Mentawai surf report – Words, clip and photos by Grant Davis

After a relatively patchy start to the season, June has be a fantastic month in the Mentawai chain. The first proper swell of the month hit us on June 7, a 200deg SSW swell at 8-9ft. The forecast called for W quarter winds so the call to hit Playgrounds was made. Foregoing the well known spots our surf guide Terry had hoped a couple of his secrets might be firing. Unfortunately morning sickness was an issue, so we headed back to Rifles and hooked into some glassy 4-6ft waves. The boys were straight out there, the “Surfers in suits” crew were on full froth. Adam Robertson (team coach and former QS surfer) absolutely tore the place apart, on one particular wave he free fell into the barrel before exiting and re-entering a total of three times.

The forecast W winds didn’t hold, but the guys had another session with no crowds in still very good, but slightly onshore conditions. Terry then suggested we head closer to home for the last surf of the day. Perfect 6-8ft Iceland’s greeted us without a soul in sight, again Adam dominated getting a couple of long barrels. The rest of the team had their best session of their trip. It was an awesome end to the day in some of the best conditions I have seen this year.

Local Kid, threading the end section at the office, Lances Right on June 9
Local Kid, threading the end section at the office, Lances Right on June 9

The swell hung in there on the 9th,  at 5-6ft but more W at 209deg.  A trip to Lances Right was the plan.  We surfed most of the day with less than 10 crew in the water. The wind shifted more to the west and the wave size pulsed a little in the afternoon. Wow, we were really lucky to score one of the best waves in the Mentawais with so few people. It was a case of smiles all round at the end of the day.

June 10 was almost identical but the westerlies were perhaps a tad stronger. We decided to double down. As forecast the swell size was very similar at 3-4ft with a few larger sets getting up into the 5ft+ range in the afternoon. The only slight bummer was the number of boats onto it, due to the fact that the wind not favourable anywhere else in the nearby vicinity. Admittedly the crowd was a little frustrating at times, but the nature of the wave means that there are plenty of barrels for everyone regardless.

Another great day and an excellent start to the month.

The forecast for the end of June is ridiculous, if you have some free time I’d get yourself to the Mentawai islands right now!

enq

Written by:
Ben Horvath

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