PNG SURFARIS

The People
Andrew Rigby – Captain
Andrew is from a family of five generations of fishermen from Port Philip Bay and Bass Strait in Victoria. A Master V Skipper and fitter and turner by trade he has spent many years on the water from trawlers to charter vessels and living on his own yacht for two years sailing up and down the East Coast of Oz. Andrew spent his younger years surfing at 13th beach on Victoria’s South-coast. He’s a mad keen surfer and finding these epic waves in PNG has given him the buzz for surf exploration & charters.

Judith Rigby – Boat manager & chef
Jude is from Northern Ireland, her background is in Environmental Protection though she has many years experience in hospitality and tourism. A hostess on boats in France and Australia, this has given her the credentials for a high standard of guest care and to ensure your daily menu has an inviting selection of locally inspired and western cuisine.

Glen Kroening – First Mate
Glen from Emirau Island, is a qualified PNG skipper (CFO 2*). He has worked with PNG Surfaris for three years. *CFO is commercial fishing operation – which is a recognized PNG maritime qualification.

Lynelle Nennek – Deck, galley-hand & house-keeping.
Lynelle started with PNG Surfaris in 2007.
She has her CFO 1 qualification and is from Mussau Island in St Matthias.

Audrey Inani – Deck and galley hand & house-keeping.
Audrey started work with PNG Surfaris in 2008.
She has her CFO 1 qualification and is from Mussau Island in St Matthias.

Gabby John ‘Junior’ – Tender skipper and deckhand.
Junior started working with PNG Surfaris in late 2006. After a short break he has returned in 2009. He is undertaking his CFO 1 qualification and is from Kavieng and New Hanover.

History
PNG Surfaris began in 2006 aboard the MV Exocoetus or ‘Exo’. The past three years have seen Exo with Andrew at the helm, carry 260 guests safely around the islands of New Ireland. Prior to the tourism charters the duo were well known from trading around the islands. It was during this time that Andrew began to surf the waves. With every surf the locals amazed as Andrew rode the “si brukim” (breaking sea) standing on foam and fiberglass. This was obvious by the crowds that gathered to watch, and metered by their reaction as he disappeared into the wave and charged out the other end. That was their first ‘barrel’ on this island and Andrews’ right to name the break.
 
Three years of surf charter operations have enabled PNG Surfaris to document the consistency of the waves, and discover many more. They were the first to do this in many of the islands, and are keen to share this place with other surfers; whilst up-keeping the relative secrecy of what is one of the world’s last untapped surfing resources.

Present
With the new vessel the PNG Explorer on the scene, PNG Surfaris is committed to tourism in PNG for the long-term. Every day gives Andrew & Jude another reason why they love living in New Ireland. It’s the culmination of the people, the beautiful landscape, its wildlife, the climate, and of course the amazing surfing and diving which makes PNG so special for them. The PNG Explorer will enable PNG Surfaris to operate all year round in surfing, diving and general charter.

With the aim to establish the Explorer as the best surf & dive live-aboard in the PNG. This will be attained through PNG Surfaris’ commitment to providing a great service and a safe operation for tourists, crew & locals, all the while sharing the wonders of PNG as a holiday destination. As a business PNG Surfaris endeavors to promote a sustainable form of tourism which is low impact on the environment and beneficial to the local communities.