CHARTER SEVEN // 8 JUNE - 15 JUNE // 2003

Passengers: 
Ted Grambeau, Kai Neville, Shaun Cansdell, Koby Abberton, Mark Mathews, Dane Beevor, James Wood, Clinton Kimmins, Brooke Sylvester

It was to be our big promo tour. We had the best photographer in the world, we had the Bra Boys, we had fish, we had reef cuts, we had some bloody hot surfers·.but we did not get the surf. 7 days just was not enough time. In the end it did not matter. It was a particularly lean time for waves. The guys were all cool though. Patient as for surfers on a photo trip. We did land a nice sailfish and caught enough to keep us in a feed. Lots of stories and Beevor's birthday bash·he always seems to have his birthday on boats, coincided with the full moon and a few bintangs. Everyone made the best of what was on offer. That's surfing!

CHARTER SIX // 14 MAY - 26 MAY // 2003

Passengers: 
Nathan Edwards, Fletcher Green, Brad Potter, John Robertson, Nigel Mills, Shaun O'Callaghan, James Stevenson, Dean Loane

As the biggest Low pressure system brews in the fabulous Fifties and the Sou-east trade winds kick in for the first time this winter; we prepare to hoist the sails and head back to Padang. If I could only get them out of the water. The boys will probably get the swell back home in Torquay. I wonder how much the wetsuits will dull the memories of this charter·..

The lack of crowds, the perfect day at the perfect right with a couple of 'Ferals' and the chances to make that barrel again and again and again, Scotty's big Barracuda or Napalm's Spanish Mackeral, and Owie's Cod made nice fish and chips.

What about the flotsam in the line-up at the start of the trip. Getting dropped in on by trees. The reef never poked its teeth out of the water on the supposed lowtides. One has to wonder if the islands are sinking quicker than anyone realises. Does this mean that the mean waves will become more of a pleasure to surf?

Fletcher and Millsy's surf time was right up there, no matter where they surfed or how many sharks they spied. Should I waffle on about the perfect Lefts, rights, the March flies or the all in sing-a-longs on the beer deck, the starry nights, the full stomachs, or the mozzie zapper····..

Rather just say thanks to the lads. Bloody good fun.

CHARTER FIVE // 30 APRIL - 12 MAY // 2003

Passengers: 
Paul Green, Bruce McLachlan, Robert Young, David Gander, David Goldsmith, Mick Wilcomes

The "Badai", the Black Sumatran, the ugly West, North-west, or North tropical squall that can envelop this area for days turning passive a surf break into a slopped out mess was upon us and we were not going anywhere. The anchor dug firm and held us throughout the night as the wind screamed through the rigging and the rain drenched the jungle. Luck was on our side and the next morning the slop combined with the small groundswell and turned the waves into 4-5' fun things. Big enough to get pitched on and every now and then for the old blokes to bust out some of their childhood manoeuvres.

We had a few good sessions throughout the trip. A 4 day flat spell devastated the hopes and dreams of all the surfers in this part of the ocean. The boys were all seasoned travellers that took it all with a grain of salt and made the most of their holiday.

The Barrenjoey Fishing Charter was instigated and Dave Goldsmith took the honours with a great fight catching a 10Kg Wahoo on a 6Kg line. As well as the usual foray of Spanish mackeral, Jobfish, Bluefin Trevally and Coronation trouts. The boys would disappear for 3 hours in the Toranna and return loaded up with fish and stories of the ones that got away.

Mick Wilcomes, of Indies Trader Crossing fame joined us on the trip entertaining us with tall tales of his adventures on the seven seas. He also speared a 7Kg Coral Trout and pushed Greeny and Youngy all the way in the backhand attack.

Bruce, the Shiek found surf legs he thought he had lost which is what happens to most people out here. And Goose just revelled in the chance to be away from his cosy pub in London.

After a couple of rocky trips into the wind, the weather finally cleared and we headed into a school of mahi-mahi as the sun went down and the 6kg line finally snapped.

The last day needs mentioning as the trip ended in perfect 2-3 ft lefts. Magical Indo glass-off and the spearing of a 22kg Giant Trevally that dragged the hunter down into the depths before the dinghy rescued him!

CHARTER THREE // 16 APRIL - 27 APRIL // 2003

Passengers: 
Stephen Cox, Alan Johnston, Philip Pearson, Martin Loosemore, Cameron Northey, Luke Northey, John Botella, Stefan Szczepanski

The first real swells of the season and these guys lucked right in. Back to back to "oh my back!" it was supposed to be a holiday, but there was no rest as the waves just kept on coming. Weather conditions remained smooth and clean. Tunneling waves were had by all. Let's not forget that every single one of the lads paid some dues, left skin on the reef and went home with some Mentawai tattoos. By all reports, the few other boats that were in the vicinity scored as well. The lack of crowds has been the blessing on those willing to make the journey. Good on ya!

Highlights of our 3rd charter include. The perfection and power of the rights. Young Luke charging on his backhand where a lot of backsides baulk. The lone Welshman, Martin, getting bashed by the lips but tenaciously bouncing back and hurling himself down the faces till the tubes encompassed him. Even after snapping 2 boards this guy was still laughing, stoked to be here. The goofy footers being satisfied with lefts, then rights, then no-one cared. JJ's perpetual tube rides that everyone witnessed, no-one videoed, till the day when the wind backed out of the jungle and the pipes began to spit and we are now bored with watching his barrels.

Between swells the boys went on a fish-fest and landed (in no particular order) 3 Spanish Mackerel, a coronation Trout, 2 Jobfish, a Bluefin Trevally, 3 dogtooth tuna, except we ate steak that night.

The downside was surfing with 2 boats of professional surfers in epic waves. Most people do not mind mixing with some of the best in the world for an arvo. Its great to see the likes of Koby Abberton and Todd Morcom absolutely rip, tear and lacerate their way in perfection. But when another boatload of South Africans turn up and there are about 20 pros competing for the cover, us mere mortals have to watch, or take the close-outs and get slammed into the reef. Everyone is friendly, mind you, but they still catch a lot of waves. There needs to be more etiquette and communication among the Captains so we do not end up at the same spot. Also minimizing boat numbers to 6-8 passengers would help. 12 surfers jumping off one boat tends to crowd the line-up up a bit.

Still we have surfed new and old spots in all their glory. The old bastards of the voyage have shaken out cobwebs they never knew existed and returned to the surfing of lost years. At least till night time where a couple of Voltaren washed down with a couple of Bintangs helps ease what the mind refuses to acknowledge.

The last day needs mentioning as the trip ended in perfect 2-3 ft lefts. Magical Indo glass-off and the spearing of a 22kg Giant Trevally that dragged the hunter down into the depths before the dinghy rescued him!

CHARTER TWO // 19 MARCH - 6 APRIL // 2003

Passengers: 
Wayne Krelle, Andrew Krelle, Liam Krelle, James Sullman, Dave Cater, Lee Keats, Greg Morgan, Michael Grace

Late March and the Roaring 40 swells began warming up for the winter charge. The Barrenjoey steamed through a Black hole of weather on its voyage to the islands as the young punters slept restlessly amongst their sea dreams of mindless barrels.

We had a hot crew of young guys from the Northern Beaches of Sydney. And the Brothers Krelle set the pace with 'chop hops', airs, and some serious carving over shallow reefs. Keates was back in the islands sporting a new tattoo of the 'islands' on his arm. This bloke loves this place and it certainly shows in his surfing. Both he and Andrew had accompanied me on an epic wave fest in 1996 and have been chasing those dream sessions ever since returning year after year on various vessels that now ply these waters. Welcome back. They had brought their mates and Wayne as the chaperon. But Wayno was too busy surfing to worry about the bloody grommets.

The swells just never had the grunt to go over the 6ft range. Many sessions under that. March really is a good time for uncrowded 2-6 ft waves here. Beautiful weather for the majority. One Badai (black Sumatran tropical squall from hell) had us hiding for an arvo.

The boys nailed the fish, drank us dry and ate the cupboards bare. You just can't seem to fill the grommets up!

Andrew, Liam, Dave, and James hung aboard for another 5 days and got that tube fest day! Unfortunately, Liam also got smacked by his board and received 6 stitches. Not the best way to end the trip·but you gotta take the good with the bad and all in all the guys surfed a many, many, many waves.

CHARTER ONE // MARCH // 2003

We had been stuck in dry dock whilst perfect waves reeled unridden in the Islands. March loomed and we steamed into perfect sea conditions and no wind with our first 5 guests for the year.

Bitchin Bob, our occasional deckhand, had dragged his brother, Dave and a couple of mates, Pete and Ian, along for the experience. We had a Bondi icon in Harry Nightingale to make up the 5th person.

The first week blessed us with beautiful waves to wash the Padang dust from our cracked soles. Rights and lefts, tubes and reef cuts. There were no other boats to be seen or heard. No-one coming around the corner and lazy paddles between re-hydration.

After Selemat landed the first Dogtooth Tuna, the fishing comp was on. Everyone caught a fish this trip. Spanish Mackerel, Wahoo, Coral Cods, Trevally and even swapped a Barracuda for some bananas from one of the locals.

All sorts of boards were tried from Bob's hybrid flextails, to malibus, to Pipedream channel bottoms. Superb sunsets soaked up under the Bintang glow. Escapism in its finest.

The swell continued to die but the boys managed to get a surf in everyday. We even surfed a couple of rare reefs that just added spice to the holiday.

We heard that war was imminent·..if only the powers that be could experience our bliss.

CHARTER TWELVE // 19 OCTOBER - 2 NOVEMBER // 2002

Passengers: 
Simon Millett, Chris Payne, Pete Royce, Mark Goin, Gary Koch, Nick Rendic

Captain 1 John McGroder
Captain 2 Mark Coleman
Captain 3 Albert Taylor

"The sound of the lip rifling down the shallow reef driving the surfer to daylight. Pure, clean barrels·day after day. No-one else to worry about. Practising our tube-riding. That's what we've been doing. So much fun. Now our bodies are burnt out, tweaked, and tired. The waves have been good to us."

With the advent of the Bali chaos, many people understandably cancelled their trips to Indonesia. We were left with 2 guys from Wales (Simon and Chris) who were still keen. A decision was made to combine charters with the Nusa Dewata, and we all headed out on the Barrenjoey, which would end up being the most relaxed surf filled charter since the last one.

Highlights being:

Watching the Welshmen find their feet, having waves that Simon describe as "just like being inside a surfing magazine", or "simply smashing".

An electrical storm that exploded palm trees on a beach quiet close to where we were anchored.

The Halcyon manoeuvre of surfing the right and then the left, and then the right day after day.

The lack of wind.

The lack of crowds.

The friendly nature of the other boats that we run across, particularly their beer consumption enabling even less crowded waves than we thought imaginable.

Nusa Dewata's Americans, Pete, Mark, Gary and Nick·.their keenness, prowess in the line up.

Our first flash of a Mahi Mahi across the deck of the BJ.

Having 3 Captains aboard and all contesting their spots.

Telling stories and the lack of radio conversation as there was no one to talk to.

Nick's face plant onto the reef turned him into a bloody ugly duckling.

Mark's suture job on Simon's leg - ten good stiches to leave him a special Mentawai tattoo.

Mark Goin loved testing his home made quivers, one learns a lot about board design from riding these waves, we reckon he did, especially on the big day·.an apt saying on one particularly "heavy" wave that smashed his board to smithereens "Going, going, GONE!"

CHARTER ELEVEN // 7 OCTOBER - 19 OCTOBER // 2002

Passengers: 
Andrew Valder, Julian Mitton, Ross Sheil, Sam Bennett, Daniel Wylie, Suzanne Anderson, Marcus Stocker, Mark Coleman

The saddest part of this trip was the madness of the Bali Bombing. Bali is where most of us began our various affairs with the wonderful waves, cultures, and adventures in Indonesia. Our hearts and prayers went out to all those that suffered from this tragedy.

The Barrenjoey carried on in our own little world searching for solitude in the southerlies. The Sydneysiders revelled in any wave that rolled their way. Particularly impressive was Julian's unabashed efforts at taking on previously unmakeable sections despite razor sharp reef gashes, bruising and mates baggings. Dan's hilarious impersonations of anybody and anything. Has anybody seen "Bad Cop, Bad Cop" yet?

The good doctors' (Ross and Sam) efforts at helping an old Mentawai man who had been in inexplicable pain for 3 months. He is a member of a dying breed of tattooed people that used to live so harmoniously with the environment. We returned to the village a week later and were told by his son that he was "sehat" (well).B was stoke to have her friend Suzy aboard.

We also took Mark Coleman away from his beloved Nusa Dewata as they had a break in their schedule. He was supposed to be the fishing guide when he was not surfing. But the catch of the trip went to Marcus who landed a 4kg Blue Trevally and a 3kg Flowery Cod on the one lure, at the same time.

The smiles went for miles by this lot. The laughter as luxurious and it made us all realize that Indonesia is still the most magical of places.

CHARTER TEN // 24 SEPTEMBER - 6 OCTOBER // 2002

Passengers: 
John Alvarez, Andrew McLennan, Anthony Dunlop, Michael Ritchie, Andrew Hookway, Mark Grayson, David Peterson, Andrew Yuncken

Dunny broke a board and the boys' realised they were back. 1996 was their last venture to these reefs. When no-one had air conditioning and no-one cared. Ah, when we searched for another boat to have a beer with·.anyway, let the fun begin. Johnny's face plant onto his fins made for some lovely facial mascara. Dunny and Yuncken pulled in on anything, while Hookers just kept looking for the tube; again and again and again. In fact, he did not even turn, except for those subtle ones inside the green room.

The fishing competition was almost volatile on this trip. Almo, Hookers and Yuncken, being the brawlers. They would accost the dinghy any chance and head off to the bellows of the captain·"take a radio". Lures swimming enticingly behind the Toranna. They eventually all came back with a good catch. Blue Trevally, Spanish Mackerel, Coral Trout, Dogtooth Tuna. Meanwhile, Dave, our visiting Physiotherapist, would be trying to spear something amongst the coral. On one particular expedition, it was Dunny who landed the big Wahoo amongst hoots from the whole pack. All salivating sessions led to those sushi moments in the beer garden on the top deck of the BJ.

We surfed this left for 2 days. Perfectly suited to our bold watermen. But we had been going left for many days and the cries of an uncrowded right went up. And that's where the arguments began. The Captain would give 3 or 4 options then let the passengers decide. Just when they thought they had made a reasonable choice, the captain would throw another option at them. It was always after a few beers and invariably the BJ would wind up somewhere else anyway.

Not one of those blokes will ever forget that island set-up. Even though there was a smidge of onshore. It was still nice and long and just themselves to hassle each other.

We also celebrated Belinda's birthday on this trip. The captain's partner and the quiet and solid rock behind the Barrenjoey's operation. She organises correspondence for all aboard, plays nurse to the ever present reef cuts, oversees the galley while everyone surfs, and generally makes sure everyone is right. The boys brought some Australian beef and we had a BBQ fest on B's birthday. A few bottle of red wine were de corked and Elvis even baked a cake. Good on ya guys. She was stoked.

As the BJ sailed into the sunset, and the surf went flat for many a day. Lucky we were at the end of the trip, Mike and Mark reflected on their personal conquests. My memory is of that tall figure surfing his mini mal looking for all the world like the Duke with a jungle back drop. But then I blinked, it was that bloody Almo.

Cannot forget one of the Aircons breaking down. It is not always as perfect as they make out. Lucky they had done it all before.

CHARTER NINE // 27 AUGUST - 7 SEPTEMBER // 2002

Passengers: 
Jeff Wilson, Joe Wilson, Chris Connolly, Jeffery Metz, Scott Becker, Nic Simovich, Richard Ayer, Gary Hammerslag

The first charter with the new beloved board rack. Admitably it takes up the foredeck, but still effective. We didn't start off on the best note. We had agreed to deliver bogie boards to some boats already out in the Mentawais - there was a bogie board contest and yet again the airlines decided what was important and what wasn't·three boat load of bogie boards wasn't on their important list. We sat in port for hours waiting for the boards to arrive - they didn't show up.

After the slow and 'hot' start we pushed on··across a Sou'east slop that rocked us all the way to the islands and tested the stomach of these hardy Americans. They are top blokes and handled it all with aplomb.

To translate straight from the diary:

"Charter 9 was as good as it gets for BJ, B, the crew, and myself.

A top bunch of seppos that scored everything from perfect uncrowded waves, extra large perfect waves, a few minor reef scars, the biggest wahoo of the year, an epic party, and a bloody good overall general 'bitch'in' vibe. To say we had a good charter is an understatement.

An epic 2 days at Spot X. 3-8ft waves ridden and enjoyed by all.

Had a bit of a wasted voyage to Spot F because the Captain 'predicted' and ended up 'dicking' the swell. At least the guys saw new ground. Riko hauled in a 20kg Wahoo which was a silver, blue sight. Have since had 4 good fish meals from it. Surfed some excellent Spot D for the late. 4-6ft. the following day was some of the biggest surf of the season. 10ft faces and very uncrowded·. scored some epic video of Chris on a macca. 4 times overhead. The next day Spot E was as good as it gets.

Joe, the Bull, strained his recent shoulder operation whilst surfing maxed out Spot R. the boat witnessed some of the biggest sets ever seen roll through. One hapless soul broke his legrope and ended up retrieving his board, but had to tread warily over jagged coral to a safe jump off zone about half a mile away."

All this ended in a bit of a celebration as it was near the end of the trip.

Scott Becker had a hard time while on board. Seemed to acquire a new name - Boris Becker! Scott now is know by the name Boris, after the famous 5 time Wimbledon Champion. Bummer when you resemble someone. Rumours where rifle amongst the fleet that Boris was on board the Barrenjoey and he surfed good·..can't say that the captain denied it.