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.

Day 1 of SCST IV starts with appropriate opening day as Nort the super dog eats zipper last night on new board bag.  Let the adventure begin...

We will be arriving at Kandui in time for an early season Indian Ocean swell.  Feeling more nervous than ready. 

Looks like SCST IV trip to Mentawai Islands, Indonesia, will coincide with a new swell window. Surf trip anticipation never gets old. But as I get old the anticipation changes. At 20 years old it was, "hope it gets big". Now it's "hope I don't get hurt". Need to put the 20 year old head back on by next week. 

Photo- Being Beng April 2013 (ISLANDEYE Photography)

Surfed Pt. Judith Lighthouse for first time in 30 years.  Good waves but really crowded. We have it good in Florida!  This was Misquamicut in the morning..