I've been to Wavepark five times, and I've just booked my sixth trip for 2016. As you may be able to gather, I love this place! The question is, what elevates Wavepark above the other resorts? Let me answer that one for you... 1. EXPERIENCE. Christie has been in the Mentawais for 19 years. He's ridden every break (both well known and unknown) and has probably racked up more tube time than anyone. He knows the intricacies of the islands when it comes to surf. He knows how to time a run to avoid crowds. He knows the value of waiting a little, or staying a little longer. And he's supported by Shane who, in six seasons or so at Wavepark, is almost as knowledgable. The best advice I can give anyone is - never stress about where you are going to surf. Just let them read the conditions and put you on the best waves. You won't be disappointed. In addition, they both rip, but never belittle you if you can't surf as well as they can. They will encourage you to push your limits within reason, and are genuinely stoked for their guests when they get a great wave. They will provide valuable advice on each break, call you into great waves (although sometimes you might not want to go!) and they will support you in the lineup if others are not showing respect. They're both great guys...I've been to Wavepark five times, and I've just booked my sixth trip for 2016. As you may be able to gather, I love this place! The question is, what elevates Wavepark above the other resorts? Let me answer that one for you...
1. EXPERIENCE. Christie has been in the Mentawais for 19 years. He's ridden every break (both well known and unknown) and has probably racked up more tube time than anyone. He knows the intricacies of the islands when it comes to surf. He knows how to time a run to avoid crowds. He knows the value of waiting a little, or staying a little longer. And he's supported by Shane who, in six seasons or so at Wavepark, is almost as knowledgable. The best advice I can give anyone is - never stress about where you are going to surf. Just let them read the conditions and put you on the best waves. You won't be disappointed. In addition, they both rip, but never belittle you if you can't surf as well as they can. They will encourage you to push your limits within reason, and are genuinely stoked for their guests when they get a great wave. They will provide valuable advice on each break, call you into great waves (although sometimes you might not want to go!) and they will support you in the lineup if others are not showing respect. They're both great guys who have a sense of humour and love what they do. Most importantly they do not take stupid risks with their boats that might put their guests and other people at risk. There are some cowboys out there - be warned!
2. ACCOMMODATION. The resort is respectful of both the heritage of Indonesia and the environment. The bungalows are spectacular (especially the open air bathrooms) and are constructed from locally sourced materials in traditional Indonesian style with constant thought given to sustainability. Yes, I know it's a cliche but Christie and Alice work hard on this and it shows. It's fair to say you could dismantle the entire resort and you would never know it was there. A great ethos for operating a resort in a paradise like this.
3. THE SERVICE. From the second you arrive at Padang airport everything is taken care of. The transfer boat out to the islands is a beast. It can make the run from the mainland to the resort in 3.5 hours, and it's available during your stay for breaks that are further out or for day trips. The food…oh my God the food! Indonesian food, western food, cooked breakfasts, or cereal and fruit, and decent real coffee. Burgers, burritos, pasta, fish, Singapore chilli crab, pizza, noodles, Rendang curry and lots of other Indo delicacies, dessert every second night (Oreo Cheesecake for the win!) and a fully stocked bar with ice cold beer. You will never be hungry, you will never be thirsty. If you want something, ask, and thy will be done!
4. THE PEOPLE - The entire team are friendly, easy going and happy to help you. There is no attitude. The boat drivers are classic characters, especially Rahim. The kitchen staff scurry about quietly while they do their magic and are lovely people. Alice takes sick photos which you can purchase at the end of the trip for a reasonable price. Ultimately Christie, Alice and Shane and the team are the primary reason I keep going back. They are like family and treat you the same. I've been there often enough now that they know my idiosyncrasies and quirks and I know theirs, and we rip on each other about them with good humour! It's lots of fun and it really feels like a second home to me now. I can't imagine ever staying at another resort.
5. THE MEMORIES. You've just paddled back to the boat at 6pm after getting some of the best waves of your life. Hauling yourself up the ladder with whatever strength you have left, you're greeted by smiles and high fives on the boat. You relive the highlights with your mates in highly animated conversation. The wipeouts are described in every painful and humiliating detail. You grab a seat as the boat raises anchor and sets a course for home. Someone hands you an ice cold beer. Cheers all round! You watch the sun's glow fade on the horizon as you toast your mates and the crew. Sometimes the conversation stops as everyone just sits back and takes it all in. Back at the resort you shower in the palatial bathroom of your private bungalow, and saunter off to the main building for another drink and some bar snacks. The banter continues and then the big screen becomes the focal point as the photo highlights of the day are presented with an eclectic soundtrack of everything from Lou Reed to Mastodon. Everyone erupts in cheers and snide remarks at every good wave, every classic wipeout, and drop-ins are caught in all their hideous reality (the penalty is a beer for the victim bought by the perpetrator). Then it's dinner time - you savour the amazing food in front of you over great conversation and more laughter. After dinner it could be movie time, a bit of 8 ball or table tennis, or a nightcap or two at the bar while playing iPod Roulette* (Trademark Jimmy James (c) 2011). Back in your bungalow, under the mosquito net with the fans on, you're comfortable and relaxed as you drift off to sleep, reliving that great barrel, that wave where everything just 'clicked', reflecting on the amazing feeling of paddling back out and hooting at your mates as they get the waves of their lives, and dreaming about what may come tomorrow….And that's just day one. Nine days to go…

My times at Wavepark have been the greatest days of my life. I'll keep going back as long as I am able. I hope to see you there sometime!More