It's extremely difficult to express in words what makes the Mentawai Islands such a fascinating, yet fragile, surf destination. Perhaps the most poignant introduction to the subject was written by Alex Dick-Read, editor of the "Surfer's Path" magazine, who spent sixteeen days in June of 2002 on a surf/cultural expedition covering the complete Mentawai Islands experience; on land and in the water.
Over What? by Alex Dick Read.
These islands have been heavily exposed to our culture over the last eight years, but how much do we, as surfers, actually know about the Mentawai's? And how much do we even want to know?
Every now and then you might hear a surfer say the words "over it" in reference to these highly photogenic reefs and their fantasy waves. But what is it that they are "over"? The waves? No surfer could honestly claim to be "over" perfect, reeling tubes. Maybe they're "over" the endless stream of pro trips and glossy shots that seem to put the Mentawai's beyond the means of most of us, financially, and beyond comprehension realistically.
Or maybe the "discovery" of the Mentawai's in the early 90's was so exciting and underground that now the islands aren't "new" or "exotic" anymore, they don't hold the same kudos. "And besides, I heard they're way overcrowded these days...."
Dunno. But I've never been "over" the idea of surfing spot after pristine spot, travelling by luxury boat to each one, eating good food and generally having my mind utterly altered for two solid weeks.
That's the surfer in me talking. But there are other angles, too. To think that the Mentawai's begin and end with glossy surf trips, expensive charters, and a kind of lost innocence, is to miss the wider picture.
There's a whole lot about the Mentawai Islands that's of more than just passing interest, and it's not just the nifty anthropological stuff that tweaks the hunter-gatherer spirit within us all, or environmental factoids that seem kind of cool to know. It's the story of the islands and our involvement in them.
That story, it seems to me, can be read as a metaphor for our actions as a whole. What effect does our sometimes blind addiction have on the places we go? Great surf sits adjacent to many towns, villages, and cultures around the world and affects them all. But this place with endangered peoples and raw rainforest just a short paddle away, must show us something about the inate character of surf culture.
And it's not just in the surfing sphere that our involvement in the islands is telling. Until ten or so years ago the islands were pretty much ignored by the western world - not a lot happened over there except for a little Indonesian government interference and some Wild West profiteering. So the arrival of us, the surfers, is of major significance to the Mentawai's in the broadest historical sense - we are the first significant 'white western' presence in the islands.
What conclusions we should draw from all of this, it's hard to know. There are many points of view in here, so we'd have to leave it up to you to make your own call.
Of course there's always the option that you're not interested in the Mentawai Islands, you'll never go there and you're "over it". If that's the case then we apologise because most of this mag is dedicated to it, and we hope to see you next issue.
For the rest of us there are plenty of sweet waves, ancient shamanic dances and a whole other world - just a short paddle away.
If you are interested in reading more about the origins of the Mentawai Islands culture eloquently written by Alex Dick-Read please click here.
The Fever Trail: Goodwill Hunting in Sumatra
“In my view, the surfing in the Mentawais is the key to open the padlock. The Mentawais are isolated islands and surfing is the key to make the Mentawai people see outside. And other people see in.”
— Eka Darman, Padang-born boat driver
Wave of Compassion is a dynamic event benefiting Surf Aid International The mission of SurfAid International, a non-profit humanitarian aid organization, is to improve the health of people living in isolated regions connected to us through surfing. SurfAid's core values are as follows:
• SurfAid seeks the alleviation of suffering through health projects that enhance local capacities and promote community-based, self-help solutions, guided by the aspirations of its beneficiaries.
• SurfAid embodies positive values inherent in surfing, namely individualism, courage, dynamism, and adaptability, and seeks to harness these attributes in implementing projects with measurable results.
• SurfAid believes that development should be sustainable and encompass the social, spiritual, cultural, and economic wellbeing of its beneficiaries.
• SurfAid believes that the ultimate test of development policy is its long-term effect on the most vulnerable sectors of society, particularly women and children. To this end, SurfAid values and supports the central role of women in development.
• SurfAid is a grassroots organization that recognizes that its strength lies in the strong participation of its members. SurfAid recognizes the value of an involved membership and seeks to encourage that involvement with accurate and transparent communication.
• SurfAid believes that in all promotional activity, members should ensure that the dignity of beneficiaries is recognized and advanced.
• SurfAid recognizes and values the professionalism, skills, and experience of our staff and their contributions to institutional learning and development.
Wave of Compassion would not be possible without the incredible amount of help support we've received from Robin, Dave, and the entire Surfline crew. Surfline's commitment to our efforts and willingness to help us promote this event on their website has been a huge factor in our overall success. From all of us at Surf Aid, Terima kasih! Check out their website: Surfline.com
