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 Mentawai Islands are a traveling surfer's most luxurious option.. But, deep in the malarial jungle, a small crew of barefoot surfing doctors might just be helping to save the world... and surfing's lost soul." Click here to read Steve Barilotti's Surfer Magazine masterpiece entitiled "The Jungle Is Looking Back."

As mentioned before, in June of 2002 the staff of the "Surfer's Path Magazine"embarked on a one-of-a-kind adventure to the Mentawai Islands of Indonesia. Their goal was to capture the true essence and spirit of the Mentawai Islands on land and in the water; and ultimately to recreate their adventures in print. Click here to read about their experience in the water.

Due to it's remote nature and a general lack of funding the Mentawai Islands face serious health related problems. Here's a few examples of the Mentawai health problem provided by Surf Aid International:

1. In the worst areas 50% of children will die before age six.

2. 70% of families have lost at least one child.
(PRA data - UNESCO, Yayasan Citra Mandiri 2000-2001)

3. Almost all childhood deaths are from preventable and treatable diseases such as measles, tetanus, malaria, and diarrhea.

4. At any one time up to 50% of Mentawai people carry the malaria parasite, which causes severe suffering and death.

5. The existing Mentawai health system is greatly under-resourced and has an urgent need for doctors, nurses, training, and medical supplies.

The Mentawai Islands are one of the most consistent surf destinations in the entire world. It's broad exposure towards the vast, southern Indian Ocean provides these majestic islands with remarkable consistency and quality. Click here to read a few descriptions of the waves you'll encounter in the Mentawai Islands.