: : Badais， Tribes and Tides

The Indonesian archipelago of Mentawais (‘Ments’) consists of 70 islands, but four larger islands dominate the landscape. The wave-rich area lines the outside of Sumatra and cops the full brunt of swells from the south.

June, July, and August are typically peak seasons with the biggest waves of the year, but so far, we’ve only had 3,4,5-footers—and a lot of rain! We’re copping a full ‘Badai’ (Indonesian for storm) as I type this.

So many changes have happened in this part of the world: land camps have sprouted, and new boats have joined the fleet, but the waves remain the same – hollow! (Just how we like ’em).

The Indigenous people of these islands love their tattoos, loin cloths and animalistic beliefs. Logging, modernization, and land pressures threaten their way of life – and it’s harder to see the tribes – you have to go further inland.

Have a good weekend,

:: uge