May 20th 2025: Call of the Indian Ocean

I was a late comer to Indonesian surf. I headed straight to surf around South Africa after uni, then chased snow in the mountains of Eastern Europe and Europe itself. By the time my mates were doing trips to Indo in the late '90s I was back in New Zealand trying to make a go of it as a professional photographer.

My first trip was to Bali in 2018 – but so much had changed in those 20 years in between. The Bali I saw was nothing like the Bali of 1998. The Mentawais trip I missed in 1999 was one of my biggest regrets – just a full-on adventure from start to finish in a playground that very few ventured into at that time. It's much busier these days but still an absolute gem of a place to go on a surf adventure.

As you read this I am starting the long journey to Padang, on Sumatra's West Coast. There we will hop on the Mahogany – a 26m long Pinisi-style Indonesian boat that has been custom built for surf exploration – and travel 200km off the coast to the Mentawai Island chain.

Once again we have an all-Kiwi group of surfers – including some absolute rippers. Even my boy Keo has managed to get aboard. To be surfing the Mentawais at 15 is a dream come true for him, as it is every time for all of us really. He will be joined by Big Wave Dave, his son Reuben Lyons, and the Roberts family of George Snr, George and Frank (who have all featured in Box of Light before).

The forecast is looking magic with two decent swells in the 2-3m range ... and we head straight into the peak of the first swell for a baptism of fire of sorts. Chef Juli has already assured me he has plenty of cabai (chilli) on board – he makes the most amazing food all day, every day.

My Nias mate Sugud promises me he'll clear the tinny of sea snakes each morning – they love it in there overnight where it's a bit warmer, Scuzz – our guide, the owner and also a good mate – is set to dial us into all the hidden corners of the Ments that a swell forecast like this allows. He's spent almost 30 years out there. It's in his blood now.

This will be my third trip with Sumatran Surfariis. From that very first one you become great mates with the Indonesian crew. So seeing them all again is another treat for a trip like this.

My next dispatch will be from a remote corner of the Indian Ocean ... needless to say, my excitement levels are at an all-time high.

See you out on the reef ... Derek

PS Our photographer mate Eugene Tan, of Aquabumps, and his entire family have received SurfAid's Humanitarian of the Year Award for 2025. Uge is an absolute legend and actually helped me to reshape Box of Light way back in 2013. You can read the full story of his humanitarian award right here on NZ Surf Journal.