It is very important to have the right attitude when on a boat trip, and that includes when surfing with other passenger from the same boat of from other boats. Sharing is part of the essence of these trips.
Remember:
- If we get to a spot where there’s already one boat moored with its passenger surfing, it is advisable to wait for a little while and then enter the water in twos. How much would you hate it if you were surfing and another boat arrived and before the anchor is lowered, a group of ten surfers paddled your way? Give some time to others is always a good option.
- When there are several boats and a lot of surfers willing to surf, the best option is that only 4 or 5 surfers per boat are surfing at the same time. Try to avoid going all at the same time when it’s very crowded.
- You’ll be surfing reef waves with a very definite take off spot (the exact opposite to beachbreaks). So it is essential that everyone takes waves in turns. Always respect other surfer’s turn and don’t snake waves. If you paddle for a wave your turn to go is gone.
- Do NOT drop in and respect the other surfers. There are no local surfers in the Mentawai, so respecting each other and everyone’s turns is the way to go; we are all foreigners in the water.
- If it’s your turn to go and you don’t like the wave, raise both arms in advance so the other surfers have time to paddled for that wave.
- Give away waves to fellow passengers or to surfers from other boats. It’s a much nice experience than to trying to get all the waves for yourself.
- Enjoy as much as you can while respecting the place, the sea and its people. The Mentawai are a unique place; help us keep it this way.