GS Surf Trip, Mentawais (24 Sept to 5 Oct 2012) | http://www ...

GS? first surf trip will accomodate 10 gay surfers for 10 days on a boat in the Mentawai islands, Sumatra, Indonesia.
The group will be composed only by members of the GaySurfers.net community. Confirmed surfers only.
2.400 USD per guest (10 guests max, first in first served, pay $750 deposit by end of April, otherwise we will have to cancel the trip and reimburse the deposit)

If you are interested please email info@gaysurfers.net for details on how to book. Registrations close 25th April.

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Mentawai, GS Surf Trip

September 24th ? October 05th, 2012

GROUP:

The group will be composed only by members of the GaySurfers.net community -> 10 people max

SCHEDULE:

The boat will sail off Padang on the evening of September 24th, Monday. All passengers should arrive at Padang airport by lunch time of that same day (September 24th), the latest.
We will be surfing from the next morning, September 25th (Tuesday), until October 4th, Thursday.
That day, at sunset, we will start the trip back to Padang, where we shall arrive the next morning, October 5th, Friday.

THE BOAT:

Mikumba 1 is a classic ?Pinisi?, the famous traditional indonesian wooden boats. It was built in 2004 specifically for surf charters using indonesian ?iron-wood?, the best wood to build boats.
It is 26m long and it can take up to 12 guests in 6 double cabins, fully air-conditioned, and is a very comfortable, safe and seaworthy boat.
The crew is composed by 6 indonesian seaman: a Captain, an engineer (mechanic), a cook, and 3 deck-hands, all of them licensed.
I will be your host and surf-guide, meaning that I will decide where to go (not the captain) according to your surfing preferences, and I will also take care of all your needs during the trip. I have an Ocean Master?s license enabling me to supervise all navigation and security on board.

TRIP ITINERARY:

The boat trip will start and finish in Padang, West Sumatra.
From here we will head off to the Mentawai islands, or to the North Sumatra?s archipelagos (Telos, Nias, Hinako or Banyak), according to your preferences and the swell conditions.
If the group decides to sail to North Sumatra (Telos, Nias, Hinako, Banyak) there will be an extra fee for fuel (see below).

FLIGHTS:

The best options to reach Padang are via Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur. Both cities have direct flights with good, reliable, low-cost carriers (Lion Air ? www.lionair.co.id ?, Batavia Air ? www.batavia-air.com ? and AirAsia ? www.airasia.com).
Jakarta is a better choice as every day there are at least 10 flights connecting Jakarta-Padang (and back), and from Kuala Lumpur to Padang there is only 1 flight per day.
Before flying to Padang you should inform me when you will arrive so that I can organise your airport pick up. Please email me (info@gaysurfers.net) day/hour of arrival, departing airport and company.

DOCUMENTATION NEEDED:

To enter Indonesia your passport must have a minimum validity of 6 months.
EU, USA and Australian citizens can get a 30 days Visa upon arrival at any international airport in Indonesia (?Visa-on-arrival?). It costs 25 USD.
If you wish to stay more than 30 days in Indonesia you must apply for a specific Visa at any Indonesian embassy before arrival.

TRAVEL INSURANCE:

It is mandatory that each passenger buys a travel insurance for the period on board (September 24th ? October 5th).
I suggest www.worldnomads.com, which offers specific insurance for action sports in remote areas. Lonely Planet and others recommend it, and it?s really easy/quick to purchase with a credit card. It costs around 70 USD for 2 weeks. Make sure it covers:

• Overseas Medical Expenses
• Pre-Trip Cancellation
• Medical Evacuation & Additional Expenses
• Loss of Passport or Travel Documents
• Luggage and Personal Items
• Personal Liability

If you are using a credit card to pay for your international flights you might be automatically granted with a travel insurance, but you need to make sure what exactly it is covering as often they exclude ?high risk sports? such as surfing, or boat trips. You also need to know the procedures to claim your insurance, if needed (where to call, policy number, etc).

VACCINATION AND MALARIA PREVENTION:

Malaria and dengue fever are dangerous diseases existing in Indonesia.
Both are transmitted by mosquitoes, and there are no vaccines for it. However there are medications and procedures that help to prevent it.
Usually there are no mosquitoes on board the boat, but they do exist in cities (Padang, etc.) and villages at the islands. Therefore I recommend all guests to have the prophylactic medication reducing a great deal the chances of being infected, and also to adopt the current cautious procedures such as the use of mosquito repellents, etc.
It is also highly recommended to have an up-dating of your own vaccines against tetanus, hepatitis, etc.
Before coming to Indonesia seek a doctor to get proper advice and medication.

COMMUNICATIONS ON BOARD:

Although most of the places/islands where we will be sailing are beyond mobile phone coverage networks, there are a few areas along the trip itinerary where we can get coverage. So bring your own mobile phones and make sure the roaming service is active before leaving your country.
I also have a satellite phone on board that works exactly the same way as a mobile phone, but has network coverage anywhere in the world, even in the middle of the ocean. The calls are more expensive (6 USD/min.) but anybody can make use of it as long as they pay for the calls.

FOOD ON BOARD:

During the boat trip there will be 3 main meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner) and snacks whenever you like.
Breakfast includes pancakes, cereals, eggs, bread/toasts, butter, jam, coffee, milk, tea, fruit salad, etc.
Lunch and dinner consist mainly of fish, chicken, burgers, rice, pasta, pizza, eggs, potatoes (chips and other), and indonesian traditional food such as nasi goreng (fried rice with veggies, chicken, egg, etc.), noodles (soup or fried), etc.
There is not much meat on board as in Indonesia its quality it?s not reliable.
Often we catch fish (Trevally, Barracuda, Wahoo, etc.) and when it happens we have sushi and sashimi as ?aperitif?.
You can have all non-alcoholic drinks you wish, anytime (mineral water, coke, sprite, juices, isotonic, ?).
Beer, wine and other alcoholic drinks are not included. You can buy it before getting on board, or ask me to buy it but you?ll have to pay for it.

WAVES AND SURFING:

Contrary to common belief, surfing in the Mentawai or other Sumatra islands is not for experts only! Most waves are perfect, clean and glassy and that makes it easier to surf than many waves elsewhere.
The average size of the waves is 1-2m. Occasionally it gets bigger (2-3m) but that?s rare and when it happens it?s only for 1 or 2 days. Most of the waves are hollow and barrelling, making bigger boards harder to control, so if you usually ride longboards consider bringing a shorter one (mini-longboard, malibu, etc.).
Waves generally break over coral reefs, so at low tide (shallow water) careful approach is needed, in particular on a small swell (waves breaking closer to the reef). Bring booties, although you will not need it all the time. Bring warm-water wax.

PRICE:

The price of the boat trip is
? 2.400 USD per guest (must be 10 guests by end of April, otherwise we cancel the trip and reimburse the deposit)

If the group decides to sail to North Sumatra islands (Telos, Nias, Hinako, Banyak) there will be an extra fee for fuel per trip, as follows:
? Telos: 1.000 USD
? Telos + Nias + Hinako: 2.000 USD
? Telos + Nias + Hinako + Banyak: 3.000 USD

PAYMENTS:

In order to secure the boat for a date (booking) it?s necessary to pay a deposit of 750 USD before 25th April 2012.
Until this deposit is made by 10 members another group can book the boat for the same period.
To confirm the booking you must pay the balance of the trip cost no latter than 60 days before the trip start (July 24th).

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED:

- Air fares
- Travelling insurance (mandatory)
- Visa-on-arrival: 25 USD
- Airport tax (before leaving Indonesia): 10 USD
- Mentawai Government Tax: 3 USD/day/person (10 days = 30 USD/person)
- Alcoholic drinks (beer, wine, spirits, etc.). You can buy it in Padang before getting on board
- Food/drinks outside the boat; hotel expenses
- Crew tips.

SURFING PHOTOGRAPHER:

It?s possible to hire a photographer to come on the boat and register all the surfing action. The cost varies according to the photographer but usually is around 150 USD per person.
Let me know with some anticipation if you are interested so that I have the time to find an available photographer.

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL YOU NEED DURING THE BOAT TRIP:

This is an ?all inclusive? trip, meaning that you don?t need to spend money while you are on board because all food and drinks (non-alcoholic) during the boat trip are included on the price you pay.
Airport transfers to the boat and back to the airport (after the boat trip) are also included.
However, it is advisable to keep some money in your pocket for cigarettes, souvenirs, Mentawai T-shirt, any unexpected expense or emergency, tips, etc. For this you can take indonesian rupiahs in any Jakarta or Padang ATM.
You will need money if you want to sleep/eat/drink in Padang before or after the boat trip, outside the boat during the trip (in case we visit a village in the Mentawai), or to buy beer for example.
You will also need money for the Visa-on-arrival (25 USD) and for airport tax before leaving Indonesia (around 12 USD).
Please be so kind to consider a tip for the crew of the boat at the end of the trip. This is not mandatory but it?s common practice and the crew really appreciates (usually around 25-50 USD per guest).

DISCLAIMER

The trip is organised by Sumatra Surf Trip and GaySurfers.net takes no responsibility for the service provided.
We have searched amongst many and selected Sumatra Surf Trip as our trusted charter boat, but GaySurfers.net only acts as platform to get all members to book together so we get a GROUP discount.
Every member need a TRAVEL INSURANCE that covers for Overseas Medical Expenses, Cancellation, Evacuation, Personal Liability?
GaySurfers.net shall not be responsible for any injuries, damages, or losses caused to any traveler in connection with this trip.

Travelers assume complete and full responsibility for, and hereby release the GaySurfers.net from any duty of, checking and verifying any and all passport, visa, vaccination, or other entry requirements of each destination, and all safety or security conditions at such destinations, during the length of the proposed travel.

GENERAL WARNINGS:

The schedule of any boat trip always depends on the weather/sea conditions, so delays are a possibility that should be considered when booking your flights. Usually there are not big delays on the returning of the boat to Padang, but a storm, for example, can impose a delay, sometimes of many hours.
So I recommend that you book the flight leaving Padang (after the boat trip) for the day following the boat?s returning to Padang (boat arrives Friday, September 24th; flight should be booked for Saturday, the 25th).
For that you will have to spend a night in a hotel/guest house in Padang (15-25 USD/person).
It?s also advisable that tickets can be changed in case of emergency (accident or other) and you need to fly back home before or after the booked flight.
Be aware of sunburns! Make intensive use of sunscreens, wear a T-shirt while surfing, and avoid exposition on the sun.
Bring a head-lamp; it?s very useful during the night.
Don?t bring many clothes. The only pants you will need are for the flights. On the boat you will be wearing only shorts, shorts, and shorts.
Indonesia is officially a Muslim country, so please respect the religion and traditions.

IN SHORT:

1. BOOK YOUR PLACE PAYING DEPOSIT OF 750 USD AND SECURING THE BOAT FOR THE WANTED PERIODE;
2. PAY BALANCE OF TRIP COST NO LATTER THAN 60 DAYS BEFORE THE TRIP START;
3. COMPLETE ALL PAYMENTS BEFORE JUNE 24TH TO OBTAIN DISCOUNT (100 USD OR 50 USD PER GUEST)
4. BUY TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR THE PERIOD ON THE BOAT (September 24th ? October 5th);
5. EMAIL ME THE DETAILS OF YOUR ARRIVAL AT PADANG (day/hour, flight);
6. THE BOAT WILL DEPART FROM PADANG ON SEPTEMBER THE 24TH, MONDAY, EVENING;
7. THE BOAT WILL ARRIVE BACK IN PADANG ON OCTOBER THE 5th, FRIDAY.

In case you have any questions please contact me by email (info@gaysurfers.net)

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