General News

Wild Coast - a report from South Africa

Doctor Ding Foam & Fibreglass repairs

Our Surf Clubs page has been expanded - again

February 10, 2004

Hello everyone,

The 2005 Mentawai surf season is rapidly approaching. Not surprisingly, all of us at Saraina Koat Mentawai are eagerly looking forward to another safe and consistent surf season for all of our guests. If you're interested in a trip this year now is definitely the time to start planning to ensure that you get the dates you want, on the boat you want, and possibly get the photographer you want.

The Mentawai Islands are slowly starting to show signs of life again. We've had small scale activity during January but certainly nothing like the waves or storms that will start to develop in March and last until October. This time of year is perfect for groups who want the entire Mentawai Islands chain to themselves.

Sure, the possibility of getting a double overhead groundswell is small but if you know where to look there is always a head-high wave breaking off somewhere. This season we will do our best to give you accurate reports and photos from specific trips and the plan is to send out a detailed surf report once a month. Stay tuned - last season was pretty average overall; with all the weather anomolies and unusual weather patterns happening across the world we're optimistic that this season will be one of the best ever and will dish out more barrels than ever.

From now until March 31, 2005 Saraina Koat Mentawai will donate $50 for each of our guests who book a trip to SurfAid International; we'll make a $500 donation for group booking of 8 people. If you and your friends have been planning a trip and would like to make your contribution to help the Mentawai Islands community and the victims of the tsunami and score some insane waves there's no better time than right now. http://www.mentawaiislands.com/2005scheduleandavailability.html

Saraina Koat Mentawai
629 Camino De Los Mares Suite 101
San Clemente, Ca 92673
E-mail: info@mentawaiislands.com
Phone: (714) 478-2487
Contact: Anthony Marcotti

The “Dream Machine” This board is one of a collection of surf-craft, built out of wood. She is 8 foot long by 15 inches wide. Weights in at 10.75 kilos. Made using 3/4-inch strips of Cedar, glued together to form a blank, then hand shaped in an extreme Gun or Big-Wave board style, with a single concave running to flat off the tail. Designed to ride mountains of water. Inspired by the people who ride them. While living on the island of Maui, in the 70’s, I was fortunate enough to work with Bob ”Ole” Olson, master craftsman and all around good bloke. He showed me the art of working with Balsa wood. Some friends of mine Mark Anderson and Archie Kalapaa like to ride Jaw’s. They send me photos and continually blow me away with what there up to. The boards they ride are heavy with lead weights attached to the deck so they don’t bounce off the wave face. We’re talking 60 foot waves and bigger. So I get this idea to build a board out of solid cedar. No need to add extra weight and a totally balanced board. While shaping you get to be where the board is going to be. You think how will she respond? Who will be the rider? Where will she be ridden? To be honest, when she was finished, I got a little edgy. Too have equipment that could ride a mountain of water hanging around evokes dreams of being their out in the line-up with a few close friends, charging over the edge! She is a DREAM- MACHINE! For dreaming! I’m sure I will build more for folks who might want to turn their dreams to reality. That’s what I do. Dig Life and stay Wet!! Peace out!! Steve Friedman 108 Cape Schanck Rd. Cape Schanck, 3939 Victoria, Australia Ph/fax 03 59886487 Mob 0419117050

More Mahalo's DIG LIFE & STAY WET!!!!! PEACE OUT!!! Steve Friedman

For Work.................. and Play

Shark Shield™ is an electronic shark deterrent that allows us to enjoy our chosen water sport or profession with a new dimension - safety and peace of mind - for users and their family.

Statistics show that the chance of shark attack is remote, but they do occur. Just the thought of being harassed by a shark can, for many, detract from the enjoyment of water sports.

Shark Shield™ creates a unique protective electrical field around the user, which is detected through receptors located on the snouts of sharks. The field causes intense discomfort to the shark, resulting in them leaving the area.

This technology does not affect any other marine life. It has no known harmful effects on the wearer or the shark.

Shark Shield™ has proven over many years, in both scientific tests and real life, that it is effective in deterring a wide range of sharks, including Great Whites.

Shark Shield™ products currently provide protection from sharks for professional and recreational divers, snorkelers, swimmers, surfers, spearfishers, kayakers, boat owners, commercial fishermen, as well as emergency, police and military personnel around the world.

For those who still want to interact with sharks - you can still do so, but at a safe distance.

Shark Shield™ is increasing the levels of participation in water sports and helps make people's working environment that much safer.

SeaChange Technology USA 11235 West Bernardo Court, Ste B San Diego CA, 92127 USA Contact: Rosalind Koepke Phone: +1 858 674 2543 Fax: +1 858 451 9777 Email:rosalind@pierliteusa.com

SeaChange Technology Pty Ltd 344A Findon Road Kidman Park South Australia, 5025 Australia Phone: +61 8 8355 4700 Fax: +61 8 8355 4800 Email: info@sharkshield.com