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Vietnam

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Sometimes life doesn't always go to plan! 🤣 • As well as scoring some of the best waves of my life in the Ments I also got some of the most hectic beatdowns I've experienced for a while too! • Totally worth the trade off though! 😁 • One of the things I get asked a lot about the Mentawais is if it's suitable for beginners and the simple answer is no, it's not. • Sharp, shallow reefs and for the most part fast waves - the breaks here are best suited to those who have a solid amount of experience in the ocean • ...and even then a lot of people will pay the price in skin! • Yes, there are some of the most perfect waves in the world here - but you'll only get the most out of them if your skill level is high enough. • Because you don't just pose a danger to yourself, its other people too • Get plenty of experience (especially surfing reef breaks) at more forgiving spots and then book your dream trip - trust me it's worth the wait and you'll be thankful you can make the most of them 🤙 • Thanks for the 📷 @renatalopezb
Twinny time! 🙌 • Along side testing out some other setups in the Ments I decided to give the @palmbaybali Zephyr twin fin setup a blast on my 5’11 • Now it’s designed as a quad setup so in theory this should’ve been a total fail...but honestly I was massively surprised how much fun it was! • It loosened up the turns a bit and gave it a much more skatey feel - even in head high waves it was a joy to ride! • In fact I like it so much I think I’m going to keep that as my sole setup for the 5’11 and keep the 5’5 as a quad! • I’ve never surfed a twin fin before but it just goes to show - taking the time to experiment a little bit can really open up your surfing. • So whether it’s board size, shape or fin setup set aside a few sessions to play around and how knows, you might find something amazing! •
Mentawais perfection 🌊 • Honestly there not much I can really say about this shot - but who wishes that was them right now?! •
I think this is my new favourite photo of me surfing! 🎉 • Sure it’s not the biggest wave I’ve ever surfed but the spray, the turn and THAT backdrop get me stoked for more waves every time I look at it! • What’s the favourite shot you have of yourself from your travels? • Thanks for the epic pics @renatalopezb •
Solid sets rolling through 🌊 • There have been a few days on my Mentawais trip where some solid swell has rolled through, lighting up some of the more challenging spots and offering some truly epic rides • ...and equally epic beat downs! • No clue who this guys is but he’s making riding ebays look waaaaaaay easier than it is 😂 • Was awesome to watch, but I know where my limits are! •
Good times with a good surf crew 🙌 • It’s all packing in heaps of epic waves but having a good surf crew to share the fun with is always a massive bonus! • Huge shout out to all the crew of @driftwoodmentawai and all the surfers I shared sessions with in the Ments this time, good times all round! • On my last trip I had my bro @joshstevensdesign in tow but this time I was going solo so it was lucky dip who I’d end up paddling out with • Everyone who heads that way seems to be in a similar mindset - and they’re usually chilled and chatty in the lineup, which is a welcome change from a lot of spots I’ve surfed on the road • Unfortunately there’s always a few d*ckheads in the lineup (no prizes for guessing where they’re usually from!haha!) but on the whole a session in Mentawais is a social and fun affair if you do bump into some crowds • The real fun is a session with just your camps crew out...and those are always the most memorable •
Rock dodging at Ebays 😱 • On my last visit to the Mentawais Ebays unfortunately wasn’t working so I was stoked to finally tick this spot of my surfing bucket list...and boy did it deliver! • These fast, glassy lefts wrap around the point by @driftwoodmentawai and offer some cover up sections too when it pumps • ...and I managed to snag my first Mentawai tube here too! 🎉 • On this occasion though I was simply gunning down the line trying not to get pummelled 😂 •
Does it get much more tropical than this?! 🌴 • Just a short (and super scenic) jungle walk around from @driftwoodmentawai is the surf spot Pitstops - which not only offers up some fun right handers, but is also an epic beach to chill on and nab some photos • I’m terrified of heights so you won’t find me scaling any palm trees for photos but I’m glad I could rope in some of my new surf buddies to model for me 😂 •
10 YEARS OF TRAVEL! 🎉 • So this week marks 10 years since I first stepped foot on Australia - my first long haul adventure that actually ended up never really ending! • It’s CRAZY to think I’ve been bouncing around for a decade and even crazier to think about where my blog has taken me • But in an entirely unplanned and slightly spooky chain of events I’ve actually found myself landing back in Australia again on the exact same date I landed back in 2009! • And to be honest I couldn’t think of anywhere better to celebrate the last 10 years of adventures! • From surfing in South Africa, scuba diving in the Maldives and hiking the Inca trail to learning to scuba dive, becoming a surf coach and living in a van...sooooo many incredible memories • Big thanks to all the people I’ve met along the way and all my readers and followers for being such a massive part of the journey • Have a swipe through to see some of the highlights, including a super goofy shot of me before I first left for the airport 😂 • Thankfully I pack a lot lighter now and I’m heaps more tanned! • ...here’s to the next 10! •