Want to go on a Maldives Surf Trip?
As part of the Surfrider Foundation funraising event at Manly Wharf Bar on Thursday October 29, 2009, we are auctioning off a Maldives Surf Trip kindly donated by Line Up Surf Australia.
Here are the details:
Line Up Surf Australia
Maldives North and South Male Atolls Surf Trip
16th – 26th August 2010
Host
Mr. Phil Taylor
Itinerary
Fly from Sydney to Male, then depending on conditions, possibly spend a day surfing one or two known spots in the Male’ region.
Spend the next 9 days surfing the various breaks of the North and South Male Atolls during the prime swell window at this time of year. The trip will include visiting the known breaks and exploring the atolls for new, possibly unsurfed, breaks. This is a unique surfing adventure. This trip will be truly an adventure. There will be no set surfing itinerary, basically we will pull up to a spot, and if it looks surfable, we’ll give it a go. It’s our goal to surf most of the breaks around the Atolls.
The surf
The north and south Male atolls has some of the most famous and awsome waves The Maldives has to offer. Breaks like Honkies, Sultans, Jailbreaks, Cokes and chickens to name a few will be on offer and we also plan on sneaking south to the Garadu area where other surfers are rarely seen.
The Maldives surf season runs from mid February to November when swells are produced by winter low pressure systems in the southern Indian Ocean. The early part of the season has the most stable weather, however swell size and consistency is greater in the July to September period.
Trip inclusions
Return flights from Sydney to Male, 9 days aboard MV Dream Catcher, three meals a day, drinking water, airport transfers in Maldives, free use of snorkelling equipment. Diving is available at discount rates. Local beer, soft drinks and cocktails are available on board at your own cost. Free wine will be provided with dinner.
The boat
MV Dream Catcher II is Line Up’s most luxurious boat in the fleet. It is very comfortable, 31 meter long vessel, powered by a 400HP Iveco engine with a cruising speed of 13 knots. Accommodation is in twin share cabins, each with attached bathroom facilites. A wide saloon equipped with a stereo, TV, DVD+VHS, games, a satellite phone and a bar offering both alcoholic and soft drink beverages with dining facilities located both inside and outside on the deck.
The boat comfortably accommodates up to 17 guests and has plenty of covered deck space for leisurely recovering whilst watching your mates score amazing waves. There is also a sun deck where the tranquillity of The Maldives can truly be appreciated.
There is dhoni and small tender to transfer you quickly to and from the surf and to enable the group to spread over different breaks.
Game Fishing is also available from Dream Catcher I at an extra cost. This is a 30ft Scarab Tournament which is a fusion of open-water performance and first rate fishability. Please contact Line Up for more information
The cost
The total cost of the trip, with the trip inclusions, is AUD $3999.00 per person twin share.
A deposit of AU$2000.00 is payable to secure the early bird special. The regular cost of this trip is Au$4999. The balance is payable by no later than April 2010
What boards to take
For most surfers a short board will be suitable for most conditions in the Maldives, but a longer board will be useful for bigger swells.
The recommended quiver is 2 boards consisting of a normal shortboard and a mid-range gun (6’8” to 7’2”). The surf rarely gets over 8ft.
What else to take
You’ll need to take everything. Nothing is available in the Maldives. Year round the water is about 26 degrees Celsius and the air temperature averages 29 to 32 degrees Celsius, so a wetsuit is not required. A light wetsuit or rash vest is good for protection from the sun and from the coral. Reef booties are essential for picking your way over exposed coral reefs. A helmet will offer additional protection.
In addition to the obvious things, you should put on your checklist:
- Boards
- Reef booties
- Rash vest
- Warm water wax
- Boardshorts
- Camera (stills and video)
- Medical kit
- Hat
- Sunnies
- Factor 30 (or higher) sunscreen
- Energy bars
- Personal toiletries (eg. Deodorant, toothpaste etc) are essential. These cannot be bought onboard.
- Personal towels
About the Maldives
The Maldives is located on the Equator southwest of Sri Lanka. It is an archipelago of 26 major coral atolls with 1190 islands of which only about 290 are inhabited. Male’, the capital, is a densely populated two square kilometre island.
The Maldives is an Islamic nation of approximately 300,000 people. Its history is linked to the ancient Indian Ocean trade routes going back as far as 2000 BC. Other than during a 15 year Portuguese occupation which ended in the mid 1500’s. From 1887 to 1965 It had a protection treaty with Britain, but during that time maintained its own internal government.
The functional literacy rate is 98%. Educational standards are among the highest in the region and schools follow the British system of education.
Maldivian people have a very strong sense of their own identity and culture. English is widely spoken by Maldivians. The Maldivian language is Divehi which is related to Sinhala, an ancient Sri Lankan dialect, but also contains influences from Arabic, Hindi and English.
Tourism is the main industry, contributing close to 20% of the GDP. Fisheries and trade follow close behind. The growth of the resort-based tourism industry has been carefully planned and regulated to protect both the environment and the culture. Independent travel is discouraged, and virtually all visitors to the Maldives are package tourists staying at one of the resorts or cruising in a licensed boat. Diving is a main attraction for tourists as the Maldives is regarded as one of the world’s premier diving locations.
Paradise Island Resort and Spa
For all those non-surfers or surfers who prefer land based stays, Line Up Surf Australia also offers packages to the luxurious Paradise Island Resort and Spa. Line Up Surf Australia has recently partnered Villa Resorts and Paradise Island Resort to offer arguably the most luxurious surfing resorts known to man. Staying in 5 star super deluxe rooms and guided by our Aussie surfguide, surfers will have a dream holiday usually only open to the rich. With 3 square meals per day, atleast two sessions out at Maldivian perfection, night fishing and local island tours as well as the use of the gymnasium and tennis courts there is something for everyone to do. While your not surfing, you could visit the Spa getting pampered like a movie star!
Other information
Visas
30-day tourist visas are granted on arrival. There is no cost for the visa.
Health
Maldives has no malaria and there is low risk of tropical diseases. Tetanus, Typhoid and Hepatitis A and B vaccinations are advised, especially if time is spent away from a resort island. Over-exposure to the sun and infection from coral cuts are the two main hazards for surfers. In an emergency an injured surfer may require a speedboat or seaplane to get to Male’, the only place with modern medical facilities. For very serious injuries, evacuation to Colombo or Singapore may be necessary.
Adequate travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is essential.
It is also suggested that each surfer registers with ‘Smart Traveller’ (www.smartraveller.gov.au) incase for some reason, the Australian government needs to get a hold of you. This is usually to make sure you are alright if unforeseen circumstances take place (eg. Natural Disaster, Terrorist Attack etc.). If your family needs to contact you but cannot get a hold of you, this information will also help for the Australian Consul to get in touch.
Import Restrictions
No alcohol, pornography (which covers a wide range of publications), pork, drugs, dogs, firearms, spear guns or “idols of worship” may be brought into the country. All baggage is X-rayed.
Power supply
The power supply on the boat is 220 volt. Power plugs are not Australian, however adapters are available.
Dress & Etiquette
In Male’ and on other inhabited islands men should always wear a shirt and shorts / pants and women should wear skirts or shorts that cover the thighs (ie no higher than the knee). Women must not wear low-cut tops and have their shoulders covered at all times when on local inhabited islands and Male (ie. No spaghetti strap tops or tops that show cleavage. These tops may be worn on the boat).
Time
GMT + 5 hours, ie 6 hours behind Sydney time.
Communication
There is generally mobile phone coverage in the Maldives. The boat also has satellite telephone communications. Calls made from the boat will be charged for by the captain.
Links
http://magicseaweed.com/Maldives-Surf-Forecast/56/
http://www.surfthemaldives.com
http://www.lineup.com.au
Legal stuff
By joining the trip you release Wayne Ryan and Line Up Surf from all claims of whatever nature arising from or in connection with your participation in the trip (including your own bravado or stupidity) or the surf conditions, the weather, your fellow travellers or anything else you could think of and you agree to indemnify Wayne Ryan and Lineup Surf in respect of any claims made against them as a result of your conduct on the trip. Bottom line – if you behave well and be a good traveller you should be okay.
