Duane wearing the LD colors at Nipussi, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia.

Boat ride back to camp after a fun dawn patrol session at Nipussi. Mike and I in the old man corner making sure the kids behave in the boat :-)

Small swell the past couple days has us chasing waves  at Burgerworld and Nipussi.  I still can't figure out Burgerworld after three trip there. Bigger swell on the way to provide more break options.  Last 2 days we have had great sessions at Nipussi with sets in the head high to slightly overhead range. Every once in awhile a bigger set will role through. This is what happens when you get caught in the impact zone with someone duck diving right behind your duck dive. Got tangled in the wash. Rail damage to CI Black Beauty (my go to board here) from a head that hit rail. Luckily no serious body injuries. My board. Not my head.  Ding repair in progress with glass buckled to stringer. Guess I'm riding the 5'6" HS Hypto Krypto today...

The golden hour in the Mentawai Islands at Kandui Resorts  is special. Actually, it's like no place else in the world. Hot colors, cold Bintang beers and the warm glow of 5-6 hours of hard core surfing...and a final sunset session at 4-Bobs. It doesn't get better than this, especially with a young man on his first Indo trip with his Dad. Chris Ryan...basking in the golden glow...Mike - enjoying every minute and every wave.

Get up at 6am. Breakfast. Surf report check. Wind check. Then decide among dozens of surf breaks where to go based on swell and wind direction.  These are the Kandui/Mentawai high speed canoes that get us there. Tied up in estuary on back side of island, the locals come pick us up right at the beach when we are ready rock and roll. Surf till lunch. Eat. Short siesta and back out for session 2. If waves and wind cooperate...and energy holds a sunset surf will wrap the day. Then Bintangs, dinner and bed. Wake up tomorrow and repeat.

Father & Son duo, Mike and Chris Ryan, dominating the lineup on first days of our Mentawai trip.  Me...Just trying to keep up. Bottom line - there is no better location in the world than Kandui Resort for surf.

Four sessions in the history books between arrival day and first full day today.  Crew had great sessions at 4 Bobs and Being Being. Got a sketchy session in at Pistols with side on-shores and got my first bounce off the reef. No damage.  Photos to come as they get sorted.

Left Padang harbor first light with clouds, wind and bumpy wet ride. Crossing was rough, but we arrived safely at Kandui, ate lunch and then clouds parted, wind dropped and waves started rolling in at 4-Bobs. Mike, Chris and I were first out with a low tide session and some shoulder to head high plus sets rolling through. Perfect way to start a surf trip in paradise. Chris and Mike were ripping...

5:06 am Saturday morning here in Padang, Western Sumatra. Hard to believe that I left Florida on Tuesday and still not yet at Kandui. Boat leaves in an hour. Will take about 4hours to cross straits. Ran into the legendary surfer/Indo explorer/Indo boat man - Capt. Tony “Doris” Eltherington last night. We had a good night sleep finally and are ready to get wet. Have a great Friday night and weekend. Love D

Chris is on way from San Diego.  Mike and I already at hotel.  Tomorrow the long trip begins.  Should be fun and wave forecast looks good.