Surfing on the Maldives

OK.. this is a fascinating topic dear to my heart. Not only because it involves a sport that is just so amazing that when I think about it I tremble with delight but also because it brings each athlete that excels in this sport incredibly close to a zen like state of one with the awesome power of water. Now, I am not the king of the beach by any means - heck I am simply an avid surfer and love to ride waves whenever I get the chance. Here’s the thing… Getting out to the beach can be a hassle, then finding out if there are descent wave breaking in just the right place is the next issue and finally how many other surfers are out there today. you see surfin is not exactly a team or group sport… we’re loners looking for the perfect ride, waiting for the curl and putting all our efforts into staying alive while we ride that unforgettable wave that we found on that perfect day. So how come there are always so many surfers out there at the same time? Many are even surfing kind of a slalom between other surfers that are trying to make their way out from the beach. This can end in horrific accidents especially if the surfer is not able to react soon enough to carve out a path way from an oncoming paddler yet thank goodness the paddler to injury rate is low enough not to have cause for alarm but here is the thing that bother me… there is soooo much water and sooo much beach - why do surfers crowd together in one area? Three reasons come to mind the first is we love to show off… I mean, how much fun is it to catch the perfect wave - to get caught up in a tube and get yourself blown out of the other end as your buddies watch in awe and shock at either the power of the wave or the sheer luck… err skill you have as a surfer to make that track look so easy and cool. OK, reason number two has to do with protection. There are a few hungry animals under those waves that tend to be a bit hungry and since their favorite snack is seal blubber well, it comes as no real surprise that from the depths a surfer paddling out to the breaking waves looks like a mutant seal with plenty of soft blubber just screaming out to be tasted. Thankfully, surf boards take the brunt out of the bite since the sharks are usually pretty confused when they bite into the board expecting soft fatty flesh and discovering fiberglass seasoned with sexwax instead. The second bite is rare given the amazing ability sharks have to learn things like soft and fatty = good and hard and crunchy = not so good. Anyway, it’s good to have your buds around in case you need to be pulled out of some bloody water in a hurry. Then there is reason three - many beaches restrict the surfing area so that bathers, frolickers and actual swimmers don’t get in the way when a surfer comes gliding in on his (or her) wave. Now if you put all this together, it makes for one potentially crowded water fun park in the wild.

So, here we are in our late thirties… ahh, who are we kidding… forties is closer to the truth. We have money, we have our boards and our desire to surf till we drop during the few vacation days we have each year. But where can we go to surf waves in a place where there are only a few other surfers? Rather than a few hundred others in the water… Well we found a secret place and although it may not be known for the sport, the Maldives has some nice waves that are only accessible via boat. Allow me to clarify and perhaps even elaborate a bit. I am talking about a Yacht with a skipper, a crew of 8 and even a masseuse! Yes, get up when you want, catch a small boat shuttle to the best spot in the waves, drop your board into the surf and stand up to face the music - it’s surfing time Maldivian style!

After you’ve had enough of the morning water fun - in other words… when you can’t move those sore muscles anymore (did I mention that when you’re done riding the waves, a jet ski picks you up and brings you back to the breakers?) then it’s time for a 3 course breakfast or perhaps brunch prepared by… the cook and his 3 assistants. You share the boat with a few other surfers - also dedicated to enjoying the best life has to offer in between waves and head off to the sundeck for a nap before your next valiant attempt to ride one of the big ones home. I might need to inject a story or two here about the massage that awaits you at almost any time during your stay on board this luxury yacht. I am told that the Balinese girls have such strong fingers, hands and arms that they are able to deliver ten hours of massages each day with only a few breaks in between. Now, our masseuse was a sweetheart and we learned from her that she does not do ten hour days but, she will do her best to see to it that all guests get what they want and that she is able to have some time for herself as well - so there is a nice balance on board for all to enjoy.

So, to get out into the surf and hit the waves with your board with fewer than 20 other surfers in sight but, serviced by a jet ski and a support vessel nearby you will have the time of your life surfing in the Maldives. If this little report has whet your appetite for surfing safaris and adventure on the other side of the world then leave a comment on this blog and let me know if you’d like to know more about this luxury yacht and its itinerary - surf season is only six months long in the Maldives so you may need to plan ahead for this one but it is well worth the effort and I am already counting down the days until I get to return to this beautiful island paradise for some more surfing madness.

Published by Travel Buff on January 2nd, 2007 | Filed under Surfing, Travel Secrets |