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Wavepark - an experience and memories of a lifetime
Being a surfer who has a thousand responsibilities and as many reasons why I should be content with my home break in NZ, I had always wanted to go on a full on surf trip, but I never had been able to. When a friend suggested I have a look at Wavepark in the Mentawai Islands, I googled the website and poured over it for many hours. My son and I were both impressed, and booked our Mentawai holiday. Keeping in touch with Alice certainly made it easy, with copious emails back and forth detailing every step for us.It was a first time experience for us both, travelling to an unknown destination, with plenty of expectations mixed with intrepidation and excitement. But what an easy journey it was! Each airport (four of them) taking us closer to our dream. Then on the final leg in the long boat, as we headed out to sea in the middle of the Indian Ocean with no land in sight, it seemed like we were a million miles from nowhere. As Manuik appeared on the horizon, we knew our destination was close by. Rounding the corner, past Hideaways, Wavepark appeared like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Stepping ashore, time stood still as a special reality set in. A week on a tropical island, awesome waves in warm water, being looked after ever so well, making new friends and just being in one of the most beautiful places on the earth was a privilege I will treasure for ever.
Wavepark more than lived up to our expectation. A week there provided us with a lifetime memory of the perfect surf trip. So much so, I look forward to returning, and living the dream again.Neil Walker
realwalker.com***********************************************************************************
I have stayed at Wavepark, in August 2007 and March 2008. I have also previously done a boat trip to Mentawais. Both trips to Wavepark have been excellent value! There are heaps of waves in the playgrounds area which work on different winds and swell directions. There is just about always surf to be had somewhere. The winds often change during the day making it offshore at different spots. In my view Christie and his crew have the local conditions wired. There are usually 2 trips per day to wherever they think its on. Each trip is an adventure in itself, jumping in the indo style speedboat to surf new spots with a few of your mates. Plus there is the reef called Hideaways on the island which regularly produces classic lefts. We have found that with a little effort you can usually end up scoring some great indo surf to yourself. Food and accommodation on the island are pretty cool with plenty of places to rest and refuel between sessions. Once you get surfed out ( it does happen) you can dive, fish, watch movies, read books, go exploring, or whatever you like on the island. Each night you can have a few beers and view the surfing photos that Christie’s wife Alice has taken during the day. I highly recommend Wavepark to anyone who wants a quality Indonesian surf trip where you can enjoy some great wavesand create unfogettable memories with a few mates
Michael McCall
Barrister at Law
Richmond Chambers***********************************************************************************
No photo, video or written article could possible prepare you for the entire WavePark experience. Being on a 27 foot single tree dug-out canoe, out in the middle of the Indian Ocean, feeling the undulating swells against the hull, and watching these pristine, glassy and EMPTY waves rolling onto shallow coral reefs, exploding into perfect barrels, sounding like both the crackling of lightening and the roar of thunder. This is something you need to personally experience to believe.
As a southern Californian female surfer with my husband and two close friends, who have all been water people for many years, we were overwhelmed by the beauty and splendor of not only the waves, but the islands and their pristine waters and reefs. The Indonesian people are incredibly friendly and welcome Westerners. We often thought, how wonderful to live such a simple , uncomplicated life in a surfer's utopia. I can honestly say, this was the BEST experience of my life, and came back a changed person. Someone with new aspirations and goals, a new stoke on surfing and getting better, in many ways. I also returned with a lot of new friends who will remain very dear to me. I only hope the more people that visit and fall in love with WavePark, the more they will want to preserve it , as I do.
A Fellow Wave Lover
aka / She Urchin Barbara Elsner
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You couldn't ask for better surf guides than those at WavePark Mentawai. They'll take you where the waves are! They speak fluent Indonesian and English, their surfing abilities are incredible and they respect and ARE respected by the Mentawai people. As for the waves - I'll tell you this, I was thanking them 3 times a day through my whole trip (21 days) for giving me the best waves of my life! It is a sick experience and I am returning to have another WavePark Mentawai holiday in April of 2009!
See Ya in Indo,
Tom Brubaker
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My WavePark Mentawai holiday was a fantastic adventure, that delivered in the wave department. We were able to surf waves in the head high + range everyday, with some larger days. Our experienced guide knew where to surf and when, as the winds can be variable in direction and strength and the tides extreme. We ate a variation of fish and local dishes that kept the experience on a more authentic level and enjoyed sleeping on solid ground each night, which was really nice as some of the charter boats had found themselves dislodged from anchor in the night when storms moved in unexpectedly. When I go back to Indo it won't be without a stop out at the Wavepark!
Jason Brock
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Imaginez-vous sur une île déserte, entourée de quinze vagues parfaites accessibles en trente minutes, le silence uniquement perturbé par le chant des oiseaux et le ressac des vagues. Ajoutez au cadre des conditions de vie royales : cuistot hors-pair, pilotes de la pirogue rapide disponibles pour vous faire accéder aux pics les plus parfaits et déserts possibles. Vous êtes au Wave Park Mentawai!
Nous sommes arrivés là par le plus grand des hasards et l'expérience en fut d'autant plus extraordinaire. Au programme de ces quelques jours, surf surtout, il y a toujours de quoi faire, toujours tubulaire et glassy bien sûr, mais aussi ballades, pêche et détente dans un cadre idyllique.
La démarche du propriétaire des lieux étant par ailleurs vraiment saine, avec une intégration maximale des locaux à son activité, le respect des autres surfeurs et de l'environnement d'ailleurs incroyable, je ne peux que conseiller aux surfeurs désireux de découvrir les Mentawaï autrement de passer par le Wave Park.
Nico Rousson
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Experiencing the culture is all part of the travel allure, and WavePark Mentawai does the utmost to ensure a balance of local culture and an unrivaled surf adventure. We are all familiar with the fabled surf of the Mentawai's and oh yes the legends are true. Even on a 'flat' day we surfed 5-foot waves in the pristine, azure waters and gawked at the truly incredible and majestic scenery that surrounded us.
The surf needs no description as all descriptions pale to the reality. You need to immerse yourself in it to believe it. The mobility you have with this adventure far surpasses the boat travel that has become so popular. You can surf up to four different spots in one day if you have the stamina to do it. Try that on a boat tour!
Each day we were treated to local cuisine cooked by a local with all native ingredients. Flavorful curries and noodle dishes were the mainstay and never lacking in flavor or quantify. We even had a western treat of pizza ALA Wavepark! This is just one of the areas in which Wavepark reigns supreme.
Our boat driver had a fantastic knowledge of the area and was a true local, constantly keeping us laughing and entranced with his stories. Most of the boat trips do not even employ the local Mentawaian's (Wavepark's staff is all local) whose knowledge of conditions and surf is superior. The fact that you are on an island that is scenic as it is remote provides an extra bonus. You can get away from people and do what you will on any day, try that on a boat with ten other people!
The reefs and beaches of the island are so idyllic that I often felt as if I was dreaming the whole thing. Upon our return to Padang we even had the chance to explore the local market with a local guide. The aromas, sights and sounds were not to be forgotten. Christie ensures that you get the full Indo immersion into any and all facets that YOU want to experience. I'll be back next year without a doubt!
Michael Burdick
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Just wanted to let you know that I thoroughly enjoyed myself at the Wavepark the last two weeks! The service and amenities exceeded my expectations by far. And the waves were great the whole time we were there. I am looking forward to my next visit to the Wavepark, and recommending it to all my friends!
Mark Hurlock
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There are few guarantees in life, but I promise you that you will have a great time and get epic surf at the Wavepark in the Mentawais. If you have never been to Indonesia, you will get a flavor of the country via your travel through Padang in West Sumatra. The local ferry experience out to the islands is a trip in itself! Then to be met by Wavepark's traditional dugout canoes for the short ride to your private island resort - the anticipation mounts as you start to see reefs and waves breaking around you! You arrive at the resort, meet the local staff, sip a fresh coconut, unpack your gear, and get ready to surf!
Wavepark's knowledgeable guides, under the supervision of Christie Carter (who has a wealth of knowledge of the area) help you make the call of where to surf, and you can surf as long as your arms hold out!
One guy in our group put in three sessions a day for about 7 hours of in-water surf time! The surf is world-class (after all, that's why you really come all the way here), and there is an incredible variety of spots to choose from in the Wavepark.The resort is very laid-back. The accommodations are very comfy, with great beds, mosquito netting, and cool outdoor showers. The food is excellent, and each night at the bar the resident surf photographers (thanks Alice and Katie!) show the shots from the day to the hoots of the guests. All the staff make you feel right at home. I slept so well, from the combination of perfect surf, sun, warm water, great meals, and a few cold Bintangs every night! Go to the Wavepark, you will not be disappointed.
John Heine
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The entire set - up and the crew at the Wavepark I found to be Idyllic.
The transportation to the surfspots located amongst the other nearby islands are in large dugout canoes with twin engine outboard motors. It was not only fast and smooth, but also the only way to go for such a setting, comfortable and Mentawaian Island style.The crew are always keen to take you surfing and so it is usually them that are hurrying you up to get your gear ready to go.The accommodation is in new bungalows. They are very comfortable and made with the local materials, being tropical wood and thatching. There is a view of a wave called Hideaways from the accommodation. It's at your beachfront to either walk and paddle out to, or to get ferried out to by the canoes.
The Mentawaian crew at the WavePark are there to greet you and are super cool towards the guests. They know they have a special place to share and they enjoy sharing it, so respect it.
If you get a break from the surf and you want to enjoy more of your sorroundings, take a walk around the island and definetly go snorkeling as you would be foolish not to.
Mario Cuda
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Jamie Gove: [email protected]
George and Tanya Bredehoft: [email protected]
Claire Youmans: [email protected]
Jason Lesh: [email protected]
B.B. Alexander: [email protected]
Chris Elmerick: [email protected]
Chris Groark: [email protected]
Jason Hennessey: [email protected]
Brent Eggerton: [email protected]
We are standing by to make your dreams a reality.
