It's the time of the year again when many of devoted wave pilgrims, pro, semi pro and dedicated kitesurfers around the world, make their annual journey to Lakey Peak in Sumbawa, Indonesia, once considered a world secret surf spot. International surf magazines have had many photos showing off the huge, clean and glassy surfs without a slightest hint as to the exact location. My long time friend Jason Chiang, local Airush distributor and pioneer kitesurfer from Singapore, has been telling me about this picture perfect surf spot for the past few seasons. Finally, curiosity got the better of me and I go along on his annual kitesurfing escapade. It will be a prefect excuse for me to try out my newly acquired 300mm lens.
Barely 50 minutes away from Bali by daily domestic flight, it is hard to believe such paradise does exist where perfect waves blessed with a perfect solid side shore wind from end August to early Nov. Surf breaks are at the designated locations 24 hours a day. Water, beyond and before the breaks, is relatively flat. Watching wave surfers at the "Peak" break directly in front of the hotel restaurant while having breakfast served with strong Java black coffee, littered with lots of coffee powder, is the daily morning wake up call. Soon side shore wind kicks in with Swiss watch precision in the late morning. In no time, all kitesurfers are out in full force. Among several breaks in front of Lakey Peak, the real slashing actions take place at the picture perfect breaks called "Pipe" on the left. Huge, powerful 15 footer with full-on walls often turning in full size barrels, this is not for the faith hearted. The breaks are right at the edge of the shore line with sallow reefs so getting in and out are tricky. Considering the fact that the breaks are short, allowing possibly only one bottom turn and a cut-back at any ride, it is getting crowded. Felix Pivec, Will James, Reo Stevens and Jeff Tobias are all ripping up at here all day. They are on their annual month long R&D trip! Looking at so many world-class pro riders ripping up the waves in one location is the dream comes true for me and my over-worked cameras. Of all the riders, Felix Pivec no nonsense surf style riding surely stands out among the crowd. His setup is sample, 9m2 Reactor on 6' Converse, riding unhooked and performing some awesome bottom turns and off the lips that few can reproduce. It is also interestingly noted amount all the riders and viewers when reviewing the day's photos on computer that Felix is the only one out there with amusingly wide grin on his face while bottom turning on every wave. He seems to be truly enjoying every moment of it and looks like he is part of the waves, instead of fighting and concurring them. This, I think, is what set him apart from his peers.
After a hard day out in the sea, a dinner rounds off with ice cold local "Bintan" beer, amid nonstop Jack Johnson songs, for a little as USD5.00 awaits. This pretty much sum up our daily routine for the week we are here. At this epic centre of all surf heavens, extremely remote and far away, seems crowded with surfers from all corner of the globe. In fact the whole world seems to congregate here. We meet and make many friends from the world over - Brazil, USA, Europe, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Here at Lakey Peak, totally cut off from the rest of the world, what else is there to do but eat, drink, sleep and dream kitesurfing??But personally for me, Sumbawa means the long lasting image of Felix bottom turning with his trade mark grins??
All images and story by Howie Choo, photographer and windsurfer based in Singapore.
See more of his work at: www.howiephoto.com
source:
airush.comLabels: story, surf, travel
