2011/2012 season report from the PNG Explorer

Captain Andrew Rigby from PNG Explorer sends us this letter to wrap up 2011-2012 surf season:

This season PNG Explorer racked up many miles around the outer remote islands from her home port in Kavieng. Completing more trips then ever for a season thanks to all the frothing guests who come on board and surfed with us!

Myself and surf guide Darty made sure where the waves were pumping The Explorer was anchored up close by keeping the beer cold and the food served up. It’s just like at your local, the more time you spend watching the waves the more tuned in you get with where to surf and when. The Explorer and her crew has this part of the world dialled as her local after five seasons in the bag and can put you and seven of your best mates on the best waves in the region with ease.

The chef for the season, my little sister Christie Rigby, dazzled our taste buds with mouth-watering cuisine utilising the abundant organic local produce and got the Explorer’s galley working in overdrive. Mud crabs, yellow fin sashimi, pickled fish, baked fish, local garden salads and amazing pastries. Explorer has a stock of local trade goods onboard like rice, flour, sugar, medical supplies, soap etc. and swap for fresh produce wherever we go. This helps the remote communities with hard to get items whilst the fridge is filled with a constant flow of fresh fruits and veg, muddies and lobster.

NYE – rocked out islands style again this year, the locals lit up the beaches for miles with palm leaf torches all in line. No fire works needed and a grand display of sing sings leading up to the gong kept all well amused. The locals here have a classic sense of humour and a quirky way of presenting it.

The fishing – was off the hook again! Our stationary yellow fin tuna school blew us away with double hookups almost every pass. The lure of choice for the season was the Halco 190DD red and white used to troll through the bait balls the tuna feed on.

The waves – we scored the two new magical lefts in all their glory, the slab was always doing its’ thing.  All in all, Northern PNG lit up like she does every year providing more barrels and walls than anyone can dream up all in tropical 30 degree water.

Next Season – exploratory missions are on the cards to an area 200 miles away. Once we hit that chain the froth will be in overdrive and guests will be busy thinking of names to place on new finds. We visited this place three years ago and didn’t even put a dint in it, there is just so many empty passes and points left to scope for new set ups. I still can’t believe this is my job and there is places left like this to explore for empty waves. We will be throwing the ropes off again in October so see you then.

Cheers from your Captain Andrew Rigby