Best of the trip so far. Fish Burgers for lunch.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone is tired, by 3.30 with heaps of waves under our
belts and a strengthening Southerly wind we decide to head south to find some
different waves for tomorrow.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The girls have a wake surf at our anchorage as night
falls. We have dinner and watch Carl's video of the days surf. After that
Captain Eric drives the boat further south to Maccas.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ouch!!! Didn't hit the reef but was asked by a Taiwanese
surfer today if I was coaching my granddaughter. Alena has been mistaken for my
daughter before but granddaughter? Alena must be younger.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 6</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are up at 6 again and the girls and I have a fun surf
on a small shallow left before we take the boat around to Maccas. All the girls
get some waves while Alena gets a bomb set.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At Maccas the wind is almost onshore but there are four
foot plus sets and fun waves. All the boys surf and when the crowd thins so do
Alena and I.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Carl has been videoing from shore and after lunch we
watch the video and talk about technique. Some in English and then a flurry of
Russian. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We anchor inside Maccas, the skipper tells us he has a
quick release system for the anchor in case of a Tsunami. Maccas camp was wiped
out in 2010 along with a couple of boats cannoning into each other. Everything
is OK but I grabbed the life vest from under my bed and put it next to me
before I went to sleep.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 7</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We are up before dawn, the swell has dropped so we are
out in the lineup. It is only small with the occasional head high set. There is
a boat with about 13 or 14 surfers on it. Why you would charter a holiday with
that many guys amazes me. They are cool guys but they like to surf together.
Another thing that always amazes me is why you don't surf in some sort of
shifts to minimise the crowd. Anyway we have a bit of fun. After breakfast the
last boat leaves and Alena, Tanya and I surf waist high Maccas by ourselves. It
ain't epic by a long shot but fun. There have been the customary coral scrapes.
Alex has a pretty cool fin chop across his back.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The swell is dropping so we head down to Thunders. The
boys are out and surf till late. Anna and Tanya explore the beach returning
with a pile of shells.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is always a snack with drinks before dinner. Smoked
salmon and Bruschetta have been the favourites. Lasagne is on tonight's menu. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB9zRNMTGRMGKSesHPRHLjF9XtuU9y6XtM2JNBhfbSa7D8HvoSlpnclB-z8lazwpjYdhHO2WN8iP5DB4U1CQVrlsTgF-SagatYgiatXShcwrgIY4FGvfX-HA3jGchf_TYo9kqp_DX83Wt/s1600/DSCN0278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNB9zRNMTGRMGKSesHPRHLjF9XtuU9y6XtM2JNBhfbSa7D8HvoSlpnclB-z8lazwpjYdhHO2WN8iP5DB4U1CQVrlsTgF-SagatYgiatXShcwrgIY4FGvfX-HA3jGchf_TYo9kqp_DX83Wt/s400/DSCN0278.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 8</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swell has dropped, the girls and I take the rubber ducky
over to Budhas, a small wedge left that is just a take off. Not much happening
but we surf for a couple of hours. Back on the Addiction a group meeting
decides while there is no swell we will do the customary harbour master check
in at Sikikap and prepare for tonight's beach BBQ. Tanya, a DJ in Moscow is
busy designing the play list from her massive music library. We steam up
towards Rags Left and hook a mackerel on the way. Alex and Andrey take turns
landing the fish. Not long after Dimma reels in a dog tooth tuna. That will
take care of the sashimi for the next couple of days.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rags Left is one of the waves that the Tsunami ruined.
The reef lifted and while there still are waves the quality is not even close
to its former glory.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The crew have some hard work ahead taking all the food
and drink including a BBQ over to a beautiful stretch of beach just inside the
left to set up the night’s festivities. Sate Squid, BBQ chicken, salad and
potatoes. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVuzd0xlGUwbuGToQxf6uEHbpjMIGQ05qNr0ihoodbh_XN5qhuRL8ZfFSOKG6P0FGLjn7xN9rFDm46JqTx72T1FLAMtFfvKpNP9hiSBU712S7fuFL8NV_eIa8b9B991eYUhpw5kYUHrig/s1600/DSCN0290.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYVuzd0xlGUwbuGToQxf6uEHbpjMIGQ05qNr0ihoodbh_XN5qhuRL8ZfFSOKG6P0FGLjn7xN9rFDm46JqTx72T1FLAMtFfvKpNP9hiSBU712S7fuFL8NV_eIa8b9B991eYUhpw5kYUHrig/s320/DSCN0290.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Yudi is the pyromaniac and has three bonfires raging on
the sand. It's party night and the drinks cabinet takes a hammering. Not quite
sure when it all finished because I sneak back. To the boat but I am pretty
sure there will be no early morning start.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Oct 9</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">6.30 And no one has woken. I give the crew a hand to
clean up and have a quiet breakfast. The swell still looks small but no one is
going anywhere in a hurry.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Alena and Dimma are up but not for long and need another
nap. At 8.30 Alena resurfaces and the two of us leave Thunders in the rubber
ducky and surf Budhas. Carl surfs with us with a water proof video camera.
Plenty of fun lefts, we surf for nearly three hours. When we return Andrey and
Artem are out at Thunders, everyone else is trying to blow away the cobwebs.
Pumpkin soup and toasted sandwiches for lunch.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The girls and I take a trip back to Budhas for an
uncrowded surf. Tanya has been using a Bourton Silver Bullet. She is having a
great time. Anna gets a couple of good ones as well while Alena is having
great success working on her cutbacks.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span> </div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Meanwhile the boys are snagging some barrels
at Thunders. Froddo who has been suffering from last night’s BBQ snaps his
legroom and busts the fin out of his board. The Addictions engineer, Azman is a
Mr Fixit and gets to work repairing the damaged board.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">One of my favourites Rendang, a spicy beef curry is part
of the menu tonight.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 10</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My neck and shoulder muscles are starting to ache after the
long surfs yesterday. Time to hit the Voltaren tablets. I am up at 6 but
struggling a bit, lucky for me the rest of the guys are a bit stiff and sore
and tired as well.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Will be giving the Addictions massage chair plenty of
time today.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone sleeps in a bit so we take the big boat over to
Budhas. The swell is starting to kick and while the wave is just a takeoff it
has plenty of power. Alena gets a couple of good ones. Tanya gets slammed by a
big one and loses her board. Froddo has a crack as well, he is a powerful unit
and could paddle an icy pole stick over broken glass. He goes over the edge
regularly and makes a couple.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2a31T_Po09sKRR5kvkVuzvLbY4NBowrKlcp_XoVqPJ3LCLTQRL9KaTk51xnWOnNEkjggoGRU4U6k35IlF3cibrUmiY3G8cpTBsWBF5kRqmylfp6NnmPIaNX88u4SFpgBdpSmSLhMIU8Y/s1600/malments1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2a31T_Po09sKRR5kvkVuzvLbY4NBowrKlcp_XoVqPJ3LCLTQRL9KaTk51xnWOnNEkjggoGRU4U6k35IlF3cibrUmiY3G8cpTBsWBF5kRqmylfp6NnmPIaNX88u4SFpgBdpSmSLhMIU8Y/s320/malments1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a change of scenery we head north to Roxy's. There
are two boats there but really small. We decide to return to Thunders. A couple
of the boys head out while Artem rigs up his kite surfing gear. He leaves here
for Mauritius where he works as a Kite board instructor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the boys had a good crack at Thunders
we head to Roxy's and managed to reel in a good sized Spanish mackerel on the
way. Roxy's is crowded but Alena gets a few good ones, waist to shoulder high. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 11</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We hit Roxy's by 6am. Another boat comes around the
corner so everyone gets in to scare them off. That works but 4 other guys turn
up and spoil our party. After a two hour surf another boat turns up. They have
11 guys on board. I still find it strange that you would do a charter with that
many guys. 11 guests plus a surf guide, maybe a surfing photographer and or
cook and you have a massive crowd before you start.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There is a massive tropical storm brewing with lightening
and ear splitting Thunder. I love these storms but the boat of French surfers
don't like it one bit and head back to their boat really fast. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are plenty of boats this year and more land camps.
With the predominantly southerly wind which is normal for this time of year the
surf-able breaks are limited. We surf small inconsistent waves at Roxy's all
day. We anchor around the corner but with a sniff of swell our plan is for the
boat to head to Maccas around 4am so we can be there at dawn. </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p></o:p> </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyvGiEU9OuRPGetJP67-MCnCIvzUWaZx2V_fZLEeD4jLiuVTc4_nL2ZQjU-4W_9y9upxl-GA_9ZXgoI_vGydnVFe-8fCID-NoAZ40vtfz_l11LIgq0rFHv-FKbRtCJHqvM7nHwxWNmE30/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgyvGiEU9OuRPGetJP67-MCnCIvzUWaZx2V_fZLEeD4jLiuVTc4_nL2ZQjU-4W_9y9upxl-GA_9ZXgoI_vGydnVFe-8fCID-NoAZ40vtfz_l11LIgq0rFHv-FKbRtCJHqvM7nHwxWNmE30/s320/IMG_9528.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 12</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The wind is right at Maccas but yesterday's storm
produced a sloppy wind swell. There is the odd one but disappointing seeing it
is our last day. We try searching out more spots heading back north but the
weather deteriorates. Wind and rain. Everything is junk. Our last stop is HT's.
The captain and crew have a same day turn around so they are keen to pull the
pin and keep going to Padang. Obviously we want at least one more surf no
matter how bad. After another massive down pour the wind eases and the are some
reasonably clean head high waves at HT's. Andre creases his board on his last
surf. The same happened to him last trip. (Grrrrr!!!) The sun even comes out so
Anna and Tanya head to the beach for a few fashion promo shots.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last guy gets out of the water and the boat guns it
to Padang. Captain Eric has hit the gas, we are running with the wind and the
crossing only takes 4 hours. The not so fun part is packing up boards etc with
the boat rocketing back to port. There is still video and photo's to buy from
Carl and Geni. The video package is really cool and Geni with hasn't missed a
wave with his camera. The Indo crew are a really good bunch of hard working
guys and deserve their tip.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">October 13</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The party is certainly over now. The boat is being
cleaned and restocked while we do our last minute packing and get ready to head
to the airport. I have to find my thongs, haven't seen them since we first
boarded the boat. The Indies Trader 3and 4 are in port. Doris Elthrington's new
boat and the Rip Curl boat are in port as well. From the reports Scuzz from
Sumatran Surfariis is scoring some fun waves out in the Ments in a sneaky spot.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdqxH9Jh0x8LP7XSXSenAfAgC2reQ9nywkB7oaCM8XJc5VVwIiRM1utWZUstSahlAmp37hNIxN1Swv2uUIRZlyneJLwlBjcYItqkt-aW9vUbVesDDZu7Kc2E9oTwnYsPuJGmbV0GcukEj/s1600/coral.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMdqxH9Jh0x8LP7XSXSenAfAgC2reQ9nywkB7oaCM8XJc5VVwIiRM1utWZUstSahlAmp37hNIxN1Swv2uUIRZlyneJLwlBjcYItqkt-aW9vUbVesDDZu7Kc2E9oTwnYsPuJGmbV0GcukEj/s320/coral.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is a bit strange being back on land but the drive to
airport in the rain with the car horn blaring and the occasional passing in
between trucks, cars and motorbikes wakes your senses up.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am international through to KL while Alena and all the
guys are domestic through to Jakarta where they split and go their separate
ways. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Was it a good trip? ...... </span><o:p><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Over all the surf was average by Mentawai standards but a
trip to this region is always special. We will be back!!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-66500693242038754432012-06-02T22:51:00.000-07:002012-06-02T23:55:05.612-07:00The Maldives 2012<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<strong>Maldives
Surf Coaching Trip. Pasta Point / Surf Charter</strong><o:p> </o:p><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24BjlQfwZo8aj6E4NE4XN4lYApBJupuYlRILNTLWpFAnD5MjDIaX9l8G-4XSPnjnpHJEhs0uxr7x1dugwoxCgg-wDqSRZdspMLAXnLnjE-bC1Nf6aDDB6VM9H2005uV_uaUmrEpafKjJE/s1600/IMG_6983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi24BjlQfwZo8aj6E4NE4XN4lYApBJupuYlRILNTLWpFAnD5MjDIaX9l8G-4XSPnjnpHJEhs0uxr7x1dugwoxCgg-wDqSRZdspMLAXnLnjE-bC1Nf6aDDB6VM9H2005uV_uaUmrEpafKjJE/s400/IMG_6983.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Maldives</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
May 14th</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Only
14degrees and a howling South West onshore wind on Phillip Island so really
happy to be leaving. I have setup a coaching surf trip with my Russian friends
through the guru of surf travel Ian at Atoll Travel.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
I am
meeting two surfers Alena and Artem who are flying in from Europe at Pasta
Point (Dhonavelli Resort at Chaaya Atoll) we have planned five days surfing the
famous left before six more friends meet up with us for a Charter boat cruise
of the central Atolls on a boat called Thei.<o:p> </o:p>The normal
trip from Melbourne is an eight hour flight to Singapore then a transfer for a
four hour trip to the Maldives. A really simple and easy trip. Alena and Artem
have their boards stored at Villa Casa in Bali so after flying to Singapore I
jump on a plane to Bali and pick up their equipment, shoot the breeze with
their friends Anastasia and Andre at the Villa till midnight then back on the
morning flight to Singapore. I am only in transit but I have half a day to kill
so a quick trip into the city for Indian Masala Dosai (my favourite snack) and
a cruise around Little India. There is a department store called Mustafas and
provided you don't get lost in side it has everything you could possibly need
and the best price in town. </div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Singapore
is a great town, well worth the stop. The airport has to be the most user
friendly in the world and Singapore Airlines is my favourite airline.To be
honest everything in Singapore is user friendly, train travel is a piece of
cake and cabs are reasonably cheap. $20 will get you into the city from the
airport.</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
I am on
the 8.45 pm flight to Mali. The Atoll Travel boys meet me when I arrive and
with minimum of fuss we walk out of the airport doors across to the dock and
jump on a 20 minute fast speed boat that will has me at Pasta Point around 10.30
pm local time.<o:p> </o:p></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<o:p>I take my 6'3'' Simon XFC for the bigger more serious waves and a Bourton 6'0'' Little Zappa for the smaller fun softer waves.</o:p><br />
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpntcPb13XB86e6JjRnJJcDmK_YT1J32n_yKb5RnxOYpEL4T_rUQZQRHHalxOyZ_M349W_yW5uHNneOpLReyp2W1eblKcgxQIpO8XI1FRdP9_vYo2yRnL1Vruh57uo4D4FqG5frYV3m4N/s1600/_MG_7810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSpntcPb13XB86e6JjRnJJcDmK_YT1J32n_yKb5RnxOYpEL4T_rUQZQRHHalxOyZ_M349W_yW5uHNneOpLReyp2W1eblKcgxQIpO8XI1FRdP9_vYo2yRnL1Vruh57uo4D4FqG5frYV3m4N/s320/_MG_7810.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta Point<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
16th May</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
Sleep in
till 7.30 this morning, Breakfast at the main dining room. You certainly won't
go hungry here. There is an amazing buffet with a choice of excellent quality
food. Feeling a
bit more human I catch the 9am boat over to Sultans. The right is a bit
inconsistent but every now and again nice long four foot sets roll through. Missed the
early crowd and surf for an hour or so before the second shift gets there. Back
to Pasta and the swell has built with inconsistent but fun sets. Pasta is
off limits to all the charter boats so crowds here are usually a dozen or so
guys. The air and
water temperature are similar, the sun is baking hot and water is around 28
degrees Celsius. Crystal clear aqua marine ocean, post card stuff. I get a
lift on the fast boat over to Male to pick up Alena and Artem who have arrived
from London. The trip
is only 20 minutes so we are back in time to sort out the rooms and enjoy a sunset
surf. Dinner
starts at 7.30 the biggest buffet you could imagine. Everything from
Indonesian, European and Indian are spread out in a massive dining area just in
front of the wave. Early to bed to ease the jet lag.<o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maldivian
word for the day is Keine' (How are you) response is rangalhu (Well Thanks) </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">17th May</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are up before day break for a surf, another
good session with shoulder high sets. There is a massage service here but it is
pretty expensive. Surf before a 5 course lunch. The wind has swung more
offshore and we should go back in but need to rest up a bit.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Finish off
the day with our third surf. There is a beach party tonight. $15 all the fancy
cocktails you can drink. We buy tickets but are asleep before it starts.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maldivian
word today is Shukuriya (Thankyou ) response is Maruhabaru (well thanks)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">18th May</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSFQ2LmsOAxhLhHfGBHHvlT_7AwlsGvjf0oePMVOyLick760gl0WEV58CZkpL8b3Kf8JOmBD6taMUdbnL4tvcAdyrS2ht26MsYNwlpOXTPvTqdeZ3mQFRbQt9DCitFg0KFAMJ9-ggrX35/s1600/_MG_8005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSFQ2LmsOAxhLhHfGBHHvlT_7AwlsGvjf0oePMVOyLick760gl0WEV58CZkpL8b3Kf8JOmBD6taMUdbnL4tvcAdyrS2ht26MsYNwlpOXTPvTqdeZ3mQFRbQt9DCitFg0KFAMJ9-ggrX35/s320/_MG_8005.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alena in the slot at Pasta Point</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up at dawn
and Alena and I have a cracking session. Waist to shoulder high, clean as a
whistle. Heaps of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are using
Atoll Adventures video service and spend a couple of hours going over technique
with Alena. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sea life
here is amazing, sail fish and dolphins jumping. Fish are everywhere. We
watched a Giant Trevally surf along in a wave today, looked amazing. Surfed
again mid afternoon but the current was so strong the wave was unsurfable, if
you could get one. We paddled in and 40 minutes later the current stopped and
we surfed till sunset. The currents here are really hard to read, at a certain
time of tides the water flow between the atolls raging like the strongest rip
you have ever seen, then in a blink of an eye the current stops, the wave
cleans up and conditions are perfect.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maldivian
word of the day today is a cracker. Whatafukar (excellent)</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">19th May</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pretty
windy early this morning, only two guys out. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We take a
Dhoni, traditional boat over to Sultans which is the right hander on the next
atoll, it has better wind protection but not good enough to surf so we return
and snorkel in the lagoon. Heaps of fish. Spear fishing and line fishing are
banned around the atolls. The Maldivians worked out pretty early on that
tourism depended on the coral and fish which was a great move.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fishing
zones have been setup to maintain the fishery stocks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn7VbuBnABMUE8i0I5SlmuhkipV8yLzAun8YqeGFMzkyiw_GUzeARkwvjDace0mznofq-m8sZUTn_zVqW6DZo2XpWVztFALktSBh3LbB26Hwi5vBhfpSqB3Jp4CUQBY69RoCyDdNaGd2I/s1600/_MG_4121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwn7VbuBnABMUE8i0I5SlmuhkipV8yLzAun8YqeGFMzkyiw_GUzeARkwvjDace0mznofq-m8sZUTn_zVqW6DZo2XpWVztFALktSBh3LbB26Hwi5vBhfpSqB3Jp4CUQBY69RoCyDdNaGd2I/s320/_MG_4121.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A traditional Maldivian Dhoni</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Maldivian
word for the day Gadha kaley (you are great guy) </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">20th May</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Still
windy and almost no swell. Still have a couple surfs but it is really lame. I
do a refresher course of surf lessons with Madey and shadow. I have been doing
the ISA level one coaching course theory with surf guide Shadow at night. The
Atoll Adventure team at Pasta have been doing surf lessons for the resort's non
surfing clients since I trained them in 2010. They use an area inside the coral
fringe on the back side of the point. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I was
really impressed with their act. They deliver great surf lessons with a
Maldivian flavour which is cool. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The head
of operations are Ashley and Dara, Dara takes a great photo and has employed a
video guy called Charlie, we check out his edited video packages after dinner
(which included Sushi and sashimi). Charlie, a professional from India and has
done a great job.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 21</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Our last
morning and no surf. We decide to head over to Mali to pick up the Charter boat
Theia. Theia is the Greek word for Sea Goddess. All the other guys are on
board. Andre and Anna, Penza and Ira, Tanya and two more Ira's. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMCOoJlGAbGujht9JYCsKXabxM90axxZER5yu-opmKATOZJ08ud94IdVUluUdvQArjaXiOoujt9UpvB6qrdYm9yUgpZa373AQuNsVVXQMWjrh4zX6vJluxy_KNcLOUtcwPje6KmUSrmbp/s1600/GOPR8279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMCOoJlGAbGujht9JYCsKXabxM90axxZER5yu-opmKATOZJ08ud94IdVUluUdvQArjaXiOoujt9UpvB6qrdYm9yUgpZa373AQuNsVVXQMWjrh4zX6vJluxy_KNcLOUtcwPje6KmUSrmbp/s320/GOPR8279.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Thei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The Thei
is a big charter boat over thirty meters in length it has massive sized cabins
and ensuites. Another smaller boat comes with us, even that is fifteen metres,
we tow a rubber Ducky as well. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Unfortunately
the wind and swell are not cooperating so we travel further than first planned.
We anchor around 5.30 and the guys wake surf behind the rubber Ducky until
dark.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">No more
Maldivian words as I have switched to Russian so words for the day are Kryto and
Klass meaning cool.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 22</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The
charter boats in the Maldives don't do much night travelling so we are off
again early morning and arrive at Meemu around 10.30am. Everyone is keen for a
surf. We find a small right and everyone is out, not very serious but everyone
has fun, we call this place Pumpkin Point after one of our Ira's nicknames. She
catches about 25 waves. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When one
of the girls gets back from her surf she grabs a mask and snorkel and before we
can say anything she jumps off the back off the big boat. The current going out
to sea is so so strong, within 15 seconds she is 50 meters away. I throw a
board off the boat and by now she is 150 meters away. By the time the board
reaches her she is 250 meters from the big boat. We telephone the Ducky which
is out with the guys still surfing. They pick her up on the way back. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pretty
good lesson on how different the currents work between atolls. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Atoll, by
the way is a Maldivian word. They are proud it is has been accepted worldwide.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A lot of
the Atolls are privately owned with resort setups. It is cool to check out a
village island and see how the locals live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The girls
and I surf for an hour or so until Mikey the surf guide says a storm is coming.
The big boat has moved to a sheltered anchorage around the back of the atoll.
By the time we are all in the smaller Dhoni a massive tropical storm hits,
torrential rain, lightning and ear piercing claps of thunder. The girls are all
huddled together trying not to look scared.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The rain
is so heavy the Dhoni slows to a crawl trying to navigate through the reef and
find the big boat. We have a depth finder and GPS on board but the second
captain is really cautious. We get to the big boat and in another ten minutes
the storm has passed.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have
setup up whiteboard with English/Russian/Maldivian translations. Everyone
including the Maldivian crew are having fun with it. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Sashimi
for dinner is really good. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 23rd</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We steam
further south to Laamu. The swell is still dormant with no waves anywhere. We
end up surfing a place called mashinas at knee to thigh high. It is a
magnificent reef and I am hoping to see some swell on it. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Lazy
afternoon with a few guys wake surfing and a few checking out the island. We
are in the change of seasons and there is some rain around at night. It is
really hot and humid. A fresh hand of bananas has made it onto the back deck.
We crossed the Equator today. No one gets too excited but always like it.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 24th</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">#%?%*¥
!!!!! Still no swell this morning. Up at 6am but super low tide and tiny waves.
When the reef gets covered the girls have a surf. Small inconsistent waist high
sets. I swim with the Go Pro camera and get a couple of good shots. Artem and
Andre join us after an hour and a half. Tanya goes snorkelling with Hussan and
sees a lot of sea life. Turtles, Sting Ray, Barracuda and heaps of reef fish. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWyLFABGAreabe1TMXVEPK3TCoFeZSv75elWR0dCmeLV13xIGZ_jVK_SrNIzTIGhpqKhYtTIeJpVdb_xR2pwGc3MPsqbWBR_LNqmHsxEuHOiEG6-yiRok1Qm7z_AO51Hx0ryrVRg4V3EM/s1600/penza.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMWyLFABGAreabe1TMXVEPK3TCoFeZSv75elWR0dCmeLV13xIGZ_jVK_SrNIzTIGhpqKhYtTIeJpVdb_xR2pwGc3MPsqbWBR_LNqmHsxEuHOiEG6-yiRok1Qm7z_AO51Hx0ryrVRg4V3EM/s400/penza.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Penza - Boosting over me on an Endless Summer wake surfboard</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">25th May</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Because it
is super low tide we steam three hours south to Yin Yan. The swell is still
lame but it is worth a gamble given Mashinas won't be surfable to mid
afternoon. After a three hour cruise we arrive, and the wind is up. (again!!)
This reef is a big curved reef with three sections. Supposedly all lining up on
a big swell. It is onshore on the first section, cross shore on the second and
nearly offshore on the last. Today is really messy and after the girls have
snorkel we give it a try. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 26th</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Still no
sign of any rise in the swell so around 6.30 we head back up to Mashinas. It
only takes two hours because we are travelling with the wind and current. It is
pretty clean by the time the tide covers the reef. We get a few guys out while
I swim with the Go Pro camera. The girls and I decided to surf but the current
is really tricky and hard to find the line up spot in the inconsistent
conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZPAdHeFEixYXA3e-pEPqb0goq5hsAfwyUQIcdXAuAhnTjUsNyieppfD6dkoTrJ1w3wH_-K2XTeJfGsbaMCrJ6uMLSckvgtvRhbJCUK1fUBzhqgZXkwHWAloxviGPhUZoos1KSepamP6L/s1600/GOPR8014.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGZPAdHeFEixYXA3e-pEPqb0goq5hsAfwyUQIcdXAuAhnTjUsNyieppfD6dkoTrJ1w3wH_-K2XTeJfGsbaMCrJ6uMLSckvgtvRhbJCUK1fUBzhqgZXkwHWAloxviGPhUZoos1KSepamP6L/s320/GOPR8014.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of our three Ira's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 27th</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We are up
at 6am trying to take advantage of the earlier high tide. A storm comes through
as we are travelling to the break by Dhoni. The wind is strong but the high
light is seeing a pod of dolphins spinning out of the water. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We only
surf for 45 minutes, the wind is blowing up the face of the wave and the water
is rushing off the reef. Not much reward for the risk of getting scraped over
the coral. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The wind changes
a lot here with no massive land mass around. It tends more offshore and we are
out. With cleaner conditions, fuller tide and a slight increase in the swell,
Mashinas starts to show herself. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A local
guy from the island paddles out for a surf with us. Everything is great until one
of the girl’s gets hit in the forearm with her longboard. She goes back to the
big boat but after an hour she realizes the pain is really bad. Hussan the boat
manager calls us in and she heads to the hospital about seven miles away. We
are all hoping it is not a fractured wrist. </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">S</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">he
returns around 10.30pm. She has dislocated her wrist. The doctors have strapped
it and given her some good pain killing tablets.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 28th</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up at 6am
for another go at Mashinas. The swell has risen slightly and we get some good waves
before the wind strengthens and the tide drops. We check out the left around
the island but nothing doing. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We wait
until the afternoon and surf mashinas again, there a few solid sets coming
through and it turns on for about 40 minutes. There seems to be only a small
window for good waves when the swell direction and wind aren't right. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ira gets a
smack in the mouth with her board and with a bit of blood we around we are
worried she has damaged her teeth but all is good. Keeping safe on a charter
boat is really important.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTdjnKdL28ooQeghoE5QDprM8TjPAn0M3jhIMxtBxaI1GeH_v1szARhtcJGjlKqFfk6M_2O_G1jkNDPyR_wf-yzfMypJi4dbjXdzL_3lgTbLpYmgT6nS7F-0F86JR23b4WziEiohiXQQQ/s1600/IMG_3643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghTdjnKdL28ooQeghoE5QDprM8TjPAn0M3jhIMxtBxaI1GeH_v1szARhtcJGjlKqFfk6M_2O_G1jkNDPyR_wf-yzfMypJi4dbjXdzL_3lgTbLpYmgT6nS7F-0F86JR23b4WziEiohiXQQQ/s400/IMG_3643.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The team watching the surf photo slideshow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 29th</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up at 5.30
hoping for a last surf before any wind but it is really strong we wait and take
the Dhoni out but it is really bad. We head back for breakfast instead and some
of the guys have a wake surf session while we pack. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">When they
return we head for the Kadhdoo airport. We take a small flight south and then
continue north to Male. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We still
have eight hours to wait for our international flights. We store our luggage
and take an express speed boat over to the capital. It only takes three
minutes. We find a good coffee shop with WiFi and try and catch up with the
world. </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">It has
been a tough trip surf wise, certainly not the picture post card stuff like
some of the days we had at Pasta but still a great experience. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Surf
charters can be tricky when conditions are average. You need to keep your sense
of humour and be aware of everones needs and expectations along with a close
eye on safety. Being badly injured miles from nowhere is not a good thing.
There are always positives when searching out and surfing new destinations,
wave conditions vary so much. There more different wave types and locations you
experience the better surfer you become.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDdvXs8OL4T_ydCekkVqa30pv9-7GBOtfeshw2NVACKj2q18lLV3JG9nvXFDgnGCOZTwS-kR56YzMcRpIsA8QZ3nemCkvjrN6hmLfQlVIxnBK-5MCbiBqaUBsPc9bn1JK3aaXeKjb1Rb0/s1600/mallong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIDdvXs8OL4T_ydCekkVqa30pv9-7GBOtfeshw2NVACKj2q18lLV3JG9nvXFDgnGCOZTwS-kR56YzMcRpIsA8QZ3nemCkvjrN6hmLfQlVIxnBK-5MCbiBqaUBsPc9bn1JK3aaXeKjb1Rb0/s640/mallong.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pasta Point is a super fun long left</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">May 30-31</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Arrive in
Singapore early, find a hotel and sleep. I really enjoy Little India in
Singapore, great food and bargains. I contact Ajill from the Surfing Singapore
Association. We cruise over to Newton's Circus for an awesome meal of jumbo
size prawns and stingray. Makan Enak!! </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ajill runs
the association here in Singapore, it is pretty much a one or two man band.
Everyone here is busy making a buck working long hours so it is hard to get
volunteer help. The boys are doing a great job promoting our sport of surf and
skate. I really enjoy supporting them.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I spend
time cruising different areas, Arab Street and Beach Road during the day and
Orchard road at night.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Had a
great trip but always good to head home to Phillip Island.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Translations:
English Russian Maldivian</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thankyou.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spasiba<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shukaria<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Great
guy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Klassniy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ghada Kaley<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Hello.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Privet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kihine'<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Let's
go.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Davai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dhanvi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Harasho.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Baraabaru<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Great.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Klass.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Watafaka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Cool.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Kryto.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Salhi<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Wind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ve'ne<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Vai<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Goodbye.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paka.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dani</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><a href="http://www.atolltravel.com/">www.atolltravel.com</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-26735847799742172592012-01-30T23:32:00.000-08:002012-01-31T00:39:01.207-08:00Rajah Ampat in West Papua - Indies Trader Four<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Surf/Coaching
trip to West Papua January 2012. This is a marginal surf destination relying on
storm cells off Korea and can get the very tail end of some Hawaiian North
Shore swell. The reality is you may get skunked for waves however with swell there are
plenty of coral reefs with promise. If you are looking for a hard core surf
trip try another destination. If you are up for an adventure and want to check
out a really cool area with the possibility of scoring surf as a bonus then
check it out.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">The
Indies Trader Four leaves from Sorong. You can get there via Denpassar or Jakarta.
It does take two flights though. Either through Surabaya or Sulawesi (North or South). I
took the flight through Makasar in South Sulawesi with a bunch of Russian friends. We stayed overnight and left for Sorong in Papua at 4.30am. Makasar Airport is amazing, super modern; the other
end of the scale is Sorong, just a shed on a bitumen runway.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> Just check the last flight in case the plane is too small to take surfboards.</o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">We
were met by Tim, the IT4 Aussie cook and he dropped us in town for breakfast while the boats
restocked and refuelled. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">We
leave in time to score a wind affected 3ft right hander late in the
arvo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone is pretty stoked; water
temperature is 28-29 degrees. (As it turned out the biggest waves of the trip).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebk_xQSVvREbzQoxO4qAp1saQrv-WT9rmKvnNMI3rbTw4Yo4iM2Wu734ZXJF9Q7TDy75stJ6-qt20qrzfDuLmyi6cfkNhflsDXlwdYoNkXSTna9TiZkmIXHkvHff63R7oj3e4CFwKXspy/s1600/rawave2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiebk_xQSVvREbzQoxO4qAp1saQrv-WT9rmKvnNMI3rbTw4Yo4iM2Wu734ZXJF9Q7TDy75stJ6-qt20qrzfDuLmyi6cfkNhflsDXlwdYoNkXSTna9TiZkmIXHkvHff63R7oj3e4CFwKXspy/s320/rawave2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">The
set up of the Indies Trader four is five star. We all have our own cabins
including en suite. Excellent food and service. Eric is our captain, Dorris our surf guide and legend surfer
and great bloke along with chef Tim and the Indonesian crew.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">We
woke up in paradise and surfed a small shallow left breaking down the reef.
This was to be the MO for the trip, small inconsistent waves. With swell a lot
of potential but...........<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">The
jewel in the crown here is not the surf but a National Park and world heritage
site called Rajah Ampat situated just north of the equator.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">There
is massive ancient lime stone plugs or small islands everywhere. We weave our way
through small islands and into smooth water. It is absolutely amazing. No surf
through here as the water depth drops to 20 Meters beside these small islands.
It’s not until you right inside this cluster that you find small fingers of
sand. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">We
spend four days just hanging in this area, snorkeling, kayaking, swimming,
wake boarding and generally soaking up the magnificent scenery. Apparently this
area has the most diverse range of coral anywhere in the world. Didn't really want to leave.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfZbLDvuZJgjgnv0GkMxIvmJ3-rfOONJFhIzVr534-r2TsfB8QNPj-k6EIwDsKb2BY7YgPvi41Yh2HKo1Ph3oeFWRBagPZHcjFZuWroJgCsaEVoO69m-Fhi6GMeBh07kvkP6u9S1FaYvs/s1600/ra.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZfZbLDvuZJgjgnv0GkMxIvmJ3-rfOONJFhIzVr534-r2TsfB8QNPj-k6EIwDsKb2BY7YgPvi41Yh2HKo1Ph3oeFWRBagPZHcjFZuWroJgCsaEVoO69m-Fhi6GMeBh07kvkP6u9S1FaYvs/s400/ra.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">On
our return to Sorong we surfed in front of a small village and all the locals
come out to watch. We paddle ashore and talk to them. They are proud Papuans
and whilst they are poor they offer us coconuts. The kids were surfing the tiny
one foot waves on anything they could find, bits of wood, old esky lids and
having a ball.</span><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrUpvZ0GoYZDN0MWiY4EjviNaWtWfpnPzTAoXxO3LItb7iWppNFJgijn20j1NrWjlVwGiwHFEZ739CBidUc4KTf7c5pU_0XEXJPabPJeGdO-utcbejuwE7suvbnVus6PxQNgEXXhwoMpi/s1600/nemo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbrUpvZ0GoYZDN0MWiY4EjviNaWtWfpnPzTAoXxO3LItb7iWppNFJgijn20j1NrWjlVwGiwHFEZ739CBidUc4KTf7c5pU_0XEXJPabPJeGdO-utcbejuwE7suvbnVus6PxQNgEXXhwoMpi/s320/nemo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">The
trip was really cool, only marginal waves but awesome scenery. The Trader Four
is a fabulous boat at the top end of the charter business and is ideal for you
and a partner. The boat has everything you need. Three tenders, two jet skis,
diving tanks and all sorts of aquatic equipment.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">The
crew, Captain Eric, Surf Guide Dorris, Chef Tim and Engineer Hendrick are super
friendly and very professional. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9JnBECVJIRq76N9f29CNgPhmdbsXC-IhmqE6BtBu-l72DrAr7lp7exatOTdozz9lJ1Gl6CME07EDXnGtUj22sTYCpdiFdrE7oePVMKIKVVowRZfGRtqGUCYxyb-ux6Kjfg4a98BdkePp/s1600/ra3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR9JnBECVJIRq76N9f29CNgPhmdbsXC-IhmqE6BtBu-l72DrAr7lp7exatOTdozz9lJ1Gl6CME07EDXnGtUj22sTYCpdiFdrE7oePVMKIKVVowRZfGRtqGUCYxyb-ux6Kjfg4a98BdkePp/s400/ra3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Would
I recommend the trip to a bunch of hardcore surf frothers – No!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Would I go again with my wife, family and
friends – Yes! </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;">Would
I sneak a board or two into the luggage as well – Absolutely!</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt; mso-fareast-language: EN-AU; mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 8pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
<a href="http://www.surfcoaching.biz/">www.surfcoaching.biz</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHqh6chkKplD2rqXxHfTCanSWRXGzbaUk-zA8KyljxEejhRWd6n1qEHNMPbfmdpM_LGsatvwkwxCXUyGDW3CCmuuSsdL6Dpfxnb5jevc18LSrtRPLt-2zxxZp7o6gNvscMeBqT4pcWBKZ/s1600/mallogo+blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHqh6chkKplD2rqXxHfTCanSWRXGzbaUk-zA8KyljxEejhRWd6n1qEHNMPbfmdpM_LGsatvwkwxCXUyGDW3CCmuuSsdL6Dpfxnb5jevc18LSrtRPLt-2zxxZp7o6gNvscMeBqT4pcWBKZ/s320/mallogo+blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-48791993968289882322011-12-21T01:06:00.000-08:002011-12-21T01:34:39.159-08:00Coaching Mentor's<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWzIsZ3na6WjM0yszBDEb22DtySenwmRTyMNc6xcYqBk5T86Z9iCtUK9Oydf0JF8CIkZlNQxoejE_6jcvOBWk2KZ8y9eG99fjvDELEfPnSPlEFN82FKNnEp3pdnMlK_RWa7E95dBO76GN/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWzIsZ3na6WjM0yszBDEb22DtySenwmRTyMNc6xcYqBk5T86Z9iCtUK9Oydf0JF8CIkZlNQxoejE_6jcvOBWk2KZ8y9eG99fjvDELEfPnSPlEFN82FKNnEp3pdnMlK_RWa7E95dBO76GN/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Go Pro Camera is a great coaching tool.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Coaching
has come a long way over the last few years. If you needed an edge in the
competitive arena you may have sourced a coach. These days more and more people
are just trying to get more fun out of their surfing. Equipment, paddling, manoeuvres, surf travel are just some aspects covered in my programs. For me surfing is about fun, getting frustrated in the water because of a technique flaw is certainly not fun. Coaching makes a difference.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp03eiVAEGeeeJb6YRp6vxyS1Kv89NvwWDTlXm4JEFyVeX2BSJQbRrcElYomR8Bgfl7lwGkWOa2QwZTGHSO-s6feuV76wWeqgjgwGsx5NAQfMxzEvxhkeTe-Xdl18TPNXrEw6mzs5_vUl/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggp03eiVAEGeeeJb6YRp6vxyS1Kv89NvwWDTlXm4JEFyVeX2BSJQbRrcElYomR8Bgfl7lwGkWOa2QwZTGHSO-s6feuV76wWeqgjgwGsx5NAQfMxzEvxhkeTe-Xdl18TPNXrEw6mzs5_vUl/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roti Grommet's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">The
coaching fraternity is quite small and we all share our information. Martin
Dunn, Surfing Australia's coaching director has been a great source of
information for me and we often talk about different strategies to improve a surfer’s
technique. I use surfcoach.com and attend Surfing Australia's Green Room
Coaching conference to keep me at the forefront of coaching techniques. I
regularly mentor a couple of South American coaches and enjoy that challenge,
including the Spanish lessons.</span><span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif"; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Candara","sans-serif";">A good friend
and work colleague at Island Surf School is Simon Chipper we collaborate on
many coaching programs. Simon’s extensive travel in Indonesia as well as other
exotic locations with world famous photographer Ted Grambeau on RipCurl photo
shoots enhances my knowledge base not only in coaching delivery but in video and
photographic technology as well.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM5QBBOh-dUNVmRBiCaY5fM9L0F6esMT4ot7t5vevMqiD93b9GI6kN58jYgXH87UMWPnO4dxqkdFwny0rsjpf2CLeLggx_srwKP8zQ4z-TfWLxWg0lPlOTcQvKLRrNhKNhT88xFLMtIQc/s1600/Roti+067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBM5QBBOh-dUNVmRBiCaY5fM9L0F6esMT4ot7t5vevMqiD93b9GI6kN58jYgXH87UMWPnO4dxqkdFwny0rsjpf2CLeLggx_srwKP8zQ4z-TfWLxWg0lPlOTcQvKLRrNhKNhT88xFLMtIQc/s400/Roti+067.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Chipper - Going native at Nembrala, Roti</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Candara;">So if you think you could use a tune up or need a coach on your next surf trip check out my website, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Candara; font-size: large;"><strong>''get on board and enjoy the ride''</strong></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Candara;"><a href="http://www.surfcoaching.biz/">http://www.surfcoaching.biz/</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Candara;"><o:p><a href="http://www.surfingaustralia.com/surfcoach/">http://www.surfingaustralia.com/surfcoach/</a></o:p></span></div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-16326169021700473602011-12-15T15:26:00.000-08:002011-12-16T22:22:27.973-08:00Surfboard Quiver 2011<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Surfboard Quiver</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RZx50EtmuZk8-5-jHzaCg_5nd3MAY7OzkpFK4RW6h_gPc5r8nZSjYCGGz4LaPIDOGs-MEcHugF7za-9vB9qZKYHRJ56MoB9MWTZFbJ-5tVa3Ml9ElXZGyExtLmQMwuxdNiwbSaKbSOlS/s1600/inverloch1960.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RZx50EtmuZk8-5-jHzaCg_5nd3MAY7OzkpFK4RW6h_gPc5r8nZSjYCGGz4LaPIDOGs-MEcHugF7za-9vB9qZKYHRJ56MoB9MWTZFbJ-5tVa3Ml9ElXZGyExtLmQMwuxdNiwbSaKbSOlS/s200/inverloch1960.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous coolite 1963</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me my surfing equipment is really important. I started on a
finless coolite in the 60's, my first fibre glass board was a 9'6" second hand Dale D
fin, it weighed a ton.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These days I have a whole bunch of different boards for
different conditions.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I also feel the surfing progression in Australia is in part
due to the innovation of our shapers over the years, I am not that keen on
imported copies with no R&D behind them so I support the locally made
product. I weigh around 80 kg and surf nothing narrower than 19".<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVvLxinVwT0RqmqAsHtuJ99h7ycXL6gkhtyp2MvUpPFn4dveGk6GQPALouKWUkUxreO05htV-UzLJzpg8qPnJRY5teoKQePp0J3FL3Lkcjl5ZLPS8ulDt0FuVErzKLK5mI0Jmj1av71XC/s1600/abay11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVVvLxinVwT0RqmqAsHtuJ99h7ycXL6gkhtyp2MvUpPFn4dveGk6GQPALouKWUkUxreO05htV-UzLJzpg8qPnJRY5teoKQePp0J3FL3Lkcjl5ZLPS8ulDt0FuVErzKLK5mI0Jmj1av71XC/s200/abay11.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simon Anderson XFC </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My stock board is a Simon Anderson 6'3" XFC. The
XFC changed the way I surf, I use big fins and love this model.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have a Simon Anderson 6'6" SXE pintail for
those longer clean waves.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3swSahFTraBsmJfeyUttRGcN-f5ALWZmRZG2DrBMjZ6id5Efjb3wKJEvVaM_ckC5VsoXrTHQYBTjLnZlps5uYV8WSJ_LstlSyqjFDOuvexU95Y_np89AUcG8Er0JVeN6YHN7PCVEJxAr/s1600/sumatra+2011+jun25+to+jul92011-07-03+%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3swSahFTraBsmJfeyUttRGcN-f5ALWZmRZG2DrBMjZ6id5Efjb3wKJEvVaM_ckC5VsoXrTHQYBTjLnZlps5uYV8WSJ_LstlSyqjFDOuvexU95Y_np89AUcG8Er0JVeN6YHN7PCVEJxAr/s200/sumatra+2011+jun25+to+jul92011-07-03+%25284%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reef Swallow</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Indo quiver includes a few Murray Bourton models. My
go to board in the Ments is 6’5” reef swallow. Basically a mini gun type design,
awesome speed and great sticking power on late drops. I do have a 6'10"
version as well.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTxf0BZ1OKq7luvt64q6sl9j18GB8jOPvipTm_3FYly66f6FMNsOyhdoeKH8dYA1h3kvElOKC0xUrsUYcjcVINqTQy3rNRM6nFhwsAiQuvVSYmy41L_S7raB_Rd6fPYIxpCBILJUkg8AH/s1600/IMG_4546.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaTxf0BZ1OKq7luvt64q6sl9j18GB8jOPvipTm_3FYly66f6FMNsOyhdoeKH8dYA1h3kvElOKC0xUrsUYcjcVINqTQy3rNRM6nFhwsAiQuvVSYmy41L_S7raB_Rd6fPYIxpCBILJUkg8AH/s200/IMG_4546.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ledge Tamer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have worked with Muzz developing a new model The Ledge
Tamer. Mine is a 6'2" and is based on the Reef swallow. Excellent paddling
power and sticks the super later drops and doesn't out run the barell. I use it at home on one of my favourite
shallow ledges as well. It has a multi fin setup which I normally don't use but
like the options between four and three fins when I am travelling.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_WrJmBjo3VWb_2nby8fe1obHhoLhSm8SnJIrhw37dW6udIBC0tEYdAzmm4T_BU1gjZGrDYDi5jW7JD2WQKVrENP-QY0D45iJgmrD6ZorqzY3X5Cik2Jg8nVckaNnN0pdRmJgStiX8cbv/s1600/4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp_WrJmBjo3VWb_2nby8fe1obHhoLhSm8SnJIrhw37dW6udIBC0tEYdAzmm4T_BU1gjZGrDYDi5jW7JD2WQKVrENP-QY0D45iJgmrD6ZorqzY3X5Cik2Jg8nVckaNnN0pdRmJgStiX8cbv/s200/4.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SXE Pintail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I do have a chambered Balsa Mal I picked up in Ecuador
during the World Surfing Games. Don't surf the mal that much because of the
variety of short board options that are around. Having said that I have an
order in at Island Surfboards for a triple stringer, wooden nose and tail block Mal shaped by Terry Klemm of <em>Klemm-Bell Surfboards</em> fame.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Greg Hogan collaborates with Terry and apart
from being a work of art these single fin long boards surf really well.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my short board options when I need some paddle
power is a Bourton Fat Bullet. This thing paddles like the Queen Mary but at
6'2" manoeuvres easily. It has a revolutionary hull design and four fins.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An extravagance is a yellow 8' gun Simon Anderson shaped for me about seven yeras ago.
Guns don't really date.The harsh reality is I am never going to use it at 15 foot plus Sunset where it would
be perfect. I get to use it a couple of times a year here on the Island, it has an awesome sweet spot but just having a classic
Simon Anderson hanging on the wall proves my theory for supporting Australian
Shapers.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bBYLGjX0ANy_fXaFgTnlIgJtHlk3JRCYxiYuMVCGm13EsCwKJYPDOXsXqxJtO-riMsZUgK7etj-VR28YvYJHgihfvP7rzcmlFylPIWBr4qLX_jMP0PhPpjab5_vNtbP-eh7cRWAgtI13/s1600/IMG_0630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9bBYLGjX0ANy_fXaFgTnlIgJtHlk3JRCYxiYuMVCGm13EsCwKJYPDOXsXqxJtO-riMsZUgK7etj-VR28YvYJHgihfvP7rzcmlFylPIWBr4qLX_jMP0PhPpjab5_vNtbP-eh7cRWAgtI13/s200/IMG_0630.JPG" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Island Surfboard Soft Boards</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you have anything to do with learn to surf I use the
Island Surfboards Soft board. Designed by Glyndyn Ringrose, a gun shaper/surfer this soft board is
hands down the best I have ever used teaching people to surf.<o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Haven't had that much time to give SUP's a real go yet.
My feeling is the variety of board designs around today keeps me in the water most days having fun.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My tip for board designs is most guys are surfing too
short and too narrow boards. As a coach this is usually where my coaching advice starts. If you would any other advice on boards for Australia or around the world please contact me. <a href="mailto:mal@surfcoaching.biz">mal@surfcoaching.biz</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All you really need to remember is: </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong> <span style="font-size: large;"> <em>ENJOY THE RIDE</em></span></strong></span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.surfcoaching.biz/">http://www.surfcoaching.biz/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.simonandersonsurfboards.com/">http://www.simonandersonsurfboards.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bourtonshapes.com/">http://www.bourtonshapes.com/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.islandsurfboards.com.au/">http://www.islandsurfboards.com.au/</a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-21536210971002326592011-12-14T04:01:00.000-08:002011-12-16T22:21:49.738-08:00Sumba December 2011<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">West Sumba <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">29th
November <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Surf coaching
program with Alena, Artom, Anna and Andre with a few Bali warmup days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Garuda
flight from Tullamarine to Denpassar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Arrive at 2.00pm and after meeting Alena at the airport a quick drive to
Villa Cara on top of Jimbarin Bay Hill. Awesome view of Airport rights from the
Villa.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Still have
time for a surf at Balangan. Only small quick clean lefts with a few guys out.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Big family
dinner tonight with Russian cuisine. Alena's sister Olga and her friend
Anastasia are staying along with Artom.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">30th
November</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Swell
looks a touch bigger this morning so we surf Airport lefts. Wind is still
offshore with 3-4ft inconsistent lefts. We surf for a couple of hours and I get
fried by the sun.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have
lunch back at the Villa and then I take Olga to Kuta for her first surf lesson.
Olga gets up at her first attempt and is styling. We have borrowed a soft board
from Endless Summer, a Russian Surf School owned by Andre, Anna and Dimma.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We all
have dinner at one of Bali's best Japanese restaurants called 'Take' in Kuta.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">1st
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Lazy
morning then a quick trip to Ulu's. It is pretty small but we find a few waves
up at temples. The arvo session is back at Kuta with Olga. Perfect 2ft lefts
and Olga is sliding left across the wave face. Alena doesn't believe Olga when
tells her what happened.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Dinner
tonight at Sardines, one of Bali's top restaurants in Seminak. Surprise
surprise the smoked sardines were excellent. Finished off the night with some
good music and fun at the Champagne Bar.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">2nd
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Flying to
Sumba this morning from the domestic terminal. Only 55 minutes to West Sumba.
The crew from the Nihiwatu Resort are there to pick us up.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We drive
through the hills for an hour and it reminds me go the Bali Bukit from days
gone by. The last half hour we drop down to the coast and the terrain becomes
dryer.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qMtSshalQIk7ECx4grpcppmnURkfhLi1LiBfDiL45Bt2L7QBehcmas29BkASnX2B4epGpPyT3taczkSwUJqmhFsFUsv9US6bCKF_xt8svS4pvyYk9pZgJavS4tllQLkxPHhZvwjHmsjI/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4qMtSshalQIk7ECx4grpcppmnURkfhLi1LiBfDiL45Bt2L7QBehcmas29BkASnX2B4epGpPyT3taczkSwUJqmhFsFUsv9US6bCKF_xt8svS4pvyYk9pZgJavS4tllQLkxPHhZvwjHmsjI/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">All the homes
look similar. On poles with corrugated iron roofs. The roofs have a tall hat
like structure in the centre. Apparently the locals store their prize possessions
there. There is always a cooking fire alight inside and usually a concrete
tombstone in the front yard to bury the family.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Down on
the coast we arrive at Nihiwatu Resort and are greeted by Ernst, Ben and the team.
We sort our rooms, have some lunch and wait until the tide drops a tad for a
sunset surf.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The resort
is pretty special, only 10 surfers. It is set in 400 plus acres and is
connected with the Sumba
foundation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">3rd
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up early
for a boat ride around the corner to the hole. 3-4ft A Frames.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only wind swell so pretty messy but the
potential is obvious.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Back in
time for the hobbits second buffet breakfast.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Plenty of
snooze time in between three course lunch and dinner. We do manage a couple
more surfs on the left at our front doorstep.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">4th
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Still
small wind swell. Alena, Anna and I surf the left while the boys take the
rubber Ducky to the hole. Nothing special in the way of waves but we did take a
look at the local village that more African than Indonesian. Really hot weather
and while these villages are better off because of the resort they are still
really poor. Health issues must be a problem.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Back to
Nihiwatu for a three course lunch pulls on the guilt string a tad.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Boys have
crack on the Jet Ski while the rest of us just kick back.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">5th
December</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJumgWp-pXWy5mGhCb7beEMW9ng63d9KAR1XzgPoOvmeFjpBwgrPiINNHvvH8Pm-qUI2j0fFaD6ZKuu0MQeWQZ2dLIqv9TdNcOflo_arNKfNP6glQ0itFJbcWRDUeE59-ZA28wineAkT3z/s1600/%25D0%2592%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B4%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BF%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJumgWp-pXWy5mGhCb7beEMW9ng63d9KAR1XzgPoOvmeFjpBwgrPiINNHvvH8Pm-qUI2j0fFaD6ZKuu0MQeWQZ2dLIqv9TdNcOflo_arNKfNP6glQ0itFJbcWRDUeE59-ZA28wineAkT3z/s320/%25D0%2592%25D0%25BE%25D0%25B4%25D0%25BE%25D0%25BF%25D0%25B0%25D0%25B4.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Up for our
early surf as usual, still really small. Anna decides we all need to trek to
the waterfall. After a mini Kokoda hike in really hot humid conditions we
arrive at the water fall. We have had bets how high it would be, ranging from 3
to 8 meters. The falls are actually 93 meters and stunning to look at. We swim
in the cold water to cool off and have lunch in front of the falls. Pretty
spectacular. Long drive back but in time for a late surf.</span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">6th
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Ground hog
day as far as waves go. After the early surf we take the speed boat out for
some snorkelling on the coral reef. Plenty of fish around. Lazy arvo with a
late surf. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We have
met an interesting character called Claus Bogh who heads up the malaria
prevention program for the Sumba foundation here. He dispels some of the
malaria myth and explains with a coordinated approach how to begin to eradicate
this disease. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">7th
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Some swell
this morning, squeaked a quick surf before the wind came up. Tried a right
north of Nihiwatu that picked up more swell but pretty fat. The rubber ducky
takes us there but the resorts surf guide, a WA lad called Ben takes us back on
the Jet Ski. Not a bad long board wave. Back out in front before dark with an
onshore wind. Some size but not much quality. The wave here works best on mid
tide. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An evening
slide show of Nihiwatu, red bull snowboarding and a coaching video. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">8th
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Still some
swell. Up before 6am as usual. The wind is offshore and waves are pretty good.
The swell direction is important here, needs to have some south in it to line
up OK.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Breakfast,
the buffet breakfast bar has disappeared for some reason today. We must be
eating too much. Still a choice of eggs pancakes etc and the Sumatran plunger
coffee blend is the best. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Road trip
a right south of Nihiwatu. Cross shore and too small. Check out a cliff top
village on the way home. Really cool. </span><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Lunch and
then a surf at 3.43 pm. A little onshore but fun swell is picking up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL0GoVo4apzs1T5676PfjTIWlyaYejAFW4q80Kyg5Fbp81wmuEOPmo28AVRK8ceQ9CZIAqtX8d6CInaU5jAkaXVzS2wF_0jDR4SzLpLl_7H69bQZ5eA-6GwkJnvqkrsowOZnxw1tH54dC/s1600/IMG_0882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcL0GoVo4apzs1T5676PfjTIWlyaYejAFW4q80Kyg5Fbp81wmuEOPmo28AVRK8ceQ9CZIAqtX8d6CInaU5jAkaXVzS2wF_0jDR4SzLpLl_7H69bQZ5eA-6GwkJnvqkrsowOZnxw1tH54dC/s320/IMG_0882.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">9th
December</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Good waves
this morning finally Nihiwatu shows us her potential. Clean offshore waves with
an occasional 5ft set. Tricky wave to surf certainly needs a SW swell so you
don't get pinched on the end section.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">We need to
do all the last minute billing etc. Drinks, board and boat hire are all extra.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a0TEgzOxqdRP8bYcYyjRENBMKIiF9E9O4hEAXLOEFmltYnPanh3DkhwpUaYWW3j96bEvvTHZNgFyVGhEFiNvj0A-fyutelZ7kcYJ-T7HSwbBzaln5hHhTS8TPQklRQR2pDSxoC4wMBP6/s1600/IMG_1488.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0a0TEgzOxqdRP8bYcYyjRENBMKIiF9E9O4hEAXLOEFmltYnPanh3DkhwpUaYWW3j96bEvvTHZNgFyVGhEFiNvj0A-fyutelZ7kcYJ-T7HSwbBzaln5hHhTS8TPQklRQR2pDSxoC4wMBP6/s320/IMG_1488.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Pile into
the Nihiwatu bus for the ride back to the airport. Need to stop at the
antique store for Alena to pick up some world famous Sumba Ikat (specially
woven and dyed material).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The west
Sumba airport is being renovated from the tin shed it has been. Plane arrives
at 4.15 and takes off 20 minutes later.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><em>All in All
a really different trip, we didn't get epic waves in Sumba in fact I think everything
has to be exactly right for the surf - swell, swell direction, wind and tides but I really
enjoyed the Sumba experience, such different place than any other I have visited
in Indonesia.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-25777010717246534262011-10-21T04:38:00.000-07:002011-12-16T22:21:28.271-08:00Russian Rippers Mentawai Tour October 2011<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><br />
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday, 1 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Off on my coaching trip to the Menatwai’s this morning. 3pm arvo Malaysian Airlines flight to KL. </span></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Take off as the AFL grand final is about to start.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Fly into the international airport at Kuala Lumpur but need to bus it to the Low cost airport 40 minutes away. Leave my boards at left luggage there for at $10. Just over a 5 minute walk away is Tune hotel or more correctly “dog box”. Pretty sure they had to build the double bed in the room to make it fit. Sleep there the night and up at 5.30am to catch the Air Asia flight to Padang. This trip is on a charter boat called the Addiction, I am coaching 7 Russian surfers.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rizal picks me up and drives 45 minutes to Sumatran Safari’s office. I have brought a soft beginner board for Scuzz, who skipper’s the Southern Cross.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hang around for the day walking around Padang, getting Indo phone credit and last minute supplies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Charter has a cool bunch of surfers; it is the Russian Ripper’s Tour.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3DKHguM25arw1y-A7HCCC7522s55nrrvpZI5dm87NDYwQSF15R739MfA84Xbm_xXHWEdzEYs0XKzc_AuSBdEYl42r4pF1iGPbOAUBl0cXmGIfCp7xOdwun_rB_e7uOjaW9QyRIBIfpeu/s1600/IMG_6932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_3DKHguM25arw1y-A7HCCC7522s55nrrvpZI5dm87NDYwQSF15R739MfA84Xbm_xXHWEdzEYs0XKzc_AuSBdEYl42r4pF1iGPbOAUBl0cXmGIfCp7xOdwun_rB_e7uOjaW9QyRIBIfpeu/s320/IMG_6932.JPG" width="320" /></a><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday, 2 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Addiction is catamaran moored in the bay at Padang, some smaller boats use the river. The charter has been booked and we leave Sunday night. There is some wind around and the crossing is a bit bumpy. We leave around 8pm after a good meal of pasta and salad. Captain Eric gives the safety talk but is more worried about no white wine being delivered. We have quite a few crates of red though.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone is excited, checking out their boards, fins etc. There is some wind around so the crossing from the mainland to the Ments gets bumpier the further we go.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Captain Eric and his wife Nicole are from California and their young son Eli is on board.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alena, Tanya and Artem have flown in from Russia while Dmitri, Penza, Andre and his wife Anastasia have flown up from Bali.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Monday, 3</span></u><u><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></sup></u><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">October 2011 </span></u></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up early and surf Iceland. Not too much wind and before it gets too cross shore everyone scores some waves. Andre and Ana sleeps in, it is the first time being away from their daughter as well as having trouble sleeping on the crossing. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Have been doing some coaching on technique - the surfers are pretty switched on and fast learners.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In the arvo we head to seven palm. It is about head high with the occasional wide bomb. The girls are the set magnets. Every time they paddle out a bigger set comes through.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We head to the sheltered side of the island for the night. Alena and Andre try some wake boarding behind the rubber ducky or tender in boat language.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tonight’s meal was roast chicken and tuna with potatoes, rice and salad. Dmitri eats enough for four men.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A slide show after dinner checking out the day’s photos. Ana has taken some extra pics and has a good eye for photography.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The night ends with a Russian DVD.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQTFIwe2vTbcmzaB2iS3MEs-CQBd6uPXH5wIqSLwbJwNOwjjuKgeSq1E8r71jbVBWyeTDbqlYOwF1VebBvMqwE-UKaCClREA3LQIcD7wAF0M673YYR_pceP-yA5JxxgzjhaSG8StaD_7f/s1600/russian+318.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfQTFIwe2vTbcmzaB2iS3MEs-CQBd6uPXH5wIqSLwbJwNOwjjuKgeSq1E8r71jbVBWyeTDbqlYOwF1VebBvMqwE-UKaCClREA3LQIcD7wAF0M673YYR_pceP-yA5JxxgzjhaSG8StaD_7f/s320/russian+318.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday, 4 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Captain Eric is up before light and we cruise to Scarecrows. We surf early in some inconsistent waves. Dmitri and Alena score bombs and everyone is pretty stoked. The boys have another surf with another boat of guys. The wind is a bit strong and putting a bump on the wave face.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lunch is superb and after lazing around we up anchor to check Telescopes. Looks like the swell is picking up with clean 3 foot plus waves. I surfed with the girls and the boys took the rubber ducky off and head for Maccas – hopefully for an early surf. All the boats seem to be around here so Captain Eric thinks we may get Maccas uncrowded. Could be a good call.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prawns and beef for makan malam. Enak Sekalil!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crew are really cool and work hard to please us.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmilw9j0RZjSuG9-7TTF848jNNOBdxctPv-B3OXs8VywxRVMdkJMWqcL67_dx_eY8c7ldfEzg3psrwxFQCUuhOX9HW9DOaJBqZHNowdiOrny4I25V_w02rInbkRJGpxKxaPYD3siPNexM/s1600/russian+web6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxmilw9j0RZjSuG9-7TTF848jNNOBdxctPv-B3OXs8VywxRVMdkJMWqcL67_dx_eY8c7ldfEzg3psrwxFQCUuhOX9HW9DOaJBqZHNowdiOrny4I25V_w02rInbkRJGpxKxaPYD3siPNexM/s320/russian+web6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Geni photographer, Toni cook , Andy cook, Yuri boat boy, Azman engineer</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, 5 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up to a strong wind and Maccas looks average, maybe a lay day?</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">By 8am the wind eases and the surf improves. The boys are out. Only tow other boats are here so it is a mellow crowd. The big boat goes around the corner and the girls surf silibue lefts. Now called RGP (Russian girl’s point). The conditions are perfect and all the girls are styling. It is a little bigger than we first thought. Girls have a great session. Dmitri and Penza sneak around to Maccas in the ducky.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A howling westerly wind comes through so we take the big boat back to Maccas. The wind eases and the boys are out again not before an awesome sushi and soup lunch.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It ends up a barrel fest. Andre snaps his DHD. Eric scores some waves but Geni gets the best barrel of the day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dmitri crashes, he is surfed out. The Addiction cruises to it’s mooring. There is wakeboarding and a visit to the beach and still Dmitri sleeps. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVFh9DzIg9hVBpG6K8xdkEUIhgAWOdsmhGJZUs4UksBg4CBAJZAb8IVD_wPSkmlkEtH5IycQLWyjZNcYcqMi-qRv27BBYalBSAkc8EcrWiuezPVRLIdzhxi1OEoZgjBPbFdfFRDeiLFmW/s1600/russian+web19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAVFh9DzIg9hVBpG6K8xdkEUIhgAWOdsmhGJZUs4UksBg4CBAJZAb8IVD_wPSkmlkEtH5IycQLWyjZNcYcqMi-qRv27BBYalBSAkc8EcrWiuezPVRLIdzhxi1OEoZgjBPbFdfFRDeiLFmW/s320/russian+web19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday, 6 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Up early and back around to Maccas. Dmitri and Penza are out, no wind and head high barrels. Only one other boat arrives. Maccas with two boats is unusual.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Alena overcomes her nerves and paddles out. She gets some really good waves and is stoked. The guys in the line up are calling her into waves and cheering. The other guys are getting tubed off their heads. Artem and Andre join us, we have a really good session. Eric takes Tanya and Ana to a sneaky spot called Kruto Point. They have a great surf in 2-3 ft clean lefts. (Kruto is a Russian word for cool).</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before dark we moor back behind Maccas. Eric takes us by ducky up the mangrove lined river to Sibilue village. This is a tiny village with a shop, school and big church on the hill. We are escorted through the village by the local kids who want to know our names. The return trip was almost in the dark and just a little spooky. The village is really poor and I must admit I felt a bit guilty when we returned to the Addiction for a meal of roast chicken, potatoes, fish, vegetables, salad and chocolate cake (the Mentawai dilemma).</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finished the night with the slideshow and more Uno. Artem wins again. Penza wins the second game and the bottle of Jack Daniels is empty!!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Friday, 7</span></u><u><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">th</span></sup></u><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> October 2011</span></u></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ18KsF6HPue1pVv4Togwwlexoy5qJxZL110YyXTr-WSI8D9qzppTnnJtCIu0oQXOdXVi42x6WY6bmuiYtxA8aVUmKSnCoSbVdasV8AJAcPuKFCh_f5gchM69jfDmHZCd1ZgdCZaB7Uo9L/s1600/russian+web24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ18KsF6HPue1pVv4Togwwlexoy5qJxZL110YyXTr-WSI8D9qzppTnnJtCIu0oQXOdXVi42x6WY6bmuiYtxA8aVUmKSnCoSbVdasV8AJAcPuKFCh_f5gchM69jfDmHZCd1ZgdCZaB7Uo9L/s320/russian+web24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two more boats arrived last night at the Macaroni’s mooring. The swell has dropped so we head north a little and stop at Bat Caves. This is a beautiful spot. Surf is an OK right hander. Dmitri and Alena have an early surf. Alena doesn’t surf on her backhand that much but catches a couple of long rides. The hangover team slowly get up and after our surf take the ducky to explore the bat caves and do some wake boarding.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We head south to Roxy’s. It is light across shore wind and only 3 foot on the sets but still lots of fun. For the first time everyone is in the water together. Everyone’s surfing is improving. I grab the SUP and tandem surf with Ana. Alena and Dmitri stay out till dark. We head around to Thunders for the night. There are two boats here. We thought there could be more. Really good slide show with some coaching discussion at the end of it. Geni had taken the photos from the beach. Eric, Nicole and Eli spend the afternoon on the beach as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I win Uno for the second time today.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Saturday, 8 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up at Thunders with one extra boat, really glassy until 8am then the onshore comes in. The boys are out, Dmitri first in the water again. I take Alena, Tanya and Ana over to another left across the bay. It looks really good but it has a powerful wedge that drills Alena and me. Alena loses her board, Tanya gets rolled while Ana surfs one all the way in. The wind comes up so we race back to the boat in the rain. Croissants for breakfast are good. Eric has an old client over from the States who is on another boat over for breakfast.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We take off back north and look at Rags Right and Green Bush but keep going until The Cut. We surf a small clean fun right hander. Tonight is BBQ night. The crew set up a bonfire and cook chicken and fish with all the trimmings – salad, potatoes, rice, vegetables, Bintangs and red wine. Tanya has all the good music and after beach combing for shells, eating and drinking, fireworks come out. Geni takes some cool time elapsed photos.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Everyone has a fun night. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokAS92pH3Dt_S4tNsJNnuSoQnG4WmIGcnWN3ReFkrxhcPYGP5c3_w2N091GoZktTzP7aXDXelOKKZOre8-AmzNBhJ12XC9uwc7NrtAFPj-AmwbPbu4SADmODXvuojgvqLBEh3rXlRR4mb/s1600/russian+web27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokAS92pH3Dt_S4tNsJNnuSoQnG4WmIGcnWN3ReFkrxhcPYGP5c3_w2N091GoZktTzP7aXDXelOKKZOre8-AmzNBhJ12XC9uwc7NrtAFPj-AmwbPbu4SADmODXvuojgvqLBEh3rXlRR4mb/s320/russian+web27.jpg" width="320" /></a><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sunday, 9 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span></u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Big sleep in today. Everyone is a bit dusty from last night’s BBQ. It is overcast and raining with a small swell so no big deal.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We head north to Maccas, only two boats with four foot sets. Everyone including Eric is a little surprised how good the quality is. The boys are out while I take the girls to Krutos. The trip back in the ducky is against the wind and slow.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Geni and I sneak out for a quick surf while everyone is resting. There are only four other guys. For a while we think there is a new guy on the boat until we realise Tanya had cut Andre’s hair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Hamburgers for lunch and more surfing at Maccas. The girls, including Nicole, take on little Maccas. Everyone gets waves and surfs till dark. Dmitri has mastered the double arm pump to generate speed and is really stoked. A pretty good day of waves. Tanya manages to do the washing as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The wind is north-west so we moor inside Maccas. This is Tsunami territory so the crew set up a quick release knot on the anchor for a quick getaway.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Roast lamb for dinner. The slide show is interrupted by a big sea snake that climbs up the back of the boat. Dmitri or Dima is not too keen on snakes. He has been bitten twice in Bali and spent time in Hospital form the bite.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Monday, 10 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up before 6am. Maccas is smaller but still has 3ft plus sets. Dmitri, Penza, Alena and I are out there. Alena has the best surf of her trip so far. Takes a lot of steep drops and surfs them a long way. In the end, it is just Alena and me. We should go in because it is getting shallow. Alena gets drilled on the reef and gets a few cuts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After breakfast we decide to cruise to Lance’s lefts/rights. The wind shifts a little so we go past the left and drop anchor at Bintangs. A short fun right, it is small and inconsistent but Penza has a crack. We take the ducky and wakeboard for a while. It took me at least 6 times to get to my feet but eventually I was up. The other guys made it look easy. Alena, Artem, Tanya and Andre are good. The wake on the ducky is small but they had a few tricks happening.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The girls surf the small A frame beachie. Tanya catches about 25 waves and has worked out the pop to her feet. Andre and Artem surf the kayak together then take turns on the SUP.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At dinner (lasagne, spaghetti, salad, fish and vegetables) we toast to Roxy Day which is girls day for this trip. During dinner Eric sets a course for Burger World. A five hour trip north, it is very calm and easy travelling.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">Tuesday, 11</span></u><u><sup><span style="font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"> </span></sup></u><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;">October 2011</span></u></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another day, another wave. We are at Burger World and no surprise that Dmitri is first out. Andre, Artem and I have a surf while Penza is waiting for low tide. Ana is taking photos. Tanya is in the kayak and Alena is trying stand up paddle. Later Alena and I try to catch some waves but it is way too crowded.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all have lunch and the boys surf with less people. There are about 7 camps in the playground area.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">About 3pm we head over the Bang Bangs – a fast hollow left. I surf with the girls till nearly dark. Ana and Tanya get caught inside and fight for the same board. Nicole gets a couple of good waves on the longboard while Alena has found the speed button in her technique.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The sunset is amazing! The boys have taken the ducky to Na Pussi and score some double over head rights. They are pumped when they return in the dark. Dmitri can’t get the smile off his face. Another really fun day of waves.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Prawns and fish for dinner with crème caramel desert.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I sneak off to bed while everyone plays charades.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wednesday, 12 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have anchored back at Burger World for the night but we cruise to Na Pussi in the morning as everyone sleeps. The sea is alive with bait fish so the fishing lines are out and we zig zag through them but have no luck.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The boys surf Na Pussi and I take the girls to Bang Bangs. There are three guys out, a French guy and two Brasilians. They are pretty cool and seem pleased to chat to the girls. We all have some small fun lefts until two more Brasillians paddle out so we jump in the ducky and check E Bay and Pit Stops on the way back to the Addiction.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I must be mixing with the group well because Dmitri starts talking to me in Russian this morning. The boys surf Na Pussi all day and the girls and I go back to Bang Bangs. Alena gets a couple of good waves and starting to do cutbacks. The French man comes back out and we think he is in love with Tanya. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After dinner, everyone plays charades again, this time a mixture of Russian and English. Captain Eric produces a bottle of Jack Daniels which doesn’t help the game or maybe it does because we have a really good night. Artem and Andre describe the chocolate bar Bang Bang and Jet Ski really funny. Alena gives Dmitri the word ‘’fantasy’’ and we get stuck trying to guess it for about 45 minutes. Captain Eric has had a couple of drinks too many and goes to bed. I sneak off too but the team stay up till 1.30pm.</span></span></div>
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<u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thursday, 13 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last day today. The conditions are beautiful and glassy but there is only a small swell. Dmitri, Ana, Alena and I check the surf spots by rubber ducky. A Frames, Two Bobs, Rifles and Pistols and they are all too small. We end up back at Bang Bangs (now renamed Artems). Only the girls and I are out with the French guy from the day before. The tide is lower with some bigger, hollower waves. Everyone get some even when a few more Brazillian’s come out. Alena finishes her surf with an overhead bomb wave. Late drop, bottom turn and maximum speed down the line. A good one to finish the trip on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">There is the last minute swapping photo files everyone has on their trip. Geni has a great photo package for everyone as well.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The boys are still keen for a wave so we check Burger World but it is onshore and not very good. We return to Bang Bangs and Artem and Dmitri have a surf. It gets crowded with other boats.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The rest of the team wakeboard for the afternoon.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We have to start packing up our gear. The realisation the trip is over starts to kick in and everyone is a little sad. The Addiction will head back to Padang tonight. We should reach port around 3am. We will sleep on the boat and leave from the boat to the Airport.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Our final meal of prawns and beef is really good. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We all say our goodbyes. It has been a super Kruto trip.</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><u><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Friday, 14 October 2011</span></span></u></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up at 5.30am on the boat. Time for a quick coffee, last minute goodbyes to those who are up and then a one hour trip to the airport. I fly Padang to Kuala Lumpur on Air Asia. There is a US$25 visa charge on the way in to Indonesia and a 100,000 rupiah charge for leaving. If you are on Air Asia you will get charged about US$25 per sector for your board bag. If you want to get on board a Mentawai charter boat next year start checking now, they are always heavily booked. There are a few things to keep in mind when booking. Two tenders are really good for splitting the pack on the big boat and the amount of days the charter is for. How experienced the captain/surf guide are. I have been a couple of different ones but the best so far were:</span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"></span><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.sumatransurfariis.com</span></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.addictionsurfing.com/"><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.addictionsurfing.com</span></span></a><span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-58636557700665701912011-09-15T18:29:00.000-07:002011-12-25T19:09:06.452-08:00Argentina<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Argentina - International SurfingAssociation Level one and two coaching course:</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVEajFh_3QH5wnCcZpGF4oQABUr4DOOsuZB9yueds94SRCMAvsKewIrOG-nSpWmNCBOnQDs0dryb6arIF8iACQgbob7b40cJiKAqT7Now-BruE5F4f-bMHCXtvqAi5W2s3KBr6rtvdMq/s1600/arg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiytVEajFh_3QH5wnCcZpGF4oQABUr4DOOsuZB9yueds94SRCMAvsKewIrOG-nSpWmNCBOnQDs0dryb6arIF8iACQgbob7b40cJiKAqT7Now-BruE5F4f-bMHCXtvqAi5W2s3KBr6rtvdMq/s400/arg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A last minutecall up to present Level one and Level two coaching programs in Mar del Platato fifty plus surfers from Argentina, Peru and Uruguay through an interpreterwas challenging but extremely successful. Caco and his team were excellenthosts and I did enjoy the famous Argentinean BBQ.The waves at Mar del Plata were OK. The Atlantic is my least favourite ocean. Number one is the Indian with the Pacific a close second. Theh water temperature here is cold. Winter suits, booties, gloves and helmets are the go. There is reasonable swell but it doesn't last long. Certainly a cool spot to hang out though.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_fKFVcqjcgmawkmhC83Nd0zuA7rhUagBUVgR7ZhRQUGmNq7QwM61bhNgQ_jUXbfi6KZ4yCtvJDyUwD31nrVHTsOIpBInQ8GJX_75A337jJcn462kmoXzNwK1SAWXhd3mfHpcYZzHbZmk/s1600/arg1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-_fKFVcqjcgmawkmhC83Nd0zuA7rhUagBUVgR7ZhRQUGmNq7QwM61bhNgQ_jUXbfi6KZ4yCtvJDyUwD31nrVHTsOIpBInQ8GJX_75A337jJcn462kmoXzNwK1SAWXhd3mfHpcYZzHbZmk/s400/arg1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-57750656401608543492011-08-18T18:42:00.000-07:002011-12-25T19:08:39.447-08:00Thailand<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Thailand - International SurfingAssociation Level one coaching and Level one Judging course:<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbu3c5z3m1hj7NN_IwoimyeAVUSnrUDfH7cDtbqBGKs8mO71jdYTi1MVkbRGy-yUjVlnfA7H9e7QAGzYVyUHjDCmvD0q_C3Lb_ID-g7mtUWO0VctrK2bDgPsiRuug94j_mjagyL1qZwDt5/s1600/boattrip+102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbu3c5z3m1hj7NN_IwoimyeAVUSnrUDfH7cDtbqBGKs8mO71jdYTi1MVkbRGy-yUjVlnfA7H9e7QAGzYVyUHjDCmvD0q_C3Lb_ID-g7mtUWO0VctrK2bDgPsiRuug94j_mjagyL1qZwDt5/s400/boattrip+102.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Level one ISA coaches from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">In Julysurfers from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore gathered in Phuket for an ISAeducation program. Apart from the two courses I worked with the young Thaigrommets on some training drills and staged a mock three nation team event. Allthe surfers in this region are super keen and were excellent students. Bigthanks to Thai legend Krab Joob and my friend Krab Laurie for theirorganisational skills. Phuket does have some waves through July August, only small wind swell beach break type stuff. You certainly wouldn't put this place on your surf destination map but if you have a couple of young grommets and a partner who enjoys good food and the famous Thai Massage you might enjoy a holiday here.Kata beach has the most waves and the is a cool surf school at Patong beach run by my friend Decha.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPvyQ5Q7OIG2Kb0mG69m0xDCayGmpGj0L1QuVrrnW1kbQSRGdgX189DygWPphQsFZkuupF5bXd9Idzzs-qBPrfjPIX4nGUS1yId3SIXJjc-uJO0mZDsQdG_dABybtgXDzyEArjCVQEaE/s1600/ipad+august+2011+085.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisbPvyQ5Q7OIG2Kb0mG69m0xDCayGmpGj0L1QuVrrnW1kbQSRGdgX189DygWPphQsFZkuupF5bXd9Idzzs-qBPrfjPIX4nGUS1yId3SIXJjc-uJO0mZDsQdG_dABybtgXDzyEArjCVQEaE/s400/ipad+august+2011+085.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thai Grommet training: Is everybody happy!!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-57393116968555804342011-08-01T22:22:00.000-07:002011-12-16T22:22:13.848-08:00Father Son Mentawai Trip July 2011<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">18 June 2011</span></u><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Off to Bali. Will arrive around midnight. Hope Un’s are
there to pick us up. No problem. Actually not a bad flight the Arvo one even
though it was Jetstar. Had to sit on the plane for an hour because the
water urn had broken and the pilot was waiting for the paper work. Also they
had to get extra petrol as the re-fuellers hadn’t put enough petrol in. OMG.
Got to bed at Un’s at 3am Melb time.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">1</span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">9 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MKoQOMwRPyJZIbQ126B5wwvCQzennQJ4zxLb48hMnxFLU3wt0ZeBXeKE0D8U_l_yPNjorNxfuXzsApXoX0-dng6Rr_53iFTocMFlFXAnd7Eo8uLOIp0wRGrHYrQlNJnB2TzLo2iezoht/s1600/111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MKoQOMwRPyJZIbQ126B5wwvCQzennQJ4zxLb48hMnxFLU3wt0ZeBXeKE0D8U_l_yPNjorNxfuXzsApXoX0-dng6Rr_53iFTocMFlFXAnd7Eo8uLOIp0wRGrHYrQlNJnB2TzLo2iezoht/s320/111.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yehaaa. Woke a little tired at Un’s hotel, our favourite
place in Kuta. Everything is pretty quiet. Little bit of wind around and some
swell. Euro style breakfast for us and then a surf on the beaches. Pat is
frothing. Spent most of the day chillin ’with Redo and Eric the local ding
repairers. I had time to squeeze in a massage. Cath did the nail thing and then
a cheap but great meal at Warung Indonesia.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">20 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Slipping into the lazy days. Cath off shoppin while we think
about a surf. Pool looks OK. Have to walk at least 5 meters to it. Ahhh crap,
our favourite coffee shop Aromas has been pulled down for a hotel. Finding good
coffee nearby is a priority. Steve Palmer reckons Aromas will be rebuilt late
2011. Dinner at the night market. Murtabah, fried chicken and corn and satays.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">21 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Pretty windy again, overcast mornings sunny arvos. Water
temp a bit cooler than normal. Still boardies only. Surfed Kuta area from the
reef. A progress. Noel and Dean due in this arvo. Noel and Dean arrived at 4pm.
Pat happy now!!!! Mmmmm where to for dinner tonight?......Nasi Campur at
Warung Jogya.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">22 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPWSGe5CRngQKviV39vK-dFl8rX18na5_LKwzxI7jaoc5xwMF-oAV1Y54OW73EbWZV4PqMVTVm9_Umpvu4NhBtzV7ezYljQYDGviXblPhZwkAsYQCtADiEQ2F-1TVV9JRmxDP6qH3oNJX/s1600/sumatra+2011+jun25+to+jul92011-06-29+%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPWSGe5CRngQKviV39vK-dFl8rX18na5_LKwzxI7jaoc5xwMF-oAV1Y54OW73EbWZV4PqMVTVm9_Umpvu4NhBtzV7ezYljQYDGviXblPhZwkAsYQCtADiEQ2F-1TVV9JRmxDP6qH3oNJX/s320/sumatra+2011+jun25+to+jul92011-06-29+%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another lazy day. Swell still up with good waves at half
way. Pat and Dean getting plenty of waves and sunburn. Need to get the skin
ready for the boat trip. Squeezed in a massage. Cath and I went to Richie and
Lisa’s pad for dinner in Sanur. BBQ fish. Awesome house. Lisa works for
the Australian Consulate here in Bali. Taxi to Sanur cost about $7.00.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">23 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Not as much wind around today. Boys off for a surf at half
way. Cath and I kicking back!. Cath keeps feeding the cat and the
kittens. Funny they seem to hang around our room. Dinner at Lanai on the beach
front with Noel. Pat and Dean hooked up with Jack Homer.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">24 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Day before the boat trip, trying not to peak too early but
everyone is getting pretty excited. The three boys are off surfing middle reef
and I am sorting last minute details. Spoke to Scuzz in the Ments and
everything is sorted. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The boys are back from the reef after being smashed by
jellyfish!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa-tWzS-o7Vfwha-Y7-iK1xKwPo1hp5-76lvC5r5oGd5UX-7uJ2ey5p1yAyWtWpaK0ai1RedKJsUJGbofD-NJawFMdw6j2tt-DPsuaa6x2kCdQCHnwMewCk3WybKUv7neLbO9p_HWMA2V/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisa-tWzS-o7Vfwha-Y7-iK1xKwPo1hp5-76lvC5r5oGd5UX-7uJ2ey5p1yAyWtWpaK0ai1RedKJsUJGbofD-NJawFMdw6j2tt-DPsuaa6x2kCdQCHnwMewCk3WybKUv7neLbO9p_HWMA2V/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ahhh, the mozzie man, he comes once a week to fumigate. He
doesn’t wear a mask but his mate does. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Cath and I have dinner at the Balcony – Ikan Pepes (steamed
fish in banana leaf).</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">25 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Yeah ha! Have booked a van to the domestic airport for
5.45am. If we leave by 6 we will be cool. You have to consider Indonesian
rubber time (jam karet). Pat, Dean, Noel and I have been staying in Bali for a
few days. Driver turns up at 6.10. He is the Indonesian version of Mark Webber.
So Made Webber with a dozen boards on the roof powers through Kuta faster than
his counterpart through Monaco. I am in the death seat and am starting to doubt
the wisdom of telling him we were late for the plane. Everything ends well and
we have time for breaky. Three hour transit in Jakarta left the boys to their
own devices and have snuck off to a VIP lounge. $8 – comfy chairs, food,
drinks, WiFi etc. Next stop Padang. Scuzz our skipper will do the pick up and
take us to his place. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Padang is a huge port and matriarchal society. It is also a
nightmare for earthquake and Tsunamiz. Not if but when!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Will board the southern Cross by speed boat. It had to leave
the river earlier because of the tide. Meet up with the boys who have
come direct from Melbourne via KL. We have to take two trips out thrught the
river to the Southern Cross. The crossing from the mainland to the Ments is
about 85 miles. It takes all night and we get tossed around in a massive
tropical rain storm. There are 8 air con bunks and a sauna box up top. I am in
the box and spend most of the night trying to stay on the bed and man it is
hot.</span></div>
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</span><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">26 June 2011<o:p></o:p></span></u><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMQXQFTvOK_wtWM-JaHkVG65ak9LHixy7bibfHFX4RhXnJxHtEFzW17EpnbvPQY1GiVKITSI6B9yTjobE06Fm_euz3rOhr_DQv-jBr3hEGUa3JlHGxn6CRXWzbjcm7CEzeTONhCvD2sIj/s1600/malbin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikMQXQFTvOK_wtWM-JaHkVG65ak9LHixy7bibfHFX4RhXnJxHtEFzW17EpnbvPQY1GiVKITSI6B9yTjobE06Fm_euz3rOhr_DQv-jBr3hEGUa3JlHGxn6CRXWzbjcm7CEzeTONhCvD2sIj/s320/malbin.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wake up near Telescopes and surf the right opposite.
Everyone is having a ball. The young boys are frothing. They have had two
surfs, jumped off the top of the boat, gone for a standup paddle down to
the other boat here with the Jeffrey Warrens before lunch. Richie Laing
finished the day with 5 surfs at 3 different spots. By the way Gado Gado for
lunch was awesome. The crew are really cool. They clean, organise, cook, drive
the speed boat. I notice the lads are preparing fish for tea tonight. Everyone
is stuffed by the arvo so some serious hammock time is called for. Pretty well
everyone has a siesta.</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">27 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWB9s57TifpTSMZ4BI-sfEM-XNdUMUMBlka3N895yDbhjxYce_4-dhi-60PxmLLuSKzz46RbCE27e8Ty2k3x0OOepkR_s1g9szzFAExMj4OhB4pB_MeB9YcYCCt_jGwKCmjWhUYXJ6pvc/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWB9s57TifpTSMZ4BI-sfEM-XNdUMUMBlka3N895yDbhjxYce_4-dhi-60PxmLLuSKzz46RbCE27e8Ty2k3x0OOepkR_s1g9szzFAExMj4OhB4pB_MeB9YcYCCt_jGwKCmjWhUYXJ6pvc/s320/1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Woke up with a wind shift so we headed north for 3 hours. A
rocky trip but the upside was 2 really good fish. The first one a meter long –
Mahi Mahi – which ended up as lunch and a small tuna which ended up as sashimi
for for tea. The food is awesome. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few of us surfed an outer rifles reef . Mitch schored 2
deep barrels. The next surf was close to the island and everyone enjoyed a
great right hander called pussies. Started to move to a new break and got
caught in a massive rain storm and wind shift. Came back to pussies and surfed
till night fall. After dropping anchor dinner included freshly baked cake and
ice-cream. Aki put on a slide show. Everyone is blown away with the quality of
the pics. Beers as usual but because of the excitement factor the whisky and
bourbon comes out. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Brock and Jimma come over for a visit after having duelling
laser battles with Mitch. </span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Such a good night with Aki doing the father/son and group
photos. The tall stories started ending in plenty of laughs.</span><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Calibri;">28 June 2011</span></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKD1m4BkYf_p3OIABq1senslcMjYuth58_ffFNQRfTr7WjbEZ-5lQUf3KdVE_eBcpjwgMgR_yXmMu7qfOWn4r7ZSmT8LcGVCSpiNt4wObB_HYFRU39bknOkYtoqEukTKYBj4og-rCWu_wg/s1600/dadpat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKD1m4BkYf_p3OIABq1senslcMjYuth58_ffFNQRfTr7WjbEZ-5lQUf3KdVE_eBcpjwgMgR_yXmMu7qfOWn4r7ZSmT8LcGVCSpiNt4wObB_HYFRU39bknOkYtoqEukTKYBj4og-rCWu_wg/s320/dadpat.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lazy morning with a few boys surfing the right again.
Everything starts pretty early. Scuzz checks out the weather around 4am and
everyone is up around 6am. Our right gets crowded so we take off and end up
surfing Rifles (one of the crown jewels of the Mentawaiis). 5 of us out in
pristine surf with barrels everywhere. Pat has the best surf of his life
including standup styling tube. Dean reckons his legs wouldn’t stop shaking and
mitch gets a couple of super quality waves that would be at home in the best
surf movie ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The other boys surf another left and right but Rifles is so
good we move the big boat up there and after a rain squall everyone has a crack
(almost everyone). We beat all the other boats by about 4-5 hours then it
starts to get crowded so we take off south on a three hour cruise. I spot some
sea birds and wave the magic finger on the fishing rod. Bugger me if we
don’t get a run instantly (Noel thinks I have taken on some bystical
powers). Vic, the only guy that hasn’t surfed rifles, reels in a meter long
Wahu. We are doing well on the fresh fish count. Sashimi again tonight. The
ding repairer, Jap, is doing better out of Richie.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">29 June 2011</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Head South and for the next 6 days we don’t see another
boat, great waves , perhaps the best I have had on a Ments trip, Green Bush,
The hole and a host of other lefts and rights. Scuzz and Aki organised their
tradional bonfire/barbie on a deserted island and we BBQ’d some lamb. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">July 5 2011</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As we headed north again we called in to Sikicup to check in
with the harbour marshall. The boys had organised school books and pencils etc
for the local junior school. What a blast seeing the joy and the teacher and
kids faces. They thought we were Santa Claus. Very inspirational stuff helping
communities affected by the Tsunami.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Managed to get Maccas on. It was crowded but not during the
lunch time session. Solid barrels, Mitch broke another board, I think he busted
four all together while Pat got pile driven into the reef and tweaked his
shoulder.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We squeezed an awesome surf in a t Lances Rights as well.
Managing to get all the Mentawi jewel surfing spots on was just amazing.</span></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg058Lq9c3LhNhqlUggIh2A_7PBa-3FLBFC-UAnq4i-NOM5t2ZnUc6zYtRruNVkjwMKCFeD_o60-lS22W54tmyb8z5n8RVq75eK_EV6bn0Fv_A-y0WeUcfH5fIMVJXAz9eLH292SEe7U-ZP/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg058Lq9c3LhNhqlUggIh2A_7PBa-3FLBFC-UAnq4i-NOM5t2ZnUc6zYtRruNVkjwMKCFeD_o60-lS22W54tmyb8z5n8RVq75eK_EV6bn0Fv_A-y0WeUcfH5fIMVJXAz9eLH292SEe7U-ZP/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Ended up surfing Bintang’s all day on the last day with
Mitch, Dean, Pat and me. The other Boys had a crack at Lances Lefts.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The crossing back to Padang that night was sheet glass, what
a way to finish. Arrived back in Padang around 3 am. The deal here is you stay
on the boat till morning, wake up and have breakfast before heading to the
airport.</span></div>
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</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">To do a father son boat trip is so cool but to get the Ments
firing with no crowds as well was bloody bagus. Thanks again to Scuzz, Aki and
the team. All i can say is what the boys have been saying since the trip
finished. “ I want to go back”</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/">http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/</a></div>
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</span><br />
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</span><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-20419409831488923012011-04-16T18:54:00.000-07:002011-12-25T19:07:08.315-08:00RipCurl Pro 50 years<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC5ZDE1aFMDnNvCwrbLMWPFHovAp9OgmWGov84kH3Tonk1xg1SYlG7du84W6qChO1OPdTPjHagp0TlDjvIb1so881eDC-Cl0KErrbZTMCA19yUSzIIvK6Jx09fYIjxb4a4IPRsAk-DnCw/s1600/2011+Easter+099.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnC5ZDE1aFMDnNvCwrbLMWPFHovAp9OgmWGov84kH3Tonk1xg1SYlG7du84W6qChO1OPdTPjHagp0TlDjvIb1so881eDC-Cl0KErrbZTMCA19yUSzIIvK6Jx09fYIjxb4a4IPRsAk-DnCw/s200/2011+Easter+099.JPG" width="200" /></a><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Rip Curl Pro 50<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>Anniversary Bells Beach Easter 2011:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNdlDsdFciDkvQaWLO1yVOd63RtexyScaezUQj-FC3Ynz5E-dFd6fDGd6stOOVDPVYQEbwgEyXWjnZ2gsb4ZszFrm6OG7mGgT1x9FVdLJpoo552FTxVxHDv6PmnXqe3dyrbxECCjJ6vw_/s1600/2011+Easter+156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNdlDsdFciDkvQaWLO1yVOd63RtexyScaezUQj-FC3Ynz5E-dFd6fDGd6stOOVDPVYQEbwgEyXWjnZ2gsb4ZszFrm6OG7mGgT1x9FVdLJpoo552FTxVxHDv6PmnXqe3dyrbxECCjJ6vw_/s200/2011+Easter+156.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">I had thehonour of being appointed Surfing Ambassador at this years event. Almost allthe winners attended. All throughout the contest special events were heldcelebrating the past winners of the Rip Curl Pro. It was very pleasing towitness the respect that the likes of Kelly Slater, Mick Fanning, Matt Hoy and StephGilmore had for all the original pioneers of our sport. The icing on the cakewas the awesome surf Bells and Winkie Pop delivered. Joel Parkinson and Sally Fitzgibon took out the event and the famous Bells parties were in full force with the surfers ball topping the billing.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRbIONVovl69qJ7N7h-exZYMhNq3z5eCaAuHj2KILDuwHxQt7PDKTU6_BzDgc75MTOJSysEWNWLgQVJN0b9iKV5uVt5nSQFMeFM8obJKhJ9G9p3H_nsIrGLkvUmym0npsXZt-24RVI2Uj/s1600/2011+Easter+031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRbIONVovl69qJ7N7h-exZYMhNq3z5eCaAuHj2KILDuwHxQt7PDKTU6_BzDgc75MTOJSysEWNWLgQVJN0b9iKV5uVt5nSQFMeFM8obJKhJ9G9p3H_nsIrGLkvUmym0npsXZt-24RVI2Uj/s400/2011+Easter+031.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The past Rip Curl Pro Winners at the Surfers Ball</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L0PRQmnltoedZF0VUKoOTrCJB29_lGyGZBIW9VYohUDXUcwfc3o2br5NnG9Z-tn9MhQ9ipk7CDa2oZR4jUlFXnYSbUwIwHfnq96OzzevoaWlzCVLprM5NywuYuGCxvntI7rf0bHpkZIU/s1600/MRS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1L0PRQmnltoedZF0VUKoOTrCJB29_lGyGZBIW9VYohUDXUcwfc3o2br5NnG9Z-tn9MhQ9ipk7CDa2oZR4jUlFXnYSbUwIwHfnq96OzzevoaWlzCVLprM5NywuYuGCxvntI7rf0bHpkZIU/s320/MRS.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Michael Gordon with Glyndyn Ringrose Mal and Sandy Ryan</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Michael Gordon has compliled a fantastic historical book on the events history.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://bellsthebeach.com.au/">http://bellsthebeach.com.au/</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2078168439253532176.post-45844903265133350032007-07-13T21:18:00.000-07:002012-01-05T00:52:31.877-08:002007 The Telos,Hinakos and the Banyaks - A trip North<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="NormalBlack">
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">The Preparation..</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Get a bunch of your mates together, the ones that you will want
to spend 10-17 days with,together in the confined space of a boat. If you are
bailing out of Australia in winter with no tan and down on surf fitness, a short stint in
Bali before embarking on your boat trip may be a wise move. <br /><br />Book the
boat.<br />As you read the diary you will come across some info on how to make the
correct charter choice. You will need to book early, some charter operations like Sumatran Surfariis book out 12 months in advance. Do some research and check how long the skipper or guide has been in the area, two tenders or speedboats with the main boat help to split the pack. A quality photographer to catch that once in a lifetime barrel is important when you back home freezing and dreaming of your trip. More importantly check how many days the charter lasts for. Most charters are around 10-12 days, only a few are 14 days which gives you a better chance to score a swell or in fact travel a little bit extra looking for that uncrowded magical surf.<br /><br />Book your flights. <br />Most flights will go via
Kuala Lumpur then on to Padang. Garuda go through Bali or Jarkata to Padang. Some North Charters fly through the Sumatran capital of Medan.<br /><br />Order all your boards.<br />Down the line tube
hunters are the go. Deeper concave than you would probably require at home. A
few extra inches never goes astray either. You may snap a couple so be prepared.
Remember though, if you land in Bali they will sting you for extra rupiah if you
have more than three boards.<br /><br />Stock up your medical kit.<br />Anti Malaria,
antibiotics, ear drops, motion sickness tablets and plenty of sun screen are
essentials. Coral cuts are the biggest problem, if you haven’t got any alcohol
wipes the best method to clean cuts and stave off infection is a good scrub with
hot water before drenching the wound in lemon juice. <br />Don’t worry about
fashion.<br /><br />As the excitement builds don’t peak too early. All you really
need is a couple pairs of boardies, a rash vest, booties, a tee shirt, a towel
and a pair of sunnies.</span><br />
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<td style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/southern-cross_20071016121635.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/570_southern-cross_20071016121635.jpg" style="padding-top: 2px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>The Southern
Cross</em></span></td></tr>
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This is a diary of my July trip in 2007<br />
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<span class="aSubheading">Touch down...</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">When you arrive in Padang, Most charters have a home stay / office for you to hang before you leave at night. either from the river in town or Padang harbour about a one hour bus ride out of town.<br />If you are a bit adventurous you should try the
Masakan Padang food. These are restaurants that lay out all they have on the
menu in small bowls on the table and you only get charged for what you eat. Just
check on what you choose though because there is usually some offal or brains
thrown in somewhere.<br /><br />Our crew arrived looking pretty pale after exiting a
cold Phillip Island winter in Vicco. There are three young frothers and six old
stagers in our gang. The young guns are Christian, Faloon and Crooksy. The old
stagers are Bunny, Meathead, Oozo, Davros, Wellsy and Big Mal.<br />For some
of the guys it’s their first trip others are up to their seventh.<br />The
boats leave at night. The crossing from Padang to the island chain takes between eight to thirteen hours, depending on your boats speed and where you are headed. Everyone is pumped we are aboard the Southern Cross and on our
way.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 1</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">We had a pretty good sleep and were up at 6.30am, still three
hours from the first surf break. The young guns were frothing to get out there
and surf, but a few of the old guys were frothing to get their fishing rods out
and trawl.<br /><br />8.00am – Strike, Bunny hooked a meter long Mahi Mahi, about
five kilos of fresh fish for tonight’s dinner. Everyone was buzzing that the
trip is off to a positive start. <br /><br />Arrived in the Telos about 10am. Sent
the young guns down to the point first. The old buggers took their
time. It is a long haul so don't over do it to early in the trip.<br /><br />We had a great two to three hour session at Burns by ourselves. We
were lucky it was a bit overcast and rainy. We needed to break in the Vicco
winter tan. Davros the greedy bastard stayed out the longest.<br /><br />Our guide
Scuzz ripped. He made sure everyone on the boat was dropped into the perfect
position in the lineup. Everyone had an awesome day of great, uncrowded waves.
We were all stoked.</span><br />
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<td style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/nice-right_200710216440.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/570_nice-right_200710216440.jpg" style="padding-top: 2px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>There are still unridden waves to be
had.</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 2</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">We left our anchorage early to check a few different surf
locations. Started trawling and within fifteen minutes we had three strikes. We
landed two tuna and a spanish mackerel. Bunny, Meat head and Wellsy all hooked
up. <br /><br />Our Indonesian cook, Eri killed each fish then removes their hearts.
Tradition has it that while it’s still pumping you eat it. Our boys keep up the
tradition. The crew love it. Probably think they can suck these dumb
Boleh’s (white guys) into anything.<br /><br />We surfed a left off a deserted
island in the morning, then moved further into the bay and surfed a fun right
till dark.<br /><br />Another boat pulled up so our guide Scuzz left them the area
for the next day. We motored four hours to a new anchorage to get some more
waves to ourselves.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 3</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Not that much was happening in the Telos this morning. After a
group meeting we decided to motor past Southern Nias to the Hinakos. There
wasn’t much swell around so we headed for Bower. We Travelled all day. Crooksy
managed to hook a five kilo Spanish Mackerel. <br /><br />It wass a bit of a rocky
trip,so the motion sickness pills came out. Crooksy took a lot of convincing
that he had to eat the Mackie’s heart. He kept it down, just.<br /><br />We arrived
at Bower with enough time to score some fun four to five foot right-handers
before dark. There was another charter boat there, the Mikumba. We invited the
crew over for a few Bintangs.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 4</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Early in the morning the swell was pretty small. Shifty three to
four foot peaks. There was a big take off area so there was plenty of space to
support two boats. There was still a bit of rain about, but everyone’s tan was
slowly developing.<br /><br />Some of the boys rang home. The mobile phone coverage
has increased since the Tsunami. Various aid projects installed communication
towers throughout the islands to assist in early warnings and
communication.<br /><br />We surfed Bower all day, nice offshore wedges. The weather
was a bit weird though. It rained all day, at times it was torrential. When it
really poured the waves seemed to go flat. Scuzz has a weather theory that
localised low-pressure systems can lift the sea level and that’s why it seems to
flatten out when it is really pouring.</span><br />
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<td style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/daz-pigdogging_200710216636.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/570_daz-pigdogging_200710216636.jpg" style="padding-top: 2px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>Daz setting up for a backhand pigdog
pit.</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 5</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Early in the morning Bower was still the same. Bower means under
in Indonesian but Moon in the Nias dialect. The wind and rain are pretty strong.
We decided to head back to Nias and sniff out some of the more protected breaks.
A bit of a long shot but at least when we headed further north to the Banyaks we
were on the lee side of Nias and the travelling was smoother. A few hours later
we managed to surf a fun hollow right called
Tinbangers.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 6</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">More rain this morning. The weather seemed a bit weird for this
time of year. The swell increased and our fun little right became a bit more
serious. The boys tag team all day and everyone scored some great barrels. The
vibe on the boat lifted. We had been having a great time but the quality of the
surf today took the trip to another level. Scuzz set up the motor drive camera
and Wellsy cranked up the video.<br /><br />We had an awesome dinner of curried
prawns and fish, washed down with a few Bintangs while watching a slide show of
the day’s kegs. We had our first day of serious waves. The forecast doesn’t look
as good for tomorrow but we motor through the night to the
Banyaks.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 7</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Pulled into Birthday Bay about 7:30am. It was cranking. An
outside left, a hollow right and a smaller left inside the bay. There were
plenty of waves to choose from. The outside left was the pick.<br /><br />Bunny
finally found his mojo and pulls into a keg on every wave. Meathead jagged a few
as well. The boys on their backhand were doing warp speed down the line on this
awesome 150 meter left.<br /><br />The sea breeze kicked in around lunchtime so we
motored a couple of hours to another break called Fat Left. There was no one in
the line up. Perfect 4-6 foot shacks.<br /><br />Everyone got kegged off their nut.
Crooksy jagged a 250 meter beast. Christian and Faloon had way too much energy
for the rest of us old blokes. <br /><br />Injury toll was mounting but nothing to
serious. Coral cuts, a twisted ankle and general aches and pains
only.</span><br />
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<td style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/the-left_2007101612934.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/570_the-left_2007101612934.jpg" style="padding-top: 2px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>A Nice Left.</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 8</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Scuzz and the crew were up at 4.30am checking the swell and wind
conditions. We motored back to Birthday Bay. A few of the boys surfed the left
and the rest tackled the right. Davros and Meathead scored the pick of the
barrels.<br /><br />The crew decided to cook up a special dish of curried Achenese
noodles for lunch. We had a cruisey arvo trawling and clocking some serious
hammock time. We anchored inside the bay. During the night an earthquake off the
Achanese coast clocked 5.8 on the Richter scale but we felt no
effects.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 9</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">The swell built overnight, so we charged back to Fat Left and
surfed it by ourselves. Crooksy scored the best barrel of his life. So good he
paddled in and downed three beers. At 10:00 am the swell was still building. We
watched a fifteen wave set roll through. Everyone had an awesome morning of
waves.<br /><br />Three boats turned up at lunchtime so we took off for a bit of an
adventure. We checked out a couple of other breaks nearby and had a snorkel
around an uninhabited island. <br />This region is third tier rain forest, so we
kind of expected King Kong to jump out on the beach at any time. Crooksy was on
a roll after his epic barrel. He even won the hermit crab race we set up on the
beach.<br /><br />It was Scuzz’s birthday today; we had already celebrated Oozo’s a
couple days ago. So it was out with the party hats again and the twelve year old
scotch. No one wanted to get too loaded because the swell was predicted to jump
overnight.<br /><br />While we were celebrating Ujung repaired the damage to some of
our boards. He reset Faloon’s fin and patched up Davros’s board. It was nice to
have a ding fixer on board.</span><br />
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<td style="float: left;"><a href="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/scuzz_20071016121022.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.coastalwatch.com/uploadedmedia/articles/570_scuzz_20071016121022.jpg" style="padding-top: 2px;" /></a></td></tr>
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>Scuzz</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 10</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Sheet glass conditions greeted us for the early at Birthday Bay.
There were 6ft lefts and 4ft rights. The boys on the right pulled in scoring
barrels for breakfast. Wellsy starred on the left with a 250 meter long bomb. A
couple of boats turned up but with three breaks and glassy conditions all day
there were plenty of waves to go around. Everyone surfed till dark. <br /><br />Eri
fired up the Barbie and cooked up a meal of sate prawns. We were all surfed out
and hit our bunks early. Our boat the Southern Cross left the Banyaks during the
night and headed back down towards
Nias.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 11</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">When we woke up we were in front of a 4-6ft left called
Froggies. Everyone is a bit slow off the mark but Scuzz and the goofies headed
out for the early. The rest of us had breaky and popped muscle relaxant pills to
get us through another day.<br /><br />Faloon was the first backhand surfer to hit
the water. He paddled straight into a bomb and got kegged for about fifty
meters, great pigdog action from years of practice at the Bluff in WA.<br /><br />We
headed out to Asu for an arvo surf. There were a few guys out so we let them
finish off their session before we surfed. Asu has been affected by the lift
from the earthquake that caused the Tsunami; it is shorter now but still a great
wave.<br /><br />You have got to hand it to Scuzz, we surfed five different breaks
in two days.</span><br />
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>Tube</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 12</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">We checked Tinbangers in the morning and surfed perfect three
foot barrels till lunchtime. We surfed there on the way up and rated it as heaps
of fun. <br /><br />We motored to Teluk Dalam for some shore leave. Everyone wanted
to check out the famous Lagundri Bay. The lift as a result of the earthquake is
quite evident. The reef has lifted about 70 centimetre's. The jury is still out
on whether the actual wave is better or not. It now breaks on a smaller swell.
On a medium swell it is a bit hollower. When it’s big though it draws a lot of
water off the reef and is not as good as it was. The older guys who surfed here
in the eighties are a bit disappointed, no more thatched huts dotting a palm
tree lined point with a tidal reef in front. Now there are concrete rooms and a
stagnant reef. On the upside the young guys with us who have never seen it
before were frothing to get out. You will have to make up your own
mind.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 13</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">The wind was wrong this morning so we charged south to the top
of the Telos. We sent four surfers in the tinnie about an hour and half from the
break. The tinnie is pretty quick so the guys were in the water for a session
way before the big boat got there. It is a real bonus if your charter has two
tenders. The good ones have a rubber duck and a fast tinnie.<br /><br />The left at
churches was 6-8ft. A really wackable fun wave. We had an enjoyable arvo of
waves.</span><br />
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>offshore, fast and
fun.</em></span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 14</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">The swell dropped a bit today so after a quick surf at Churches
we continued south through the Telos. The food kept coming. We all turned into
hobbits and the second breakfast for today was banana pancakes.<br /><br />As we
approached the bottom of the Telos we were back in the fish. Mal hooked up this
time and landed a Spanish mackerel. Mal and Bunny wear sarongs in the tropics.
They are good for preventing crutch rot but the down side is when you are
holding up your prize catch with both hands for the customary photo they are
really easy for your so called mate to whip off. Standing in the nude holding a
fish while four cameras flash and the video whirs is a tad embarrassing.
<br /><br />We pulled up at Rolands, a shallow right and all but the hunter
gatherers surfed. The surfers scored a few barrels. Crooksy and Christian lead
the way. Bunny returned with the trips biggest fish, a 1.2 meter Mahi
Mahi.</span><br />
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<td><span class="aCaption"><em>The Hunter
Gatherers</em></span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 15</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">We surfed 4ft Rolands all morning. There was a bit of carnage on
the shallow reef. When the wind picked up we motored over to a left nearby.
There was a heavy sweep but the sets were 6-8ft. The late night glass off was
cool with some long clean lefts churning over the
reef.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="aSubheading">Day 16</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">Last day of the trip. The swell jacked but the wind was not
quite right. July is the swell month but May generally has more settled
conditions and it’s usually glassy all day.<br />Rolands is 6ft, heavy and
shallow. Oozo enjoyed the last wave here before we checked the left. He scored
the best keg of the last two days.<br /><br />The left is called Buffalos and was a
solid 8ft plus. No broken boards but two leggies snap. Beautiful long, deep blue
waves. A nine-wave set caught Wellsy inside. His mates on the boat have a bit of
a laugh.<br /><br />We checked out a couple of other breaks in the arvo but nothing
too special was spotted. We are all just slothing around when another boat with
a new charter of guys pulled up for their first surf. <br />They were frothing and
straight into the lineup. I thought to myself we were like that two weeks
ago.<br />Our last surf was back at Rolands and as usual Davros the greedy one
stayed out longest.<br /><br />The boys started packing up their gear and we headed
back to Padang overnight.</span></td></tr>
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<td class="NormalBlack"><span class="aSubheading">Day 17</span><br />
<span class="aParatext">We arrived in Padang and left the Southern Cross our home for
the last 17 days. A bunyak sekali thanks to Scuzz and his crew from Sumatran Surfariis It was all a bit
sad really but we had an awesome trip. We are already planning our next
one.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
<a href="http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/">http://www.sumatransurfariis.com/</a><div class="blogger-post-footer">http://www.surfcoaching.biz</div>mal gregsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03206727755538150860noreply@blogger.com0