North Sumatra surf trip

[christian]

Looking to head over to indo in august/september of this year..

been looking at a few places, one is secret sumatra- www.secretsumatra.com looks ok and is pretty cheap..

anyone got any reccomendations? or any experiences with other surf companys?

should I stay at a camp or boat trip?
looking to spend around 3 grand. maybe abit more..

[DV8]

Looking to head over to indo in august/september of this year..

been looking at a few places, one is secret sumatra- http://www.secretsumatra.com looks ok and is pretty cheap..

anyone got any reccomendations? or any experiences with other surf companys?

should I stay at a camp or boat trip?
looking to spend around 3 grand. maybe abit more..

If you go with the boat option Bohemian is a nice ride with small numbers 6max. Think its www.sailbohemian.com or there abouts.

Telos lodge is supposed to be nice but bit expensive .

Think NOMAD is another boat that does a mixture of trips and there is room at that time of the year

[Haz]

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indo ... how&page=2

After reading the comments about secret sumatra, I don't know who to believe :?
The owner tries to make himself look all professional, but then he's hyping up a pretty fickle wave on another page...

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indo ... index.html



http://www.surfcampsumatra.com/

This place looks alright for mainland sumatra... Bit pricier though


The only boat trips you'll find in the ments under 3 grand are either really dodgy boats/captains or a marginally decent one for less than a week... Very exxy!

[DV8]

The only boat trips you'll find in the ments under 3 grand are either really dodgy boats/captains or a marginally decent one for less than a week... Very exxy![/quote]

There has been some real quality charters offering massive discounts if you can hang out and book 1-2 months prior to take off . Especially if your travelling in a small group . I've been looking myself late season and have come across quite a few between the $2500-3000 mark.

[LONGINUS]

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indo ... how&page=2

After reading the comments about secret sumatra, I don't know who to believe :?
The owner tries to make himself look all professional, but then he's hyping up a pretty fickle wave on another page...

http://www.wannasurf.com/spot/Asia/Indo ... index.html



http://www.surfcampsumatra.com/

This place looks alright for mainland sumatra... Bit pricier though


The only boat trips you'll find in the ments under 3 grand are either really dodgy boats/captains or a marginally decent one for less than a week... Very exxy!

Yeah, some of the mainland Sumatran breaks look nice when they are on but I would be interested to really understand how consistent they are. With the Mentawai's blocking most of the coast I think it's a while between drinks for some of the breaks on their website.

[OddaP]

I was planning a trip there around this time this year and had done a bit of work looking into it. The GFC, becoming Mac Banks biatch and having to replace a rear diff on my 4wd in quick sucession meant that it went off the agenda

Freeline (don't have their web address but i'm sure you can find it) run a place out there, there is a place there run by a guy who has a rather dubious reputation, caveat emptor and all that crap, do some research.

As for waves, well it looks alright and last year when i was planning it I mentioned it to a couple of mates who I had not seen for a while and they were there the year before and said it was great, not Mentawai standard but still plenty of surf but literally sweet frig all to do but surf. The main wave, the lefthander is loooong and supposed to crank. They also said there was plenty of swell as well.

[PeepeelaPew]

...

[Shane Peel]

Looking to head over to indo in august/september of this year..

been looking at a few places, one is secret sumatra- http://www.secretsumatra.com looks ok and is pretty cheap..

anyone got any reccomendations? or any experiences with other surf companys?

should I stay at a camp or boat trip?
looking to spend around 3 grand. maybe abit more..

Hey Christian,
I have heard good things about Secret Sumatra and the waves there can be epic if a little fickle but there are a few places in the region and it's a long drive to some spots. If you wanna spend 3K I reckon Christie Carters place in the Ments (www.wavepark.com) would be the go if you are after banging tubes etc, if you are after mellow stuff our place is GREAT but it's expensive and I don't think there are any spaces in that time frame.
The BEST value for money boat is Southern Cross, this is an indo style boat (just google Southern Cross Sumatra boat charters) but it's run by a bloke called Chris "Scuzz" Scurrah and he is a legend at getting you great uncrowded waves and I think you would be sorted on his boat for 3K.
Great time of year mate, if your in the region drop into the lodge for a beer.

[sandfly]

Shane have read a lot of your posts, which resort are you at, is it Telos?

Was that you mentioned in the latest Surfing Life in the story re the condom filled with piss?? What's the rest off the story??

Anyone else out there, which is a good land based resort in the Ments to go along with the missus?

[Cabo]

www.kanduiresort.com Ive stayed here, pretty slick operation and some amazing waves although the wave I was searching was wind affected the entire time. Probably around $ 5000 all up including air fares. Beautiful island and pretty sweet for your lady friend, not much to do though if she does not surf but a top place to relax read sleep etc.

It is run by A couple of Americans and an Hawaiian..all surf.

If you go take the flight to nearby Island option, the 13 hour crossing was hell. Maccas has a camp as well. Wavepark is nearby and the owner is a top fella Mentawaiin. There are a couple of others around there as well but you might want to do your own research on these.

Boat will give you more variety maybe Huey, camp more comfort. Good luck it is a beautiful part of the world.

[Shane Peel]

Shane have read a lot of your posts, which resort are you at, is it Telos?

Was that you mentioned in the latest Surfing Life in the story re the condom filled with piss?? What's the rest off the story??

Anyone else out there, which is a good land based resort in the Ments to go along with the missus?

Hey Sandfly,
Yeah that was me mentioned I guess, have not seen the mag yet. That one is a LONG and VERY funny story not for the re-telling here.
Mate taking the Missus is a tough one and it REALLY depends on if she surfs. If she surfs our place is perfect (www.teloislandlodge.com) if she does not surf you could end up getting yourself in a bit of hot water. Kinda hard to say "Morning babe I'm off to surf for 3-4 hours but I'll be back for lunch before we head off again for the arvo sesh, do you wanna come sit in the boat" If she is the type who is happy to sleep and read a book or go visit the local villages she might dig it. I reckon if your taking the Missus or GF Bali or the Maldives are the go you won't surf as much but you will get a few in and she will still be happy. While desert islands sound perfect to the GF in theory they view them in a whole different light to us and once you have done a lap round the island, had a swim and seen the sunset it can start to repeat. As I said it depends on the girl.

[sandfly]

Shane
Thanks, as my wife doesn't surf will heed your advice.