4 Bobs is a short, playful right-hander. Swells that break here wrap considerably around the south end of the island and break over a relatively shallow reef. If you're fast you can take off deep and try to float the first section where most people take off; otherwise, it's strictly a one or two turn wave. Ironically, despite it's relatively tame appeal, 4 Bobs is a perennial favorite to almost every person who surfs it and is one of the most consistent and fun waves in the Mentawais.
Our Advice: 4 Bobs is a great wave for people of all abilities. It can get a bit shallow at low tide so you need to watch yourself but all in all, it's one of the most rippable alternativ's in the Mentawais.
Martin's Take: "4 Bobs" was originally known as "Morrisons". Peter Morrison, the publisher of Australian Surfing Life magazine, dislocated his knee there the first time it was surfed in September of 1993.
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Zone: Playgrounds
Overall Rating: 5/10
Best Size: 3-5 ft
Consistency: 7/10
Difficulty: 5/10
Bottom: Live Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 7/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 75 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or West
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Excellent
Shore Access: Easy but far from the line-up
A Frames is one of the most consistent lefts in the Mentawai Islands. Situated in front of an idyllic island it is one of the many good waves found in the Playgrounds region. There are generally two sections to surf, the top and the inside. The peaks at the top can be a bit shifty and require a fair amount of paddling around to find the right area while the inside section is more dependable and offers up a better wall to work with. A frames is easily one of the most popular spots in the Mentawai's and is sometimes referred to as "John Candies".
Our Advice: A Frames is usually where the goofyfoots reign supreme. Every wave is different here but on it's best days it's an exhilirating experience with a consistent take off zone.
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Zone: Playgrounds
Overall Rating: 6/10
Best Size: 3-5 ft
Consistency: 8/10
Difficulty: 5/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 5/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 75 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or West
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: Good
Shore Access: Easy but far from the line-up
Bankvaults is a thick, barreling right punctuated by a shifting line-up. Sets seemingly emerge out of nowhere and can wreak havoc if you're caught out of position. The ideal size to surf Bankvaults is head-high to a triple overhead, in any swell size, getting caught inside is a certainty. Despite the dangers, snag a clean, open barrel here and you'll be talking about it for years. If it looks too heavy, Nipussi is a scant three-hundred yards to the east.
Our Advice: We like Bankvaults. It's really tricky, really shifty, and for the most part really heavy. You can get some unbelievable barrels here if you find the right zone. Be on the lookout for surprise sets, this place is famous for them.
Martin's Take: "Bankvaults" earned it's name because once you got locked in to the barrel here it's hard to get out of it. It was originally named by Moose, the captain of the Kuta Laut.
Recommended Board: A few extra inches will help you get into the waves easier and give you enough speed to make it out of the barrel.
Zone: Nyang Nyang
Overall Rating: 7/10
Best Size: 4-10 ft
Consistency: 6/10
Difficulty: 8/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 7/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 75 yards
Ability Level: Advanced
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or North
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: O.K
Shore Access: Virtually impossible
Helpful Hints
Surf Etiquette
Your trip to the Mentawai's should be the best experience possible. The very nature of the way in which waves break in the Mentawai's lends itself to an even higher degree of order and cooperation. Follow these rules and everyone will have a better session, especially you. Remember, you're on vacation!
1. Don't think you own the place.
When you arrive at a new spot and there is already a group surfing the worst thing you can do is to send out every surfer on your boat in an all out assault. It's just not cool. A good surf guide will show you how to strike a perfect balance by sending out a few surfers at a time and making the transition as subtle as possible.
2. Take your turn.
The majority of waves in the Mentawai's break like a classic point break. The most discouraging thing in the world is to have some clown paddling past you after every wave. For this rule, think assembly line, take your turn, go in order, and everyone will get their fair share of waves.
3. Hands up if you don't want it.
When it's your turn and you're waiting for the set of the day it always helps to let other people know your intentions. Most people will expect that you're going to be going on the next decent wave that comes through but by no means does that mean you have to go. When a wave is approaching that you are not interested in all you have to do is hold both of your hands up and out of the water to send a clear message to everyone that you're not going. This will eliminate any ambiguity and there will definitely be more waves to go around and a clear line of communication in the water.
4. Let it go.
It sucks to get burned on a small, weak day so you can imagine how much worse it is on a big, scary day. If you see someone paddling for a wave, even if they look like they aren't going to catch it, let it go. Getting stuffed on a double overhead grinder with the reef lurking a few feet below the surface and the possibility of getting stuck inside isnt worth the potential conflict.
5. Pick me up.
When you're ready to get picked up all you have to do is wave your board in the air from the channel. If there is someone injured, everyone in the line-up should wave their boards at the same time.
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The most important thing to remember on any surf vacation is to simply share waves!
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Beng Beng is an extremely rippable left located a few hundred yards away from E-Bay and Pitstops. It's probably one of the easiest waves to surf in the Mentawai's and is fun for surfers of all ability levels. The area surrounding Beng Beng is breathtaking as it sits nestled inside a small bay with literally one of the most scenic views imaginable all around you. The best size to surf Beng Beng is anything over shoulder high - even though it's relatively short some people like this wave more than other waves that are considered far superior - best of all, it rarely has a boat on it so most sessions are by yourself.
Our Advice: Give Beng Beng a try -simple.
Recommended Board: Any type of board works great here.
Zone: Nyang-Nyang
Overall Rating: 6/10
Best Size: 3-6 ft
Consistency: 6/10
Difficulty: 3/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 3/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 75 yards
Ability Level: Beginner - Intermediate
Swell Direction: Southwest/West
Best Wind: None or East
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Excellent
Shore Access: Easy but far from the line-up
Burgerworld is considered a last alternative when everywhere else is flat. Anything bigger than three feet here flattens out into a giant mushball. The one positive aspect about Burgerworld is its consistency; there is always something rideable here; however, your chances of scoring this place on fire is slim.
Our Advice: Maybe we were too hard on Burgerworld. It definitely has its days, especially when it's small everywhere else. It's a lot easier to surf this wave backside but still can be fun when you get used to it's tempermental nature.
Martin's Take: "Burgerworld" was named by Ross Clarke Jones in 1995 because the first time he surfed it it was big and the waves were like big burgers everywhere. It took a few years to realize that Burgerworld is at its best when it small.
Recommended Board: Shortboard or fish if you brought one.
Zone: Siberut
Overall Rating: 4/10
Best Size: 2-4 ft
Consistency: 8/10
Difficulty: 4 /10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 4/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None/North/Northwest
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: Excellent
Shore Access: Easy: but requires a hike
E-bay is a fast, barreling left that gets good when it's head high or bigger. When a pumping west swell is marching through, E-bay does a close impersonation of Padang Padang on Bali without the death cliff looming inside. The overall set-up at E-bay is flawless, stereotypical Indonesian, with beautiful, bluish-green water and tall palm trees everywhere. Besides its aesthetic beauty, double overhead E-bay is a beast and force to be reckon with.
Our Advice: E-Bay is pretty fickle. If you get to surf here consider yourself lucky. Even if E-Bay isn't breaking you have a great alternative 100 yards away at Pitstops. You won't realize there are waves in there unless you check it out in the dinghy.
Martin's Take: "E-Bay" was first surfed in 1994 and named after "Emerald Bay" in Laguna Beach, California. It was given it's name by Bob McKnight, CEO of Quiksilver, because it reminded him of home.
Recommended Board: Usually you can get away with your shortboard but anything overhead and you might want to grab the next largest board in your arsenal.
Zone: Nyang Nyang
Overall Rating: 8/10
Best Size: 4-8 ft
Consistency: 5/10
Difficulty: 7/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 8/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest/West
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: O.K.
Shore Access: Easy: but requires a hike
Diablos is Telescopes' big brother, a little more forceeful, slightly bigger, and in general a little less refined. Nevertheless, it definitely has its good days and because it picks up a lot of swell is a good option when the rest of the chain is small. You'll probably find the wave to be very moody and inconsistent, some days it does a great impression of Telescopes on the right tide and direction while other days it is a warbled mess of high tide rubbish that is an unmotivating as it gets. You never can be sure until you're looking at it!
Our Advice: We rarely visit Diablos but the option is there when conditions are dead glass and there isn't much swell in the water.
Recommended Board: Any kind of baord works here - Scarecrows has a lot of different moods.
Zone: Sipora
Overall Rating: 6/10
Best Size: 4-8 ft
Consistency: 7/10
Difficulty: 6/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 6/10
Length of Ride: 50 - 150 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: O.K.
Shore Access: Too far away.
Iceland is a sizable left that is known as one of the "big wave" spots in the Mentawais. It has a very large playing field and a few different take-off options including a few rights when it is small - but watch out for the paddle back out! Iceland isn't known as a barreling wave unless it has some serious size - if big enough it will look more like Hawaii Five-O than most other waves in the Mentawais and when it looks like that Telescopes is a much better option. Our Advice: We typically do not visit this wave but if there is absolutely no swell and southeast winds we will give it a look.
Recommended Board: A slightly bigger board makes for an easier entry.
Zone: Sipora
Overall Rating: 6/10
Best Size: 4-10 ft
Consistency: 8/10
Difficulty: 7/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 6/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 150 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: Southest/ East
Best Tide: Medium - Low
Video/Photo Access: Tough
Shore Access: Shoot from the channel
Greenbush has gained a lot of recognition and prominence in the last few years. It is a very challenging left that breaks deep inside a beautiful bay. But don't let it's beauty fool you! Greenbush has a relatively tame drop on the right swell but things quickly turn more perilous as you charge down the line and the reef gets shallower and shallower - eventually it becomes completely dry. If you are not a competent barrel rider or aren't keen to leave a lot of your skin on that inside section we recommend you leave it alone!
Our Advice: Phenomenal wave with consequences!
Recommended Board: Any type of board that goes fast and can keep it's line in the barrel
Zone: Pagai Utara
Overall Rating: 9/10
Best Size: 4 - 8ft
Consistency: 4/10
Difficulty: 8/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 8/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Advanced - Expert
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: None or North
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Good
Shore Access: Easy but take a trek to get there.
Hideaways is an occasionally heavy left near the Playgrounds region. In the last few years it has been one of the "go to" waves because it is a lot more consistent the other world class waves in our area and can handle a lot of the more annoying wind directions like straight souths. Hideaways
has the ability to be a sick cavern or offer up a rippable shoulder. You can really only surf it on medium to high tide, at low tide it sticks out of the water and unless you like reef cuts stay away!
Our Advice: Hideaways is known as the "Mentawai Pipeline" - if you're not a competent surfer or comfortable in ledgy waves be careful out there.
Recommended Board: A slightly bigger board makes for an easier entry.
Zone: Playgrounds
Overall Rating: 8/10
Best Size: 4-8 ft
Consistency: 5/10
Difficulty: 8/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 8/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest/West
Best Wind: None or East
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Fair
Shore Access: Easy but far from the line-up
Kandui a.k.a Kanduis or Nokandui is one of the fastest, down the line, left-hand barrels in the world. Kandui is an obscenely hollow wave with your only option for survival being tucked inside its enormous, gaping jaws. Unless you're comfortable pumping inside the barrel the best you can hope for is to find the right line, exert a little extra front foot pressure, and hold on. Most of the waves will simply outrace you; however, the thrill of charging through the longest barrel possible is more than worth the effort. If the conditions are right you'll take your share of beatings; but, chances are you'll kick out of the best barrel of your life as well.
Our Advice: The bigger it gets, the easier it gets. Don't surf here when it's too small unless you like to get cut up on the reef. The only good advice we can offer is to be go fast or go home, don't even think about going for a turn - why would you?
Recommended Board: Use a slightly bigger board than normal to get the necessary speed.
Zone: Playgrounds
Overall Rating : 9/10
Best Size: 6-8 ft
Consistency: 5/10
Difficulty: 10/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 9/10
Length of Ride: 0 - 500 yards
Ability Level: Advanced - Expert
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: O.K.
Shore Access: Easy: but requires a trek.
Lance's Right, more commonly referred to as "HT's", is a fast, perfect, barreling right-hander. Out of all the breaks in the Mentawai's "HT's" best exemplifies the term "swell wrap". The waves here wrap around the south end of the island and into a guarded bay over one-hundred and eighty degrees before unloading over an unmerciful reef aptly named "The Surgeon's Table". It is probably one of the top five most famous waves in the entire world and not without good reason. There are three main take-off zones, but it's the deepest zone, dubbed "The Office" that serves up the heaviest, scariest, roundest, most mesmerizing barrels in the world.
Our Advice: Everyone knows it's going to be good in the afternoon. We suggest hanging out here all day and wait for those moments during the day when it turns on and no one else is around. Frontside is a blast, backside is sketchy at best.
Martin's Take: Lance's Right was originally named after Lance Knight who was the first person to surf it in 1991. Ironically, a few friends and I pulled up the very next day and surfed it with Lance in small, offshore, afternoon surf. It was this discovery that fulfilled my lifelong mission to discover a righthander that was better than Lagundri Bay in Nias. In 1996 it was renamed Hollow Trees or "HT's" for short by a rival operator. Most people still call this break Lance's Right to this day.
Recommended Board: On smaller days a shortboard with a drawn in tail works great - on bigger days grab your favorite mid-sized gun and charge!
Zone: Sipora
Overall Rating : 9/10
Best Size: 4-8 ft
Consistency: 7/10
Difficulty: 9/10
Bottom: Shallow Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 10/10
Length of Ride: 50 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Advanced - Expert
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: None or Northwest
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Excellent
Shore Access: Easy.
Lance's Left is one of the most popular destinations in the Mentawai's for consistency and quality. It is an occasionally grinding left with multiple take-off zones and during the right conditions two distinct barrel sections. Despite its relatively harmless allure Lance's Left can pack a serious punch, especially if you get caught inside and find yourself parked on the reef. The extreme inside sports a series of lava fingers with deep gaps in between, keep this in mind as before you try to squeeze in that last roundhouse. The place can hold size, up to ten feet, and is often compared to G-Land's Moneytrees section as steep take-offs throw you down the line with impressive speed and flow. Lance's Left is always a good call if the winds are right so it's no surprise that many boat captains and traveling surfers frequent the area.
Our Advice: Always a solid call. Shhhh.... don't tell anyone; but, on a rising tide the upper peak at Lance's Left offers a pretty simple, makeable barrel without the crowds of the main peak. If you're shooting video - go to shore for the best angle.
Recommended Board: You can use almost anything out there.
Zone: Sipora
Overall Rating : 6/10
Best Size: 4-8 ft
Consistency: 9/10
Difficulty: 6/10
Bottom: Shallow Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 7/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 150 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell-Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Good
Shore Access: Only at high tide
Macaroni's, more commonly referred to as "Macca's" is one of the best lefts our planet has to offer. It is the premiere destination of every boat charter in the Mentawai's and more often than not there are a minimum of six boats camped out in front of it. Every magazine and surf video nowadays devotes an obscene amount of coverage to this wave, remarkably, it deserves it. The wave itself barrels graciously on the take-off before walling up into the most high performance oriented waves imaginable. To top it off, the scenery surrounding it is breathtaking as it sits comfortably inside a picturesque cove with emerald green water lapping its shores. The only downside to surfing Macaroni's is the fact that it's usually smaller than everywhere else because it faces an awkward direction. Macca's works best from three to six feet, it is possible to surf here during larger swells but the drops begin to look more like Teahupoo and the consequences become more substantial.
Our Advice: The best wave in the Mentawai's, but the most crowded. In order to get it good here and empty we suggest an early or late season attack. Otherwise, roll the dice, but chances are you'll get a six, as in six boats to share the line-up with.
Martin's Take: "Macaroni's" was first surfed in the 1980's by Australian campers. It was named by my good mate Danny Madre in 1990 during his travels through the islands.
Recommended Board: Your favorite shortboard.
Zone: North Pagai
Overall Rating : 8/10
Best Size: 3-6 ft
Consistency: 7/10
Difficulty: 6/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 7/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: Good.
Shore Access: Difficult at best
Nipussi is a high-performance right situated inside a reef-laden cove. Most people line up at the apex of the point and surf a solid wall that hugs the inside, but during a west swell some people prefer to sit wide and wait for the swinger sets which break in the middle of the cove. Nipussi always has waves and is a good alternative when the rest of the islands are flat. It's known as one of the mellowest waves in the islands but it's still a powerful wave.
Indonesia is arguably the most famous surf destination in the world. Great waves break here year-round, especially if you know where to find them! However, it's the dry season which spans from March to November that is known for producing those indelible images of perfect, empty, remote, offshore barrels, and sunny skies.We have compiled a brief glimpse of nineteen well-known surf spots in the Mentawai Islands - these are the most well known spots - the rest you'll have to find out about on your own!
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* Please note: This page is detailed and very long, please scroll down to see all of the information about waves in our area.
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Photo Credits: This website would not be possible without the support from the following people: Dave Collyer, Sebastian Imizcoz, Dustin Humphrey, Nate Adams, and Brian Nevins.
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Surf Report: Please click here to access our surf report page.
Pitstops is one of the most high performance waves in the Mentawai Islands. Located a few hundred yards away from E-Bay you can't really tell if Pitstops is breaking unless you take a close look. The wave itself starts breaking in a compact area over reef, remarkably, if you're not paying attention, the take-off can be quite challenging. However, once you're on your feet you've got a really fun, semi-backwashy wave to carve, pull in, or boost on. As the wave progresses it starts breaking over a combination of sand and reef until eventually expiring itself on a beautiful tropical beach. One of the most photogenic waves in the world.
Our Advice: Can produce one of the best sessions of your trip, or one of the worst. The wave lends itself very well to some people and extremely poor with others. It doesn't hurt to give it a try if you're in the area.
Martin's Take: "Pitstops" name was given by Frankie Oberholzer and Tom Curren in 1995 during the filming of "Outside the Boundaries". The crew stopped at this spot on their way north to Nias to get wet and the name stuck.
Recommended Board: Shortboard / Fish
Zone: Nyang Nyang
Overall Rating: 5/10
Best Size: 2-4 ft
Consistency: 6/10
Difficulty: 6/10
Bottom: Coral Reef/Sand
Reef Factor: 5/10
Length of Ride: 25 - 50 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate
Swell Direction: Southwest/West
Best Wind: None or East
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: Excellent
Shore Access: Easy
Rifles is one of the longest, most perfect, awe-inspiring waves in the world. When it's breaking properly with a hint of northwest wind you can expect four to six hundred yard right walls with numerous tube sections. Rifles is a violent barrel from start to finish, sometimes when you think you are coming out another section will throw over, and another, and another. If you do come out and see it lining up, you have to put the pedal to the metal to make it through the next barrel section. Basically, you have to go as fast as you can go almost the whole way through the wave. Our Advice: If you catch it good, just one good wave, your trip is a success. The trick here is to be on the look-out for sets as you're paddling back out. Believe us, you can take off anywhere down the line and still get the best wave imaginable - good luck!
Recommended Board: The fastest board you have, unless you're pro you'll need it.
Zone: Playgrounds
Overall Rating: 9/10
Best Size: 6-8 ft
Consistency: 6/10
Difficulty: 8/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 8/10
Length of Ride: 0 - 600 yards
Ability Level: Advanced
Swell Direction: South/Southwest
Best Wind: None or Northwest
Best Tide: Medium - High
Video/Photo Access: Poor.
Shore Access: Forget about it
Every thing you've heard about Telescopes is true. It's a remarkably long left which tempts you to sit deeper and deeper, almost daring you to backdoor an impossible section. With size, the wave breaks for over a half mile outside and descends upon the formal take-off area at mach one. Fortunately, by the time it reaches the pack its slowed down a bit and ready to serve up a wondrous, steep, hollow wall. Telescopes is frequented by many boats based on its premiere quality. However, there always seems to be plenty of waves to go around and when its absolutely firing at six to eight foot many less accomplished surfers watch it from the safe confines of their boats, videocameras in hand.
Our Advice: Telescopes has the potential to be the best wave in Indonesia. We suggest you sit too far outside than to not be out far enough. The current on the inside is vicious; sit wide and wait for the swinger sets and you'll save a lot of energy from paddling.
Recommended Board: Once you see the waves make the best call for yourself.
Zone: Sipora
Overall Rating: 8/10
Best Size: 4-10 ft
Consistency: 6/10
Difficulty: 6/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 5/10
Length of Ride: 50 - 200 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest/West
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: O.K.
Shore Access: Too far away.
Thunders is the largest, most consistent break in the Mentawai's. Aptly named, Thunders powerful lefts break so hard that it not only makes a booming sound; but it also creates a weird, sea foam that often has trouble clearing out before the next set. The line-up is extremely complicated as waves seem to break everywhere around you; however, on a rising swell a solid, slabby wall offers a serious drop followed by a forceful shoulder. The wave breaks in deeper water than you'd expect so it's unlikely you will hit the bottom here. The reality of surfing Thunders on a big day, which is often, is you'll get stuck inside and probably have to make a trip to the shore to make it back out. Grab a big board and charge.
Our Advice: Thunders is undoubtedly one of the most under-rated waves in the Mentawai's. Bring a slightly bigger board, draw out your turns, and don't surf your wave too far to the inside and you should have a blast.
Martin's Take: "Thunders" was first surfed by Danny Madre.
Recommended Board: Your biggest gun if its double overhead plus.
Zone: South Pagai
Overall Rating : 7/10
Best Size: 6-10 ft
Consistency: 10/10
Difficulty: 7/10
Bottom: Coral Reef
Reef Factor: 6/10
Length of Ride: 50 - 100 yards
Ability Level: Intermediate - Advanced
Swell Direction: Southwest
Best Wind: None or Southeast
Best Tide: Medium
Video/Photo Access: OK
Shore Access:Easy: but requires a hike
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