Kandooma Resort, Maldives - Surf Update (21st to 26th July)

Wow. The swell of the season came a day late, but when it came it was just awesome. We woke early on the morning of the 21^st July to the wonderful sound of large waves crashing along the point. As first light came up, already 6 of the only 10 surfers on the island were ready to paddle out to 4 – 6ft perfect waves at Kandooma. By 7am all 10 were in the water, frothing and cheering each other on. The mood was great and the smiles said it all, Huey had answered our prayers.

That day produced some of the best waves seen in South Male this season, with perfect 4 – 6ft perfect waves peeling along the point all morning. The call was made at lunch to make the run to Tucky Joe's in the afternoon as the conditions were perfect for the best left in the Maldives to be firing and we were on the money. The conditions were a perfect 3 – 5ft and everybody got shacked no exceptions!

The next day the swell had picked up to 6 – 8ft with the odd 10ft bombs coming through at Kandooma Right, however the crew weren’t perturbed. The morning session was even better than the morning before and solid waves were ridden and conquered. By the afternoon the swell had grown and Kandooma was nearly unrideable. A few attempted the difficult conditions but all came in with their tails between their legs, even though a few bombs were ridden that day with many enthralled from the gallery of the shoreline.

With the swell abating over the next few days the Kandooma surfers were back in the water scoring perfect waves again at Rip Tides, Foxy’s , KR, & Tucky Joe's. The swell has dropped now to a respectable 3 – 4ft and we are left to nurse our wounds, rest our muscles and reflect on the best 5 days of waves this year in Magical South Male, Maldives.

Trip Report From Recent Charter on Just Dreaming, West Java, Indo

We arrived at Panaitan and weather was calm, we had a good trip down with calm winds the whole way down.

The trip started off with some 3 foot, super clean napalm. It was a great intro for the boys. The next day we were expecting a large swell and the boys were keen for some bigger napalm which we scored.... solid 5 foot, heavy barrels, the same day we surfed 5 foot one palm, heaps of barrels for everybody.

Next 2 days we surfed napalms and tetes, clean 3 foot conditions. The winds were good for the rights as well, and we surfed illusions 3 to 4 foot clean and doing its thing. Apocalypse was 6 foot solid, heavy barrels, but only broke briefly due to a wind change. The rest of the trip saw us doing the rounds of the bay with great head and and half high waves at napalms in the mornings then across to the rights when the tide dropped for great long walls at illusions.

We ended up with 2 great surfs at Apocalypse, one was 4 foot and super fun. The next was 6 foot plus grinding barrels which were as wide as they were high.....very impressive!

This was a ten day trip and saw the boys score great clean waves everyday.

Blog From Capt. Andrew Rigby, PNG Explorer, PNG

PNG Frontier Surfari's are the ONLY operators that offer uncrowded waves in four different regions. PLUS, we are the only roving commercially surveyed surf charter vessel in PNG. Safety is number 1!

It's the off season here now and I'm sitting on the beachfront deck down the New Ireland coast enjoying an onshore southeast trade wind.

I get the jitters and the thrill of excitement just writing this, I'm thinking about charters. It's the moment that we leave for a trip that gets me fired! I call out to Edwin our engineer to start the main engine, while I flick on the nav lights and all the nav aids. Just to see the radar swinging in the haze of the steaming lights has me buzzing on the adventure ahead. Guests are fed and asleep after the days travels, the time is 00:00 hrs with a six hour steam through the broad waters of the Tsoi islands via Steffan Strait. While I lock in behind the helm, with a mug of goroka coffee...I'm amped.

ETA 06:00 hrs Ungalik island. Lavongai, and 500 hundred frothing locals hanging out to meet the new bunch of guests. Cameras are poised as the anchor chain rattles down the hawse pipe. Its our guests first taste of PNG island life..are the kids really chanting "Andrew" on the beach? Its all a bit too much as everyone is frothing from the three lineups they have just steamed past into the anchorage. "What fins should I use?".... "do I need booties?".... "Man did you see that set?"..... "no one out and its pumping!".

Welcome to PNG.

2010/11 season is shaping up to be a cracker. The tail end of last season we managed to finally bed down a new area we have been exploring over the last few years.

Bingo! Last trip of 09/10 season we found "Apostles" and "Manalos". Two similar shaped world class left points three hundred metres apart and no surfer for a hundred miles! We were lost for words when we rounded the headland and looked at the two set ups begging to be surfed. It was three to four foot, offshore and just so much fun. I can't believe we are still finding waves after four seasons! It's just when you say "nah been everywhere on that island apart from that one bay to the north east" Bam! You arrive to perfection. If I could kick myself in the ass I would. That's surf exploration for you.

We are the only operator that access these two new breaks. Now, with the insight for the ideal conditions, it's an easy call one day to then be surfing it the next. Just an overnight steam and we're on. But, it doesn't end there...around the corner and a quick boat ride there is another fun slabbing right.

We have three main regions to surf which ensures the best conditions for any swell and the assurance of your aussie captain and surf guide to put where you want to be.

The dive deck is fully operational so for those with the ticket, its your opportunity to get the double whammy above and below the waterline. New Ireland is renowned for its dive sites. Dive WWII wrecks the Sanko Maru and Midget Submarine, experience first hand the diversity of marine life in these waters on the breathtaking walls, coral gardens and bommies.

I hope this arvo inspiration has you informed and as buzzing as I am right now. Come join us this 10/11 season and I'll show you personally what I love.

Your Captain
Andrew Rigby