Skipper's update
We returned to Kavieng in November 2007 after a five-month refit in Cairns to start the 07/08 surf season. Fuel, water, beers, softies, canned food, fresh food and finally all the guests aboard we threw off the ropes and pointed the old girl north. The PNG air was humid & the northwesterly blew while a three to four foot swell pumped towards us from the northeast. It was a classic start to the season, six frothing guests, four frothing crew and one frothing skipper!
In this season we uncovered three new breaks, and sorry goofy footers they are all right handers. Two waves break on a reef that lie half a mile offshore from a place I won’t mention. The first is “Two Trees” a mellow takeoff with a nice workable wall that finishes off with a bowling barrel section. The second, “Drainpipes” speaks for itself, a hollow fast right. You really need to read this wave to pick the right one, leave the wide ones alone and pick up the link ups. We had a few nice barrels there this season. Third wave, still unnamed. About 150 metres of fun, on a workable wackable wall. You can experience the odd barrel section when it’s bigger. I know there are a handful of waves still yet to be surfed and I’ll leave those for next season.
On a whole this season has seemed a little lighter on for swell than others but there was rarely a day that was unsurfed and there was always an empty set up around. For me it’s all about the next adventure, the good waves, the crystal clear waters for snorkeling and fish aplenty to reel onboard. All combined can guarantee everyone has experienced everything the day had to offer and was hanging for an icy cold beer by sundown. My totally amazing wife has truly been the backbone of this whole season, and anyone who has been onboard will fully agree. Now food is something every surfer treasures.
After a day of surfing, you get back to Exo with your rib cage hanging out, and as you step onto the duckboard you get a whiff of that evening’s dinner. Pre-empted by some fresh sashimi with a cold brew, dinnertime is always an awesome experience in itself. Jude truly does pump out the best meals ever...not that I am at all biased!
For the fisherman in most surfers, this season has been equally as good as the last, s**t loads of yellowfin (great for my specialty & personal favourite dish - sashimi). Many cracker wahoo right on dark and some monster sailfish. We lost a few sailies, but thanks to Sam from Sydney who managed to win the battle of man against fish to land the biggest one of the season so far! GT’s have offered us a run for our money and mackerel have been a consistent catch and always good eating.