Hi All,

Its an interesting time of year when you’re getting swell reports from both our summer and winter operators.  Last week we were inundated with reports from the Southern Maldives a strong hint that the South Swells are already marching there way north and this morning this came in from Richard and Amy Kotch at Pohnpei Surf Club. Maybe its time to lock in the trip, pack the bag and head off?

Enjoy the pics and if you want to be part of the nextP-Pass session – click here

P-Pass Mid march

Report by Richard Kotch/World Surfaris.

Photos by Richard/Amy Kotch and Jerry the boatman!

About five months ago I wrote a short blog on the subject of how much I enjoy the late season. At the time Amy and I were packing up after our six month stint at Hudhuranfushi in the Maldives. We had just enjoyed an epic three week run of 3-5ft, glassy Maldivian perfection with only “Levo the boss” and a few lucky guests to keep us company. Fast forward five months and here I sit at Pohnpei Surf Club in Micronesia, sun burned and surfed out after great run of late season surf with just Allois and three guests in the camp. Admittedly, by P-Pass standards the waves have been fairly tame, with most days peaking around headhigh, but it has been so perfect, and the line up so empty, that this swell will godown as one of the “funnest” of the season! We were in a great routine of waking early for a quick coffee and breakfast before motoring down the “river of glass ”to the open ocean. As the first reef passes came to view expectant eyes would gauge the conditions as compared to the day before and the day before that, as the twin 150s powered us the twenty two minutes across the lagoon to Palikir Pass! As a surfer, arriving at tropical reef pass by boat and watching an empty set barrel down the reef, it is one of life’s finest moments. The frenzy of boards, fins and fin keys, zinc and sunscreen that then ensues can be a bit hectic but hey, it’s perfect P-Pass and there’s only one guy out! To say that we surfed our brains out is an understatement – we would often spend ten hours a day in the water, returning to the boat between sets to fuel up on coconuts, cliff bars and Shotz energy gels! Mid-way through the third day of waves I noticed Amy “adjusting” her bikini after a wave – she had stashed a Shotz gel pack somewhere which she quickly consumed before handing me the wrapper and paddling back out for more! That summed up the attitude of making the most of the swell and appreciating every single moment of it. Later that day, long term P-Pass surf guide and tube guru Mitchyll joined us for a coconut. As he climbed into our boat he opened his arms to the line-up and said “Look at this, we’re the only ones here…how many thousands of surfers are there in the world? How many people would love to be right here, right now, at this moment….we’re blessed” And with those words of wisdom he finished his coconut and paddled back out! Final memory from this swell… It was five PM on the last forecasted day of wavesand P-Pass was still head high and perfect. Mitchyll and Zen have called it beer-o-clock and the line up is totally empty. Ours is the only boat in the channel, Guns n Roses are playing at full volume and for better or worse, the whole boat is singing along! There’s not a cloud in the sky and the sun has lost its ferocity and is now just a warm glow….One by one we paddle back out for a magical final hour as a pod of dolphins cruise by…….Good times in Micronesia!

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,

Our amazing surf guides (Richard and Amy Kotch) have sent out the latest info from Pohnpei Surf Club & we’re sort of ‘miffed’ about it.  It’s hard not to be when your enviously looking at amazing pictures of fantastic surf, blue skies, fun times and weet bix (you can have Weet Bix at home too but not with surfing A- list). The point is that if blue skies, epic scenery, great fishing, good times with good people and a butt load of surf is your thing than its not too late to surf Pohnpei this season but you better hurry, seriously get on it - Start here

PS- We just got an email from Amy with some of yesterday’s shots, the surf is looking even better they’ve been labelled differently so you know which ones they are.

Enjoy

Cheers

WS

Read on for all the news from Richard and Amy…

Mid Jan/Feb P-Pass report by Richard Kotch/World Surfaris.

After the epic swell of the 18^th-21^st Jan the NW Pacific would have been forgiven had Huey needed a rest, however N-NW swells have continued to march their way towards Palikir Pass!

Admittedly it’s not been as big or as perfect as those magic days mid January, and the wind has been relentless (E/NE – cross/offshore), but for the World Surfaris guests, film crews and pro surfers making their way to Pohnpei there have been plenty of waves to go around. The big news on the island (apart from 11x world champ Kelly Slater nearly coming for the 18^th-21^st swell) has been the surfing of 5x world champ Stephanie Gilmore and future world title prospect Mikey Wright. This “dynamic duo” have been staying here at Pohnpei Surf Club for the last ten days filming for a Weet-Bix commercial. While the waves could have been better the surfing could not. Put Stephanie Gilmore into quality waves and the gulf between her and the rest of the girls grows exponentially as she fuses the super quick muscle response of Fanning with the timeless style and perfect technique of Curren. The result is everything that a purist loves to see; her wave selection is flawless, her tube-riding instinctive and intimate, and her bottom turn/top turn combo is timed to perfection. And she smiles a lot…which is nice. Mikey Wright also smiles a lot and he eats loads of Weet-Bix! He absolutely rips too. He’s only 16 yrs old but surfs way beyond his years. He is on the path that thousands of young surfers want to walk and he seems to be taking it in easy, confident, composed strides. Good luck in the Quik trials to him from everyone at PSC!

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,

Eyes have turned towards Pohnpei Surf Club as a huge swell looks to hit the legendary right hand break P-Pass, check out the swell graph here.  World Surfaris consultant and big wave surfer David Scard aka ‘Scardy’ is chasing the lines with a few choice A-Listers and hordes of photographers in tow. As the shots come through we’ll keep you up to date.

In the meantime to entice you we’ve included some BIG wave shots of the break in action produced by similar swells from the past and because we love Scardy we’ve included a clip of his finest Fiji hour, hopefully he’s just as confident on his back hand.

Enjoy the pics and vid,

Cheers WS

Cloudbreak Teaser from onepalmMEDIA on Vimeo.

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,

Pohnpei Surf Club has been basking in some great swell lately. Our very amazing guides Richard and Amy Kotch are over there right now soaking up some serious surf and sun at the World’s best right hander, P-Pass. Allois has sent us out some great images showcasing the last few weeks. It’s been fun and make able  barrels all round with clear water and plenty of good times with very few people about, Allois has even mentioned that the line up has been empty a lot lately, which begs the question where are you?

Enjoy the pics,

Cheers

WS

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,

Allois frm Pohnpei Surf Club sent through this little gem yesterday, he’s predicting a some great swell on the horizon – after years in Pohnpei and not missing a beat we’re willing to call it as well.  Sad part is the season has the jump on us and he’s by himself, sounds heart aching.  Is it time to escape your break for summer? – Damn Straight!

From Allois at PSC

The storm that is sending swells all over the north pacific started right here in Pohnpei two days ago on Monday with torrential rains (what seemed like 10 inches in 24 hours). The storm stayed around for two days, then moving west and north ( http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display_alt.cgi?a=nwpac_slp ) and is now doing the north pacific tour. A similar second storm is brewing in 24 hours on the same spot and doing almost the same exact track. As today a typhoon swell is hitting Pohnpei from the west followed by a few smaller pulses from the N, Ne and NNW. ( http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display.cgi?a=npac_per ) Swells early next week are from a perfect direction and winds are light based on the latest forecasts. As today we have no surfers booked. Not even my surf guides are here but boats are ready to go. I need someone to surf with!

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,

Allois from Pohnpei Surf Club visited last week. We were in time to help him celebrate his birthday, Allois is a good laugh all our operators are and their warmth and hospitality is part of what makes our trips special. Allois was able to come in the next day and drop off a few images and get us excited about the approaching summer season after scolling throug the images we are very excited about Pohnpei . Have a look see for yourself…

NB: Flights are always fill up super quick to Pohnpei, so if the below pictures inspire than get the ball rolling and send us an email (info@worldsurfaris.com)

Enjoy

WS:)

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,

The latest installment from Pohnpei Surf Club has arrived and we are giddy almost incontinent with the amazing array of images super surf guides Amy and Richard Kotch have handed our way. With late season spots still available the shots and report anre inspiring to say the least (send an enquiry and put yourself in one of these pictures).

Enjoy WS

From the dynamite duo themselves

World Champs, Rock Stars and Pumping Waves – More good times at Pohnpei Surf Club, in Micronesia!

The North Pacific has been very active for the last two months, sending swell after swell to the perfect reef at Palikir pass. Looking back through my files shows that we have surfed almost every day of 2012 (the three surf-less days were spent catching fish or exploring the island)

It was great to see Mick Fanning and Jack Freestone here for a solid swell between the 30^th Jan-2^nd Feb, they put on a memorable display of tube riding and were calling it the best trip they’d done for a while…. Mick was looking fit and focused and was amping on the tour that is kicking off on a couple weeks.

Today, the 17^th Feb was 3-4ft glassy perfection all day, and there are only eight surfers on the island!! Good times indeed!!

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,

Well it’s definitely summer. You can tell because we are getting regular and wonderful reports from the Northern facing breaks. This latest jewel comes in from our very wonderful guide Amy Kotch currently taking care of your every surf need in the Caroline islands at Pohnpei Surf Club. I don’t know about you but I could do with some uncrowded reef perfection this summer.

Enjoy the pics and if you feel inspired then send an email to info@worldsurfaris.com

Cheers

WS:)

It’s been another fun week of waves for our World Surfaris guests at Pohnpei Surf club! While it’s not been epic it has been a whole lot of fun. We have been enjoying a good run of mid-sized N-NW swell with moderate winds, clear skies, and no crowds  – the perfect way to start the New Year and burn off the excesses of Christmas! Today the swell has backed off slightly but the forecast is looking really good with a couple of substantial storms lining up to deliver back to back swells over the next week or so. Good times at PSC!!

See you soon!

Amy Kotch

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,

Before the big Christmas New Year break I hit up Amy Kotch for a Pohnpei Surf Club report. The pics came in with the below report, apparently the surf wasn’t that great but then you compare it to your local and you’ll begin to wonder if perhaps our beloved guides are being a bit swell spoiled.

“I know I said that it hasn’t been very good by P-Pass standards, and that I didn’t have much to report on, but I have just been sorting and deleting photo’s from the last few weeks and realize that even though it’s not been perfect we have still been surfing most days. Consider also that the most crowded day was five guys and girls in the water and that the vibe in the lineup and in the camp has been great…. Maybe this is worthy of a report!?!?”

Enjoy the pics

Cheers

WS

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,

So we have received the latest swell report from Amy Kotch at Pohnpei Surf Club… It’s offensively good as usual. If you’re stuck on the East Coast suffering from the continual lack of swell you might get upset….. we did.

Enjoy WS:)

From Amy herself…

The morning of the 20^th was showing a slightly mixed up 3-4ft swell from the N/NW with light and variable winds. By the afternoon strong off shores had groomed the swell to ruler edge perfection as the swell veered N/NE peaking on the 21^st Nov at 6ft at 12 sec. The vibe in the water was really cool for the entire swell and the sets poured through and the crew shared shacks!

See you soon!

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