“We awoke Thursday morning to the terrible news of the 7.6 richter earthquake in Padang late last night.  The Earthquake has levelled many buildings in Padang including some major hotels.  We have friends affected and spent all day Thursday trying to communicate with our people on the ground in Padang.”

As of Fri 02 October, World Surfaris have contacted all our tour operators in Sumatra and fortunately all our clients are safe and there was no damage to any of our charter boats or surf camps in the region.

Shaun continues “We had a group of 10 surfers from the Gold Coast onboard Santa Lusia who are now flying back to Australia.  The Gold Coast Bulletin reported these clients were missing and dramatised a story about ’surfers lost at sea’.  This is far from the truth and the clients were never in any danger. They will be back at home with their loved ones tomorrow.”

“Now we know all our client are safe, World Surfaris efforts will now be dedicated towards helping the people of Padang get back on their feet.  This will take some time and the SURF  AID INTERNATIONAL  are at the forefront of the relief efforts. ”

Today World Surfaris pledged $1000 to Surf Aid and effective immediately $20 per person from every new Sumatra booking made by 31 December 2009 to Surf Aid International at http://www.surfaidinternational.org   We urge anyone reading this to dig deep and pledge monies towards this organisation who WILL make progress and make a difference to the people of Sumatra affected by this natural disaster.

Shaun  Levings
po box 180
Mooloolaba, Queensland (QLD)  4557
10/1/2009 9:57:13 PM (PST)

Dear Shaun Levings,
Please accept our sincere gratitude for your generous donation of 1,000.00 in support of SurfAid International’s Padang Earthquake Relief Effort.

On behalf of those who benefit so greatly from your support, please accept our heartfelt thanks for your generosity.Australia

Yours sincerely,

the Team at SurfAid International,

This is a receipt for the gift of $1,000.00 to SurfAid International Australia.

Date:  10/1/2009 9:56:07 PM

All donations of $2 or more are tax deductible
SurfAid International Australia ABN: 311 113432Australia / PO Box 630 / North Sydney / NSW 2060

SurfAid

Any further queries, please don’t hesitate to email Shaun Levings on shaun@worldsurfaris.com

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

The reasons why the Mentawai Islands are a great surfing destination are:
• They get good swell moving in from the Indian Ocean.
• They are spread out enough to feature many breaks.
• They are in a very remote part of the country.
• There is no industry on shore, so conditions are pristine.

Negatives about the Mentawai Islands as a surfing destination are:
• They are in a part of the country prone to earthquakes and tsunamis.
• They are hard to get to unless to arrange a live-aboard boat
• There are few facilities onshore.
• Malaria is rampant in the Mentawai’s and Nias.
• There is an increasing number of boat operators in the area.
• More expensive than surfing Kuta Beach.

Preparation:
Surfing in a remote location such as the Mentawai Islands means you will have to think ahead regarding what’s needed to bring along. Extra boards, leg ropes, wax, plenty of sunblock, reef boots, a knife will all be used most likely. You might also want to pack your own lightweight first aid kit. These are available from camping stores, but you can easily assemble one here in Bali for a lower price. You might take a selection of BandAids in various sizes, scissors, a roll of gauze tape, gauze pads, Betadine, tweezers, ibuprofen, aspirin, insect repellent. Pack that all in a waterproof lunch box that you can get in Bintang supermarket and you’re good to go. There are small neon-blue octopuses in the islands which local have advised are poisonous if stepped on. Reef boots might be a good idea.

•SurfAid:
One of the charities that involves surfers and the Mentawai’s is SurfAid. The organization t is trying to help the Mentawai locals fight malaria.

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