Wave Surfing Club in Manokwari

Abasi Klub Surfing is the first and the only surfing club in Manokwari city of West Papua at the moment. Most of its surfers are Papuan youth who are trying to introduce surfing as a healthy sport to the city dwellers. The club also tries to promote Abasi beach, Cape Bakaro and the north coast of Manokwari as surfing destination for international visitors. Abasi Klub Surfing plans to hire experienced surfing instructors to give a 3-month course for members of the club so that they can improve their skills and techniques. The course will be conducted at Abasi beach and Cape Bakaro. 

Phil Goodrich - a surfing artist was riding the waves at Abasi beach

Brazilian surfer, Alberto Castro, was surfing at Abasi beach of Manokwari

Papuan boys at Abasi beach

Although only young adults are allowed to participate in the course, teen boys and girls age 11 to 16 are allowed to see the whole lessons. Most teenagers in Abasi can ride their boards on waves up to 2 meters. Such waves can be scary to most city dwellers but they are seen as a perfect time for the boys and girls to ride their boards. 

Early this month, members of Abasi Klub Surfing was proud to receive members of SurfExplore team who visited Manokwari. They spent two weeks surfing along the north coast of Manokwari. The presence of SurfExplore team in Manokwari encourages Papuan young boys to learn new things related to surfing and marine environment. Personnel of the SurfExplore shared their knowledge and experiences while staying in Abasi beach. Abasi Klub Surfing hopes that it can meet the SurfExplore team again in the future. 

Surfers who want to visit Manokwari can contact us by email to abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com.

Surfing in West Papua

by Charles Roring
Last week a group of international surfers from 4 countries went surfing at Pinto Angin in Cape Bakaro of Manokwari city. This is one of the best surfing sites in Manokwari for experienced surfers. These surfers were from SurfExplore team. They have been exploring sites in West Papua that are suitable for surfing. They consider Cape Bakaro - just 30 minutes from the downtown as a recommended place for world class surfers.
Manokwari is relatively an unknown destination for surfers. The presence of SurfExplore team will boost its position as an alternative site for adventure travelers beside the long established surf sites in Kuta Bali and Mentawai, in Western Coast of Sumatra island. The following photograph shows Hayato Maki, a Japanese surfer, who has got lots of global experience, riding the big waves of Pinto Angin in Cape Bakaro.

Hayato Maki was surfing at at Pinto Angin of Manokwari city

The nearby Abasi beach is considered as a site with waves moving to the left. Coral reef just behind the waves of Abasi beach is still in pristine condition. Surfers and other beach goers can go snorkeling by outrigger canoes that are paddled by local Papuan boys. Various species of fish such as the butterfly fish and surgeon fish live in the waters of Abasi beach.
There are a lot of surf spots in Manokwari that you can explore with members of the club. Please, contact us by e-mail to abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com if you plan to go surfing in Manokwari of West Papua

Surfing at Cape Bakaro of Manokwari

The Cape Bakaro in Manokwari city of West Papua is a recommended destination for surfers. The waves there are high all year round. Last week a team of international surfers went surfing in the afternoon. They were accompanied by members of abasiklubsurfing.blogspot.com. It was around 5 p.m. when Hayato, Beto and Phil were riding the waves.
One of our club members, Olof, also went into the sea but he had to return to the beach again after his rope was broken.
Cape Bakaro is also called Pintu Angin (or Wind Gate) by the nearby villagers. It has been considered as the best spot in Manokwari only for experienced surfers due to its wave heights. Surfers need to bring their own boards when traveling to Manokwari.
Manokwari regency has got a long coast line its north and south east coasts facing the Pacific Ocean. Wavesurfers who plan to visit Manokwari for surfing can contact Salo Rumadas (email: abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com). She can provide further information about surfing and other activities that visitors can enjoy while traveling in Manokwari.

World Class Surfers in Manokwari

by Charles Roring

As the sun approached the west, some surfers swam to the sea. Today the weather was a little bit better than the previous days. There were not many people at the beach because it was Wednesday - the usual working day for dwellers of Manokwari city. I saw 4 people floating with their boards in the middle of big swells. It was the most dangerous place in Manokwari where wave height could reach six meters or even more. But for those world class wave surfers that was the best place to "ride" their boards. 

One of them was Hayato Maki. He made swift top turn several times avoiding the breaking swell. Some women screamed when they saw the surfers were swallowed by the waves. Seconds later, they emerged again still challenging the next swells. 

It was a great show. Members of Abasi Klub Surfing have been accompanying these surfers for days trying to put Manokwari into the map of international surfers as a must see destination. Papuan children who were watching them say that they learn a lot of new techniques from these professional surfers. We really hope that more visitors will come to Manokwari after the trip of these surfers. If you are interested in traveling to Manokwari to enjoy wave surfing, please, contact Salo by email to abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com. 

Surfing Lesson at Abasi Beach

A Papuan boy was watching how
Alberto L. Castro, a world class surfer, showed his turn technique

The arrival of some world class surfers in Manokwari brings a rare opportunity for local surfers to learn new surfing techniques. On the following picture, we can see a Papuan boy was sitting on his surfboard while watching Alberto L. Castro, one of the surfers  from Brazil "played with the waves."
For local surfers at Abasi beach of Manokwari, the swift turning at a steep wave slope that creates a lot of water spray in the air is a new thing that they have never tried. After watching this "free surfing lesson," the local children tried to imitate it. Unfortunately, they could not achieve the same effect. Local Papuan surfers said that they would practice such techniques every day until they can get similar result.

The Abasi Klub Surfing expects more international surfers to come to Manokwari to "share their waves" with them. Surfing is relatively a new sports in Manokwari. Very few Papuan know how to surf. With the establishment Abasi Klub Surfing in Manokwari, we hope that in the near future, more people will consider and take up surfing as their sports too. For further information about surfing trips in Manokwari, please contact: abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com

International Surfers in Manokwari

This week Abasi Klub Surfing is happy to receive an international team from World Class surfers. The team consists of 4 experienced surfers and 1 leading surf photographer coming from 4 countries Italy, the United States, Brasil, Japan. During their surfing trips in Manokwari (24 Feb-8 March 2013), they share their techniques with local Papuan boys who are eager to learn more skills from them. Young surfers from the Abasi Klub Surfing are eager to learn new things from these international surfers.

We hope that our young Papuan surfers will improve their techniques while standing on boards playing with the "waves of the Pacific Ocean." Manokwari has not been famous as a must visit destination for surfers. With the presence of the international surfing team in this city, we believe that in the near future, we will see more surfers coming to Manokwari. 

As a matter of fact, Manokwari is not only a recommended destination for surfing but also for various adventure activities. Thousands for visitors have come to Manokwari to watch lesser birds of paradise,  western parotia, and the bower bird, or to enjoy trekking and camping in Arfak mountains. The Dore bay of Manokwari has got several sites that are covered with coral reef. Colorful corals, and ornamental fish can be seen when tourists enjoy snorkeling in Manokwari. We can prepare an interesting tour package or tour programs for you. Please, contact abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com before traveling to Manokwari. 

Wave Surfing in Manokwari

The coast of Manokwari regency is a great place for travelers who want to enjoy surfing. There are several surfing spots in the east, north and south of the regency. During the West Monsoon (December to March), strong winds hit the north coast of Manokwari creating tunnel waves in the mornings. For beginning wave-surfers, the recommended place is Pinto Angin (the gate of the winds) - according to John Callahan. The right spelling should be Pintu Angin (wind gate). Please, watch the following videos which show how boys stand on their surfboards 'playing with the waves.'

Hayato Maki was surfing at Pinto Angin of Manokwari city - West Papua

Manokwari also has got a place where waves are big all year round. Avid surfers should come to try it.
Other tourist attractions
In addition to surfing, travelers can enjoy snorkeling, trekking and birdwatching in Manokwari. We provide tours to visitors who want to watch birds of paradise in Arfak mountains while they enjoy their surfing trips in Manokwari.
Where is Manokwari?
Manokwari is the capital of West Papua province in the Republic of Indonesia. It has a lot of tourist attractions ranging from snorkeling, wave surfing, trekking, camping and birdwatching.

How to get there?
Well, it is not difficult to go to Manokwari. First, you need to fly from your country to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia). After that you can take a regular domestic flight served by Express Air, Lion Air or Sriwijaya Air to Manokwari.
Accommodation
We can arrange an affordable accommodation you. We can help budget travelers find a place to sleep at one of the houses of local villagers. We can also book rooms in a hotel that is not too far from the surfing sites.
Contact
If you are interested in surfing in Manokwari, please, contact
Salo by e-mail to: abasiklubsurfing@gmail.com.