It’s been a different trip to the Mentawai’s this year: we’re trying a new boat, small swells, heaps of sunshine and large crowds. Everyone is travelling madly after missing two seasons during the pandemic. I would say 50% would be from Australia and the other half Brazilian—the odd American, British, and Italian at some reefs.
It’s early season, and we’ve only had one decent swell—lots of waiting around at swell magnets looking at swell charts. There’s still great surf here when it’s small (3-4ft), don’t get me wrong, but you’ll find a considerable portion of the fleet keeping you company as options are limited. Some areas have that Bali crowd vibe – I saw four on a wave at our current reef – a little hectic for such a remote location (but we’re used to that coming from Bondi!).
There’s hope of a pulse at the end of our trip. C’mon Hui! The islands are still magnificent and the water sublime.
Our Bondi gallery is open all weekend at 64 Hall Street, our new address this year, 10am to 6pm Saturday and Sunday.
:: uge
