Watch: Sumbawa
Let's play hypotheticals:
Say there was a magical island, in fact magical islands, plural, that existed beyond the horizon somewhere.
And say we knew about them but we couldn't reach them for whatever reason - maybe a large ogre halted our passage to said islands.
Would viewing images of these magical lands benefit our mental wellbeing, allow us to close our eyes and escape, providing a salve for dark times, or would it be better to forget that such a paradise even existed, 'cos being reminded is tantamount to torture?
Just thinking out loud.
No reason I ask the question just now.
Comments
I'm supposed to be in Sumbawa now. Cheers COVID.
Ouch. I would have been getting to that area this Sunday after already having had a week or two in Indo. Then G-land after Sumbawa for a week.
So fun looking. The local guys must be pinching themselves.
Having never been to Indo, I'd imagine on a clear day in the distance there, that mountain range would make quite a stunning backdrop.
Mountains?
You're looking at mountains?
I'm easily dist...
Look! That dog has a puffy tail!
You just want to chase it for handwarmer material.
Nah.. zenagain has an idea or x2 on how to fill in down time when the yacht is docked alongside the the fishing boats...
Wow, empty lineup! less surfers than when I went there in 1990. Still a couple whiteys in the mix though?, trustfunded Ruskis no doubt, looked like the local lads were having a ball, enjoy the serenity fellas.
Yep. I'm happy to see / know that all the locals would be getting their fill without hoards of travellers crowding out spots.
Apart from the fact local communities rely on tourism in these locations for income.
That's right...
Wow. So perfect and just repeatable setup. Every wave is the same. Would be a nightmare take off spot when there’s a crew on it.
i left a section of my nose on that reef in 1989. the right at low tide with a bit more swell on it can be willing
Spent the month of May there in 90,91 & 92. The peak and other waves within in walking distance were like that often with low numbers and no fucking 'judges tower' ruining a beautiful seascape.
Used to cost 10,000rp per day at Antons which included 3 big feeds. No local surfers back then either.
Your a sadist Stu.
yep dreamy setup.
Not good for one's mental health health right now I reckon.
But the vibe in the water reminds me of when I was going there in the early to mid 90s.
I remember one year, 95 I believe, scoring perfect, flawless and very big scar reef with only my brother. The rest of the Jelenga Beach surf camp went to supersuck for the day and there was a couple of boats in the channel who just sat there and watched. Still could never work out why to this day.
Anyway, that's my claim to fame of getting empty indo perfection and helps me stay sane watching all this covid footage surfacing...
Been there 5 times and mostly low crowds except once in a March session, periscopes is good and often has no one
Got to say I'm loving all this pro-free raw footage of decent surfers and normal people having a good time. Makes you feel almost there, and wanting to be there.
x 2
x3
x4
How nice to hear the waves as a soundtrack. Why haven’t we thought of that before?
That was the most enjoyable surfvid I’ve seen in about 25years!
Same Oz. What soundtrack is better than the breeze, water and waves. Had my earphones in and had to take them off thinking the builder next door was watering something down. Sweet, sweet sounds.
Yeah, this guy is on point with his vids.
Surfers of Bali youtube channel is similar.
Here's some nice big Ulus footage. Check Bruno Santos' paddle-in at 1:56.
The authorities said, come home now due to Covid or risk getting stranded where you are. Surfers in Indo were thinking, hmm... stranded sounds good.
Definitely harder to watch for your average swellnetter, me included, than 8ft + nokandui.
I believe it is good for your mental health Stu. Gives you something to aim for, something to look forward to.
After months and months (maybe years) of scoring perfect waves to themselves, are we going to expect a greater amount of animosity from locals in these areas when we can finally go back, or will they accept our tourist dollars with open arms? It's going to be an interesting few years in surf travel.
Pretty sure they'll be happy to take the $$$ for waves again when normal service resumes.
Most Indo surfers only do it in their (relative) youth and have got bigger things to deal with in life once they get to a certain age.
Def benefit + brings back good memories. Had cobblestones all to myself one morning and same trip stood on the reef at low tide one evening and watched Parko and Andy Irons put on a tube riding masterclass at the Peak
I miss Lakeys. Pre-dawn walks; big lefts on draining arvo tides; sneaky Peak sessions.
Went there once for a couple of weeks and the crowd was that bad I’ve never had the slightest interest in going again.
Sorry to hear it, GF.
I've spent a lot of time there, and have my little routines: times and places to avoid, etc. Always have a good time.
Saw about 15 boards snapped in 3 days there including mine around Feb one year.
Early 90's.
Swell was raw and nothing like this.
Beautiful island but noisy dogs.
Did they have puffy tails?
Those dogs can get a bit feral. They were okay most of the time but I got circled by a pack when I was walking back up the beach from surfing LP. All going nuts for some reason. Happened to a few other crew too.
Do you guys remember, mid 90’s, the local guy with the dodgy old motorbike and the leather jacket + shades? Called himself “Mr. Fuck”. Only in Indo aye.
Did a heap of trips there in the 90’s. would love to go back some time. Off-season 95-96 was good. Uncrowded with good winds.
Short guy, dark hair, brown eyes?
Any relation to Mr. Plow?
Brother of Mr You I think
Chinese?
I have a photo of the guy somewhere. I think he was from Dompu, so a local. Quite a character aye.