Go to the Maldives or the Mentawai islands? What a dilemma! Both are postcard perfect, filled with palm tree covered tropical islands and home to some of the best surf on Earth.
We caught up with surf travel specialists The Perfect Wave for more information on both options and how to score that trip of a lifetime with a special Carve discount…
The Perfect Wave is the world’s largest surf travel network and number one operator of surf charters in the Indian Ocean. We’re also big fans of Carve and we know that all you other Carve fans out there love nothing more than an awesome boat trip. So, to kick off 2019 in style we’re offering a special 10% discount on three of our favourite boats exclusively for you.
You’ve heard the stories, seen the photos and watched the videos of the world’s best surfers tearing apart mind-blowing reef breaks like Macaronis, Kandui, and Lance’s Right. There’s no reason you can’t experience that Mentawai magic yourself. Do it in maximum comfort aboard the Kai Dua, a spacious, floating surf resort for 8 to 12 guests, with tasty food and 15 cases of beer included in the price. It’s the ultimate option for groups of surf-loving friends.
Pick the full barrel experience itinerary to Central and South Mentawai, or surf more user-friendly spots in North Mentawai and Telos. All boats leave from Padang harbour. Regular packages start at £1853 for 9 nights.
The Maldives is the ultimate surf trip destination for a combination of great hospitality, fantastic food, deluxe accommodations and a wide range of waves from friendly walls to rippable bowls and playful tubes. We’ve got a value-for-money and a full bells-and-whistles option that tick all the boxes for groups of families or friends, and cover all the best spots in the archipelago.
Above: The Perfect Wave Cobia Get the best bang for your buck surfing the marquee spots of the Malé Atolls aboard The Perfect Wave Cobia. The captain and crew are dedicated to making sure you and no more than 8 of your friends have the best surf experience possible in the Maldives. The boat is designed to cruise close to the reef, so you’ll always be a short paddle to the surf, and the chef is renowned for his tasty, all-you-can-eat feasts. Specifically built to be a sleek and sumptuous surf vessel, The Perfect Wave Handy is the luxurious new addition to The Perfect Wave Maldives charter fleet.Based in the remote, wave-rich Southern Atolls with an experienced surf guide, its sole purpose is to make sure you’re surfing the highest quality, least crowded spots on any given day.
The Cobia will be waiting for you upon arrival in Malé. Or you’ll catch a domestic flight to Gaafu Dhaalu Atoll where you’ll be greeted and taken straight aboard the Handy. Regular packages start at £1293 for 7 nights on the Cobia and £2107 for 8 nights on the Handy.
Ask for your special Carve discount -10% off Regular Packages available until 28 February. Contact one of our surf experience specialists to book or for more details on your trip of a lifetime! All prices per person.
KP getting it done at Backdoor back in his pro days. Sequence: Sharpy
The genial gent that is Kieren Perrow, lover of throaty right tubes, is stepping down from his role with the WSL. The Comish had the unenviable job of calling comps on or off. No one has a crystal ball to see what the surf is like the rest of the waiting period so it can’t be a fun job in that regard. But as the job is now LA-based and KP is Oz based he’s stepping down.
Taking over is the irrepressible Pat O’Connell, him off of the Endless Summer 2, Taylor’s films and generally regarded as one of the nicest guys in surfing. He also knows his stuff, as an ex-tour surfer and longtime industry bod. How he’s going to fit his new job title of ‘Senior Vice President, Tours and Head of Competition’ on his biz card remains to be seen.
–PRESS RELEASE–
The World Surf League (WSL) today announced that after six years in the position, Commissioner Kieren Perrow is stepping down to take on a supporting role at the WSL, which will leverage his decades of experience in evolving and championing the technical aspects of the sport.
“I’ve been a part of professional surfing my entire life, and I never imagined it would get to the level it’s at today,” Perrow said. “To be able to live out my dream on tour as a competitor, while also being a surfer rep and board member, was a massive high point in my career. However, getting to transition into my role as Commissioner and foster new talent and development pathways for surfers, has been even more rewarding. I’m really proud of my team and the WSL for all we have achieved together. With the role now needing to be based in Los Angeles, I’m taking this opportunity to step down and spend more time in Australia with my family, while continuing to be a part of professional surfing in a more focused capacity.”
Pat O’Connell, former WSL Championship Tour (CT) competitor and current VP of Sports Marketing at Hurley, will succeed Perrow in the newly titled WSL role of SVP, Tours & Head of Competition (formerly titled “The Commissioner”), overseeing the Commissioner’s Office roles and responsibilities. O’Connell will be based out of WSL Headquarters in Los Angeles, California.
“Words can’t describe the amount of respect I have for the WSL, Kieren and his team,” O’Connell said. “From competitor to surfer rep to board member to commissioner, he really has given his all for surfing to get it to where it is today and I couldn’t be more thankful. It’s super hard to leave my family at Hurley as it’s been such a huge part of my life for more than 15 years. I’ve had an incredible experience at Hurley, but I’m beyond excited for the opportunity to lead the competitive aspects of surfing and further elevate the sport. I believe in the WSL, I believe in what it can be, and I’m stoked.”
O’Connell will officially begin his role on March 11, overseeing the development of all of the WSL’s tours – Championship Tour, Qualifying Series, Pro Junior Series, Big Wave Tour, Longboard Tour and Specialty Events and Series.
“Kieren’s leadership over the past six years has significantly contributed to the success and improvements across the sport, and we’re very pleased that he will continue to work with us in a new capacity,” Sophie Goldschmidt, WSL CEO, said. “I am delighted that Pat O’Connell has agreed to join the WSL to fill KP’s shoes. He has held a number of diverse roles within surfing, both as a competitor and on the business side, and his passion for the sport is infectious. He will have the support of an incredible team at a time when momentum is building across all surfing disciplines and taking the sport to new levels.”
The Dane Reynolds-inspired Paradoxxx has quickly become a new favourite in the Vans Surf arsenal. This spring, Vans introduces a new seasonal colour-way of the retro style for collectors and fans alike. The Paradoxxx draws inspiration from Dane Reynolds’ subtle yet bold persona and honours the design’s heritage by achieving a timeless Vans look and feel.
Highlighted in a pop yolk yellow hue this spring, the Paradoxxx’s functional features include durable cupsoles, engineered with Vans UltraCush Lite drop-in insoles for superior comfort and support. The Paradoxxx blends skate and surf design cues to create an unmistakable vintage look, with Vans’ original and often coveted Flying V logo intricately embroidered on the quarter panel, paired with its throwback “Off The Wall” cotton label sewn onto the tongue. A pioneer in surf style and progression, Dane Reynolds’ discerning eye for artful design and pure craftsmanship have been a continuous influence on Vans Surf product since joining the Vans family in 2011.
Mullaghmore isn’t like other big waves around the globe. It’s cold, heavy, unpredictable. It drops sections from nowhere, the bottom falls out, lip come out of the face, it’s not an attractive proposition to most, and if you get caught it’s going to punish you badly. Pete Conroy and the founders of the Irish Tow surf rescue club have always known this and for the last ten+ years set about rigorously training for the inevitable – a life threatening scenario.
Last Wednesday their training paid off saving the life, and possible leg, of Sligo surfer John Monahan. John, a paid up and drilled member of the ITSRC, nearly drowned after smashing his femur. Luckily Pete Conroy and the team were there.
John takes up the story
“I had been keen to take a low line after seeing Raphael’s wave and hoped to get an open end section that I could tuck into. The lip on mine seemed to follow me, didn’t throw open as before and at the point I thought I would pull up into the barrel I was too low for the lip and the barrel clamped down. After this I’ve a vague memory of being deep under water, squirming, out of air and for some reason I didn’t have the sense to pull my vest. Really glad to have been breath hold training as I was desperate. I’m told there were a couple of waves on the head.
“My next memory is being out of the impact zone and trying to pull up onto the sled, that’s when I saw my leg swollen and swinging out of position. It was obvious there was something broken or out of joint, again it’s quite vague. Peter got me lay on my back, I felt safe for the first time. Chest was sore, really wanted my vest off, turned out I had two broken ribs. Had a knock to my head also.
“I was held in position on the ski and slowly driven back to the harbour where the ambulance had been co ordinated from the water and was on its way. Back to the harbour and I vaguely remember being on the slip way, answering some questions and again the feeling of being safe. Wetsuit was being cut off. Femur break more obvious. I got wrapped in foil. Familiar faces around, bit cold, but the situation was under control. On into the ambulance, then into the care of Sligo General Hospital. They were concerned by the foot going blue. They said if the work at the harbour hadn’t happened and allowed some blood flow to the foot there could have been talk of amputation. There was a kink in a main artery and it could have been serious. This all came good, blood flow improved, and I had an operation on the broken femur the day after. As I lay here I can bend my knee and will be fighting fit in no time.
“It’s hard to put into words the appreciation I have for the Tow Surf Rescue club, especially Peter and John but everyone that played a supporting role and have been so decent in the days since. There were so many stages to this rescue, each excecuted with professionalism and calm. I still have two legs and I’ll surf again in a matter of months. Without the speedy response at any of the stages I could be in a much worse condition . From me its a message of thanks .
Stoked to have caught that wave.”
Pete Conroy of Irish Tow Surf Rescue said
“What do we train for? Why do we all meet up and go through emergency situations that could happen but rarely do. Because when it goes wrong it goes wrong fast. It is only then that training kicks in, and practice makes perfect. And lives are saved and all very very smoothly.
“It was a day like no other. Big, heavy, and nearly perfect. Limits were pushed and bones broken. It could have happened to any of us. But only the brave will suffer for the limits to be broken. A big shout out to all the lads that help make sure that John made it back to the peir in one piece and transported to hospital with a very life threating injury. Ollie’s Surf Academy @twin_phin @sligokayaktours @conormaguiree Rafa Tapia @monzy88 @hseambulanceservice Pier Head Hotel, Spa & Leisure Centre and so many more thanks a million.”
Massive respect to all the lads who got John to safety. Irish Tow Surf Rescue Club run courses for locals surfers all aspects of sea safety as well as big wave safety and response. They also take the time to run visiting pros through safety and rescue situations and responses so everyone is correctly briefed and knows what they are doing if the shit hits the fan… Which it will… A foward thinking, world leading organisation saving lives. Top work.
You can join or find out more here. Maybe join and chuck them a few quid so they can carry other good work.
