Surf travel is going to look different in a post-COVID-19 world. 

When we first started reporting about Coronavirus and the cancellation of the WSL’s Australian leg surf travel already looked like it was on shaky ground. 

Surfers were cancelling or rescheduling trips. Some were weighing up whether it was worth rolling the dice in hope of scoring uncrowded waves while dodging the ‘rona. 

Then the world closed borders, the airline industry shuttered and domestic tourism came to standstill. 

For now, surf travel is over. 

Back to basics. Back to your local. 

For many Australians, it means their annual pilgrimage to Indonesia is on hold. 

For how long is the big question. 

Some commentators have put forward the scenario of domestic air travel not recommencing to normal levels until 2021 and international routes may not resume until 2023. 

Indonesia has closed its borders and surf camps are mobilising to brace themselves for a lengthy shutdown. 

G-Land surf camps Joyos and Bobby’s have created GoFundMe campaigns to raise funds to float staff through the shutdown and help them continue to provide for their families. 

Click here for the Joyos GoFundMe page 

Hi Global G-land Family,

Hope this finds you all safe and well in troubled times. We wish you the best and are sad we may not be sharing the magic of g-land together for a while.

The staff are great friends to so many of us over so many years. They are a huge part of what makes the jungle so special. Many are struggling with the loss of income from camp closing due to the closure of Alas Purwo National Park. Most staff have family to support and the chance of increased medical bills to come.

It's time to pay forward their continued wellbeing toward years of good times with our jungle brothers and sisters ahead.

Money raised will be able to guarantee living part wages for the months ahead, and manage medical and education expenses for their families. 

All contributions over $10 will receive a free tin of limited 2020edition Surfyogis

All contributions over $100 will go into the draw for a 6night Stay at Joyos G-land Camp, open dates.

Any surplus funds raised will be proportionately added to the Bintang accounts of contributors

Terima Kasih

Bobby’s G-Land surf camp fundraising page outlines how the funds will be distributed with contact details of fundraiser Thomas Niedringhaus available if you have any queries. 

“Let's show the surfing world, we aren't just there to take, take, take, but when called upon we can give in a very generous way,” he says on the page. 

Click here for Bobby’s GoFundMe page 

No one quite knows when the industry will recover or how long that recovery will take. 

But if you have enjoyed the spoils of scoring perfect waves in Indo, or had the pleasure of meeting locals who have made your stay memorable you might want to chip in and help.