Welcome back to the Maldives, chapter 2 of my overseas winter odyssey, where I am hunting warm water, waves, and idyllic beaches.
After surfing left in the Mentawais for two weeks, it’s time to go right on one of the Maldivian jewels—Kandooma. I’ve been to the Maldives six times and have never scored decent waves here, but today has broken the drought – been looking in the wrong places. Kandooma rights are 3-4 foot and piping down the line with easy sections for kids and frothing wives. A 74-year-old paddled out today and scored a 150 metre right whilst my little guy, age 10, caught 4,000 waves on the inside.
Kandooma is such a ‘good times’ right, with light consequences, a blunt flat reef, easy access from the front of your room, and only a 50-metre paddle out to the lineup. Most atolls have huge paddles or require boats, but not this bad boy. The hotel also has the rights to the break, so it’s uncrowded all day long.
The water is 30 degrees, while the land is 32 and above. It’s sweltering in the sunshine, but cooling storms seem to be frequent. It does rain here, too—I know Sydney’s still soaking.
Adios,
:: uge
P.S. Australian business, The Perfect Wave, is the exclusive booking partner for this island. More info
Was your “74 yr old” wearing a helmet and did you get a pic?
Cheers, the old fella 😎