Lakey Peak on Sumbawa

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  Sumbawa Besar, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia
Saturday, June 14, 2008

Levi's main photo subject ended up getting an eye infection, so the young indo ripper couldn't surf. This jammed up Levi's plans to travel with me, so I decided to move on solo to Sumbawa to Lakey Peak for some solid surf time. The flight was 70 dollars after surf board fees. The 50 dollar (Taxi mafias have hijacked cheap travel options from airports) two hour taxi ride was split four ways with three Kiwis. Going over the mountain pass we saw dozens of monkeys enjoying the shade on the side of the ride. Lakey Peak is a surfers destination with not much else to do but surf. The wind was a bit strong on arrival and the main peak with its left and right was too busy to bother with the hassling. I decided to hike down and check out the other options. It was good to be in a quite place again. I do enjoy Bali and its excitement, but nothing quite beats the tranquility of a stretch of sand, some reef break setups and forested mountains as a backdrop that this little slice of earth offers. The next couple of days were spent surfing the several breaks in the area. It wasn't too busy. The conditions haven't been perfect but I have been spending hours and in the warm crystal clear water. One session was shared past sunset at the peak with a friendly well traveled Brazilian named Daniel. We enjoyed the lefts coming through to ourselves since the crowds had already headed in for dark. Near us a good size fish shot straight up in the air for a few seconds of air time and repeated. We both looked at each other and he said, "They saw a shark out here a couple of days ago." He caught the next one in. I was alone in the now announced sharky waters at feeding time. The session ended shortly there after. The stars were shining as I paddled across the lagoon. I took a few moments to recognize a few of the constellations I have become familiar with; Crux, Centarous, Scorpio, Libra, Ursa Major, and then I couldn't spot the rest out with my tired mind and eyes.
It twas time for supper. I headed up to a shack on stilts. The place was busy with surfers. A swarm of bees were madly buzzing around a light bulb but no one seemed too concerned as the swirled a couple of feet over the dread locked head of a placid surfer. I ended up having one of the most delicious meals of fish, veggies, and mashed potatoes. Just what the doctor ordered.
The waves were quite average. The crowds on the spots were quite busy. I ended up surfing several short sessions at a couple of spots during the several days of down time. I also explored the surrounding reefs with snorkeling gear I rented for three dollars. I spotted dozens of species of tropical fish. Swam through several deep crevices in the reef. I loved the clear tepid waters. Nothing quite like exploring the underwater universe one held breath at a time. I do wish I had gills though. Maybe right behind my ears "Water World" style, so I could explore deeper oceanic geography and biology.
The swell finally showed up. The masses of obnoxious Brazilians have been thinned out by either breaking their boards or being too intimidated by the now pumping surf. I had checked several spots and found that the best bet was out front at Lakey Peak. I took out my 6'10" for the bigger swell. I paddled out across the lagoon watching the double overhead plus sets cracking over the reef forming a left and right 'A' frame peak. I easily stroked into my first wave a right that walled up perfectly for a dragged out cutback and a quick race down the line. The next wave was the same. I caught a few fun ones and was back out at the peak with a handful of us watching the biggest set of the day looming on the horizon. Scratching to make it over the first one the second one was bearing down on us quickly. I heard JP a fellow gringo just saying, "Oh Kalvin! Kalvin!" I heard some shouts from guys in the channel.(They shouting, "No!" I heard, "Go!") I turned and stroked three strokes into the belly of the biggest wave of my life. I popped to my feet and had contact with my board...for a split second. I was then flipping head over heals into the beast. The surfers in the channel said I went head over heals two times before I hit the water and the wave devoured me. They thought I was going to seriously injured or worse. I was spinning violently under water cradling my head in my arms just waiting to crack on the coral reef. The energy subsided I scratched to the surface sucking air. My leash plug had broken but my board was luckily only ten yards away. I was hooting and laughing as I scrambled to my board and paddled out of the impact zone. The adrenalin now leaving my blood my arms were weak and my breath was gone. I was loving life. I had come out from the worst thrashing of my life unscathed and minimal damage to my board. All eyes were on me. I later heard that people at many vantage points on the beach at the restraunts and hang outs were expecting a helicopter transport from the injuries of the wipeout of the season. I told you all about my bad judgement in bigger surf. Well this is a case and point example, but with good results this time. I have one of the best stories for my future offspring and I earned the respect of all onlookers for being a crazed charger. It's kind of silly but I earned respect in the lineup the next couple of days. I had easier pickings for the set waves. No one was hassling me for the waves I was paddling for. After that session my level of confidence increased and I had some of the funnest waves of my life.

Lakeys days were dominated by several long surfs with breaks to eat and nap. The evenings were spent playing "Beanies" with Adam, Dan, Toby, and Mark. I am the worst card player, so for me it's only enjoyable for the company. It's nonstop trash talking and perving at the only hot chick in the village of Lakeys (whom has been giving my Indonesian lessons everyday for a half hour. I haven't learned much because I am distracted.) After the long day of surfing, eating, napping, and card playing I relax with some bootleg documentaries I bought in Bali. Then the night and restless sleep do to a suffering cat outside of my door. Up early for the surf and it's done all over again.

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