CHARTER ONE // 1 MARCH - 13 MARCH // 2009

Passengers: 
Neil Croft, Darren Holt, James Maguire, Mike Hartwig, Mark Kimura, Rene Strehler, Quinten Symth, Derek Voorspostel, Ronnie Wong.

First charter for 2009 went off with a bang as a mixture of surfers from very different backgrounds came together.

There were first-timers and hardened Indo veterans. There were the Bondi Boyz V The Manly Maniac (Ronnie) and the LA influence (Mark & Mike) to keep the vibe mellow.

After towing in 2008 Jim showed a new found style which saw him charging anything and everything including some serious "Thunders". Darren (The King of Medan) puffed away two packets a day and managed to get some tube time as well to make his comeback complete after a 10 year lay-off.

Once again the Mentawai Islands produced solid waves every day. Not bad for early March!

By Neil Croft

CHARTER SEVENTEEN // 28 NOVEMBER - 8 DECEMBER // 2008

Passengers: 
John Botella, Fionall Botella, Benjamin Botella, Jesse Botella, Flynn Botella,
Pieter Ellison, Sherman Chan.

A surfing family affair to end our 2008 season.

Watching young kids push their boundaries over here is incredible. Watching Ben and Jesse gain confidence and catch some classics. Fiona and JJ getting their share. Uncle Peit enjoying the ride. All part of the stoke. Sherman, the Tank, got his share of waves and photos. A village trip to the local school showed the boys, and us, how children in other parts of the world gain an education.

For me, watching Fynn (3) and Flynn (5), play as only young boys can on a 70ft boat, was one of my 12 years' highlights in the Mentawai Islands. Sword fights, swimming, learning to stand up on the beachies, snorkeling, body surfing (smashing), watching Lilo and Stitch, or just making up games and watching the fish come aboard. They say that the first few years shape a child. I do hope Flynn remembers his time aboard the Barrenjoey. He was Fynn's little shipmate for this trip.

CHARTER SIXTEEN // 8 NOVEMBER - 27 NOVEMBER // 2008

Passengers: 
Rudy Dupouy, Robert Mace, Benjamin Legallais, Jean-Luc Eychenne, Benois Aumont, Paul Counil, Galaad Hemsi, Abdelali Belhadj

Ca Ferm Mal!!!!

An extended trip with the Froggies. Galaad brought his camera, but ended up surfing so bloody much it was ridiculous. The camera was handed over to Paul, and he ended up handing it over to Firy and the two Parisans ruled!! Abdul, on his second trip proved the point that coming back a second time was definitely good for your surfing. Robert and Jean-Luc, ventured to our pristine waters from Tahiti. The island lifestyle of surfing, swimming, fishing and relaxing was second nature. As they pointed out, it was the boat aspect that they enjoyed this time. Benoit improved out of sight. Rudy, "La Machine" scored his waves, my waves, every bloody wave. The guy truly is a machine catching everything in sight. His apprentice, Benjamin, followed his lead. And their surfing was superb.

CHARTER FIFTEEN // 225 OCTOBER - 7 NOVEMBER // 2008

Passengers: 
Richard MacBride, Ian Wallace, Carlos Tiscareno Jr, Eden Scallan, Philip Leadley, Benjamin Davies, Mark Simpson, Samual Lovell.

Our two American deputies brought their worldly knowledge and air of change on the brink of a new President. It set an auspicious occasion for us unassuming Aussies. A paradigm of aspiration juxtaposed with the irony of the brilliant Bonzer board that Simmo made Deadley (don't ask) ride. Those boards really do go. Smoking Sammy had all the angles down pat both in and out of the briny sea. Carlos stood with one foot in either camp and a middle fin stuck in the face, blasting off! Macca thought it was all bloody good. Bad Benny played soccer with the reef and guess who won. Scall swooped and turned with seemingly aboundless energy and we all wanted that formula. Wal wanted lefts and smashed them on offer. Everyday was NOW and it took its toll.

Thank Beer for enlightenment.

CHARTER FOURTEEN // 11 OCTOBER - 22 OCTOBER // 2008

Passengers: 
Michael Green, Brent Clarke, Paul Jones, Jason Ardler, Martin Drysdale, John Stevens, Luke Hazelgrove, Tim McGroder, Steven Drysdale, John Beattie

Initial carnage saw skin left on reef, blood on the deck and some bruised and twisted bodies. Rights and lefts with no names. Luke, Tim, Steve all shining. Brent and Mick on their personal fishing quest. The jibes were sharp those first couple of days. Onward via some scenic spots that had waves to ride. Johnny's long-board fitted snugly on the wally rights. Our other Johnny (how many on this voyage?) displayed a refreshing keenness for whatever was on offer; fishing, surfing, or just plain sipping Bintang. The ski came out down the track and everyone had a taste of tow fun. Paul could not stop grinning, relaxing, and thanking the whining Captain for all and sundry. Jason found his footing and his feet after losing some feeling to a particular hard bit of coral. Marty was doing the waves justice and keeping in tune with the other fellas. Finally our fisherman began to catch, and catch and catch. We found some idyllic waves to ourselves. The relax mode hit reverse. And we had to stop catching fish. Good bloody trip.

CHARTER THIRTEEN // 24 SEPTEMBER - 9 OCTOBER // 2008

Passengers: 
Braden Kane, Anthony Summerville, Allan Kelsey, Timothy Badyk, Mark Thomson, Daryl Van Der Graff, Michael Shields, Darren Hawthorn, David Pirie.

Buzzy Thompson had returned with his sidekick, Colonel Onebungwing. Their alter egos, Ren and Stimpy, joined the foray. Gigantor was there to surf, drink beer, and play the part of a Castro Cuban cigar smook'n wise critic taking on Bosun Fynn in an ongoing David and Goliath epic. Constantly reminding everybody that this was as good as it gets. BK had decided to brave the tropics and figured, milking a wave till it ended on dry ref was OK! Allan, kept up the Barrenjoey tradition of accommodating kneelos. I reckon the old girl has seen more "half surfers" than any other vessel in the trade. They are all older blokes and all hard core. Al was no exception. Dave and Tony challenged the waves and came out on top. Mick scored plenty. Daryl re-broke the mal. Plenty of fish were caught and speared. And Fynn became a budding photog. Cheers guys and thanks for the laughs.

CHARTER TWELVE // 28 AUGUST - 8 SEPTEMBER // 2008

Passengers: 
Steve Vallance, Will Powell, Tony Warrilow, Paul O'Connor, Matti Scott, Joel Scott, Ben Sebatian, Ron Bateman, Steve Blakey, Annaye Blakey

Safely back from the latest mission to the magical isles off the NW coast of Sumatra aboard the floating home of family McGroder, aka good ship Barrenjoey!

Our hosts, Captn John, wife and logistics manager Belinda, and bubba tow partner fearless Fynn along with crew Elvis, Yudi, Eric and Bang Bang worked tirelessly to ensure sensory overload, empty perfection and laughs aplenty. This year the visiting team comprised yours truly, eldest nephew and recipient of the "Rookie of the Trip" award after memorable HT's launching Will "Aqua Boy" Powell, fellow "Blindforce" founding member, and brother to Belinda, Steve "deaf in one ear how's the body holding up" Blakey together with daughter and renowned Dolphin Pt charger Annaye who took all in her stride (evidenced by HT's barrel weaving captured on film!). Additional crew members included Margaret River charger and pro-photog Tony "Phantastic Wildebeest El Toro" Warrilow (the only person NOT to take a camera - everyone needs a holiday sometime!), Mexican (well Victorian) and fellow 40's something nurofen sponsored ripper Paul O'Connor carving on another vehicle created by master craftsman extraordinaire Wayne Lynch, plus team Cronulla - jousting identical twins Joel and Matti, the smiling master of the casual late drop Ben and provider of comic relief (when released from the infirmary) Glen who amazed all with his newly discovered surfing skills after trading motor-x and snowboarding for surf only 2 years prior! (Smelly Skater can breathe easy that the discovery wasn't made 10 years ago!!).

The trip had all the right stuff - Will burnt the midnight oil to successfully wrap up uni exams and report deadlines with moments to spare to secure the trip as a 21'st gift, Amanda and lil Jack Adam farewelled us amidst hugs 'n tears 'n hurry homes. Qantas club provided G&T liquid refreshments to calm the pre-flight anxiety. Several hours/movies/G&T's later we left the work/uni pressures behind and enjoyed a night in the luxury of Singapore's Goodwood Park Hotel where my folks treated Steve B, Sheardie and I to a memorable feast only a quarter of a century ago whilst we were en-route to our first taste of the wave fuelled spices of the Sumatran islands. An unscheduled rendezvous with Steve B and Annaye at the bus stop to Singapore's budget airline, Tiger Airways, had us belly laughing amidst a bundle of boards and bags ill designed for bus transport. Singapore vs Sumatra, the Malacca Straights a moat separating one world from an entirely different other, the transition from arguably the most efficient to the most chaotic never ceases to amaze - somehow both function. Tiger are superb however don't be fooled by on-line $10 tickets, total cost is ~$300 once you add plane/fuel/seat/belt/bag/sporting equipment (surfboards) - pay all up front to remove check in angst. Padang - immigrasi, queue for visa, pay $25US in crisp clean notes - smile 'n wave boys, smile 'n wave. The Barrenjoey sign bearer complete with transport and tips for baggage handlers greeted us once customs was successfully navigated. Somehow (a word often used in these parts!) we survive once more the hour long, 2 speed (flat out and stop) hand-on-horn drive through the peak hour Padang maze to keenly awaited ice cold long neck Bintangs and mega sandwiches at Christina's Hotel situated on the salubrious Padang canal development. The rest of the team arrived via Jakarta - meet and greets all round and it was time to board the Joey, run through safety protocols and life aboard ship, select a bunk, weigh anchor and set a course. Almost all points of the compass west of the 0-180 degree meridian lead to world class surf from Padang harbor - John set the helm on W by NW for a morning assault on the fabled Playgrounds, a collection of picture postcardesque tropical islets complete with blindingly white coarse coral sand beaches, thick groves of coconut laden palms and surf on all fringing reefs. Motor sailing through the night we awoke to the familiar sound of the anchor chain running through it's hawsepipe and we're greeted by an oily clean ocean the likes of which can only be found in the equatorial doldrums.

First get wet, a fun 3-4' right hand peak - a perfect reintroduction and a great way to wash off travel fatigue. Unleash the 5'8" flying fish quad - yeehah! From here we traveled north, and for the next week were amazed by the set-ups and sheer beauty of the island chain.

Everyday day delivered a variety of waves in the 3-4' range with several days pushing sets overhead. The potential of this area when a solid swell is pushing in would be phenomenal. A major bonus is the lack of other operators - we only saw 2 other surf charter boats the entire time we were up there so were able to enjoy the solitude that these trips should be all about.

With 3 days to spare the signs of a solid swell started to show well to the south - John started roaming the decks muttering about his beloved HT's and the fact that if we motored south we could enjoy several days of the new swell or stay put and maybe get only 1 day at best - easy decision, up anchor, motor south for 14 hours plus and we're in the channel at HT's! Sounds simple but the effort that John, Belinda and the crew put in to getting us to the best waves day after day was just phenomenal.

Sure enough as John predicted the swell arrived, the office started to fire and John put on a show of how the HT's barrel should be ridden. Special mentions go to Steve B for taking on the peak and pulling in to all on offer in a semi-crippled state, Will Powell for hurling himself over the ledge, making it on several beasts and getting back out there after washing across the reef with his tail between his legs, Wildebeest Warrilow for charging through "one of the best barrels of his life", Annaye for showing no fear and slotting a similar tunnel, Paul for keeping me company across the inside bowl and all the lads from Cronulla for having a "Blindforce" style red hot crack!

Asia, paradise you still haunt me...
John, Belinda, Fynn and crew of the beautiful Barrenjoey.
We had an awesome time.
Terimah Kasih Banyak.

Stay safe and look forward to reconnecting soon.
Steve Liberty V.

CHARTER ELEVEN // 15 AUGUST - 26 AUGUST // 2008

Passengers: 
David Ryan, Ben Hardy, Mark Neumann, Jon Hastings, Aaron Williams, Dean Andrews,
Glen Nattrass, Scott Kennaugh.

We had a real search on our hands. Sort of went off the beaten track for a while and found Aaron's A-Frame. Mark did not stop fishing, and telling stories the whole trip. Also found the waves to his liking. Johnny thought he was at J Bay on one session. Ben loved the lefts when we found them. Dave kept out surfing everyone. Deano smashed all his boards with pure powerhouse surfing. Glen threw the nugget around like there was no tomorrow. Scotty and Aaron threw buckets. The Gods must be crazy as they gave us enough swell and variety to last the laughs.

CHARTER TEN // 2 AUGUST - 13 AUGUST // 2008

Passengers: 
Nick Roberts, Sam Church, Wylie Fowler, Ian Wolfe, Luke Palmer, Ivan Ripic, Glenn Pringle,
Sam Payne, Simon McDonald.

The Cronulla boys were tearing the bags out of the waves for the whole trip. Hands down. Wylie went berserk, went down, kept filming and taking photos, came good, then ripped the bag out of the waves again. Glen's stories were as entertaining as his surfing. Bring back the wallet-back! Sam and Simon were the Odd Couple. An example of 2 blokes having a bumbling good time, even without catching a fish. Good surfers to boot. Nick kept that carve going till he had it down pat. Luke's backside attack was pure power. Johnny was all style. Young Sam was/is on a classic Indo adventure. Wolfey surfing better than I remember. All of us, every single one sorted by the right. Bloody funny trip!!!

CHARTER NINE // 19 JULY - 30 JULY // 2008

Passengers: 
Bill Morris, Matt Poul, Sam Lendrum, Blake Wilson, Billy Keen, Pete Mossely, David Stein,
Paul OKane, Pete Taplin, Jay Taplin.

As the best swell of the season this year hit, we took off the beaten track in search of something different. 5 young guys and 5 old blokes and more barrels than you could poke a board into. Matty, Sam, Blake, And Billy all ripped. O&E grommets that rifled through sections and flew over the lips. Cheeky also. Fynn kept them in line. New wave Dave showed his Peahi experience when the waves counted. Irish Paul began pumping in the barrel. Pete went back to his old school hands behind his back style. South Coast legend, Pete T did a fine job rallying the troops as well as showing us how to ride over the foamball. Jay kept up the family tradition of surfing bloody unreal. All our hats off to Barrelling Bill for taking lots of photos to keep the memories alive through the senile year. He even managed to snag a few himself. Please note: these barrels were achieved without the use of jetskis!