Anyone making a casual stroll on Instagram aka the wheel of envy, is no doubt well aware that Indonesia is firing right now. Yes, as Sydney floods (it’s their turn after the north coast of NSW) Indo is all blue-skies and barrels.
While the CT surfers head to J-Bay, Kelly Slater has been chasing swells around Indo since G-Land and was most recently seen charging in the Ments. Here are some words from surf guide Nelson Pinto who filmed a wild session at Kandui:
“Well, this is not the mellow perfect waves that we usually see on the Mentawai in the surf movies. Things got real here the last few days. My career is sometimes difficult seeing waves like that and having to work behind the lens but in days like these, I feel equally happy recording waves like this than surfing. I could go at the spot in the morning because I’m guiding a trip for Sibon Charters and also working as a filmmaker and unfortunately most of the guests except one mad man had the balls to go chase some devilish waves. But after filming a long session at baby Kandui that was on fire, by the way, I decided to go to Kandui with my crazy guest for the sunset session. Once I got there I saw a bald head guy on his backside going nuts on a big set, then rewinding the footage I realised that was Kelly. Waves were on fire and only mad guys and kamikaze pros (Reef Heazlewood) were there to challenge the crazy wave with a deadly end. Waves were absolutely beautiful until you’d hit the last section of the reef. It was like dancing with the devil. Days like these doesn’t happen that often so I was so glad to be here with my camera to film this crazy session. Next swell I wish I can go surf one of those big ones!”
Nathan Florence has been spotted in Indo flexing beneath the hood of giant HTS double-ups. Meanwhile, our sources tell us Dane is lurking down in mainland Sumatra, enjoying secret-spots with just him and a buddy out. Reef Heazlewood and a crew of young pros are presently roaming the Ments, while all kinds of crazy are going down at Desert Point. After two years of COVID restrictions the pros and punters alike are making up for lost time.
As the swell continues to pump across the archipelago the tube tally and the tales are mounting up; a spectacular reminder that Indo is a gift for which we should be eternally grateful. For every good ride and memory we should also try and give a little back.
