We weren’t even on land and already someone was trying to sell us something. This man had a crossbow and was yelling at everyone on the boat from the beach. He started at $20 then to $15, then $10, then 10,000 Rupiah. 10,000 Rupiah is like a dollar. I could have had a $200 crossbow for one dollar, talk about desperation.
The last night surfing “Moneytrees” was the most dangerous scene I have ever encountered. The camp staff was calling it the most crowded G-land has ever been, since the WCT event in 97’. Not to mention the ASP just signed a three year deal to run the event again from 2011 to 2013. Quiksilver is also making a movie called “The Rise of G-land”, when they should call it “The Fall of G-land”. Its really sad when such a place gets abused just for the sake of making money. The head surf guide called the owner and was like “this is ridiculous, I’m outta here for a couple weeks mate.” Legendary big wave hell man Liam Macnamara was there with his charging groms and he said he was never coming back.
I am not the one to hate on inexperienced surfers, but when it gets to a point where people’s safety is at risk than its just stupid. It was 6 to 8ft with a full moon-low tide, which made it dangerously shallow and people where getting burned left and right. There were around 100 people out and it was simply ruined for the people who could actually surf. I managed to get a couple mediocre waves and got burned on my best one by some idiot who wasn’t even looking and could barely make it to his feet. By the time I called him off the wave, it was to late. He was kicking out and I was getting dragged across the reef. There goes another perfect wave blown. Luckily I only got a little ding on the elbow. I didn’t dare to surf there our last day. I escaped the crowd and went down to “Tiger Tracks”, which is a super mellow right about a couple miles down the beach. It didn’t give me that adrenaline rush I was seeking at G-land, but it did give me a much needed piece of mind from the evening before. Physically and emotionally drained from some of the best waves of my life and all the traveling back I was relieved to get back to Bali. With a few cuts to let heal and no swell (which is still head high at Uluwatu) I decided to take a few days off. Be back out there soon…
Sounds like you should have bought that crossbow and mounted it on your board instead of the camera.
Glad you are making the most of it all. Hope to hear all about it over a few cold ones. Keep finding the way, all the best and find your rhythm!
Yea Ross!
Maybe you shoulda been a writer after reading that, good stuff me amigo, hope ur on the way home cause i need my fishin partner back!
JD