Pacific Pirates

Check out the latest episode of Scardy (World Surfaris own fearless adventurer) and his entourage of Ryan Hipwood, Dean Bowen, Nick Vasicek and Mikey Brennan paddling into MASSIVE Cloudbreak earlier this month.  Grab a coffee and sit back and enjoy the rush of the ride!

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

XXL ride of the year finalists -David Scard on the far right.

At a lavish awards ceremony in LA, David Scard who heads the World Surfaris, Stealth Travel Club was awarded 2nd best ride in 2010 for his incredible Cloudbreak barrell. He was just pipped at the post by Danilo Couto of Brazil for his macking Jaws bomb ! Congratulations Scardy now get back to work

Scardy joking around with the other big wave loonies.  Nice tassel Jacket Mark Healey

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

Scardy will find out tomorrow morning AEST (1900 LA time) if he’s won the first prize of us$50k !!  Regardless of whether he wins it’s been the longest ride of his life!

Click on the image to see the Vimeo webepisode.

Ride of his life !

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

The curtain is closing on 2010 which means it’s the perfect time to look back and tip the hat to a great year.

I’d love to do a month by month account but time is pressing and let’s face it you came here for the pretty pictures.

So keeping it brief – Thank you, World Surfaris have an unbelievably good time sending clients around the world to get amped on surf and despite the occasional natural disaster (Sumatra Tsunami) or Boat washing ashore (Gaaviya Maldives) we wouldn’t have it any other way and we look forward to helping you with your enquiries for 2011.

All that’s left now is to grab a drink put your feet up and flick through the shots that came in throughout the year, let the mind wander and if you were one of the lucky buggers that skipped the pond and scored in 2010 we hope you’ll never forget it.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from all at World Surfaris

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

Hi All,

I read an interview with Shaun Levings in Smorgasboarder magazine yesterday. The article focused on the increased interest in surf travel and what was behind the movement. Theories included a natural evolution of the sport, the sheer thrill of escapism, adventure, accessibility and the desire to just get away from the crowds and get the kind of waves that you see in magazines.

It started me thinking that perhaps our sport is no longer the realm of the misfit, the social fringe dweller or even the gangly teenager with more agility in the water than without. Surfing has become the socially acceptable past time of the status quo. It’s a strange realisation and one that we as surfers may not be entirely comfortable with. Our sport was once the realm of angst, the home of the misled and the misguided, a peaceful nesting ground for anyone with too much on their plate, an escape, a retreat, a personal and vibrant energy that is becoming harder and harder to share with the masses that paddle into the line up without a clue.  Surf travel has become the last vestige of surfing’s original spirit.

From what I can gather from the filtered dregs passed on from paper ‘TRACKS’ and big fish tales from salty old dogs rambling in the line up, surfing’s evolution has experienced a development similar to the cafe, the latte and the cappuccino. That is to say that as a grom growing up cafes belonged solely to the European streets of Italy and France, ordering a coffee out included a dark mysterious liquid in a polystyrene cup stirred by an old lady that would have cut a fine figure in the 60’s, I remember my dad drinking them, they costed around 50 cents. The social hubs were pubs, local watering holes where people pitched ideas, jokes and told tall tales with the social etiquette of a fart. We now sit at small metal tables and sip Chai under the sun. Surfers where strange hairy beasts that were an odd threat to a society founded on capitalism and staying in line. They sought different horizons walked into damp places, risked malaria, tigers and frowns. We’ve all seen ‘Morning of the Earth’ so I won’t paint to vivid of a picture but you get it- Surfers weren’t part of the big wheel that kept things running smoothly they sat outside it and were comfortable in the solitude.

Surfing has boomed, it is no longer the dark and mysteriously smokey fringe sport but a glowing example of trend, athleticism and acceptability shinning brilliantly in full sun….and it still pulls chicks! But this acceptance has left a number of people displaced and at odds with a sport that was once their only solace. As I see it there are two options find a new sport (good luck) or chase the horizon, see a sun set over different waters, discover a wave that hasn’t been ridden and travel in search of the solace that started it all – that one moment of energy, grace and movement. It’s hard to find this when you are amongst hundreds of people or chained to a desk but as the book says ‘Seek and ye shall find‘ World Surfaris can promise you this.

Surf travel is where it’s at! The shore and the horizon both alluring and unknown, surfing’s heart still beats a strange and not entirely comforting rhythm in these distant places, each pulse a reminisce of something that once was – Adventure, freedom and a belonging in a place unknown.  Ultimately you have to be a surfer to get it. We hope you find it……Start looking today! CLICK HERE

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

Hi Guys,

            We’re really bashing our heads against the wall!!! Just ask any surfer on the Queensland Coast at the moment what’s wrong with life and get ready for an explosive ‘THERE’S NO SURF!!!!!’

The drought has affected us all differently. Those with the smarts have predicted an August – September or even October slump and headed over to the Indian Ocean for some Maldives or Indo action.

Justin, one of our consultants,  has just come back from the Maldives he’s return coupled with amazing tales of 6ft perfect swell has received mixed responses. We were stoked for him initially but as the poor conditions continue we are left with what can only be described as seething jealousy.

Others have headed to the southern states and cashed in on the epic conditions produced by the Southern Hemispheres winter. The lucky buggers enjoying the south marching swells have been lapping it up but have also, in all fairness, probably been freezing their Jacobs off.

Personally, I have taken to losing random minutes throughout the day mind surfing the perfect waves found on our hard drives and then sighing loudly (in-between colossal bouts of producing mind blowing amounts of work, of course!).

Additionally, Surfing magazines have taken on the lustre tones of more adult magazines, disgorging a mind teasing menu that leaves surfers frustrated and ultimately unsatisfied. We are reaching a point of complete thirst our once surf fit bodies and ocean cleansed, stress free, minds are now unsated and unfulfilled. Tensed and poised we are ready to pounce and feed upon even the slightest hint of swell – We have become desperate men and women suffering through desperate times!!!

Luckily a surf trip is around the corner its presence has become a beacon of hope, a white hot holy grail of light at the end of the tunnel. We in the office are running towards it with smiles and open arms.

It’s like being bathed in an ethereal light. Like Christmas to a 4 year old complete with a fat guy in a red suit. We have hope and certainty that as each day gets crossed of the calendar we are one step closer to surf, glorious uncrowded surf!

This feeling should be shared, it’s too wondrous to keep to oneself you need to book a trip.

Surf Maldives, Surf Sumatra, Surf Indo, Surf Samoa, Surf Fiji, Surf Tonga, Surf PNG or Surf the Caroline Islands. Get waves, get in the water, see the world, slap the international walls of reef breaks the globe over.

The big blue green thing we spin on is playing host to wave perfection as we contemplate the flat spells.

Escape local surf frustration and get the hell out of here.

…….Oh and here’s some of those pictures if the lack of swell wasn’t enough for motivation.  

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

Hi All,

        You remember Richard Kotch our live in surf guide at Hudhuranfushi Resort Maldives, he’s the now married,  living the dream, all round ‘happy chappy’ and he’ll be sending us info every so often detailing the swell conditions at Hudhuranfushi and the surrounding breaks.  So far its been a cracker of a season and our very own Shaun Levings was able to get a few great waves in over there with a recent visit – he’s the one charging in shot #5 (you’ll have to take our word for it).

Happy Reading and remember the Indian Ocean season is underway and there are some limited spaces available. Check out what’s on offer in the Maldives and Sumatra or get onboard trips that are departing now! 

Richards report as follows:

 

Who would have made the connection between an erupting Icelandic Volcano and un-crowded surf in the Maldives?!

The first week of the 2010 World Surfaris Hudhuran Fushi surf season has been a great success, with epic waves, beautiful weather and light crowds.

I must say that it is so good to be back here at Hudhuran Fushi!

My wife Amy and I arrived here after a relatively surf starved couple of months in NZ where it was either tiny or big and on-shore with not much in between. El Nino seems to deliver for the North Pacific but not, for this year at least, NZ.

We came ready for anything, laden down with board bags bursting at the seams… excess baggage was written all over us, but hey, you’ve got to be prepared. Our room is now full of boards – everything from 5’4 quads to 6’6 single fins and a full range of short boards in between, yet on our first day on the island we awoke to 1ft on-shore slop and calls of “you shoulda been here 2 days ago”!  To be honest it was probably a good thing as the lack of swell gave us time to get organized and head into Male to finalize our paperwork for the season.

Male is a busy little island/city/port. It is one of those places where you can find anything you need, though after island life, it can be chaotic. We completed our jobs and bolted back to the tranquility of Hudhuran Fushi. We were joined on the speed boat transfer by World Surfaris owner Shaun Levings who had just spent a few days down south. He didn’t seem too worried about the lack of swell and he assured us that the following day (by early afternoon to be specific) it would start to pick up!

Checking Lohi’s early the next day there was just a hint of swell under the wind chop but after the mornings meetings there were definite lines. Amy was most impressed when by 2PM the swell had arrived and the wind backed off!! Shaun and a couple friends surfed 3-4ft Sultans while we re-aquainted ourselves with Lohis.

Our first guests of the season woke up to fun little waves on the reef at Lohi’s, it really is such a joy to wake up, walk out to the waves and have a surf without the hassle of driving or putting on a wetsuit.

After breakfast it was business as usual; one boat up to Cokes and Chickens, the other to Sultans/Honkeys or Jails. While Amy and her guests surfed playful head high Sultans, I found myself back at Cokes with repeat guests Cameron and the re-invented super fit Peter Gouws, Sabrina Scott and her father Robert. We surfed fun, head high peaks with a couple other World Surfaris guests while the rest of the Gouws/Scott clan snorkled and swam in the crystal clear water. Great way to start the season!!

Motoring back past Lohi’s the swell looked to be building so it was a quick light lunch then up to check it. I’ve always said that surfing Lohi’s is all about timing and this was a perfect example; while everyone else enjoyed an after lunch nap Lohi’s was looking beautiful, there was just one guy in the water making the most of the 3-4ft lefts – Shaun Levings. I snapped a couple photo’s of the boss then paddled out to get a couple waves myself! After a few more waves Shaun had to run to get his transfer back to Male with wet boardies and a huge grin. 

That evening the swell continued to build and Amy surfed fun 3-4ft Jails, while I surfed Sultans 3-5ft and pumping. It was low tide and going round on the inside. The crowd was mellow and with the building swell it was very consistent. We scored. It was one of those sessions where everyone caught waves whether it was a gentle peak way out or a mutant wedge on the inside. That’s the beauty of the place. Oh, and the sunset was incredible too.

I can’t remember who it was that gave me a beer that night but I do remember it tasting pretty good then falling asleep about ten minutes later!

The next day I awoke feeling sun-burnt and dehydrated! – Not the best feeling in the world, especially as I’m constantly advising people to wear heaps of sun-screen and drink more water than they think they need! Oh well, after a bottle of water, heaps of fruit, a coffee and a good breakfast (gotta love the omlettes here!) the day started to look brighter and we were back on the boats heading south. The wind was a bit funky coming out of the S-SW meaning that Lohi’s was rather ugly but we knew that the rights down south would be OK.  Amy and her boat went to Jails while we went back to Sultans. The session started slow but as the tide pushed and the wind dropped it got better and better, again it was only us in the water and another great session went down (great for everyone bar Ross who snapped his 7’2 – sorry Rossco!).

The next few days are a blur of fun surfs and good times (have I said that in a past blog?!!) … We surfed Cokes a couple times. It wasn’t perfect as the swell had a bit of east in it meaning that it was rather too straight on the reef, but there were some good pits to be found…..We surfed Jails super fun numerous times. One evening in particular was just a barrel fest on the second section, another time it was so glassy and the water so clear you could see right through the waves and check the fish surfing with you. Life’s good!

So that’s it from me for the next week or two,

See you soon,

Rich.

Pic 1- Right Hand Perfection – Maldives style

Pic 2- Epic Lohi’s left

Pic 3 – Cameron at Cokes

Pic4 – Hiromi and Koji Yoshima celebrate their Honeymoon

Pic 5 – Shaun “Levo” Levings living the dream

Pic 6 – Perfect Peak at Sultan’s

Pic 7 – Father and Son Robbie and Troy (Chargers)

Pic 8 – Robbie the only one left with any energy after a long session.

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

No pros in the Maldives in 2010

The ASP have announced the cancellation of a few events for 2010 including the Maldives Pro in early June 2010.

More info can be found at http://www.aspworldtour.com/2009/pdf/aspschedule2010.pdf

This is a prime time for great waves and the event has always been blessed with great conditions.  World Surfaris usually have a bunch of pro surfers onboard our boats over this period and with the cancellation of the event we have now opened them up for sale.  World Surfaris sponsored surf Blake Wilson is disapointed that the event has been cancelled as this event offerred quality high performance waves.  World Surfaris instead will fly Blake to The Maldives to warm up, prior to the 5 star Sri Lankan Airlines pro in Sri Lanka in Mid June that replaces the Maldives event. 

See details on our Maldives range at http://www.worldsurfaris.com/surf-travel/surf-trips/Maldives/ 

Maldives Pro 2010 cancelled

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

The final tally for the Surfers 4 Padang concert was $8825. 

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.

For those of you underneath the rock, the surers for Padang concert was held recently at Cafe La Monde, Kirra. The line up included some great acts;  Ash Grunwald, Beau Young and others. The gig was set up to donate to surfaid to help the recent earthquake victims in Padang. It may be out of the headlines now but the tragedy is still very real over there- So a big thanks to all who particpated-World surfaris was proud to be part of it.

So…. First of all a HUGE thanks to all involved with sponsoring the event !! without your support this event would not have happened!!!

Also a huge thanks to the musicians, Matt Mchugh, Ash Grunwald, Matt Pitts and Co and Beau Young. I think everyone who was there had an amazing night of entertainment, the boys went big !!

Sorry for the delay in this report but good news is always welcome. The final figure rasied came in at $8,825.00 for Surfaid International. A great effort that and sorely neeeded

Check out below the images thanks to Simon Williams.

Congratulations to Matthew Butel, the winner of the World Surfaris - Santa Lusia Boat trip with Airfares by Air Asia

and Dane Baldwin-winner of the JS surfboard

Thanks everyone for particpating and raising the much needed funds.

Keep up the good work all the crew at Surfaid International and we hope this helps with your important work.

This post comes from World Surfaris, the leading adventure surfing holidays company. Want to Surf Maldives or Surf Indonesia then talk to us.