Mentawai surf trip that was not only about surfing

Mentawai surf trip Feb/March 2015 | From the Vincent Family

Traveling as a family opens your eyes and hearts in unexpected ways. Sure, we are all searching for the waves and a great day of epic surf memories. But the reality is that travel means making new friends.

After a successful Waves for Water fundraiser and mission to the Mentawai region (Playgrounds area) late last year, our son Winter was keen to do more. Winter presented to an enthusiastic crowd at the last Perfect Wave Mentawai info night about his trip and desire to raise more money for clean water solutions in this remote region of Indonesia through his program Surf To School.

It made perfect sense to partner with The Perfect Wave on this mission – their longstanding relationship with the Mentawai region, their dedication to giving back…we spoke the same language. The Perfect Wave told us about A Liquid Future and it felt like it was all meant to be – helping others through education and clean water. So the Vincent and Gray families embarked on a trip together, our 4 kids (age 5-10) immediately bonding for the adventure ahead.

What an adventure it was for us all!
We participated in the opening of the Liquid Future Centre (thankyou for all the materials donated by Humphreys Newsagency!!) and made friends on the beach in Mapadegat swimming, playing soccer and volleyball (a national obsession??!!). We distributed water filters and trained the locals in the assembly, use and maintenance of them in 2 villages.

Surf to School Fundraising provided 30 water filters and 3 x 2000L tanks to the village of Pukayarat (only accessible by boat) and 30 filters to Mapadegat. One filter provides clean water for up to 100 people and lasts 5-10 years. These filter systems are simple and effective at removing all biological bacteria which means locals don’t have to boil their water. We left knowing that potentially 6000 people could access clean water as a result of our ‘surf trip’! Oh yes, the surf was great, the company was awesome, the snorkeling, the massages, the yoga, the food all memorable…. a family surf trip with a difference!!

We left with the Mentawai spirit truly in our blood, bodies surf satisfied, and our hearts full.

Mel, Corey, Winter and Sunny
March 2015