mentawais Archives - New Zealand Surf Journal

The 60-Year-Old Grommet Who Realised His Mentawai Dream

Derek MorrisonOct 12, 2023October 12, 20230

A self-described “Average Joe”, Leigh Sullivan, shares his journey from Burleigh Heads to Mount Maunganui as a pre-teen, and his exacting discovery of surfing, which led him around the world and eventually to the Mentawais 45 years later. I was 11 years old when we moved from Burleigh Heads in...

Ship’s Log Indian Ocean, Day 4: Rain At Roxies

Derek MorrisonAug 18, 2023August 18, 20230

Roxies is a fun little righthander in a picturesque bay that is filled with turtles, occasionally crocodiles and, at times, a boatload of Brazilians (until our skipper evicted them). Going right with just our crew out was a welcome change of pace after two days at busy Macaronis. Like magic...

Ship’s Log Indian Ocean, Day 3: More Macaronis Please

Derek MorrisonDec 30, 2022August 17, 20230

The swell that was supposed to kick in yesterday begins to fill in by the next morning. We are ready and champing at the bit. The funnest wave in the world awaits us … The routine we set on these early days becomes the everyday ritual for the trip. We...

Ship’s Log Indian Ocean, Day 2: Macaronis

Derek MorrisonDec 13, 2022August 18, 20230

Macaronis has become such a famous wave that you need to book a slot to surf it. Which we did for two days … just as a new swell arrives. That’s the magic of having one of the most connected surf operators on board. So, it took us all by...

Ship’s Log Indian Ocean, Day 1: First Day Froth

Derek MorrisonDec 7, 2022August 18, 20230

Nothing makes sense about the journey. We pass over Padang twice before we land there. We watch the 40 boards (for 11 of us) being thrown like firewood on the tarmac at Jakarta. The streets of Padang are a sight that few of us are expecting: a kind of chaos...

The Ultimate Guide To Your Dream Indo Boat Trip

Derek MorrisonSep 10, 2022April 3, 20230

Let’s face it: Indonesia is the holy grail of surfing. We’re talking Indian Ocean swells with an unimpeded run up that’s longer than anywhere else in the world. Clean lines, perfect reefs and located right near the equator’s typically light winds. This is as close to nirvana as any surfer...