Hi All,

So reports are still coming in from the Indian Ocean and it looks good – Damn Good! The whole 2011 season has been a corker as far as consistency and size has been concerned.  2012 is looking like another La-Nina year  (at least that’s what the Weather Bureau is saying). A lot of people have chalked up the surf and consistency throughout both Pacific and Indian Ocean to this atmospheric phenomenon so by all accounts its looking like 2012 is going to be another cracker.

But lets just get one thing down and clear! It’s the Indian Ocean, there is going to be surf no matter what, that massive wet gap between Australia and Africa tends produce swell regardless even on its worst day its still better than a good day at the local (definitely our local ).

So what now? Well its time to Get In Early of course.  World Surfaris have proudly launched their Get In Early Deals for 2012. Operator shave jumped onboard and now is the time to book Early and save on your next Surf Adventure.

To see all the deals – Click Here

PS- We’ve also created a really fun Facebook page full of Surf Stoke from the people that ‘Got In Early’ last year – Click Here (its fun)  Make sure you Get In Early this year sale ends Dec16th – If you need the inspiration check out the below from our participating operators.

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

What a year 2010 has been, the Indian Ocean delivered consistently throughout the season and the Pacific shot back to back swells onto south facing reefs as if in contest with its western oceanic counterpart. Surfers being stung by local frustrations were granted uncrowded relief as they landed on the shores of tropical paradises the world over and we were proud to put them there.

The following has come in from our long favourite budget Mentawais vessel the ever worthy ‘Santa Lusia’ and her skipper/guide Ryan. Check the pics out and if you feel the tugging of an international surf adventure calling then start planning for 2011. Visit our Get In Early page to see the specials. 

An important note on Mentawais 2011…… By now you may have heard of the Indo flagging issue, meaning that charter’s opearting in Indo waters now need to be Indo flagged those without the cloth sailing legally in the wind will have to pay hefty fees to operate. What does this mean for you?

- Basically it means that a lot of opeartors are bugging out, setting the sails and fading into the distance and the past, leaving Indo waters for less expensive seas.  So between now and when a horde of local fisherman catch on there’s going to be a lot less boats floating up and down the Mentawais. The crowds that arrived eager and willing from all corners of the globe to surf the hundreds of world class reefs that litter the region will be culled. Leaving even less crowds!  2011 and perhaps 2012 will be the years to get into the water for some truely epic sessions with no-one else around. Visit http://www.worldsurfaris.com/getinearly/ and get onto it today for a lot less!!!

……..So getting  back to Santa Lusia, this is from Ryan, thanks all enjoy

Another Epic season on Santalucia has come to an end. As usual we scored twice the waves for half the price:0, All jokes aside The season was a banger! Lots of tubes to go around I am not sure what the other boats did but the majority of the time We scored Uncrowded Barrels! I have a good feeling the next season will be very similar. Here are a few photos of some satisfied customers, and me hard at work.

 

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,

         For those who have been following the ’surf aid’ surfers 4 Padang story the below will be of interest to you. It can’t always be about hard core surf trips, amazing boat charters or surf resorts without a care to the host community. World Surfaris were proud to be a key sponsor of the Surfers 4 Padang initiative and stoked that we helped rasie $8825 for the victims of the September earthquakes.

The prize up for grabs was a spot on our Mentawais Surf Charter the Santa Lusia. Mat Butel the lucky bugger won the draw and he’s trip was a success read on for details.

Congratulations Mat we’re stoked for you !!!

The Surf Aid International “Surfers for Padang” fundraiser event at Cafe LaMonde, Kirra, in November 2009 was a great success. Over $8825  was raised for victims of the September earthquake in the Padang region. Throughout the afternoon great music from Beau Young, Matt Pitts, Matt McHugh and Ash Grunwald was at times almost drowned out by the increasingly lubricated local crew. As the evening progressed some of the conversations turned to plans for the raffle prize, “If one of us wins it, we’ll all go”, “lets pool our tickets and split the prize”. When drawn by SAI’s Kirk Willcox the room was dead quiet… Unbelievably, I had won a World Surfaris holiday on the Santa Lusia to the Mentawai islands! Kicks, punches and abuse followed as I stumbled up to claim my prize. “Rigged!” someone yelled out in reference to me helping spot bids for Andy Mac as he MC’d the charity Auction. Kirk calmed down the jealous mob with a few kind words and the celebrations continued with punching replaced by handshakes and pats on the back.

After setting a date for late May my plans were foiled by a shoulder injury courtesy of a one foot close out and a shallow Lacey’s bank. The popular Santa Lusia was heavily booked in advance so I nabbed one of a few remaining births in late July. Fortunately, the mostly WA crew were a great bunch and the trip went very smoothly. With my experience in sports injuries, there were some relieved punters when inevitable problems arose. On day one we were greeted with a decent swell at Lances which waned over a couple of days. Ryan, our Hawaiian skipper with a penchant for Aussie ethos, managed to find us plenty of waves in the varying winds and 2-4ft swell that spanned the majority of our stay. Our course took us from Katiet to Playgrounds in the North, Thunders and Macaronis in the South and finally back to HT’s and Lances Left. Despite fun times in idealic locations it seemed the trip was doomed for ‘just good’ waves as the swell forecast kept pushing the impending bump further away each time we looked.

As we pulled up to HT’s on our second last day, epic conditions were evident with solid sets doubling up from the ‘office’ and funnelling into the inside channel. Half a dozen boats full of cheering spectators hooted at deep tubes and whistled as sets approached. At days end, more than one boat skipper had concluded that we’d experienced some of the best HT’s in a couple of years. An early arrival at HT’s on our final day revealed pumping sets once again. A slight ruffle led Ryan to decide we’d best cruise around to Lances left for a day glassy conditions followed by a farewell HT sesh on our way back to Padang. We were all stoked to finish on a high note.

Thanks to the everyone on the Santa Lusia (It’s a budget boat but very comfy and was highly rated by everyone on board including those who’d experienced other boats in the region), World Surfaris and in particular David Scard and SAI for all their efforts and success in the region.

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

This is going to come across as a shameless self plug but you should definitely keep reading if your interested…..we have some great deals on some great locations!

We have several surf charter boats and surf resorts operating in the Mentatwais / Sumatra region all offering something unique for all types of surfers on any budget. Give us a call ON 1800 611163 or send us an expression of interest via the links.  I’ve included a couple of pics of the boats and resorts that operate around the region in the hope that they whet your appetite.

Freedom 2: an extremely spacious and speedyocean cruiser that gets you to the surf in the out of the way areas that many other charters simply can’t get to spaces are limited and selling fast

Saranya: M.V. Saranya is a seventeen metre, offshore surfing and pleasure vessel that can accommodate up to eight passengers in air-conditioned comfort. Ideal for small groups.

Santa Lusia: The best budget boat in the Mentwais with on board experienced western surf-guide. Our most popular Mentawais boat -Great value and as always selling fast!

Freedom 3: Freedom 3 is for those who want the very best in a surf charter vessel. Her hull shape is specifically designed to provide her passengers with speed, comfort, safety and economy as you hunt around for perfect waves.

Nomad: The well appointed ‘Nomad’ is an decked out for the ultimate boys trip.  Your expert skipper will find you the best uncrowded surf in Sumatra (Mentawais or North). New speedboat allowing fast delivery to more surf options

Mangalui Ndulu: Needing no introduction the legendary ‘Mighty Mango’ offers an amazing Sumatran adventure. Due to it’s popularity with repeat guests space is limited – book quick.                                                  

Kandui Resort: Kandui Resort offers a world entirely beyond time and obligation. Suits adventurous surfers looking for a free spirited, relaxing vacation with world class waves

Resort Latitude Zero: Resort Latitude Zero has recently opened and it’s got it all; great surf, great food, great facilities and great hospitality. World Surfaris is taking bookings now! Don’t miss out- be one of the first guests

Telo Island Lodge: The Ultimate surf lodge located in surf central with max. 8 guests and first class service. Very limited space left for 2010 and 2011 selling fast.

Kind regards and all the best no matter where your travels take you

Grant – Marketing

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

“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.