My name is Glenn,just writing to give Jonos boat
FREEDOM a bit of a rap. I did a couple of trips
with him earlier this year and had a blast.The boys
on FREEDOM really worked hard at getting us to the
best possible waves on offer,with a little help
from a surf forecast every couple of days via email
and sailing at night we were allways on the spot,and
there was plenty of good quality food and cold drinks
to keep us going hard.Ive been going to the Mentawais
every year since 1995 and I reckon FREEDOM was one
of the better operators Ive travelled with.Ill be
going back for more FREEDOM next year.
Due to work commitments, it has taken a while for
me to get to this, but I thought I had better write
and let you know how things went. The boat trip
went extremely well. We got awesome waves and really
enjoyed our time on the boat. Jonno, Kai and Chris
were excellent hosts and I really enjoyed their
company. Jonno was definately on top of the surf
conditions and ensured that we had the best of the
waves. Kai was also able to get some great photos
of us all. I highly recommend the boat and will
be heading back sometime in the future for sure.
All up I had a great trip, the boat trip was incredible
and I had a great time.
No photo, video or written article could possible
prepare you for the entire WavePark experience.
Being on a 27 foot single tree dug-out canoe,
out in the middle of the Indian Ocean, feeling
the undulating swells against the hull, and watching
these pristine, glassy and EMPTY waves rolling
onto shallow coral reefs, exploding into perfect
barrels, sounding like both the crackling of lightening
and the roar of thunder. This is something you
need to personally experience to believe.
As a southern Californian female surfer with my
husband and two close friends, who have all been
water people for many years, we were overwhelmed
by the beauty and splendor of not only the waves,
but the islands and their pristine waters and
reefs. The Indonesian people are incredibly friendly
and welcome Westerners. We often thought, how
wonderful to live such a simple , uncomplicated
life in a surfer's utopia. I can honestly say,
this was the BEST experience of my life, and came
back a changed person. Someone with new aspirations
and goals, a new stoke on surfing and getting
better, in many ways. I also returned with a lot
of new friends who will remain very dear to me.
I only hope the more people that visit and fall
in love with WavePark, the more they will want
to preserve it , as I do.
A Fellow Wave Lover
aka / She Urchin Barbara Elsner
tels@earthlink.net
You couldn't ask for better surf guides than those
at WavePark Mentawai. They'll take you where the
waves are! They speak fluent Indonesian and English,
their surfing abilities are incredible and they
respect and ARE respected by the Mentawai people.
As for the waves - I'll tell you this, I was thanking
them 3 times a day through my whole trip (21 days)
for giving me the best waves of my life! It is a
sick experience and I am returning to the WavePark
in May of 2004!
See Ya in Indo,
Tom Brubaker, Manager Central Coast Surfboards
San Luis Obispo, California,
tbru@centralcoastsurfboards.com
My trip to the wavepark was a fantastic adventure,
that delivered in the wave department. We were
able to surf waves in the head high + range everyday,
with some larger days. Our experienced guide knew
where to surf and when, as the winds can be variable
in direction and strength and the tides extreme.
We ate a variation of fish and local dishes that
kept the experience on a more authentic level
and enjoyed sleeping on solid ground each night,
which was really nice as some of the charter boats
had found themselves dislodged from anchor in
the night when storms moved in unexpectedly. When
I go back to Indo it won't be without a stop out
at the Wavepark!
Experiencing the culture is all part of the travel
allure, and WavePark Mentawai does the utmost to
ensure a balance of local culture and an unrivaled
surf adventure. We are all familiar with the fabled
surf of the Mentawai's and oh yes the legends are
true. Even on a 'flat' day we surfed 5-foot waves
in the pristine, azure waters and gawked at the
truly incredible and majestic scenery that surrounded
us.
The surf needs no description as all descriptions
pale to the reality. You need to immerse yourself
in it to believe it. The mobility you have with
this adventure far surpasses the boat travel that
has become so popular. You can surf up to four different
spots in one day if you have the stamina to do it.
Try that on a boat tour!
Each day we were treated to local cuisine cooked
by a local with all native ingredients. Flavorful
curries and noodle dishes were the mainstay and
never lacking in flavor or quantify. We even had
a western treat of pizza ALA Wavepark! This is just
one of the areas in which Wavepark reigns supreme.
Our boat driver had a fantastic knowledge of the
area and was a true local, constantly keeping us
laughing and entranced with his stories. Most of
the boat trips do not even employ the local Mentawaian's
(Wavepark's staff is all local) whose knowledge
of conditions and surf is superior. The fact that
you are on an island that is scenic as it is remote
provides an extra bonus. You can get away from people
and do what you will on any day, try that on a boat
with ten other people!
The reefs and beaches of the island are so idyllic
that I often felt as if I was dreaming the whole
thing. Upon our return to Padang we even had the
chance to explore the local market with a local
guide. The aromas, sights and sounds were not to
be forgotten. Christie ensures that you get the
full Indo immersion into any and all facets that
YOU want to experience. I'll be back next year without
a doubt!
Jason Brock, August 2000
Matt Lindsey here and I just wanted to write
and say that our group had an unreal time on our
trip to the Mentawais. (Nusa Duwata Oct. 15th
- 29th) We just got back Sunday and everything
worked out great. You did an unreal job of lining
everything up for us. We had no problems what
so ever and everything was great. You've booked
a lot of trip for me over the years and they have
all been top notch! Looking forward to booking
again soon so expect a call as soon as I can round
up another group to go somewhere. Thanks again!
Matt Lindsey
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