![Wave magnets still have 3-4 foot when everywhere is flat](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2024/06/Aquabumps_DJI_0822_2024_Jun_26_-1200x800.jpg)
Ombak Kecil
It’s rare for the ocean to go quiet here, especially in June (peak season), but it happens. Even when the waves go to sleep, you can still find these freak spots that draw everything from the ocean and still break over head high. The problem is that every camp, dug out, and charter joins the […]
![Wave of his life for the São Paulian frothe lord](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2024/06/Aquabumps__A1Z9191_2024_Jun_21_-800x533.jpg)
Badais, Tribes and Tides
The Indonesian archipelago of Mentawais (‘Ments’) consists of 70 islands, but four larger islands dominate the landscape. The wave-rich area lines the outside of Sumatra and cops the full brunt of swells from the south. June, July, and August are typically peak seasons with the biggest waves of the year, but so far, we’ve only […]
![Endless beaches with no names and no people.](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2023/05/Aquabumps_DJI_0569_2023_May_20-mentawai-islands-800x533.jpg)
Pulau
The indigenous inhabitants of this region – the Mentawai people – are known for their intricate tattoo art. Tattooing holds immense cultural significance for the Mentawai people, representing various aspects of their identity, such as age, social status, postcode and spiritual beliefs. They live in harmony with the lush rainforests of each island – mainly […]
![70 islands in Mentawai in it's 150 km stretch](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2023/05/Aquabumps_DJI_0625_2023_May_21-nusa-togat-mentawai-800x534.jpg)
Bon Voyage
As our trip comes close to an end, we make our way back to the central part of the island chain, where crossing overnight to Padang is easier. There are endless breaks along the way, so we drop anchor at many, hopefully timing it with the right tides, winds and crowds. It’s been days of […]
![The colours of Indonesia, seeya!](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2018/06/AQUABUMPS-Jun-05-2018-_X8G5513-800x533.jpg)
Heading Home…
After surfing 26 surf breaks in 12 days we’re now heading home. We’re done. Cooked. Spaghetti arms. I haven’t worn shoes or touched dry land since May. And barely any mobile reception – it feels good to get off the grid. Today I’ve switched on my computer and have dozens of messages saying they wanna holiday […]
![Car park empty this morning, just Scottie and his mobile home](https://www.aquabumps.com/content/uploads/2018/03/AQUABUMPS-_R9A9948_Mar-21-2018-1-800x533.jpg)
Mixed Tape
Another crazy onshore unsurfable day at Bondi Beach. Swell has picked up but it’s been blown to bits. Warning: this email’s content may make you want to jump on a plane tonight and travel. Over’n’out :: uge
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/5O0A8857_26-06-2013-lone-learner-bondi-beach-letsgo.jpg)
S M O T H E R
Hope you all had a good sleep in. You missed absolutely nothing down the beach this morning. It’s the pits. A 30 knot onshore smothered any goodness…only saw a learner class in the North of Bondi…that’s about it…maybe crank the work. Keramas is pumping for the world tour stop No.5…I just wish the generator would […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/CF003131_24-06-2013-bondi-icebergs-beach-swimming.jpg)
A B A N D O N E D
There were waves this morning but no one seems interested in them. I struggled to find anyone surfing. Maybe this good run of swell has worn you all out? Maybe the cold weather and rainy clouds have scared everyone off. Maybe a secret spot is pumping and 100 out. Maybe it’s Monday and everyone has […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/01Q9288_17-06-2013-body-surfer-ours-middles-peter-swirly-coogee.jpg)
Flab Slab
There is plenty of swell today. Bondi was breaking around 6 foot earlier this morning – not looking too pretty as the banks struggle to hold such size. We just don’t have any reefs around here that can take such force. I went for a drive to a Sydney slab thinking it might just switch […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/5O0A5234-26-06-2012-surf-anyone.jpg)
Damp
It’s amazing what a difference 24 hours can make. Right now it’s raining and the beach is completely empty. The onshore winds are smashing anything resembling a wave and everyone is off to work. This same SE onshore wind will create swell for the tail end of the week. So be patient, wait for it […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/MG_0494-29-03-2012-girls-lineup.jpg)
Mals only
The past two days have been small, this morning is micro. Group of mal riders in the middle enjoying a 1 foot peak and shallow bank. Such a nice morning nonetheless…a real treat to be swimming around as the sun came up behind Benny Buckler. Tengirri If you want to go to the Mentawais and […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/14-10-2011-_MG_8910-lifeguard.jpg)
Light on
There wasn’t not much for me to work with down the beach this morning at Bondi. When I got there the sunrise glow was finishing and the clouds thickening. The waves are a flimsy wind chop -1 /2 foot and best suited to the learner variety. It was kinda dark too, but here are a […]
![](http://www.aquabumps.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/A91G5992Sep-24-2011-duckdiver.jpg)
The Indian blue
There’s not much between the Mentawai Islands and the bottom of this planet – just a massive expanse of Indian Ocean between Australia and Africa. This absence of land mass keeps the surf rich waters around these islands crispy blue clear…perfect for a day’s swimming around with your camera. The surf has been good – […]