Donkey Patrol | Surfing | Kandui Resort Mentawai Indonesia | San Diego

Kelly Slater & Andy Irons at Kandui in the Mentawai

2009-01-29T11:13:00.000-08:00

This is Serious

2009-01-24T07:53:00.000-08:00

http://surfermag.com/photos/flash/ross_clarke-jones_tom_carroll_shipsterns/

OMG

Firewire Surfboards - Blem Brains or Blem Boards

2008-12-12T11:30:00.000-08:00

Dear Shea,

We’ve honestly been completely overwhelmed by your response to our current Blem promotion.If we tried to respond to the hundreds of emails one by one, it would take a long time to get through the list. (we aren't that smart, and we are lazy)

For those of you interested (even if you’ve already contacted us) please be as specific and direct as possible. Please to go to our website and pick out up to three possible boards you may be interested in.

As I’m sure you can appreciate, if we have this information in advance of contacting you, it will greatly ease our ability to possibly fulfill your needs. In this way, we can prioritize our response based on our blem stock, which will change constantly as we fill orders.

Thanks again.
Firewire Crew
This message was sent by: brion lange, 4937 Market St, San Diego, CA 92102

CONTEST POSTPONED!

2008-12-10T19:37:00.000-08:00

RED ALERT!

The 4th Annual Donkey Patrol Competetion has been postponed!

After reviewing all of the bogus sites: Surfline, Magic Seaweed, Wavewatch, Wetsand, etc., WE have decided to push the competition until Decembr 20th!

The aforementioned sites are clueless in their predictions, but are consistently calling for crappy waves. Also, the high on Saturday will be a chilly 52 degrees with winds from 10-20mph. Sunday, the high will only be 47! That, along with unfavorable tides and the lack of any crowds on the beach, we are forced to postpone.

If for some odd reason there is no swell next Saturday the 20th, then we will be forced to hold over the event until sometime in January with the caveat being that we will have two competitions in 2009.

Please voice any and all concerns on the date, but we probably wont listen anyway!

Update coming in the next few days. Please update me with entries so I can put the heats together.

Buy Shegas' Old Boards - Firewire Blem Sale

2008-12-10T11:07:00.000-08:00

Dear Shea,

As with any production process, some boards are built with minor flaws. We have a few cosmetic blems in stock, surfboards with minor inconsistencies but nothing structural that would affect performance. The flaws could be anything from tiny specs of dirt in the cloth here or there, finger prints under the glass (yes, we're very particular), or logos slightly off center.

As a courtesy for your loyal support and in light of the economic conditions, we are offering these blemished boards for direct sale to our friends and family. (Offer limited to continental US only)

We are giving them up for $375 without fins + Frt and Tax (if applicable).If you are interested, please contact us at info.usa@firewiresurfboards.com.Our supply and selection of boards is limited, so act fast to take advantage of this one time deal. (even though we send these emails all the time)

We’ve come a long way so far, and we owe a lot of that to you, so whether you take us up on this one or not - THANKS.

Firewire Crew
This message was sent by: brion lange, 4937 Market St, San Diego, CA 92102

Victory at Sea for the Contest!!??

2008-12-09T17:13:00.000-08:00

Well fellas, things are not looking so bright for the contest to go off this weekend. I know, I know; you were all looking forward to the Smythe becoming the first repeat champion and hoping to view the backside hacks that will result in blinding Gaykley during our heat. However, the forecasts are calling it waist high and poor conditions. I am going to make the call tomorrow night so please check this site for an update.

I will need some feedback on rescheduling. How does December 20th look for everyone? If that weekend does not work, then we will have to move it back until after the New Year as I will be in Hawaii surfing in trunks while you guys freeze your carcasses off

Stay Tuned!

Contest Roster List!

2008-12-01T22:14:00.000-08:00

Ok, this is who I have so far who claim they are competing!

Smythe

Sheagas

Kozy

Eduardo

Rori

Umberto

Gaykley

Jesse

Tardy Marty

John back from kicking ass in Afghan

Viperelli

Tibbers

BLO

The Dude (he will abide)

If I am missing somebody, let me know. There will be a $5.00 entry fee this year. No exceptions. Bring cash or you wont get the plaque and the super cool gold leaf lettering. Things have been active in the Pacific, so I am hopeful that we will have good conditions. Remember, the Viper will drop in on you during your heat, so you may not even have to catch a wave against him.

Plan on the contest being on the 13th unless its flat. More info to follow.

4th Annual Donkey Contest is on! December 13th or 14th!

2008-11-24T23:30:00.000-08:00

Yo fools! Sharpen up your game 'cause it on to the breaka, breaka dawn! Who will take the coveted Donkey Trophy away from the Viper!? Will the Dude abide? Will Sheagas' luck finally pay off? Will Gaykley, well. not surf like Gaykley? Will Umberto represent VA Beach in The Erwinator's absence? Or, will B Lo and T Bo hash it out in the finals? Bring it!

We will try to have the contest on the 13th, wavos permitting, but keep the 14th open just in case. We will probably hold the contest somewhere in South County (possible between Del Mar and Blacks) pending swell, conditions, etc. Please email me who will be competing so that we can get the heats set up.

Photo Wars

2008-11-10T16:20:00.000-08:00

Since the donkeypatrol returned from Indo, most of us have barely seen a photo collection of barrel photos, strong turns and/or solid lip maneuvers (with the exception of Shea's insane video - great work). Based on the below pictures, I'm prepared to award Brantley with the best photos of the trip title. If you think you got better photos, lets see them. We wanna see identifiable people getting barreled, huge sprays or solid lip maneuvers (all provided compliments of Brantley).

2009 ASP Format Change

2008-11-10T07:03:00.000-08:00

COOLANGATTA, Australia (Monday, October 27, 2008) – Following one of the most historic board meetings to date, the ASP has introduced the option for a new competition format to be implemented in ASP World Tour events in 2009.

While the traditional 48-man format will still be available, events can elect to implement an altered 48-man format consisting of the following: two opening elimination man-on-man rounds. Round 1 will consist of 32 surfers, those rated 17 – 27 on the ASP World Tour, three Tour/Injury wildcards, the Top 15–rated surfers on the ASP WQS and three event wildcards.

The seeding formula will remain the same as the traditional format, with the No. 17 seed up against the No. 32 seed in Heat 8, the No. 18 seed against the No. 31 seed in Heat 9, etc. After Round 1, all remaining competitors will be reseeded for Round 2.

The Top 16 on the ASP World Tour are seeded directly in Round 2 where they will meet the 16 victors from Round 1 in the re-seeded draw. The Top 10 from the previous year’s Dream Tour will be guaranteed a Round 2 seed all year long, while the next 6 seeds have to maintain their seeded position and can be replaced by better performing back 32 surfers after the third ASP World Tour event of the year. This means that the Top 16 seeds in 2009 will remain unchanged until after the Billabong Pro Teahupoo.

After Tahiti, only the Top 10 from the previous year will hold their spots (which is probably a good incentive to do Brazil and Pipeline this season), while the next 6 could be replaced if guys from the back 32 secure more seeding points. Seeding points going into Snapper will remain in effect.

The new format has already been adopted by the Billabong Pro Teahupoo, the Billabong Pro Jeffreys Bay, the Billabong Pro Mundaka and the Billabong Pipeline Masters.

The Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast, the opening event of the 2009 ASP World Tour, has opted to run with the traditional format, and Rip Curl are undecided which format they will implement at their Bells Beach and Search events.

We recently sat down with Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew (AUS), 53, former ASP World Champion and current President of ASP International, Mick Fanning (AUS), 27, 2007 ASP World Champion, and C.J. Hobgood (USA), 29, 2001 ASP World Champion, to discuss the new format:

1 - First off, what is (are) the reason(s) for the option to run an altered format next year?
Wayne Bartholomew: As part of the monitoring process it was clear that we needed to develop a menu of formats to fit the needs of the tour. The current format requires four running days. This doesn’t sound overbearing in a 12-day window, but we still require two swell cycles to complete the event in quality waves and this proved a bridge too far. To fit into a three-day swell cycle we had to either reduce the field from 48 to 36 or peel it from a different angle.
Mick Fanning: I think some people just think that we waste a day or so when we run the first round with three-man heats and sometimes we can’t finish the event with good waves. I think it will make it all a lot more exciting because it is straight cut throat from the first heat of competition.
C.J. Hobgood: I think getting the best waves in the allotted waiting period is the primary reason for offering the alternative format.

2 - Who came up with the format? When and who voted on its implementation?
Wayne Bartholomew: The ASP Technical Committee waded through a bunch of variations and opted to recommend to the Board a three-day format that still maintains a field of 48. As Chairman of the Technical Committee, I presented these findings and recommendations to the Mid-Year Board meeting in Huntington Beach this past July and we further tweaked it in the ensuing months.

3 - We can see that not all events will be running the new altered format - what is the reason that it was not mandatory for all events to implement?
Wayne Bartholomew: Events in 2009 will have the choice of the current format or implementing the new one. Quiksilver have already confirmed they will run with the current format, based on the fact that Snapper is a reasonably consistent wave and it can accommodate a combined Men’s and Women’s event in the window. Rip Curl is undecided, but are leaning towards the new format. The Tech Comm is now working on how far out from the start of a waiting period an event has to notify ASP of their preferred option. Billabong have already given notice that Teahupoo, J-Bay, Mundaka and Pipe will run with the new format and events like Boost and Brazil are getting their heads around it. In 2009, it is optional with the view to either making it mandatory from 2010 or running with a format menu.

4 - What are the positives for the surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?
Wayne Bartholomew: The surfers get man-on-man, no more three-man heats. There are built in seeding incentives based on performance over the season and there is a much better opportunity to pick the eyes out of the surf on offer. The events get to maximize swell cycles and build the event to a climactic conclusion in excellent surf. The chances of getting skunked are dramatically diminished and the opportunity to have Finals in great surf increases. The viewers get knockout competition. There are no meaningless rounds, it is on the line in every heat and they’ll see a lot less action in low quality waves.
Mick Fanning: The positives are definitely the shorter period for the event. Most swells around the world only last three days, but our events take four to complete. Cutting out a round cuts that day out, keeps the performance level at high level because every heat counts, makes the Top 16 and Top 10 get an actual incentive for ranking that high instead of just the red singlet.
C.J. Hobgood: I think the positives are better waves for surfers, less days needed to run for the events, better waves and surfing for viewers.

5 - What are the negatives (if any) for surfers, the events and the viewers to run the new format?
Wayne Bartholomew: The only negative for the surfer is if one loses in the first round. You are out and it’s a long way to go to be bundled out. I surfed my entire career without a safety net but guys get used to the second chance. If the swell absolutely pumps then the event might want the extra day for the beach crowd, the media and the webcast. So loss of content could be seen as a negative, but the trade-off will be an excellent event held in epic waves. Also, that may be why we eventually perpetuate the optional format menu. For the viewer they can’t get enough, so the shorter event might be a negative, but again, the action will be an awesome spectacle.
Mick Fanning: I think the Back 32 will be extremely close when it comes to being on the cusp of qualifying, but everyone has to start at the bottom. The audience won’t get to see your favorite surfers hit the water as many times, but it will be crucial each time they do.

6 - We see the Top 16 are seeded directly into Round 2. What happens to the rest?
Wayne Bartholomew: The back 32, made up of the back 11 of the Top 27, the Top 15 from the WQS, the 3 tour/injury wildcards and 3 Event wilds, go man-on-man in Round 1. So nobody misses out, but the re-introduction of the Top 16 provides incentive to be at every event.

7 - Part of the reason for the new format is to work towards a one-world ranking. This is something that was mandated in the past, but changed to the two-tiered system. Why are we moving back towards it? What are the advantages? When will is possibly be implemented?
Wayne Bartholomew: We hope to implement a one-world ranking system in 2010. The dynamic is totally different to pre-1992. There will still be 1-6 Stars, still be 6-Star Primes, and they will count towards the Top 45, who will still contest the ASP World Tour. There will most likely be a fluid transition whereby the bottom performing Top 45 will be replaced by high performing ASP WQS surfers in the same season. This will be much more marketable, better for media and more defining for the industry when it comes to sponsorships.
Mick Fanning: I think in this day and age, we need a one-world ranking system. The way the format works at the moment, the general public can’t get their heads around it. I think it will help with how the ASP WQS is run also and make it easier for everyone to understand where they are. Also, if people get injured or have a bad year their ranking won’t dramatically and they won’t fall off tour. We have had a few of these cases over the years and hopefully that will cut that out.
C.J. Hobgood: I’ve always been a huge fan of the one-world ranking system. I never understood why guys like Danny Fuller, Bruno Santos, Manoa Drollet and Jamie O’Brien would make Finals and Semis against the best surfers in the world and not have a world ranking. Like in Chile when the local wildcard made a heat, the people in Chile should be able to look at their guy and see how he ranks on the one-world ranking system. Even if he is 400th, it’s still a ranking. Also, the one-world rating system is easier to understand – I’m so sick of trying to explain to someone that knows very little about surfing our two-tier system.

Renato Hickel (BRA), ASP World Tour Manager, noted also that, “some adjustments may take place in the next Technical Committee meeting. It’s possible that we will reduce the number from Top 10 to Top 8, or even reseed everyone after Tahiti, but we will have to wait until Hawaii to ultimately determine.”

For more information, log onto www.aspworldtour.com

Indo Video

2008-11-08T02:16:00.000-08:00

Yo Donkey's I spent my Fri. night throwing together a small Indo video, it's not much, didn't have alot of surf footage to work with.. But it will at least bring us back for a moment and make you feel good... Enjoy...

Someone Help The Smythe

2008-11-07T00:45:00.000-08:00

Fellow Donkeys, Im writing you today as a last ditch effort, asking for your assistance to reach out and help one of our donkey's who has wondered into uncharted territory..

Christopher"The Smyth" Smith has been secretly drinking a tower of power every day ever since we got back from Indo!!
I have posted three photos that will help you visualize whats going on..

The first photo is the beginning, Smythe's first taste of the Power Tower's sweet nectar..

The Second photo, notice Smythe's face, much like the face he gives most of his women, clearly shows it love at first sight..

Finally the third photo, I took just day's ago, is the end result of the Power Tower, as you can clearly see a physical and mental change has occurred, someone needs to help the Smythe!!!

Halloween Donkey's

2008-11-04T11:04:00.000-08:00

Summers Brothers Mansion Bash 08'
Sick Place, Awesome party and Great people in Kick ars costumes..

Guto Amorim Barreled - Shout Out To D.P.

2008-10-31T08:25:00.000-07:00

Guto under the donkey patrol monument at Kandui

Guto Amorim of Brazil, one of our surf guides from Kandui Resort is the webcast announcer for the Hangloose Santa Catarina Pro, ASP stop #10 of the WCT. He gave a shout out to the donkey patrol during the webcast this morning, and as a return gesture... Here is a tribute to Guto.

Our trip to the mentawais would not have been the same without Guto and our ventures to Nokandui, Rifles, and Pistols aka "the last resort".

Here is sick sequence of Guto at Nokandui.

I will upload the heat video with his shout out to DP later if it is available on the hangloose website.

Freediving Clearwater Beach Florida is my new life

2008-10-12T18:31:00.000-07:00

Well,

Yeah I know that the surf has been going off in SoCal and the DP crew has been representing, I also know that Stefan rolled into SD just in time to connect with a small leftover swell and a new Arakawa. I still am adjusting to Florida, but I do have something new to be excited about.

FREEDIVING

It is the shit. It is my new deal. Scuba is cool, and spearfishing while scuba diving is cool, but free diving is unreal. It's gangster, it's raw, and it is physically demanding.

Me (Indian Rocks Beach) and the crew: Travis Ward (Belleair), Hassan (Clearwater) and Mike Cantonis (Tampa) rolled out to a reef off of sand key fl for what was originally planned as a kingfishing trip. When we got the boat all geared up we also threw some spearfishing gear on board just in case, god I am lucky we did. We set out on our journey with a visit to the mile marker off of clearwater beach to get bait with the castnet. After two big hauls of whitefish bait and one shredded net after a greedy toss, we headed out to one of the many offshore reefs of pinellas county. This particular reef is about 9 miles off the beach and it sits in about 42 feet of water. When we arrived, there were about 6 boats on the reef so I did not really expect to do much freediving. To me 42 feet seemed like an impossible depth to dive on my first freediving trip, and we were loaded down with bait and fishing gear.

We looked around for a few minutes and dropped a few lines in the water with little success, and decided to wander further over on the reef to get away from the crowd. Hassan (aka) Hoss jumped in with speargun in tow and was scouting from the surface and quickly landed a massive amberjack while just snorkeling. When we pulled it into the boat the rest of us were so amped to get into the water, but the thing about AJ's is, they just don't want to die, that fish roared back to life and gave cantonis and ward-o a good smackin before going in the ice box.

We anchored up: hoss, wardo and I got into the water and cantonis line fished off the boat.

I was nervous and excited as I swam around looking into the blue sapphire sparkling abyss.

Hoss and ward were disappearing into the depths for what seemed like an eternity and returning with all sorts of gilled prey at the end of their spears (more aj's, grouper, hogfish, some type of snapper). I could not get my ears to clear at first, and honestly my heart was beating so fast I could not hold my breath that long. I was hitting around the 18ft mark looking around and heading back to the top. I knew it was going to take allot more for me to make it down. I started to think about the hypnosis tracks that I listen to before bed, and tried to visualize what I would do at the bottom and how comfortable I would feel down there. I settled down emotionally. Now it was time to do some work.

Attempt after attempt I came closer and closer to the bottom meanwhile the boys were pillaging. After some effort I finally found my way to the bottom. I can't accurately describe how far the surface seems from that depth, but for me it looked like 400ft not 40. After a few more successful touch and go's I started to cruise down there and actually hunt for fish. The trick is to not look up while you are hunting on the bottom, because for me, as soon as I looked up I saw how far it was to the top, and then I dart for the surface. So I think you have to chill out, hunt, and then head for the surface when you body tells you to get air, not your brain.

At the end of the day I learned so much and was so tired I fell asleep at 6:30. I can't wait to get out there again. I'll update you all on my next expedition.

Anna Misses the Donkey Patrol

2008-10-09T02:37:00.000-07:00

SL9ER

2008-10-02T06:50:00.000-07:00

Today is looking good for 8 time asp world champion Kelly Slater, today he will be going to 9 world championships and will be officially renamed sl9er. Donkey Patrol had a chance to speak with Kelly this morning prior to his round 3 title winning heat against wildcard Eneko Acero. This is what he had to say.

DP: So Kelly, how have you prepared for this moment here in Spain?

KS: Well, I have been training with the smythe on my paddling and this new condor move, so I feel pretty confident.

DP: And what about your strategy going up against a wild card in round 3? Wild cards seem to have your number don't they?

KS: Surfing against wild cards is always a new challenge b/c in many cases I have never seen them surf before and they have nothing to loose going into a heat. I love being an underdog, so i envy their position.

KS: I have also been doing some paddle battle drills with the viper which could be good or bad, lets just say I hope I don't get an interference call for paddle jockeying.

DP: Are the rumors true about the 10 million dollar bonus from quiksilver if you win 10 world titles?

KS: I cannot confirm or deny that, I can tell you that surfing has never been about money for me. I love this game.

DP: What about Florida? what do you think of it now that you have traveled the world and can live anywhere you want?

KS: Florida and New Jersey are the two armpits of our great nation. I hate Florida, its hot, humid, buggy, there's no surf, the gene pool is missing chromosomes.. It would be great if I were a nascar driver or a professional hunter or wanted to advocate inbreeding but I am a surfer, so Florida blows.

DUDE, I totally miss Indo!

2008-09-24T17:42:00.000-07:00

What can I say?! I miss drinking 89 Bintangs, spraying Shea, jockeying the Brazilians, Anthony's long talks with the Viper and his "justifications" for dropping in on everyone, Ear Muff's (then again....na), Guto's pure stoke for barrels and lack of time in the kitchen, Wedo - the most stoked dog on the planet, sketchy boat rides with spilling fuel, lit cigarettes and a handle of Jack D's finest, Ryan Seacrest's amp for going big, Carlsberg "the local beer", 1 for 1 happy hours, nightclubs where the next tallest person is 4 feet shorter, the "speedboat" and its effervescent fumes, jellyfish larvae, no shoes for 11 days, and last, but certainly not least, especially to you goofy footers, BENG-BENG!

Fuel up the jet, I am ready to go back..........................Stay tuned for announcement on the 2008 Donkey Competition. I could be a "changing of the guard" moment!

West Florida Surf Goes Off - NOT

2008-09-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

Hey Guys,

I did have a chance to surf last week during the hurricane. But overall it was still pretty lame.

Chest high, barrels but mostly very gutless and weak. The juicy waves were very short. It really makes me appreciate our trip to indo. I can't wait to go back there now.

I do really miss California and the donkey crew, but I also know that that chapter of my life is now closed. If and when I do move again, it will be somewhere exciting, and with a slower pace and less population than so-cal. I would like to do something like what Stefan has done.

I am doing better with the heat now, have been going out on The Boat allot and learning a ton about spearfishing. Thankfully, I have been very busy with work since I arrived and that has helped keep my mind off of things. I think I am almost out of my mini Florida depression and I feel like I am ready to be a little more healthy and get back in the gym and have a little less captain in me.

As for the house, Dianne and Van have been sleeping at my mother-in-laws for the last two weeks since the level of mold in the house is unhealthy. We did come to an agreement with the landlord (after a brief legal battle) and we will be moving out of this house and into a different home later in the month. Moving again will suck, but it is the best option. At this rate I will probably feel settled here by thanksgiving.

Erwin out.

Dancing with the Stars - Boost Mobile Pro

2008-09-10T18:36:00.000-07:00

These are pics of somberg at the BMP.

I will be domination the hurricane swell at Sunset Beach tomorrow!!

2008-09-10T00:35:00.000-07:00

Down but not out

2008-08-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

Alright fools,

Just to dispel any rumors, the Erwinator is alive.. maybe just not alive and well.

Yes: I moved to Florida
Yes: I moved to the gulf that has no waves
Yes: As a matter of fact, it is 97 degrees with 90% humidity
Yes: I am in a legal battle with my landlord
Yes: I have tried to go spearfishing twice and the weather has not cooperated.
Yes: I am buying fishing tackle and a boat
Yes: Surfing will rarely make an appearance in my life.

I am sorry for my lack of posting, quickly returned calls, or responses to email. I am just trying to get settled and catch up.

The good thing is... now that I live here, I understand the why gaykley surfs the way that he does.

I promise the next time I post, it will be worth reading.

and Yes: Florida Sucks

Beware of the Donkey Patrol

2008-08-25T09:42:00.000-07:00

Smythe picking up Girls on Beach with new boat!!

2008-08-24T20:41:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_VqGwX8epw

13.6 feet of fury! Name the new Donkey Yacht!

2008-08-24T20:03:00.000-07:00

We haven't voted on anything since Cheech was named and I thought that there was no time like the present to get some feedback from fellow Donkey's on naming my new Yacht! Whoever comes up with the name gets to christen her with a 40 of Mad Dog 20/20! Very gently though, we dont want her to sink quite yet. Here are some of the suggestions receved so far:

Smythe's Sloop

Smythey's Sloop

Barrel Hunter

Beng-Beng

Nipussi

Jackie Classy (This was Eddie's idea while he was wasted)

Burro Baracho (aka the drunk donkey. May attract unwanted attention)

Tha Tuna Poona (B-Lo's)

Just paint a Firewire logo on side (Maybe "Don't Drink the Kool Aid" would be better)

Reemer 1 (Tardy's suggestion)

Zipper's Down (you guessed it, Tardy again)

Rainbow Warrior (Im guessing that this will be Flakely's suggestion)

Famous Look-A-Likes

2008-08-21T20:39:00.001-07:00

We Miss The Iceman

2008-08-21T13:32:00.000-07:00

One can't help to notice the massive slowdown in DonkeyPatrol posts. What's happened? Who's to blame? The Iceman departed Wonderland - that's what happened.

So what does the future hold for DonkeyPatrol.com -- the usual pointless commentary by The Smythe about how he's going to spray all of us, asset management lessons by Jacobson, over-hyped campground surf reports by The Viper, pictures of Shegas with a "what if" barrel, the traditional Iver Bros. rhetoric about how good Boneyards was...what's to come.

If this is the case, I'll settle for the Iceman making posts about sailing, denim shorts, his fishing pole quiver and the unlimited return policy at Bass Pro Shops.

I Miss E-Bay

2008-08-13T21:17:00.000-07:00

Donkey Gang

2008-07-25T23:01:00.001-07:00

GOOD TIMES!!!!

Indo Donkey Gangstazz

2008-07-22T09:13:00.000-07:00

Beware of the Donkey Gangstaz!!!

Mentawai Surf Spots - Playgrounds

2008-07-21T17:02:00.000-07:00

This the list of surf spots that were surfed by the DP on our trip to Kandui

Nokandui
Rifles
Pistols aka "the last resort"
4 bobs (four bobs)
A-Frames aka John Kandies
Bikini Bottoms aka Carumba
Burgerworld
Hideaways
Nipussy
Beng Beng
Ebay or E-bay
Pitstops

We did not surf:
Razorblades aka razors
Lacerations
Bankvaults
Margi's

Ford Sighted on Snake Island

2008-07-16T19:31:00.000-07:00

Reports are coming in that Gaykley has arrived in the playgrounds region and has gone feral. This image is the first to come in, we will continue to update you as this story progresses.

Burgerworld - Worst wave in the mentawais?

2008-07-15T20:41:00.000-07:00

El Tom-o @ burgerworld

Yesterday the swell was dying so we jetted over to burgerworld. After my session at Rifles the previous night, I didn't even want to get out of the boat. Smythe said I had a bad attitude, but really i just didn't want to surf a lame mushy crapball after having just surfed perfect barrels. After watching for about 45 minutes I did go catch 3 waves, but for those three waves I had to duck dive about 60-100 times. Burgerworld is just really disorganized and shifty and it is rare to find a good workable wall. Ray the manager of kandui says it gets good like one out of every twenty trips over there. I guess we had one of those 19 type of days. The shifty lineup did manage our insta crowd well and some of the boys got some of the better waves of their trip. Here are some pics.

The dude @ burgerworld
Be-lo @ burgerworld

After burgerworld we cruised home, then shot out to pistols which is this slab reef wave around the corner from rifles. The wave is imossible to shoot, breaks top to bottom from the takeoff and the water sucks out right beneath you. I had a couple of backdoor shacks off the takeoff, and honestly pink rashguarded on a few because it was draining out so quickly. Some of the waves would run down the reef after takoff and resembled a short version of lower trestles. It was 3 turns max then you had to pull out because the reef went dry on the inside. Everyone got some good ones, but there was some carnage... Tom put his knee through his firewire, and smythe wrecked the rail of his board and a few guys hit the reef. Great risk = Great Reward. Big swell is expected to start showing tonight and we are all excited to get the high performance waves of Rifles and Nokandui again. Hopefully we will return with pics/footage this time.

Buckets @ 4 bobs

I Love Rifles

2008-07-14T05:32:00.001-07:00

Today I had my second session at Rifles. It is my favorite wave in the mentawais. When I had thoughts of what Indonesian surf would be like, rifles is it. I could not catch another wave the rest of my trip and the trip would still be an overwelming success. Ryan, Guto, Anthony and I had a session at Rifles this afternoon and it was really good. It's not really a wave to do turns on, just go as fast as you can and get barreled. I got 10 or so really good, some really deep, barrels that I made it out of. Here is some video of what the wave looks like. So Stoked

Wave hungry donkeys

2008-07-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

Monks just made a comment about the crowds in Indo so I figured it was a good time for this post. A trip to Indo will definitely find you a lot of really good waves and you will get uncrowded sessions. However, when you deploy 10 wave hungry donkeys, it changes the story a bit. So far we have really only had one swell and even though we have surfed every day, it has not been enough to quench the thirst of many of the donkeys. Yesterday I got lucky as all the donkeys got out of the water then the boat broke so they could not come out. It was definitely one of the best sessions of my trip. Only 1 - 3 other guys out and everyone was just trading waves. The best part was nobody was even remotely aggressive. Just a friendly session of trading waves. In contrast, below are some of the incidents caught on film. Mind you just because the person is in front of the other, does not mean the other person did not paddle around the other donkey.... (you will also notice the disease started to spread to non-donkeys.

Ps. In case you are wondering the Viper has struck a couple of times, he was just lucky that nobody caught it on film.

Wave Height

2008-07-11T17:17:00.001-07:00

Nokandui doing its thing

To clarify: the biggest surf we have had was on our first day and it was a very solid 4ft overhead, I did not see any doh sets; but the waves do tend to grow as you take off down the reef. It has been at least head high or better every day. The thing here is wind, not swell. There is plenty of swell and the swell gets into some spots better than others due to shadowing. There were waves on day 1 that were well over DOH but the wind was wrong. Beleive me when I tell you the last thing you want on a 10ft drainer at rifles or nokandui is crosschop or a section getting blown down in front of you.

The waves are a dream, and the day before yesterday was barrels galore with perfect wind at about head and a half. Ryan and I sat deep and inside on the reef at nipussy and took the sets that were direct south (most were southwest) these things just opened up and raced down the reef. I had 2 double barrels, and well over 20 other regular ones. Then alone I had a short 4 wave session at rifles, which is the real deal. Squarrels are at rifles, the barrels are as wide as they are tall. I cought 4 in a quick session before lunch, got completely shacked and burried on the first but I was so deep and traveled so far, when the foam ball ate me up I was addicted. The boys saw my first one from the boat and said the wave ate me alive. I wanted more. Waves 2-3, I did not take off as deep, and made it out of the dragons belly after what many would consider the best waves of their lives. Wave 4 was not as good as the previous 3 (even with the flogging on #1) and the boat was back to pick me up for lunch. At that point, we had already surfed 5 1/2 hours and it was only 1pm. The afternoon session was equally as special. More later.

Photos from Beng-Beng and Pit Stops

2008-07-11T04:43:00.000-07:00

The swell that was supposed to arrive today turned out to be a hoax. What did show up left many places unridable and most of the places that were ridable had the wrong winds. So we ended up at Bang Bang again. Surprisingly there was a little something to ride. Here are a couple photos more photos from today.
The Dude at Beng Beng

Bivers at Pit Stops

Tai-Bo at Pit Stops

Shegas at Beng Beng

Kama at Beng Beng

Be Careful What You Wish For

2008-07-10T08:28:00.000-07:00

You want pics? Are you sure? Needless to say the last three days have been epic, and today for me has been particularly special. These pics are over the last 3 days, and every shot the rider completed the ride without fail...

Seibring Nokandui
Smythe Beng-BengThe Viper @ Nokandui

Brantley @ Pitstops

ICE @ 4 bobs

KL - Traffic - Towers - Toilets - Carlsberg

2008-07-06T23:35:00.000-07:00

For those left behind I grant this quick summary:

We arrived in KL and took our 45 minute bus ride into the city, I was amazed how clean the freeways were, not a speck of trash not even a cigarette butt. It made me wonder if there is such a thing as too much freedom. I saw darth vader a few times, spent 1 night sweating it out and probably lost 5 pounds. The city is beautiful and the patronas towers are a spectacle to be seen.

We are now in padang and waiting to head out to the resort. Everyone is in good spirits and the jet lag has seemed to subside for everyone. I think we need to surf soon.. gotta go pictures later.

Call your credit/debit card company

2008-07-03T09:33:00.000-07:00

This is a reminder to call your credit card co. and your bank and let them know the countries you will be traveling in (Malaysia and Indonesia) and give them the dates of departure and return. They will put your cards in "travel" status so that your cards will NOT get declined if you use them in either of the two countries during the trip.

In Tahiti, I did not call my cards in advance, I got there and my cards got declined. I had to go to a pay phone use a calling card, call the card companies and let them know I was traveling and to turn my shit back on. It was a pain in the butt and even after my call my cards did not work for another 24 hours.

So... Call your cards tards

Updated Surf Forecast - Mentawais

2008-07-02T11:15:00.000-07:00

We had three decent storms move through the SW Indian Ocean and now we are expecting a stronger series of storms to move into the South/Central Indian Ocean. We will be calling for our first SW groundswell to kick in for Sunday with some head high to overhead surf and then Monday, July 7th, looks to bring a stronger SW swell with head high plus surf and sets will be running a few feet overhead with some larger sets at the top SW facing breaks. Another reinforcement from the SW will come in for Tuesday to hold up wave heights but a strong fetch down under is expected to deliver and longer period and building SW to SSW groundswell for Tuesday and into Wednesday, July 9th, with solid head high plus to double overhead plus surf and some larger sets nearing the triple overhead range will not be out of the question.

Further out, the long range models are looking pretty good and it appears that we could see another shot of solid overhead SW swell for Thursday through Saturday, July 10-12th.

Lance's Surf Report, Surf Forecast and Surf Webcams

2008-07-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

Lance's Surf Report, Surf Forecast and Surf Webcams

Glimmer of the Surf Forecast - Indonesia

2008-06-30T11:50:00.000-07:00

The storm track has fired back up after a brief layoff and we had two decent storm move through the SW Indian Ocean and now we are expecting a stronger series of storms to move into the South/Central Indian Ocean and they should crank out some major surf. We will be calling for our first SW groundswell to kick in for Sunday with some head high to overhead surf and the late Sunday/Monday, July 7th, looks to bring a much stronger and well overhead SW groundswell with an even larger SW swell setting up to build in for late Monday and into Tuesday, July 8th. The long range models are showing more solid SW swell activity for later in that week.

Warning: The Viper attacks in Indo too!

2008-06-30T11:11:00.000-07:00

Click on the title link. This video is very concerning. The Viper (a.k.a. Lagahan, a.k.a. Lagbehind, a.k.a. Lenahan) is the number one cause of people getting snaked in Indonesia. I recently saw a blatant attack at DMJ's on Saturday. The poor victim had no idea it was coming! Make sure that you bring your snake bite kits and anti-Viper venom (tons of alcohol works really well!). Make sure you go at least 50 seconds through the video to see the alert!

12 World Titles - 3 World Champs - 1 Resort

2008-06-30T11:05:00.000-07:00

Surfing History is being made, and it is happening right now. I have known about this for about a month or so but could not share it with all of you until now. I was unsure if the information was secret or not but some details of the trip have now been posted HERE.

3 world champions are at Kandui Resort right now as part of a photo trip for Transworld Surf. They will be departing from the mentawais resort 3 days prior to our arrival.

Kelly Slater - 8 World Titles (soon to be 9)
Andy Irons - 3 World Titles
Martin Potter - 1 World Title

Despite the media hype, Kelly and Andy are friendly with each other and it is apparent that AI has matured quite a bit compared to a few years back. I am actually stoked to be a fan of AI again, and I have been told he is like a new man. He and I did have a conflict at Lowers a few years back and I was so bummed because at the time he was one of my favorite surfers. Andy has finally learned how to be a true champion. Thanks AI, I'm glad to have you back.

Sometimes I wish I surfed goofyfoot

2008-06-30T10:19:00.000-07:00

Donkey Surf Trip Sponsored By Costco

2008-06-27T15:56:00.001-07:00

Someone at Costco corporate must be a avid reader of www.donkeypatrol.com because today I received an email from them offering corporate sponsorship for our surfing trip to kandui resort in mentawais indonesia.

Basicly anything we don't have for the trip: like digital cameras, video cameras, noise canceling headphones, PSP... Simply run on over to costco pick up what you need.I got a digital camera and a sony psp and as part of our sponsorship deal. We can buy anything we want that is electronic, take it on or trip, and return it within 90 days for a full refund.Thanks Costco, I sure will enjoy playing tiger woods golf at 40,000 ft over the indian ocean, and my friends and family will love the pictures I email them from my vacation. You are the best!!

Hey Donkeys I got Boards For Sale!!!

2008-06-26T16:14:00.000-07:00

So Im short on cash for our indo trip and have decided to sell some of my boards..

Ive got a nice 6'9 Spider, shaped by Ian Wright, great for big indo..

Also got another 6'9 Aftermath, shaped again by Ian Wright (has kind of a gay spray paint job my friend put on bottom)..

Finally, I got a NICE 6'6 Firewire, flexfire...

All boards are in MINT condition, I will give the donkeys first priority and a GREAT deal, make me an offer!!!

Get em before they end up on craigslist..

Indo Surf Pics of the Day

2008-06-26T11:59:00.001-07:00

How to pack surfboards for Air travel - Advanced

2008-06-25T14:45:00.000-07:00

Ok, I have done this countless times so I wanted to share what I have learned with all of you. In advance, I do need to give credit to Stefan of www.ca2pr.com, who taught me some of the advanced techniques.

In my example I will be packing 4 surfboards.

What you will need:

Travel board bag (1) with 4 board capacity
Individual surfboard day bags (2)
Blue painters tape
Cardboard boxes (bubble wrap works too.. but is expensive, and free boxes work better)
Zip ties

Step #1
Clean all boards of wax and debris, apply fresh basecoat temp wax in advance if you want a quick strike after landing. Remember basecoat and tropical are the two hardest waxes so you can use tropical as a basecoat for colder temp waxes if basecoat wax is not available.

Step #2
Cut down the corner of the sidewall of the cardboard box, this will make it a long piece of cardboard now with flappy sides where the box used to piece together to form a square.

Step #3
Overlay the cardboard box on the nose of the board so that the nose is in the crease of the fold in the box and so that the box covers about 1ft of the nose on top and bottom. Use utility scissors and cut of the excess box that hangs out from the tapering of the board. You want some excess so that the top and bottom overlap but not too much. You can now tape the top and bottom of the box together creating a cardboard mold for the nose of your board.

Step #4
Do the same thing for the tail of your board but make sure the the entire fin box is protected.

Step #5
Tape the cardboard molds to your board using the BLUE painters tape. The reason you use the painters tape is because when you peel it off it does not leave any residue on the board that you will need to clean off. I lent a board to someone one time and they used duct tape and the board still has that crap all over it.

Step #6
Find a piece of cardboard maybe 1 ft wide and a few feet long and place it along the stringer of the board between your nose and tail molds. Now place your second board on top of board #1.

Step #7
Use left over cardboard boxes and pieces to make a rail wrap, again use the natural crease of the cardboard on the rail so the card board easily wraps around the rails of both boards. You do not need to individually rail wrap the boards, use 1 rail wrap to cover both boards. use painters tape again to tape in place.

Step #8
Slide surfboards into the day bag, you can add additional cardboard to the deck of the top board and the bottom of the bottom board if there is sufficient room in the day bag for added coverage. But generally airlines will snap a nose, ding a rail, or ding the tail/fin box area which we have already sufficiently protected. Keep in mind by using cardboard we are providing cushion for impact but also adding rigidity which specifically helps with the nose snaps. Bubble wrap does not provide rigidity. Zip the day bag shut (if you can) and zip tie the zippers together.

Step #9
Do the same with the other 2 boards as well and now you should have four well packed boards inside of two day bags (that also add protection). Having 2 boards in one day bag also minimizes risk when the airline wants to count your boards. When you open the big travel bag it only looks like you have two boards instead of four.

Step #10
Place the day bags inside the big coffin travel bag, add any other little stuff like trunks, rash guards and snorkel equipment and zip up the big bag. Again use a zip tie to seal the zippers shut. TSA likes the zip ties because they can cut them off if they need to get in your bag, and I use them as an excuse as why I don't want to open my bag for the airline counter agent. I say "oh I zip tied this shut, and I don't have anymore to zip it up or a knife to open it with, can you cut me a break on this one?"

Step #11
Land safe, unpack pristine boards, save your parts for the way home (another reason why bubble wrap sucks), and go surfing.

FCS / Future Fins
This how to is written with removable fin systems in mind. You would be hard pressed to fit two boards with glass ons into a day bag. It's very important to not only remove your fins, but also to be sure to screw the fin screw back into the recess of the fin plug so that the the fin screws do not damage other boards in the bag.

Things to bring for our trip to Indo

2008-06-24T15:19:00.001-07:00

This is going to be a list of things to remember for our trip. Please use the comment feature on the site (do not reply to the donkey email address) to add additional things to bring. Your suggestions are appreciated.

SURF

boards
leashes: 3 extra regular size 6ft , 2 big wave 8-9ft
tropical wax: figure 1 bar for every 2 days + initial wax job= 8bars
sunscreen : 8, 15, 30, 45 w/ zinc and some of that spray on stuff 2 cans
travel board bag + day bags
rashguards (tank-top, short sleeve, and long sleeve with high spf rating)
rash shorts (spandex surf shorts you wear under boardshorts)
fins and fin keys
wax comb
surf trunks - 5 pair
GU Gels - 1 case of 24: electrolyte replacement packet for pocket of trunks

PLANE

Passport (make 2 copies of your passport and your tickets, and put them in separate bags)
Travel insurance (again print a few copies)
ipod, battery backup as needed
headphones (noise canceling and regular)
PSP or other personal gaming device
playing cards or other group game
books, mags
Ambien or other sleeping aid

MISC.

T-shirts : a handfull
2 pair of regular shorts
2 pair of flip flops, 1 pair of shoes
Hat
Sunglasses (polarized)
Snorkel gear
Longsleeve linen shirt, light long pants (to wear at night, prevent mosquito bites)
Small medical kit with Liquid Bandage, super glue added (good for cuts, foot problems)
General medications: Cipro, Asprin, Swimmers Ear wash
Camera, video camera, batteries, chargers, tapes and storage
Protein powder - proven to speed recovery of muscles from extensive workouts
toiletries

Air Asia Board Bag Charges

2008-06-18T15:59:00.000-07:00

Sports Equipment - I am assuming this will be surfboards

Up to 15kg (this is equal to 33lbs.) - $50 RM = $15.50 US
***More than 15kg (per kg) - $25 RM = $7.75 US

Check out the link for more info.

Mentawai Surfing trip - 15 days until departure

2008-06-17T03:53:00.000-07:00

In 15 days we will be departing to the airport and the Donkey indo surfing journey will begin.

24 hours of flying to Kuala Lumpur the capital of Malaysia via Malaysia Air for most and Singapore Airlines / Hawaiian Airlines for a few others, 2 days enjoying KL, a 2 hour private reservation for the wave pool at Sunway Lagoon, no doubt a few hours of antics at the swim up bar at our hotel in KL, a short 1 hour flight to Padang Indonesia followed by a day of rest and body/equipment prep. 1 puddle jump buddy holly plane flight out to the islands, followed by a 2 hour boat ride to the resort. Thats allot of travel time, considering the actual surfing part of the trip is just getting started..

11 days at kandui resort and surfing the playgrounds region of the mentawais, considered by many to be the best concentration of surf breaks in the world. Our island resort is located within a stones throw of 25 world class waves all of which we access via our exclusive fleet of 6 boats used to ferry us from one uncrowded barrel to the next. Oh... and did I mention we are shooting a movie too? Yeah a movie, in 1080 HD.

The Crew:
The Smythe, Gaykley, Steinmart, The Capitan aka The Erwinator aka Muffin Tops, Bivers aka BE-LO, Tivers aka TAI-BO, The Dude aka Boner, Shegas, Lagbehind aka The Viper, Kama aka little bit aka 80 pound, The Flyin Hawaiian.

Today's Motivational Indo Video

2008-06-15T14:34:00.000-07:00

Things are heating up in Indo!

2008-06-14T08:06:00.000-07:00

Check out this new report. If this is any indication of what we can expect, its going to be ridiculous! This pic shows what will be happening to Ford if he doesn't committ 100% on his drops!

Extended Forecast Outlook:

Note: all dates and times are local Indonesian time. Surfline offers this forecast on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings.Our latest SSW groundswell will continue to fade into Saturday, June 14th, and a storm that was down under last week directed most of its swell energy towards Western Australia but we will see some building head high plus SW to SSW groundswell for Saturday with some sets running a few feet overhead plus for later in the day and then fading but still workable and head high plus SSW swell will go into Sunday, June 15th, with smaller but workable surf into Monday morning.Further out, we just had an impressive storm in the South/Central Indian Ocean that had a rather larger fetch of 35-40+ knot winds and seas were reaching over the 35 foot mark. This long period SW groundswell from 205-220 degrees will build in late Monday and then really kick in for Tuesday and into Wednesday, June 17-18th, with head high plus to double overhead surf for most of the SW facing breaks and the top breaks will be pulling in triple overhead sets with some larger sets at the premier SSW facing breaks. Thursday, the 19th, will bring fading but still head high plus surf with sets running several feet overhead and then we will be expecting some new SW groundswell for around Friday, June 20th, with another shot of head high plus surf and the top breaks should see some overhead sets. We should see a little break in the action for that weekend of the 21-22nd but the long range models are showing a rather vigorous storm track that would deliver more solid overhead SW swell for that week of June 23rd.

Rifles | Kandui Resort | Mentawais

2008-06-13T06:16:00.000-07:00

Be sure your photos come home with you

2008-06-12T07:26:00.001-07:00

Good morning Donkeys;

So I came across this deal this morning. $50 and free shipping for a 160 GB external hard drive. I should have enough storage space but if you think you are going to get a ton of photos and want to go home with ALL of them, I suggest you bring some extra storage. Here is a link to the deal. This is only good today.
Maxtor 160GB External Hard Drive
Lots of other options out there but this is just one I saw this morning.

Visas and Reef Booties in the Mentawais

2008-06-10T11:07:00.000-07:00

Hi all, Departure day for Kandui Resort in the mentawais islands of Indonesia is getting closer and closer. I am so glad I am busy with work the next few weeks to help keep my mind from obsessing about surf.

Everything is dialed in, reservations confirmed, balances paid, flights booked, every know surf accessory purchased, and now it's time for the actual trip.

I had two separate discussions this week: one about reef booties (which I hate) and the second about any special Visas that we may need. I was pretty sure about the answers to both questions, but I called Anthony Marcotti at Kandui Resort to confirm.

Answer #1: "Kooks wear reef booties...you might need them at G-land but you don't need them surfing the mentawais"

Answer #2: "no special visas are needed, you pay your visa at the airport about $25, and also pay your mentawais islands tax $40 to our representative Rudy that will pick you up from the airport"

Airbus A340 and Singapore Air Flight 37

2008-06-09T08:29:00.000-07:00

So this morning I was finally able to align my travel plans with Ford's. We are traveling to and from Singapore on on the Airbus A340/345. The Airbus A340/345 plane is considered the best plane in Singapore Air's fleet. More than 50% of the Airbus A340/345 has seats that lie flat. Unfortunately it is a raffle system to receive these seats. Either way all of the seats on the Airbus A340/345 have extra leg room and there is only one column of seats where you will be in there middle. So even though we are not as lucky as you all to fly direct (with a stop over) to Kuala Lumpur, we get to fly exec. Below is a comparison of our planes. You can find more info at Seat Guru

Singapore Airlines Seating Chart for Airbus A340/345		Malaysian Airlines Your Flight

I'll be at Campgrounds

2008-06-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for me in the morning over the next few days... I will be at campgrounds.

I am even rolling back my in-water deadline to 5:30am, so I can get a solid session in before work.

Winds look good, swell looks good, and I need some good sessions before my sales trip at the end of the week. So, if you want to join, you know where to go, I'll be there.

Make it a great week.

Costa Rica Pic of The Smythe

2008-06-08T07:12:00.000-07:00

Costa Rica was barely even a warm up for the great surf you guys are going to catch in Indo. I was telling The Smythe how a trip to Indo will spoil all of your future surf trips. They will be more like vacations with some surfing. I can relate it to having sex with a condom vs. without a condom. Still great, but just not the same.

Here is a picture of Chris warming up on a super fast (barely makable) beach break.

Padang Hotel - Mentawais Surfing Trip

2008-06-05T15:23:00.001-07:00

Hey Guys:

We have 5 rooms reserved here http://www.theambacanghotel.com/
On July 7th and 19th of July.

Cost around $80 per night per room

First Come first serve for KL Hotel

2008-06-05T14:28:00.001-07:00

As many of you Donkey's know, we will be staying at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel by Marriott in Malaysia. I have booked us 4 rooms that have 2 twins each. So whoever wants a room please let me know. There are 2 Donkeys, Flakely and Kozai, that are arriving on Sunday and they can grovel with those of you that have reserved a room. Speak now or sleep in Chinatown and eat bull penis soup! (Sheagas said it was delicious).
Conner, Please post Padang Status!

How Jackasses Make Money

2008-06-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Attention all jackasses participating in the cluster fuck of a sorority known as The Donkeys (www.donkeypatrol.com).

I am going to make a request for the greater good of all Donkeys: Stop hitting Reply to All when you receive an email from the blog. Move your wrist over a quarter inch and click on the little (insert web browser here) link that will open the site and submit the comment on the site itself.

For those of you that aren't subservient jackasses that do everything they are told by their superiors, here is as much of an explanation that I care to give.

Content + Ranking + Visitors = Revenue

(For those of you that took the short bus to school, comments = content)

It will take a couple years, but maybe this site will generate enough revenue to buy a contest tent, or a surfboard as a prize for the winner of the DP Contest or even pay for everyones trip to Indo (in 2020). If you are on a PDA, wait to comment or email away, but add your comment to the site later.

This has been a Public Donkey Announcement.

To Smythe or Not to Smythe!

2008-06-05T11:54:00.000-07:00

From Blakes: There has been a request to change Chris’s name from “the Smythe” to “Christopher Smith”. I thought, I would put it to a Donkey Patrol vote.

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Ok so it's Officially Off!!!

2008-06-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Due to the lack of swell and sooooo many scheduling conflicts, it seems that we need to push the 4th annual DP contest to late July/Early Aug. (after indo, when everyone should be ripping)... So for now I think that we all should focus on the next slightly smaller contest which will be held in Indo.. Who of the 2008 Donkey Patrol crew will be crowned "The King of Kandui".. More info on this to follow.. Otherwise, Im coming to SD this weekend to surf and shoot a test run of some video format Ideas with the smythe, who wants in?

Mentawais Indonesia Surfing- 30 Days Until Departure

2008-06-03T10:28:00.000-07:00

4th Annual Donkey Patrol Contest is Officially ON!!!!

2008-06-02T19:56:00.000-07:00

OK, so since no one else, but smythe (who's outta town) wants to get this thing going, I am putting it out there that we should hold the DP contest Sat. June 7th.. It looks like there will be a fun 4-6 NW swell in the water, the weather is going to be GREAT, we all need the water time, it would be good for all of us to get together before Indo and Josh (and Smythe) need to go down. Also I think it could be a way to determine who is gonna wear the pink rashguard for our first session in Indo.. First Heat will kick off at 8AM.... More info to follow.. Also, who will have scheduling conflicts with this?

What to do with your spare time......

2008-05-30T15:17:00.000-07:00

Smythe Looking at the forecast....

2008-05-30T08:27:00.000-07:00

This is probably what Smythe looked like while looking at the forecast and thought he could't go because of the donkey contest....

Travelers Yes | Forecast Readers No

2008-05-30T07:01:00.000-07:00

For those that don't know, Smythe and Stefan are in the northern Guanacaste region of Costa Rica right now. They pulled the trigger on a last minute strike to go catch some surf. Their plan, last I heard it, was to stay up in north around Tamarindo and Playas Del Coco and make a multitude of strikes to Witches Rock , Ollies, and my favorite, "The Labyrinth". At first glance the forecast for all of Costa Rica looks great for today and the remainder of the weekend.... check it out.

"SSW groundswell (~195-205) will peak going into the second half of the week and hold fairly steady on Friday before slowly fading this weekend. Thursday sees exposed spots go head high to several feet overhead off the Southern Hemi swell, as a solid dose of SW windswell joins in for more size. However, steady SW winds, along with heavy rain, will prevail for mainly choppy condition. On Friday, SW windswell backs down as the SSW groundswell holds, still head-overhead surf on tap with improving conditions. Saturday morning will see fading SSW energy and clean surf in the 4-5'+ range.

Further out; a new S groundswell (185-190) fills in on Sunday and into early next week with some fun waves in the waist-chest-shoulder high plus range."

But herein lies the problem: the Guanacaste peninsula is shaped like a boot, and Ollies and Witches are up by the heel. The bottom of the boot takes a direct hit from this steep south, but the upper part of the boot just gets the scraps of the swell, almost nothing.

The only way for them to have known this is if they read beyond the basic forecast, and looked at the lola model and the surf spot forecasts;

I sent them both an email to this effect, but I think my efforts were too late, my email went out after their departure. Here is my email.

"you guys need to look at the surf spot forecasts and the lola nearshore swell tracking models..
It looks like northern costa is going to be completely blocked from the swell.. Tamarino / Ollies are going to be getting scraps..
Central and South Guanacaste will be getting the juice and are not in a swell blocked area. "

So here is my question to the other donkeys:

Opinion Polls & Market Research

Fiji Barrel Riding | Wiki How -To

2008-05-28T15:24:00.000-07:00

Step One: crouch as low as possible, dig in, drag hand to control speed and "feel" the wave, lastly throw in a melon grab for style points.

Step Two: make sure the barrel is bigger than your head

Step Three: make sure you have plenty of luna bars stuffed in the back pocket of your rashguard so your buddies don't eat them in the boat.

38 Days Until Mentawais Islands Surfing

2008-05-27T14:31:00.000-07:00

Are you doing everything you can to get prepared?

Donkey Contest - June 7th Instead??

2008-05-25T22:31:00.000-07:00

I just checked the updated forecast, and it looks like the swell for next weekend is good enough to run the event however the swell direction is very steep and a majority of the swell will march right past san diego and hit in north orange county.

That being said, the forecast is also predicting a significant amount of consecutive swells for June 7th with a much better swell direction for northern san diego. I think we may have to wait until later in the week this week to make an official call. We will need to see how the steep swell is hitting the event site and what the weather/wind forecast looks like.

"Further out; a better and fun size S swell (180-185) looks to move in at the end of the upcoming week and top out over the weekend before slowly fading into early June. This is looking good for 2-4’ surf at the better exposed breaks, with possible larger sets at standouts (again North OC). Stay tuned as we continue to track this swell.

Beyond that, long range models indicate a return to a more cyclonically active western South Pacific; starting with a strong storm that is soon to develop deep in the South Hemi over the next 48hrs. If forecast charts hold true, then we could see a good run of SW groundswell starting around the 4th-5th of June and continuing for several days after. Keep checking back for updates."

Donkeys practicing for the 2008 Donky Patrol Championships

2008-05-24T16:01:00.000-07:00

Who says Donkeys can't swim.....

Donkey Kegger and Wine Tasting Tonight

2008-05-24T14:48:00.000-07:00

At the "Viper's" house

2894 woodridge circle
carlsbad,ca 92008

bringing wine is encouraged.

Free Timex Watch

2008-05-23T14:39:00.001-07:00

Anyone in need of a new watch? Check out this site. http://www.returntotheoutdoors.com/Contest_Landing.htm

The grand prize is a trip to Moab... there are 5 weekly finalists and each receives a free Timex watch. To enter just gather up some photos that represents an excursion outdoors. The best representation wins. enter now while competition is slim

No Football for Old Men

2008-05-23T10:26:00.001-07:00

Who's it gonna be?? Contest is on for May 31st!

2008-05-22T13:25:00.000-07:00

We will be holding the 2008 Donkey Patrol Championships on May 31st at Campgrounds (same locale as last year). It looks like we will have a fun Southern Hemi swell on tap. Mark your calendars! More information to follow:

Surfline:
Beyond that we’ll see a modest bump move in out of the SSE direction (160-165) for select spots around the 28th-29th, with knee/waist occasional chest high+ surf at the good spots of North OC (although average spots are below waist high). A possibly better and fun size S swell (180-185) looks to move in around the 30th-31st. Stay tuned, we’ll see how that storm behaves in the next couple days.

Wetsand:
Friday the 30th into Saturday the 31st is when our next southern hemi swell is due. As you may recall from my earlier reports this week, this is from a system that broke off Antarctica and headed northward towards Easter Island. This should bring 180-degree energy with 14- 16-second periods, peaking probably on the AM of Saturday the 31st. Size is estimated at chest to head high for most south facing breaks.

American Airlines Travelers Beware

2008-05-21T14:07:00.000-07:00

American Airlines recently announce that it would start to charge $15 for the first bag checked, they are going to cancel a number of domestic flights and lay off a bunch of people. Maybe it is time to find a different carrier to use for travel.... Is anyone using American to get to Kandui?

Full story: http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-american22-2008may22

Coaster Fare Increase

2008-05-20T21:11:00.000-07:00

I know most of you do not use the Coaster very often, and I do not think any of you use the Sorrento Valley Shuttle, but when you do use the coaster you should know the coaster is about to get REALLY expensive. The cost to ride the Coaster downtown could end up being as much as $19 round trip. This is also going to impact those who use the Sorrento Valley Coaster Connection to work from the Coaster. You can voice your opposition here:

http://www.sandag.org/organization/configcomment/index.asp?pid=6

The deadline to submit your opinion is May 28th. @5PM

Hotel in Kuala Lumpur - READ THIS!

2008-05-20T09:43:00.000-07:00

Ok fools, I have us dialed in for Kualu Lumpur. I was able to get us two more rooms reserved with my travel agent I.D. for $90.00 +tax. We will have 4 rooms total, which should be very comfy after the long, hell flight. This will give us a total of about $80.00 each for the two nights in KL at the Renaissance Kuala Lumpur Hotel (Click on the title for the link). We will be in the heart of the city and have a swim up bar, etc. on the premises! Please let me know A.S.A.P. if anyone has an issue or is too cheap to pay the $80.00 total (for both nights) for a little luxury before our primitive habitations in Indo so that I may cancel.

Indian Ocean's Eleven

2008-05-19T14:08:00.000-07:00

Well, Last week I mentioned that decision day was last Friday, and that I would give you all an update as to what I meant by that. Well there has been a little stuff going on behind the scenes with our trip and at one point a few weeks ago it looked like two people were going to drop out. One of the two had a legitimate reason and the other, well... not so much.

In the interim period when I was not sure who was coming, I put my feelers out for potential takers. Stefan and Summer wanted in as a pair, but that would have required both potential dropouts, then Geoff "Buckets" Brantley announced he wanted in as well.

It was determined last Friday that Ryan Seibring from Hawaii was not going to cancel, so that ruled out the Stefan & Summer option. Then Geoff called and asked if I could get him a guaranteed spot no matter what. I doubted it at first, and called Anthony @ Kandui to try to work it out. Anthony agreed to allow our group to grow to 11 if Ford decided to stick with the plan.

Well here we are on Monday @ 2pm and the final results are in. Ford is sticking with the plan, and we now have a group of 11 headed to the mentawais in 46 days. The final 11 are:

Conner Erwin
Ford Blakes
Bill Ivers
Tom Ivers
Chris Smith
Geoff Brantley
Todd Marquet
Ryan Siebring (1998 Mountain Dew Wakeboard National Champion)
Shea Varge
Marc Kozai
Josh Lenahan

Ryan Siebring is ready for takeoff

Decision Day

2008-05-16T09:16:00.000-07:00

Today is Super Friday, and the outcome determines who will be getting elected into super tubes in a few weeks. I'll update this and explain it at the end of the day today.

In the mean time here is a picture from Kandui Yesterday.

The Pink Rashguard Arrives

2008-05-15T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hi-Res Images available by request.

DP Mascot

2008-05-15T10:27:00.000-07:00

Something to get you Donkey's fired up! By the way, who is "Anonymous" that keeps posting comments? Step into the light!

2008 DONKEY INVITATIONAL

2008-05-13T16:24:00.001-07:00

Two donkeys looking quite timid before their first heat against last year's 2007 Champion, Josh "The Viper" Lagahan!

Attention Donkeys! Its that time of year again to put up or shut up! The Donkey Contest will be taking place between the end of May and sometime in June. We need feedback on possible dates and waiting period. We know that Blakes likes it small and Sheagas likes the "big ones" so we may need to have some patience. Please give feedback a.s.a.p. so that we may have the competition before Indo. Possible event locations: SanO (We can get a site on the beach), Camps (repeat of last year).

Billabong Pro Tahiti - Round 1 Today

2008-05-13T08:23:00.000-07:00

Round one will start today at 7am Tahiti time. Waves today should be in the head high to a few feet over category. Larger swell expected for later rounds.

Will it be Teahupoo or Nopoo?

Tune in live and online @ www.billabongpro.com

Kandui Surf - Yesterday's Photos

2008-05-12T14:17:00.001-07:00

This has Blakely, Seibring and Lenahan written all over it.

Stefan is going to be pinching himself on these.

Recommend a Surf Trip Prank

2008-05-09T15:06:00.000-07:00

The first recommended surf trip prank has been put into action today as THE PINK RASHGUARD was ordered.

Some of you might have heard about the PINK RASHGUARD, but for those who have not.. here is the deal.

We have purchased a pink women's rashguard for our surf trip to Indonesia. At the conclusion of every day's final surf session, the group will vote on who was the biggest vagina of the day. The person voted the biggest vagina will have to wear the pink rashguard the entire next day of surfing.

Bill ordered the rashguard today and this is what it looks like, and the description from the website:

The Skins 6oz Nylon / Spandex has quick-dry, four-way stretch properties that will keep you in the water longer. The womens' skins provide a comfortable solution to rib protection and built-in support to keep you covered and charging.

Shea and I also discussed some other ideas to help make our trip more interesting for us and the viewers of the surf documentary "Drive Thru" style movie we will be shooting throughout our trip.

We need your help with some other ideas for this!

We are obviously going to run the donkey invitational surfing contest during the trip (but are open to new format ideas), and talked about some surfing games like HORSE, or Deepest Barrel, Worst Wipeout etc... but we are also looking for some nightime contests for while we are on land.

Please submit any ideas that you have for games, jokes, pranks or contests for during our trip.

Blakely's Gear for Indo

2008-05-09T10:24:00.000-07:00

Do not fear Donkeys! There is still time to get some of the same gear that Blakely uses to protect himself from Smythe's spray! Speaking of protection, you may want to get some anti-venom or snake syrum for the the attack of The Viper a.k.a. "Lagahan!"

New kandui Video - Shot a few days Ago

2008-05-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

Follow the link the see the recent video shot from Kandui.

Kandui Resort Balance Past Due

2008-05-06T10:18:00.000-07:00

If you have not yet contacted Kandui to make your final payment your balance is now past due.

Please contact Anthony @ (714) 369-8121 or (714) 478-2487 to make your final payment. After your initial deposit of $500 your remaining balance should be around $1,940 dollars, and Kandui accepts various payment methods including credit cards.

If there is a reason you can't take care of your balance this week please contact me so that I am aware of what is going on.

Thanks, Conner

Sunway Lagoon Surfing -- Wavepool Reserved

2008-05-05T10:10:00.001-07:00

The wavepool at sunway lagoon in Kuala Lumpur has been officially reserved for us for Sunday July 6th for 2 hours. This time is exclusive to us and it also includes our entry into the waterpark. We are a permitted to bring our own surfboards. The cost will be $80 per person for the 2 hours.

Since we do have a couple of people arriving into Kuala Lumpur on Sunday morning/mid-day we will have the time in the pool in the afternoon early evening, to allow for everyone to get there. I assume we will go to the water park early and do the water park thing prior to our surf session.
I am pretty stoked on it and it should help us shake the cobbwebbs off a little bit and be a good visual addition to the media coverage for our trip.

To see more on sunway lagoon check out these links:

www.sunwaylagoon.com
surfline article
surfing magazine article
Quiksilver Revolution

Kandui Payment Reminder

2008-05-01T13:17:00.000-07:00

Just over 60 days until departure and your full remaining balance is now due to Kandui Resort.

If you have not yet paid in full, please contact Anthony Marcotti @ and

Make you Payment Prior to Friday, May 2nd

Kandui Resort U.S.A.
Kandui Resort
629 Camino De Los Mares Suite 101
San Clemente, Ca 92673
E-mail: info@kanduiresort.com
Local # (714) 369-8121
Mobile # (714) 478-2487
FAX # (949) 493-2770
Contact Name: Anthony Marcotti

Vaccine Day - Indonesia Surf Trip to the Mentawais

2008-04-30T13:08:00.000-07:00

Today I went to my general practitioner, Dr. Fred Salley at scripps Encinitas to get my shots for our surf trip to the Mentawais in Indonesia. Dr. Salley, on top of being the best doctor I have ever had, has traveled the globe surfing, and even spent substantial time in El Salvador in the seventies back when they were filming Big Wednesday there with Gerry Lopez and co. Dr. Salley knows what's up with pretty much everything surf and health related and he got me dialed in for the trip and even helped me clarify my feelings about malaria medication.

This is what I got while I was there:

Tetanus, Diptheria, Pertussis Vaccination
Hepatitis A Vaccine
Measles Mumps and Rubella Vaccine
Typhoid Fever Vaccine

He also prescribed me a few items as well

Malarone - (Newer malaria medication with very few and very minor side effects) He said he has never had problems with it and I need to start taking it two days prior to my departure.
Cipro - A broad spectrum antibiotic that should cure me of any mysterious ailments or diarrhea
Ambien / Lunesta - to help me sleep on the plane ride there.

Things I Hate

2008-04-30T08:19:00.000-07:00

I need to set some things straight. I hate this shit.

909 stuff

flat hats (people with flat brimmed hats)
jackasses that wear bandannas
desert moded trucks (it's probably 2wd)
tall socks with shorts

Teen / Mens Styles

emo kids
tight pants
hipsters / alex knost
Gay ass hair on dudes
men who use hair ties

Surf Related

longboard-shortboarders : you know who you are, you surf like a longboarder but ride your 7'6" pintail
hipsters
alex knost (you make kids dress like idiots)
knee boarders
body boarders

Driving on PCH

Cyclists - GOD I hate the Cyclists, you want to be treated like a car and take up the whole road but you can't go the speed limit, or use the bike lane and you don't want to come to a stop for traffic lights and stop signs. One of these days I am going to get a super soaker fill it will my piss and wait on PCH and just hose your fucking spandex clad asses.

Cell Phone Etiquette

people who call back before listening to their voicemail (JOSH L)

Ordering Boards in the next week!!!!

2008-04-29T12:40:00.000-07:00

Yo fools! I will be placing an order this week for some freshies (Aftermath) for Indo. Give me a ring if anyone is interested. Aftermath has some decent stock boards at good prices too! Check out the site and let me know.

http://www.aftermathboardcompany.com/

The Day That Swami's Slept

2008-04-28T08:57:00.000-07:00

Indo Medical Travel Insurance | Medical Recommendations

2008-04-25T15:52:00.000-07:00

Blakes in his mosquito gear

Everyone needs to call Jeff at 949-493-5231 and he’ll hook up the medical/travel insurance for cheap. $60. This is required for our trip.

It is also recommended that we get our shots for hepatitis and tetanus current prior to the trip.

Malaria: Meds are optional; however, most surfers who frequent the resort do not take malaria meds but do take repellent and apply at dusk!

Remember to bring some long sleeve shirts and linen pants (ford has plenty if you don't have any).