Last Day. Jurassic’s, Beachies, Skate Park

You have to love all the colourful names given to the surf spots in the Telos and Ments. Today’s were no exceptions and not intimidating like ‘surgeons table’ and ‘meat locker’. First stop today for the one quick surf was Jurassic, such a picturesque corner where a glassy left hander peels off the rock on the point. A beautiful photo of Claire was taken here on a previous trip. Tim and Lee sustained some battle scars inside in the shallows while the Peruvians tried their hands on the SUPs. Next stop on the same Island was the sandy beach break of ‘Beachies’ where only the younger Heroes participated, the only sand bottom surfed on the trip. This was a shifting peak according to Scotty, who self confessed to getting ‘munched’ and ‘tombstoning’ as the super sandy water churned all around. He surely made some fast breaking peaks too. Last stop of the day was back to ‘skate park’, marking the end of an incredible trip.

I am sure I can safely say that all Heroes got all they were hoping for on this trip; you couldn’t get a more concentrated 11 days of quality surf. Needless to say the in-form Heroes ripped - Jack, Bill, Tim, Scott, Michael, Tommy and German while the senior members Bob and Peter were stoked to catch some memorable waves.

The last day finished with a spectacular sunset over the doldrums, the usual gourmet dinner and a Happy Birthday cake for Tim for his 50th.

Back to Church, plus more

 Another superb morning at Pulau Sibaranun, Telo Island group, aka Churches or Missionary or Mishos. There are several different names given to many surf breaks up here. Michael named this place Snakies yesterday after a sea snake dropped out of a wave and could have landed on his head. Similar equatorial conditions to yesterday, with one or two bigger ones with all Heroes participating. A few of the older Heroes, the real heroes, copped several sets on the head while Michael sadly hurt his bad knee. Again, carvings, shells and trinkets were on offer for purchase at the back of the boat off the locals Sibaranunians. This little island is destined to become more and more populated as it caters for surfers. Second stop was a fast tubing right hander close to shore right in front of a village Lee called ‘Village Rights’. Cruising south mid afternoon for an hour or so you could see several little flying fish scooting over the smooth blue water for  50 - 60 metres. Arrived at Twin Palms or Twin Sisters or Easy Peasy or EPs (whoever you’re talking to) close to 3pm to join the Lat Zero boat and the Mangalui. They all soon left and the Addiction enjoyed the perfect late afternoon.

Equatorial Churches 💒

Once again, Captain Lee got us to our planned spot in time for a few of the heroes to hit the surf before we saw the sun. this time it was as close to the equator as we got, 0.0975° south just 10km away. Churches. surprisingly few people were there apart from us, a couple of good Kiwi dads and their lads. all the heroes revelled in the beautiful, 4 foot conditions. Just being out there, sitting on a natural aquarium, watching the black and yellow striped fish swimming around your board is so nice. A few more people came along, just a few, so we set off in search of a right-hander, stopping at La Barre. You couldn’t find a more picturesque surf location; clear blue water, white/yellow sand, palm trees, and a small right-hander breaking along the shore line. you just had to be quick exiting when it was only a foot deep. Nevertheless, Tim lost a fin, Bob and Peter lost some skin. Still a nice way to spend the afternoon what. Evening routine is a real treat: sundowner Bintangs on the upper deck with sashimi, dinner at 7. Pre-dinner ceviche is the biggest hit. The day ends with videos of the days surfing then early bed.

Clarity and Colour

 Pink diamond day of clarity and colour, that was our morning at Bojos, southern Telo Islands. Water as clear as can be, fish as colourful as can be - reds, purples, yellows. It was a pleasure just to paddle out, suspended on the see-through water above the reef, clearly visible no matter how deep below. Waves were good too and no other orangs around, softer but good. Even a weird morning mist in the stillness. Captain Lee showed us how brightly coloured the fish are, putting his barb through a few and bringing them up for sashimi at night Moved on to the little right hander Lee called skate park where we have been before which was very nice.  Bob and Peter loved it - found their mojos they didn’t have this morning- no mojos at Bojos. Some SUPing today too by Scott and Bill. Some very sore surfing skin rashes are troubling a few (Bob, Bill) while Jack’s big toe is a problem, the nail ripped off on the reef. Late surf up the point. Just as the day started, it ended in brilliant colour as the sun set over sea and island.

Telescopic

 Geni’s telescopic lense at Telescopes catches all the action, every wave. He does a great job taking videos by day, by hot hot day, which provide entertainment at night. It was a quick surf first thing at Telescopes this morning for our Heroes, not all, but for those who could easily handle the 30+ crowd. 4-6’, pristine conditions, not heavy. Then something a little heavier at Diablos for a pre lunch session. There wasn’t a devil wind but a devil current pushing everyone out to sea. That’s where Peter would have gone after his leg rope broke if it wasn’t for the tender to pick him up. Thank you Timmy for the board retrieval. The Heroes looked great carving the big Diablo lefts. Back to Teles (not Telos) lunchtimes through the afternoon - class wave in beautiful conditions enjoyed by all especially Captain Lee who once again dominated. BTW there have been a few complaints about the food…too much. Too much of a good thing. Seriously though, Master Chef Tony and Alex do a fantastic job. Pre-dinner super fresh sashimi is a real treat.

Early Macaroni’s, Big Lance

 The plan worked out well, after some debate, being first in the water as light lifted at famed Macaroni’s. Shoulder to overhead today, not perfect at first as the wind and rain were getting into it a bit, but still the beautifully formed left hander. In such a highly populated area we struck it lucky just to have our crew out there with 3 others for 3 hours before more took to the line up and it got too silly. It was clear that Cap’n Lee liked it, staying in right up to when the polisi fronted and it was time to move on. Northward. Everything is enjoyable about this trip, including cruising along at speed (10 notts +) in the open ocean for an hour or two heading for the next spot. Lance’s Left. It was BIG, no one out, enticing for the real Heroes to go out - German, Tommy, Mike, Jack, Tim and Captain Lee. Unfortunately, water time was cut short by a mega squall that blew in, but not before Tommy took off on a triple over-header (biggest wave of the trip) and Tim got onto a biggie, getting caught inside and having a loooong paddle back out. Cruised to Lance’s Right where we found 30 surfers in the line up including pros, apparently putting on an incredible show of big barrel surfing. We chose the reef further out, Lance’s Wrong to end the day. Jack is in the running for a wipe out prize way way up the reef.

Roxy’s

Motored pre dawn to Roxy’s surf break at the Christian village of Malakopa. Small waves at glassy Roxy’s this morning with some bigger sets coming through. Three boats with 15 to 20 max in the water. All Phillip Island boys revelled, showing the Novocastrians on Sibon Baru a thing or two. Michael just doesn’t get out of the water as he seems to be enjoying it so much, bad knee and all. Scott, Bob and Peter were getting a few on the inside until the local kids took over their spot. Tidak ada sekola? I said to them (no school?) - no they finish at 1.00pm, then go for a surf- bummer they have to contend with all of us invaders. But I guess without us they wouldn’t be surfing, and we provide some commerce for the town. There are some home stays popping up here for travelers. Plenty of surfing done from dawn to just before dusk before heading off nearby for the night.

Bangkoks

 Arrived near Bangkoks last night to go there in the morning. Wind was right, swell was right, sunshine was right, crowd was right (none) making for some beautiful waves especially for those competent to avoid injury. it can be a bit like that here (and is has happened) as the reef and rocks inside can be very shallow. That didn’t stop our crew of course paddling straight out. Captain Dee got some beauties ‘do do do looking out my backdoor’, then came in to spear a couple of beautiful ‘Big Eye Sea Bream’ or ‘Mu’ as the Hawaiians call them. German paddled to the picture perfect beach, Bob and Peter swam there. Michael snorkelled in between a couple of very successful surf sessions. Scott had to take it easy today as a mark of respect for Bec and their 21 years of marriage. Congratulations Scott and Bec. Everyone fared well today although Bob was spooked by the potential danger of the place while Bill, Michael and Tom spent time on the reef retrieving slightly damaged boards. German’s great patience was rewarded with some nice waves during his 3.5 hour surf, despite the effects of too many nasi gorengs.