Our traditional bamboo boat
THE PLAN: Book myself on a seven day surf boat trip, score some waves, have some fun.
THE ITINERARY: Nusa Lembongan, Lombok, Sumbawa – Indonesia
THE PRICE: Under US $70 a day; amazing food, drinks included (although we topped up the beer allocation a couple of times).
THE BOAT: Traditional Indonesian boat with bamboo outriggers, heaps of space for relaxing on the top deck. Can sleep up to 14 keen customers comfortably.
THE CAPTAIN: The man himself, Captain Coconut; ex-boxer, fellow surfer, speaks great English and enjoys a laugh. Knows his stuff when it comes to swell direction, wind and timing.
THE PUNTERS: Four Aussies, five Yanks, three Poms, one Hawaiian… and me.
13 fit surfers and Imo...
So what’s it like being the only chick on a boat with 13 other fit tanned surfer boys Imo?
Hmmm, nice!
THE WAVES: Although we surfed every day, we didn’t score any waves over 5-foot, much to the disappointment of the boys. The swell report on magicseaweed.com that had looked so promising never really delivered. I would have loved to have seen places like Desert Point in Lombok and Yo-Yo’s in Sumbawa going off their nuts, and would have surely clicked off a fair few more photos as I watched from a distance.
As it was, three foot and glassy was perfect for me; I got loads of fun waves and good practise on my backhand. Got worked on my last wave of the day at Yo-Yo’s halfway through the trip and snapped a fin, plugs and all, gutted. Still, the boys were great and offered me other boards to use since I only had one.
Razors, Lembongan
The reason why it's called Razors
Made takes us to the line up
THE SUNSETS
Yo Yo's, Sumbawa
Mawi, Lombok
Desert Point, Lombok
Obligatory post surf Bintang...
THE PLUG: Just do it.
Captain Coconut
It’s the perfect way to get around the islands to your favourite surf breaks. Captain Coconut motors at night so you always arrive at a new break every sunrise.
It’s spacious, comfortable and clean, the crew on board are really classic, amazing cooks and always keen to ferry you to and from the surf line-ups and beaches in the little red dinghy.
There is never a dull moment especially with 13 other crazy Bintang guzzling guys cracking dirty jokes and causing trouble in between surf sessions.
You can find the Captain Coconut Office halfway down Beniyasa Street off Poppies II in Kuta, Bali.
Imo paid in full for her trip and this story was in no way influenced by icy cold Bintangs and over a dozen hot surfers.
Captain Coconut
About Imogen Throp