Overview of the Nias: Nias is a large island
located in North Sumatra about 100km from the mainland of all
the sumatran offshore islands Nias
is the most populated and access is easy via plane or ferry.
Apart from the waves nias also has a few things of interest
to general tourist such as the
traditional villages and stone jumping, the Nias people
also have a history as being warriors.
The Waves: Nias
is home to the world famous right hand point of Lagundri bay,
there are also other waves although for the size of the island
there is a lack of quality reefs, with much of the coast being
poor quality beach breaks, most of the other reefs generally
need more swell than lagundri bay.
Crowd
wise: Due to Lagundri bay Nias, being one of the
best right handers in the world, Lagundri bay is generally
has a crowd almost all year round with visiting surfers and
a number of locals surfers all wanting a piece of the action,
other
surf
spots
in Nias are more hit and miss.
Lagundri bay/The Point- Not the longest but
definitely one of the most perfect right's in the world, ever
since it's discovery in the 1970's Nias has been a popular
surfing destination for thousands
of surfers around the world.
The set up is picture perfect a large bay, a backdrop of coconut
palms and a perfect right peeling of the point, there is even
a small flat water channel (keyhole) that lets you paddle
right into the take off zone, often without even getting your
hair wet.
The wave itself line's up in a nice long wall, with a fairly
easy take off, that lets you set up and then get a nice
barrel,
come out and either get a few turns in or sometimes if your
lucky the wave let you get a second barrel before the wave
backs of in deeper water.
Another thing that makes Nias such a great wave is unlike
most hollow Indonesian reef breaks the waves even at low tide,
break in fairly deep water and the reef is never much of a
worry.
Effects of earthquake
2005 on waves in area- In 2005 Nias was badly
affected by an earthquake that ruined many waves in the
area, however in a freak of nature, the Point at Lagundri
bay, actually improved.
Before the quake-Nias
was a world class right with an almond shaped barrel, however
it needed
a
solid
swell to break, and when smaller only broke on a mellow
inside piece of reef known as "kiddies land"
Post quake- The reef has risen a few feet, leaving much of
the reef high and dry, however the good news is with this change
the wave quality actually improved instead of an almond barrel
the barrel is even more hollow and round, even breaking as
a perfect barrel at just a few feet, and still holding and
breaking perfectly, although somewhat heavier even on the largest
swells. Also of note is the wave seems to be a bit longer with
often a second barrel section that appears towards the end
of the wave.
Sadly however other waves in the area were effected in a negative
way (see below)
Indicators- Before the quake this was a hollow
and heavy right for experts only located further up the point,
now this wave is only for the crazy or true hell men.
The Machine- Located inside Lagundri bay,
sadly once again a wave that has been negatively affected by
the quake, before
the
quake it was a quality left breaking
on big swells in a machine like fashion, now however word
is it rarely breaks at all requiring even larger swells, higher
tides and when breaking is nowhere near the quality it once
was.
Rock stars-A short hollow right breaking
over shallow reef and ending on totally dry reef, located
in front of a village with a crowd watching your every move,
hence the name "rock stars"
Afulu- A quality left, with a variety of
sections including some barrels, wave has also changed since
quake.
Other waves- The above
spots are the more well known one's, with half a dozen lesser
known spots left and rights, reefs and beachie's, of varying
quality from fun to super heavy.
Nias island surf camps/resorts:
Generally there is only budget accommodation available at
Nias with many losmens/home stays located at Lagundri bay/So
rake, price range from about $5 to $50 with the cheaper end
not including
meals while the more expensive options generally include meals
and sometimes extras such as transport and laundry.
There is a huge number of basic losmens, and you can either
book ahead or turn up and shop around
#prices are per person per night and
include meals unless otherwise stated.
Serius Losmen- Located on the point,
contact"Tangkius" on
mobile phone +6281397191842
JJ's losman- 5 min from the break.
contact: jjslosman@hotmail.com
or +6281396498173
Kristov losmen-in front of keyhole, :kristov_wau@yahoo.com
call in this number +6281265282009
Other losmens include, Morris losmen, Eddy's losmen,
Peeruba losmen, Toho surf, Barriga losmen,Warkop losmen,Yohanes,
Michelle, Eddy and Sun beach losmens.
# If you have a friend who has a losmen at Lagundri/Sorake
Nias or contact details and would like us to put it up here,
send us an E-mail and we will
post it here.
Charter boats that focus on
the Nias:
Due to Nias having limited surf spots
with Lagundri bay the main focus, Nias is only visited as
part of a charter boat trip that takes in the other Islands
North and South such as the Banyaks and The telo's.
