24TH JULY – 4TH AUGUST | 4–8 FOOT GOOFY SEASON
In flight
THE EL NIÑO SOUTH WINDS HAVE HIT SUMATRA BUT IT DIDN’T SLOW US DOWN OR STOP US FROM SCORING
GOOFY SEASON HAS ARRIVED
Southerlies = lefts. But who’s complaining when it’s perfect waves with just your mates.
After a suspect first few days that mother nature had complete control of, we found ourselves back at one of our favorite protected corners. At first, it didn’t look like much but as the morning went on, she started to give us more and just like that, the trip had kicked into gear with some groomed Indo perfection back on the menu.
THUNDERCLOUD POINT
The swell finally flexed, just not enough to wake up every marquee break. Luckily, Plan B was on standby.
Thunders, one of West Sumatra’s most consistent swell magnet was calling.
A slow start was called to let the morning sickness and tide sort itself out. By mid-morning it was ON. For two days the pattern was similar, and the lads packed some absolute slabs. Every wave may have not been doing it, but this crew sure knew which ones to hunt.
ONSHORE IS THE NEW OFFSHORE
With a boat load of mostly natural footers this trip and stiff southerlies blowing, the question was put out if we would even get a right?
The chance came but it didn’t mean clean long walls, it meant quite the opposite - onshore wedges to be frank.
For talented aerialists, onshore wedges were all they needed to take to the skies for their forehand fix.
TOMMO ON THE SPOT
Every good wave asks for something in return.
For Tommo, it was only a minor injury, and well worth it. A small price to pay for a wave that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Maybe it wasn't the heaviest, or the squarest pit, but it was hands-down one of the prettiest – a clean line, a perfect frame, and the kind of barrel that reminds you why you keep paddling back out.
The boys were on an absolute tear that session.
ICING ON THE CAKE
For our last day the lads wanted to tick off the iconic Maccas and with a building west swell and it wasn’t a bad call at all.
A fitting full stop to a trip that never really cared what the forecast had to say.
SPECIAL THANKS
Massive thanks to the hardest-working crew in the business, Garrett Parkes for trusting The Mighty Mango, Mozz, and every other frother onboard who made another mission worth remembering.
Cheers Uncle Lip.