Surfrider Thailand 01
thaisurfrider.com
ER - OCTOB T S U G U 3 A m I S SUE 0 frider.co
w w w.tha
isur
a g N g n a h e P d i u G f r u ังงา S พ
ัด ว ห ง ั จ น ่ ื ล ค ้ ข้อมูลโต
S WHOt’sISurfing Sistheorsmpson T Phuke ellani D / la u Patch
V IE W ngelo INTEPRood Maak” Abata าก” Ma r k “ v
ง เรื่องราวขาอกรู้ ที่คุณอย
มาร์ค “พูดม
SURFers N H A sav AJ r - Life r fe T h e S u et k of Phu
WER O P E PADDL eviche Fresh S
hrimp C
02 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 03
04 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
What keeps people coming back to surf in Thailand season after season, year after year? We all know that perfect waves aren’t the reason. Is it the food? Is it the women? Is it the weather, the lifestyle, the freedom, the cheap cost of living? All fantastic, but most diehard surfers will forgo any one of those for the perfect wave. So what is it, then? We at TSM think it’s the people that make surfing in Thailand, and Thailand in general, such a great experience. The Thais are undoubtedly some of the most fun, generous, polite, interesting, and kind-hearted people you’ll find anywhere in the world, both on land and in the water. Toss into the mix the motley crew of local expats and regular visitors, and even a crappy day of surf becomes a highly interesting and enjoyable experience. TSM hopes to introduce you to some of the unique characters that make up the Thailand surf scene. They are weird, wacky, fascinating, beautiful, naughty, nice, and everything in between; all thrown together by a common draw to one of the most unlikely surf destinations in the world. In this issue, we feature the outspoken Mark “Pood Maak” Abatangelo, as well as Phuket’s lovely surfing sisters, Dellani and Patula Thompson. Also, dispelling the myth that Phuket is the be-all-end-all of Thailand surfing, check out our Phang Nga Surf Guide as we continue to explore the surfing possibilities around the country.
See you in the surf...
Cover : S.A. Martin Inset : Laurie Thompson
Surfrider Thailand 05
thaisurfrider.com
01
WHO DOES
Surfrider Thailand Magazine AUGUST - OCTOBER 2010
ISSUE 03
Your free thailand surf guide
General Manager
Chanin ‘Joob’ Aiyarak joob@thaisurfrider.com Editor
Tom Fekete
tom@thaisurfrider.com Senior Writer
Steven Andrew Martin steve@thaisurfrider.com Sales &Marketing
Sarinya Aiyarak
sarinya@thaisurfrider.com Graphic Designer
Weera Konghirun
ra@regularstudio.com Contributors
Andrew McLauchlan fastloris@gmail.com
Laurie Thompson Read it online www.thaisurfrider.com
http://www.facebook.con/thaisurfrider Thailand Surfrider Magazine (TSM) is Thailand’s first ever bilingual English-Thai surfing and beach lifestyle publication. TSM is published quarterly and is offered free through distributors around Phuket Island, Koh Samui, Patt aya, Hua Hin, and Bangkok. TSM is 100% created by surfers. For advertising, contact Sarinya Aiyarak
sarinya@thaisurfrider.com or call 085 447 4664 Thailand Surfrider Magazine is published by
Purple Diamond Ltd.Part. 54/1 M.7 Srisoonthorn Rd., T. Srisoonthorn, A. Thalang, Phuket 83110 THAILAND Tel: 085 447 4664 Fax: 076-255268
sarinya@thaisurfrider.com
06 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
THE LINE UP READER CONTRIBUTIONS
08
Gabriel Mizner Erwin Van Putten
SURF GUIDE
14
Phang Nga Surf Guide
WHO IS
20
Phuket’s Surfing Sisters Patchula / Dellani Thompson
INTERVIEW
26
Mark “Pood Maak” Abatangelo
YOGA FOR SURFING
34
Inverted chest and shoulder stretch
PADDLE POWER
37
Fresh Shrimp Ceviche
AJAHN SURF The Surfer - Lifesavers of Phuket
40
Reader Contributions
08
News / Events
10
Surf Guide
14
Who is
20
Interview
26
Yoga for Surfing
34
Paddle Power
37
Ajahn Surf
40
Letters
43
Surf Report
44
Classified Ads
46
Surf Directory
48
Surfing Beaches of Phuket
50
Surf Doku
51
Phuket Tide Tables
52
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 07
08 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
02
READER CONTRIBUTIONS
16 year old body boarder Gabriel Mizner from Nai Harn gets a free Ocean and Earth body board leash for his photo submission
Erwin Van Putten (aka ‘Yoda’) from Kamala sent us some nice photos from around the island. For that, he gets a sylin’ new t-shirt courtesy of Billabong.
Reader Contributions
Wanted!
Are you a photographer, a budding Hemingway, or have an opinion you want to put across? TSM welcomes reader submissions including: Photos – send us your high resolution pictures of Thailand surfing, beach life, bikini babes, and weird stuff you see around town. Letters – send your thoughts, criticisms, opinions, praise, etc to be included in our ‘Letters’ section. Articles – Have you written an article about surfing in Thailand or have an idea for one? Well, start typing and send us your story! If it’s good enough we’ll print it! Submissions can be sent to contribute@thaisurfrider.com Any submission we use in the mag will receive a free prize including surf gear and gift vouchers to local restaurants, hotels, and other businesses.
สนใจส่งรูปภาพ เรื่องราว หรือ จดหมายติชมนิตยสารของเรา สามารถส่งมาได้ที่อีเมล์ contribute@thaisurfrider.com เราจะมีของรางวัลมอบให้ อาทิเช่น อุปกรณ์เล่นเซิร์ฟ บัตรรับประทานอาหาร ห้องพักโรงแรม และอื่นๆ อีกมากมาย
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 09
010Surfrider 10 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
03
NEWS / EVENTS
Surf’s Up! Rip Curl Grom Search On! Saturday the 21st August The RipCurl Grom Search Day is ‘ON’ at Nai Harn Beach. By Michael Flynn Edited by S. A. Martin Hey kids — smear on some Zink cream, find those moldy board shorts, put on your sunnies, slide into a pair of thongs, grab your surf board, and slip out the door with a wave to Mom and Dad... “see ya later... we’re off to Rip Curl Grom Search!” It’s that time of year again when the wind picks up and the storm clouds roll in. While the faint at heart scurry for cover and a dry place wait it out, the surfers head out into the wind and rain with a wry smile and a look of high expectations. They know that when the wind picks up, so do the waves on the west coast of Phuket!
The RipCurl Grom Search is here!
Starting on Saturday August 21st at Nai Harn Beach and ending on the 18th of September at Surin Beach, there will be three individual one-day events. Each day begins with a morning registration at 7:00 am and beach clean-up and ocean awareness program with Phuket water safety specialist Steven A. Martin. There will be a free surf clinic (with boards supplied by Nautilus Surf Shop) and a free lunch of healthy salads, sandwiches and fruit juice catered by DaVinci’s Restaurant. The surf contest will offer surf heats and finals for the boys and girls of varying divisions resulting in a variety of awards, prizes, and a sunset BBQ beach party — What could be better!
Learn about ocean safety and the environment!
Everyone is invited to learn about ocean safety and to understand a little more about our local surfing areas — specifically where the rips and sandbanks are. We can also gain insight regarding how to reduce water pollution and the marine garbage pilling up on our Andaman beaches. Kids especially, can gain a new perspective and respect on how to care for the ocean. So take your kids surfing at the The RipCurl Grom Search!—You’ll be happy afterwards when they are exhausted and will sleep all night! And they’ll have their tummies filled with a healthy lunch and their mind’s stimulated by the natural environment, rather than computer games!
So scribble a note and stick it to the refrigerator door! Saturday the 21st August—The RipCurl Grom Search Day is ‘ON’ at Nai Harn Beach. And next time your moaning about riding in the Phuket rain again, put a smile on your dial, grab your surf board and towel and head to your favorite local surfing beach and ‘get wet’. For more information, check these web sites:
www.facebook.com/ripcurlthailand http://www.asia.ripcurl.com/?events
“RipCurl Grom Search 2010” กิจกรรมการแข่งขันSurfครั้งยิ่งใหญ่ในเมืองไทยเพื่อค้นหา Surfer รุ่นใหม่ ที่สนใจในกีฬา ท้าทายที่มีธรรมชาติและหาดทรายเป็นเดิมพัน โดยงานนี้ RipCurl ปิด 3หาดดังในภูเก็ตเพื่องานนี้โดยเฉพาะ
• วันเสาร์ที่ 21 สิงหาคม 2553 ... หาดในหาน จังหวัดภูเก็ต • วันเสาร์ที่ 4 กันยายน 2553 หาดกะตะ จังหวัดภูเก็ต • วันเสาร์ที่ 18 กันยายน 2553 หาดสุรินทร์ จังหวัดภูเก็ต
กิจกรรม “RipCurl Grom Search 2010” นี้ไม่ได้จัดขึ้นเพื่อเน้นการแข่งขันหาผู้ชนะเท่านั้น แต่ภายในงานยังมีกิจกรรมสนุก สานามากมายที่เน้นให้ทุกคนที่เข้าร่วมงานได้รู้จักกีฬา surf มากขึ้น และปลูกฝังให้ช่วยกันดูเเลรักษาธรรมชาติที่เป็นเหมือน สนามกีฬาอันกว้างใหญ่แห่งนี้ • การแข่งขัน surf ครั้งยิ่งใหญ่ในเมืองไทยเพื่อเฟ้นหา Surfer หนุ่มสาวดาวรุ่งเพื่อเตรียมความพร้อมในการ turn pro เป็น surfer ของ RipCurl ในอนาคต!! • Beach Clean Up กิจกรรมเก็บขยะ เพื่อสร้างความสะอาดแก่หาดทราย • Surf School, Free! โดยได้ผู้สอนอย่าง Pro Surfer “Mike Schnieder” ผู้มีความเชี่ยวชาญเกี่ยวกับการ Surf เจ้าของ Nautilus Surf shop • Ocean safety demonstration เพื่อให้เผู้เข้าร่วมงานได้รู้จักนิสัยของธรรมชาติมากขึ้น เช่นการศึกษาคลื่น, แอ่งทรายใต้ทะเล และรู้จักการระมัดระวังตัวในขณะเล่น surf โดยให้คำ�แนะนำ�จาก Pro surfer จากฮาวาย • Freebies and Giveaways ของรางวัลมากมายที่ทาง RipCurl เตรียมไว้ให้ทุกคน • และแน่นอน!! Sunset BBQ Party and Fire-turning show สนุกสนานกับ BBQ กันหลังจบการแข่งขัน และโชว์ควงไฟระหว่าง party ส่วนของรางวัลสำ�หรับผู้ชนะการแข่งขันนั้น RipCurl Thailand ได้เตรียมเงินสดและของรางวัลไว้ให้มากมายไม่ว่าจะเป็น Boardshort, Beach bag, Leg ropes, T-shirt และ Surf wax และอื่นๆอีกเพียบ!
งานนี้ไม่มีค่าใช้จ่าย แค่เตรียมใจให้พร้อม แล้วเจอกันที่ภูเก็ต ก่อนที่ฤดู Surf ของเมืองไทยจะหมดไป
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand 011 11
thaisurfrider.com
Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 Quiksilver, along with the Surfing Thailand organization (recently recognized by the International Surfing Association (ISA)), is pleased to announce the second annual Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition to be held at Kata Beach, Phuket on September 22 – 26, 2010. This year’s festival promises to be bigger and better than ever with a myriad of events and activities held over a 5 day period that will entice both surfers and non-surfers alike. Along with a professionally run international surfing competition, spectators and participants will be treated to concerts, parties, cultural shows, awareness presentations, instruction clinics, and a whole lot of fun on the beach! Endorsed and supported by both government and public sector organizations, the Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition will provide local Thai surfers the opportunity to gain valuable experience competing at an international level, getting them familiar with the rules and regulations of ISA sanctioned events, and opening the door to competing in ISA competitions held throughout South Asia and the world. The competition takes place during what is typically called the “Low Season”, though surfers have long termed this period the “Surf Season”, and the event brings to light yet another activity which both locals and visitors can enjoy during the Southwest Monsoon, helping to further endorse Phuket as a year-round holiday destination. In addition to the surf contest, this year’s event will promote environmental awareness, introduce some of the multi-faceted local cultures, and provide introductory surfing instruction through a series of activities, presentations, and clinics. Be there or be square!
Schedule Date: September 22 – 26.
Divisions: Men’s Open, Women’s Open, Longboard Day 1 (September 22)
• Opening Ceremony • Environmental Awareness Presentation • Surf Contest Heats • Local Cultural Show Day 2 (September 23)
• DJ Music and Beach Activities • Musical Presentation • Surf Contest Heats Day 3 (September 24)
ในปีนี้ถือเป็นปีที่สองที่ Quiksilver ร่วมกับสมาคมนักโต้คลื่นภูเก็ต ซึ่งปีนี้ยกระดับมาเป็นสมาคม Surfing Thailand ที่ได้จดทะเบียนเป็นสมาชิกของ International Surfing Association (ISA) และได้ รับการสนับสนุนจากองค์กรทั้งภาครัฐและเอกชน ในการจัดการแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่นนานาชาติ ขึ้น โดยปีนี้จัดเป็นงานใหญ่ครั้งเดียว 5 วัน ตั้งแต่วันที่ 22-26 กันยายน 2553 ณ หาดกะตะ ซึ่ง เป็นหาดที่มีชื่อเสียงและสวยงามที่สุดหาดหนึ่งในจังหวัดภูเก็ต ในชื่อ Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 เพื่อเป็นการประชาสัมพันธ์ให้คนทั่วไปได้ทราบว่าสามารถเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่น ได้ในประเทศไทยในช่วงเดือนมิถนุ ายนถึงเดือนตุลาคมของทุกปี ซึง่ ถือเป็นการส่งเสริมการท่องเทีย่ ว ในช่วง low season อีกทางหนึ่งด้วย โดย Quiksilver มีความมุ่งหมายที่จะให้การจัดการแข่งขัน กระดานโต้คลื่นในประเทศไทยเป็นการแข่งขันที่สร้างโอกาสให้นักโต้คลื่นในประเทศไทยได้สัมผัส ประสบการณ์การแข่งขันระดับนานาชาติ เพื่อนำ�ไปพัฒนาฝีมือเพื่อประสบความสำ�เร็จทั้งในระดับ ท้องถิ่น ระดับภูมิภาคไปจนถึงระดับนานาชาติ Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 นอกจากจะส่งเสริมในเรื่องการเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่น และอุตสาหกรรมการท่องเที่ยวในประเทศไทยแล้วยังมีกิจกรรมที่ส่งเสริมให้คนท้องถิ่นและนักท่อง เทีย่ ว ได้ตระหนักถึงความสำ�คัญของสิง่ แวดล้อม และเผยแพร่วฒั นธรรมท้องถิน่ ของชาวภูเก็ตอีกด้วย
กิจกรรม
Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 จะจัดขึ้นเป็นเวลา 5 วันระหว่าง 22-26 กันยายน 2010 ที่หาดกะตะ จังหวัดภูเก็ต โดยจะประกอบไปด้วยกิจกรรมต่างๆ มากมาย อาทิเช่น การแข่งขัน กระดานโต้คลื่น, การโชว์การโต้คลื่นจากทีมนักโต้คลื่นของ Quiksilver, การสอนการเล่นกระดาน โต้คลื่น, คอนเสิร์ตและปาร์ตี้สุดมัน, กิจกรรมเพื่อสังคมและสิ่งแวดล้อม, ฯลฯ
วันที่ 1 : 22 กันยายน 2010
• พิธีเปิดที่หาดกะตะภูเก็ต • กิจกรรมเพื่อสร้างการตระหนักถึงความสำ�คัญของชายหาดทะเลและสิ่งแวดล้อม • การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่น • การแสดงวัฒนธรรมท้องถิ่น
วันที่ 2 : 23 กันยายน 2010
• การเปิดเพลงมันๆ จาก DJ และกิจกรรมสนุกๆ บนชายหาด • การแสดงดนตรี • การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่น
วันที่ 3 : 24 กันยายน 2010
• การเปิดเพลงมันๆ จาก DJ และกิจกรรมสนุกๆ บนชายหาด • Surf Clinic การสอนเทคนิคการเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่น สำ�หรับนักเรียนและคนท้องถิ่น • การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่น
วันที่ 4 : 25 กันยายน 2010
• การเปิดเพลงมันๆ จาก DJ และกิจกรรมสนุกๆ บนชายหาด • Surf Clinic การสอนเทคนิคการเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่น สำ�หรับนักท่องเที่ยว • การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่น
DAY 5 : 26 กันยายน 2010
Day 4 (September 25)
• Surf Clinic การสอนเทคนิคการเล่นกระดานโต้คลื่น สำ�หรับนักร้อง นักแสดง และสื่อมวลชน • การแข่งขันกระดานโต้คลื่นรอบชิงชนะเลิศ • การโชว์การโต้คลื่นจากทีมนักโต้คลื่นของ Quiksilver • พิธีมอบรางวัลของการแข่งขันแต่ละประเภท 1 กระดานสั้น - ชาย 2 กระดาน - หญิง 3 กระดานยาว • Party และ Concert จากศิลปินชื่อดัง
Day 5 (September 26)
รางวัล
• DJ Music and Beach Activities • Surf Clinic for Thai Students and Locals • Surf Contest Heats • DJ Music and Beach Activities • Surf Clinic for Tourists and Visitors • Surf Contest Heats • Surf Clinic for Thai Singers, Movie Stars, and Other Celebrities • Surf Contest Final Rounds • Surfing Demonstration by Quiksilver Surf Team • Awards Ceremony • Party and Concert by Well Known Thai Artists
Quiksilver Thailand Surf Competition 2010 จะแบ่งการแข่งขันออกเป็น 3 ประเภท
Men’s Open
1 กระดานสั้น - ชาย 2 กระดาน - หญิง 3 กระดานยาว รางวัลของแต่ลประเภท มีดังนี้ กระดานสั้น - ชาย
Women’s Open
กระดานสั้น - หญิง
Longboard
กอง Longboard เปิด
Prizes 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 1st 2nd 3rd 4th
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
Place: B50,000 Cash, Surfboard, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver and Sponsors Place: B30,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B20,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B10,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver
Place: B30,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver and Sponsors Place: B20,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B10,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B5,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B30,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver and Sponsors Place: B20,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B10,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver Place: B5,000 Cash, Trophy, Prize Package by Quiksilver
ชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 50,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver และผู้สนับสนุน, แผ่นกระดานโต้คลื่น รองชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 30,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver อันดับ 3 : เงินสด 20,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilverr อันดับ 4 : เงินสด 10,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver ชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 30,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver และผู้สนับสนุน รองชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 20,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver อันดับ 3 : เงินสด 10,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver อันดับ 4 : เงินสด 5,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver ชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 30,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver และผู้สนับสนุน รองชนะเลิศ : เงินสด 20,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver อันดับ 3 : เงินสด 10,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver อันดับ 4 : เงินสด 5,000 บาท, ถ้วยรางวัล, สินค้าจาก Quiksilver
012Surfrider 12 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Phuket
Ve ge ta ria n Fe st iva l Date : 8 - 18 October 2010 Venue : Phuket Town
Photos by S.A. Martin
Phuket’s vegetarian festival dates back to 1825 when the island was mostly jungle and tropical disea ses were common. A travelling Chinese opera company, who had come to enter tain the local Chinese tin miners, soon fell ill with an unknown malady. The troupe switched to a vegetarian diet and adhered to a strict set of rules mean t to appease their emperor gods. The sickness quickly disappeared. Not surprisingly, the locals were quite intere sted in how this was done. The travelers passed on their know ledge, and the festival was born. Beginning on the seventh day of the ninth Chinese lunar month, “Go Teng” poles are raised at Chine se shrines around the island. At midnight, the poles are adorn ed with nine lanterns meant to invite the gods to desc end and preside over the ceremonies. Throughout the festiv al, participants adhere to stringent rules which include wear ing only white, following a strict vegetarian diet, and absta ining from alcohol and sex. The rituals are meant to bring good fortune, health, and inner peace to followers. Visitors will enjoy the delicious vegetarian food, color ful processions, fireworks, and odd rituals, the most bizarre of which are the “Mah Song”; individual s who have been possessed by gods. The Mah Song perfo rm supernatural feats including body-piercing with unlikely objects, bathing in hot oil, and climbing bladed ladders, all meant to shift misfortune and evil from the community to themselves. The color ful processions, fireworks, and of course the Mah Song make for a truly fascinating event not to be missed!
Por Tor
Fe st iv a l
ber 2010 Date : 28 August - 8 Septem Venue : Phuket town enth states that during the sev An ancient Chinese belief dead the of de abo the to es gat Chinese lunar month the to as restless spirits, referred burst open and set free nity mu com se ’s ethnic Chine “hungr y ghosts”. Phuket l. tiva Fes Por Tor marks the occasion with the oc spirit may soon wreak hav An unappeased hungry ts pec res ir the of the dead pay on the living, so relatives and , ers flow d, foo of rings by placating them with offe r offerings are beautifully ula pop st mo The s. candle tle shape of tur tles. The tur decorated cakes in the can y the e iev bel adherents symbolizes longevity, and these offerings. ugh thro s live n ow ir extend the
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 013
14 014Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
04
SURFGUIDE
kkana
Photo by La
By : Tom Fekete S.A. Martin Thai Translation By : Joob Aiyarak Photos and illustrations By : S.A. Martin
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand 015 15
thaisurfrider.com
Coconuts Photo by
Lakkana
longest of g Nga coastline is the The 216 kilometer Phan Nga has g an Ph man provinces. Thailand’s six Anda around red ste clu inly ma which are numerous sur f spots, d the an t) a (just north of Phuke the Na Tai Pier are s of Khao Lak. prominent beach resort t off the north include the islands jus Other areas for sur fing Thong, and mely Koh Ra, Koh Phra end of the province, na ver y in the co dis is also potential for Koh Kho Khao. There s rumors ou titi rep sur er areas, with Surin Islands and oth dif ficult are as are se the , most of son. of secret reefs. However sea on ring the blustery monso to access, especially du antly driven Nga’s sur f is predomin As with Phuket, Phang er) along with nsoon (May to Octob by the southwest mo t can hit any tha ean groundswells the exlusive Indian Oc ger southlar a s ha h Phang Nga time of year. Althoug s a shallow ha o als it t, uke w than Ph southwest swell windo ch or all of shelf which negates mu and wider continental exposure, ell sw d by the increased the advantages gaine d punch an r we po s h generally les resulting in waves wit Phuket. than similar breaks on sensitive to Phang Nga are more In addition, breaks in Lak area, ao Kh the in For example, wind and swell types. od southwest best during short-peri Nang Thong Beach is north) is Pakarang (not far to the windswell, while Laem to break ds ten d westerly winds an highly susceptible to lls. we ds un g-period gro better during clean, lon your way to well-worth going out of All in all, Phang Nga is beaches, dy san tional parks, long visit. With beautiful na re remihe osp atm ck , yet laid ba and a well developed go wrong. early 90’s, you can’t niscent of Phuket in the itors will vis t mping every day, bu The sur f may not be pu cultural d an al tur by the unique na be thoroughly pleased a has to offer. experiences Phang Ng ailand, those case with sur fing in Th And, as is always the od luck, just go of nce, and a dose with a bit of time, patie f! sur nt ce de h some pretty might be rewarded wit
ง ง ั พ ด ั ว ห ง ั จ น ใ น ่ ื ล ค ้ ต โ ่ ี ท น า สถ
า
โลเมตร ซี่งยาวเป็นอันดับหนึ่ง จังหวัดพังงามีชายฝั่งทะเลยาวถึง 216�ให้กิพังงามีจุดเล่นเซิร์ฟมากมาย เริ่ม ในหกจังหวัดชายฝั่งทะเลอันดามัน ทำม่ไกลนักจากจังหวัดภูเก็ต ยาวไปถึง ตั้งแต่ชายหาดบ้านนาใต้ ที่ตั้งอยู่ไ านเขาหลัก ชายหาดตากอากาศอันสวยงามของบ้ ้ว จังหวัดพังงายังมีหมู่เกาะน้อย นอกจากจุดเล่นโต้คลื่นบริเวณชายฝั่งแล าะเกาะที่ตั้งอยู่บริเวณทิศเหนือ ใหญ่ต่างๆ ที่รอนักโต้คลื่นค้นหา โดยเฉพ เขา และอุทยานแห่งชาติหมู่เกาะ เช่น เกาะระ เกาะพระทอง เกาะคอ ม หมู่เกาะเหล่านี้ก็ไม่สามารถเดิน สุรินทร์ แต่อย่างไรก็ตามในช่วงฤดูมรสุ ทางด้วยเรือ ไปเล่นเซิร์ฟได้สะดวกนัก ั้น คือในช่วงฤดูมรสุมตะวันตก ช่วงเวลาในการเล่นโต้คลื่นในจังหวัดพังมงานถึงเดือนตุลาคมของทุกๆปี แต่ เฉียงใต้ ในระหว่างช่วงเดือนพฤษภาค ในช่วงมรสุมแล้ว ในช่วงอื่นๆ พังงายังมีจุดเด่นที่นอกจากจะเล่นโต้กัคนลือี่นกได้ด้วย นั้นเป็นเพราะพื้นที่ชายฝั่ง ของปีก็สามารถมีคลื่นที่ดีให้โต้คลื่น ที่เปิดรับลมและระลอกคลื่นได้ดีนั้นเอง ยู่มากมาย และเราก็ไม่ต้องการ จังหวัดพังงามีสถานที่ท่องเที่ยวสวยงามอ ด้ เ ล่ น คลื่ น ทุ ก ครั้ ง ที่ ม าตาม จุ ด โต้ ให้ ความ หวั ง กั บ นั ก โต้ ค ลื่ นว่ า คุ ณ จะไ กผ่อนสบายๆ ที่มาเยือนพังงาแล้ว คลื่นที่เราแนะนำ�ไป แต่ถ้าคุณมีวัน่าพังสบ ายใจ แต่ถ้าไม่มีคลื่นแล้ว คุณก็ บังเอิญมีคลื่น คุณก็ได้เล่นเซิร์ฟอย งเที่ยวอื่นๆ ในจังหวัดพังงา ยังมีความสุขมากมายกับสถานที่ท่อ
016Surfrider 16 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Surfing Areas in Phang Nga Northern Islands Area
of Phang Nga province are Lying just off the nor thern end o, Phra Thong and Koh Kho Kha the relatively large islands of se The Ra. Koh of nd isla ller along with the somewhat sma the ferr y or longtail boat from islands are accessible by not are y the ly, sur fed regular mainland. As they are not for m roo e som still is re and the really on the “surfers map”, th sou to d ose exp y ver be to d exploration. These islands ten are lls swe er days and ground through west winds, so calm f. sur d goo ing the best bet for find . Accommo -
the 3 islands Koh Ra – the least developed of galows and eco-tour type
ry bun dation is limited to rudimenta d Kuraburi Pier can be arrange from kup Pic establishments. with aks bre ch bea ect ons. Exp through one of these operati ropriate conditions, such as app in f sur ent dec for ial potent t or offshore winds. a solid groundswell with ligh eloped than Koh Ra and Koh Phra Thong – better devride from Kuraburi Pier.
boat about a 1 hour longtail straight, resulting in mostly and The beaches are long s small inlets and land feature shorebreak, although a few ly fair A . day t righ the on wave may provide for a sur fable are available. ions dat mo om acc of ge ran e wid ed of the three islands Koh Kho Khao – the best developand accessible by car dation with a full range of accommo ch Look for reasonably fun bea . pier m Khe Nam from y ferr far the at pit on an outer sand-s breaks and waves that form nd. isla the nor thwest end of
หมู่เกาะทางทิศเหนือ เกาะคอเขา และเกาะระ เกาะที่ตั้งอยู่ด้านทิศเหนือ คือ เกาะพระทอง าร ทัง้ สามเกาะนีส้ ามารถ สามารถเดินทางไปไดโ้ ดยเรอื หางยาวและเรือโดยสนมากนั ก ด้วยทำ�เลที่ตั้ง เล่นโต้คลื่นได้ดี และยังไม่มีนักโต้คลื่นไปเยือ ื่นใต้นำ�้หรือ กราวด์สแวล ของทั้งสามเกาะที่เปิดกว้างรับลมและระลอกคลหาจุดโต้คลื่นของคุณเองได้ (ground swell) ทำ�ให้คุณสามารถผจญภัยค้น swell) เข้ากระทบ จะเป็น ไม่ยากนัก ช่วงเวลาที่มีระลอกคลื่นใต้นำ�้ (ground เวลาที่ดีที่สุดในการโต้คลื่นบริเวณสามเกาะนี้
Nang Thong Beach Photo by Lakkana
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand 017 17
thaisurfrider.com
Khao Lak Area
Nga, Being the most developed coastal area in Phang t‘s Phuke to te antido the e becom Khao Lak has rapidly t Phuke of north hour an Just phere. atmos set‘ increasingly jet lush by terized charac is Lak Khao t, Airpor tional Interna tropical hillsides bordering long, sandy beaches. Accom priced ably reason to s resort star modations range from 5 years, bungalows. The surf scene here has grown over recent just with or alone surfing lf yourse find usually still you‘ll but a few other friends out in the water.
Laem Pakarang (Cape Coral) - a prominent head-
reef, land in the north part of Khao Lak surrounded by rockyvery is It tide. high at exposed at low tide and covered . swells ground during best and susceptible to onshore wind named , south) to north (from breaks t distinc 4 The area has Surf by journalist Matt Blauer who founded the Pakarang Shop: The Corner – a left-hander wrapping-in over coral the deposits. Lengthy walk over loose coral at low tide from road. paved the of end the at area g parkin
.
nd reef . The Tree – a short, relatively crappy left-ha be surfable break. However, it picks up a lot of swell and can when nowhere else is.
olent . Taxi Dave’s – named in honor of the benev Samman
foreign resident surfer David David ‘Taxi Dave’ i) who (a former taxi business owner from Kauai in Hawai the during home ent retirem surferhis g died while buildin break. point and right-h nice A mi. Tsuna Ocean Indian 2004 wave It‘s a long distance from shore - but arguably the best on the headland.
เขาหลักและบริเวณใกล้เคียง ชายหาดเข าหลั ก ในปั จ จุ บั น เริ่ ม เป็ น ที่ รู้ จั ก ในหมู่ นั ก โต้ ค ลื่ น บ้ า งแล้ ว เนือ่ งจากไม่ไกลจากภูเก็ตนัก และสามารถเดินทางได้สะดวกทางรถยนต์ สถานที่เล่นโต้คลื่นบริเวณเขาหลักมีหลายจุดเช่น
แหลมประการัง ตั้งอยู่บริเวณด้านเหนือของเขาหลัก พื้นที่มี
ลักษณะเป็นโขดหิน และประการังแข็ง ซึ่งสามารถมองเห็นชัดเจนในเวลา นำ�้ลง แหลมประการังมีจุดโต้คลื่นที่เราแนะนำ�สี่จุดคือ เดอะคอร์เนอร์ (The Corner) เดอะทรี (The Tree) แท็กซี่เดฟ (Taxi Dave’s) และ เดอะ บีช (The Beach) หาดคึกคัก เป็นลักษณะคลื่นแตกชายหาด หรือบีชเบรค (Beach Break) เล่นได้ทั้งคลื่นซ้ายและขวา หาดบางเนียง เป็นลักษณะคลื่นแตกชายหาดเช่นกัน เล่นได้ทั้ง ซ้ายและขวา เหมาะสำ�หรับนักโต้คลื่นทุกระดับ หาดนางทอง เป็นจุดโต้คลื่นที่ดีที่สุดในบริเวณเขาหลัก และมี คลื่นให้เล่นมากที่สุดและคงที่ที่สุดด้วย ด้วยสภาพที่ตั้งของหาดนางทอง ซึง่ เปิดรับลม และระลอกคลื่นทำ�ให้สามารถเล่นคลื่นได้ทั้งลมออนชอร์ และ ออฟชอร์ (ลมทะเล และลมบก) Mystos เป็นจุดที่มีคลื่นแตกทางขวา จะเข้าไปโต้คลื่นที่นี้ ต้อง ผ่านทางเข้าโรงแรม Khao Lak Merlin Hotel แต่จะมีคลื่นในวันที่คลื่น ใหญ่เท่านั้น ข้อควรระวังคือมีโขดหินที่สามารถทำ�อันตรายนักโต้คลื่นได้
. The Beach – a fun beach break with left and right nd. peaks on the inside of the headla
Khuk Khak Beach – beach break with right and left
a bit peaks breaking in front of a small klong. Tends to have more punch than its immediate neighbors.
Bang Niang Beach (‘Coconuts’) – another fun beach
g out break, but can get dirty after rain from water drainin We break. the of north the to d locate klong of the large of named this spot ‘Coconuts’ after the fantastic grove on se becau and area— coconut trees in front of the surfing ut! a big groundswell, you may feel as nutty as a Thai cocon
Nang Thong Beach – the most consistently surfable
Lak. and usually the best and punchiest spot in Khao island small a is one A group of rock formations (the main es for with its own miniature lighthouse) just offshore provid is and res on-sho the handle Can side. either fun peaks on up best on short period windswell, but doesn‘t seem to pick y groundswell properly. On bigger days, a mushy, yet spook ard longbo a use lightho the of e cloudbreak forms outsid wave that tends to form and re-form on its way to shore. to If you‘re lucky, this wave can prove rather entertaining connect through to the inside.
Mystos – accessed through the Khao Lak Merlin Hotel.
eef. A right hander generated by an off-shore outcrop of rock-r to the Needs a bigger swell to work and can be dangerous eef faint-hearted with patches of exposed, jagged rock-r . scattered near the lineup
018Surfrider 18 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Thai Muang Area
Located between Khao Lak and Na Tai, Thai Mu ang is a long, ver y straight sandy bea ch with a steep drop-off. It‘s generally not considered sur fable but it can produce some of the biggest, heaviest, hollow, double -up shore break around . Definitely dangerous for bodysurfe rs, body boarders, and sur fers alike when there‘s a macking swell. It may, however, be interesting for someone with a boogie board and some balls. Se nd us the pics if you decide to go for it!
Na Tai Pier Photo by Steven A.
ชายหาดท้ายเหมือง ชายหา ดท้ า ยเหมื อ งอยู่ ร ะหว่ า งหาดนาใต้ แ ละเขา หลั ก ชายหา ด มีแนวยาวมาก ทำ�ให้รับลมเต็มที่ จริงๆ แล้วชายหาดท้ายเหมืองไม่ เหมาะสำ�หรับโต้คลื่นนัก ด้วยเพราะคลื่นมีลักษณะแตกใกล้ชายหาด เกินไปและคลื่นแตกครอบเร็วซึ่งสามารถทำ�อันตรายนักโต้คลื่นได้
Martin
ชายหาดนาใต้ หาดนาใต้อยู่ใกล้ภูเก็ตมาก แค่ข้ามส ก็เจอแล้ว เราแนะนำ�จุดเล่นเซิร์ฟสามะพจุดานสารสินและผ่านหาดเขาปิหลาย ไป ด้วยกันคือ
บริเวณทิศเหนือของหาด คลื่นแตกชายห าด บริเวณที่สามารถเล่นเซิร์ฟ ได้คือ บริเวณโรงแรม The Hot Spring Be ach ท่าเรือนาใต้ บริเวณท่าเรือ จะมีคลื่นแตกทั้ง Resort and Spa ซ้ายและขวา นักเซิร์ฟทุกระดับ สามารถสนุกกับคลื่นที่นี้ได้ดี แนวประการังหาดนาใต้ ตั้งอยู่บริเวณด้านท
ิศใต้ของท่าเรือนาใต้ มีคลื่น แตกทง้ั ซ้ายและขวา ข้อควรระวงั คือนำ�ค้ อ ่ นข า้ งตืน่ และมีแนวโขดหินทีส่ ามารถ ทำ�อันตรายนักเซิร์ฟได้ Photo Matt Blauer
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand 019 19
Na Tai Area What was not that long ago a sleepy fishing village, Na Tai Beach (Khao Pilai Beach) is now an up and coming area for flashy upscale hotels and affluent foreigners who build million-dollar seafront homes. Just a stone‘s-throw north of Phuket, Khao Pilai Beach is an economical getaway for a surfing day trip to somewhere different from the island. Being relatively close to Phuket, expect conditions to be much the same as the average beach break in Phuket on any given day.
North Na Tai – usually not the best area for surf (the pier area is typically better), the coastal area to the north of Na Tai Beach (but well south of the Hot Springs Hotel) does offer some potentially good waves when the conditions come together. Check out the several rock features in the area to see if anything good is cooking.
Na Tai Pier – A post-tsunami concrete pier stretching roughly 100 meters out to sea helps to build up sandbanks on either side creating fun, peaky beach break waves. While both sides can be good, the south side usually seems to work best.
Na Tai Reef – a patch of rock-reef well offshore and south of the pier. A short left and right peak forms here on bigger swells. Shallow and fairly dangerous!
The Spirit of Phang Nga
020Surfrider 20 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
05
WHO IS
Phuket’s Surfing Sisters
Patchula / Dellani Thompson By : Tom Fekete Thai Translation By : Joob Aiyarak
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand021 21
thaisurfrider.com
Dellani Thompson
Patchula Thompson
Photo by Jason Childs
Anyone who’s been around the Phuket surf scene for a while will have had the pleasure of meeting Laurie Thompson and his lovely wife Dao. On any decent swell you can spot the 61 year old Laurie, with his distinctive shock ofa grey hair, carving smooth turns and classic drop-knee cutbacks, usually at his favorite local break of Kalim. Dao, a native of Bangkok, is never far away and always ready to engage you in a lively conversation on just about any subject you can think of. Laurie, a true pioneer of surfing in Southeast Asia, travelled extensively throughout the region during the 70’s and 80’s seeking surf and adventure. It was during one of these trips that he met Dao. It didn’t take long for love to develop. They soon got married and began splitting their time between trips to Thailand and running the family surf shop on Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. They also got busy having kids and have been deservedly blessed with two lovely daughters: Dellani, 22, and Patchula (better known as “Patch”), who is now 25. Patch and Dellani Thompson have spent their lives growing up between Australia and Thailand, dedicating part of every year to each country since their childhood. Both girls learned to surf at an early age in Phuket during the late 80’s with dad as chief instructor.
022Surfrider 22 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Photo by Jason Childs
“Mum had a house in Bangkok, but we spent more and more time here in Phuket.” says Dellani “Dad had scoped the place [Phuket] out before we were born during one of his surfing runs down to Sumatra” adds Patchula. “In the early days, we stayed in bungalows at Coconut Village or the Holiday Resort. We used to eat right on the beach where the Merlin Hotel is now”. The Thompsons made an effort to spend time surfing in Thailand each rainy season, returning to Australia during Philip Island’s peak period to run the iconic Islantis Surf Shop. Patch reminisces, “It was a very relaxed lifestyle here in Phuket back then, certainly not as crazy as it is now. The coast road was not connected north to Kamala or south to Karon, so most surfing for us was limited to Patong along the southern and middle areas. We occasionally made trips back inland and down to Karon and Kata or Kata Noi, but
Patong provided the ideal learning location for us two small girls. There was no one to crash into! As our ability improved, we moved up to surfing Kalim” Dellani adds, “We regularly scoured the coast between Ranong and Trang in an old Suzuki 4x4 hunting for surf as mum and dad were interested in buying coastal property. Roads were very poor back then. Searching for waves and figuring out wave potential along the way was difficult. We finally decided that Phuket had basically everything we wanted after all, and the family bought our first home here in 1997”. In 1999, Quiksilver, along with the help of “Ruby” from Cobra International in Bangkok, and Rick Reynolds from Aloha Sports, sponsored the first professionally organized surfing contest held in Thailand at Kata Beach. Patchula entered the open division and made it all the way the semi-finals. Competitive surfing was still new in Thailand back then, and the Thai boys were more than a little
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand023 23
Photo by Jason Childs
embarrassed at having been schooled on surfing by a pretty young girl. In fact, as the highest placed woman in the history of competitive Thai surfing thus far, it has been pronounced that she is Thailand’s first Women’s Surfing Champion. Patch continued competitive surfing and went on to secure a string of Australian state competition results, a Junior Australian Amateur title, and a Billabong sponsorship. Along the way she completed Fitness Management, Gym, and Pilates Instructor courses. She also became a “Billabong Girl”, representing the famous surfing company and assisting them with modeling, junior development, and “Girls Surfing Days”. She even appeared with Joel Parkinson in his surfing movie “Free as a Dog”. Whilst Patch developed a strong competitive drive, Dellani continued to treat her surfing more as a recreational pastime. She finished her schooling in Australia, was employed by Roxy Surfwear for a while, and now works
regularly in media and PR at major Australian sporting events including the Australian Open of Tennis, Formula One GP, Moto GP, and Superbike competitions. Dellani loves nothing more than paddling out with a friend or two. She surfs purely for fun, and if you hear a giggle and a hoot, you can bet that Dellani is close by. Both girls have surfed throughout Australia, Thailand, and around the world. In 2008 they bought a camper van and travelled together across the coasts of France, Spain, Portugal, and Morocco, surfing their way along the Atlantic seaboard. They’ve also hit Bali a few times, and Patch’s competitive surfing has taken her as far as the Maldives and the USA. Currently, the Thompson sisters are putting together their own swimwear business back in Australia. Be assured, however, that both have every intention of coming back home to Phuket to visit mum and dad and, of course, return to their surfing roots.
Not bad for a couple of Phuket beach girls eh!
024Surfrider 24 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Photo by Jason Childs
Question
Dellani
Patchula
22
25
Longboard
Both
Prefer squaretail or roundtail?
Round
Round
Are you goofy or regular?
Regular
Regular
Prefer rights or lefts?
Rights
Rights
Do you like gnarly waves or mellow?
Mellow
Mellow
Prefer beachbreaks or reefbreaks?
Reef
Beach
What is your favorite color?
Purple
Red
Prefer vanilla or chocolate?
Chocolate
Chocolate
Prefer guys with blond hair or dark?
Dark
Blond
Prefer guys with short hair or long?
Short
Short
Mom’s Thai
Mom’s Thai
Some
Good
Do you prefer spicy food or mild?
Spicy
Spicy
Prefer beer or spirits?
Spirits
Spirits
Boy
Boy
Prefer Quiksilver or Billabong
Quiksilver
Billabong
Prefer Gucci or Louis Vuitton?
Louis Vuitton
Louis Vuitton
Do you like your hair short or long?
Long
Long
Prefer trendy clubs or quaint pubs?
Trendy Clubs
Trendy Clubs
Heels
Heels
Yes
Yes
Kelly Slater
Kelly Slater
Jeans
Dresses
Phillip Island
Phillip Island
Bradley Cooper
Brad Pitt
Who is smarter, you oryour sister?
My Sister
My Sister
What is your sister’s best attribute?
Her smart commments
Her personality
Mum and Dad
Dad
How old are you? Prefer shortboard or longboard?
What is your favorite food? How would you rate your Thai language skills?
Want your first born to be a boy or girl?
Thompson Sisters Thailand’s first Women’s Surfing Champion
Prefer high heels or sneakers? Do you have a boyfriend? Prefer Kelly Slater or Mick Fanning? Prefer wearing dresses or jeans? What is your favorite surf spot? Who is your favorite actor?
Who is your #1 hero?
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 025
026Surfrider 26 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
06
INTERVIEW
The Man, the Myth
Mark “Pood Maak” Abatangelo By : Tom Fekete Edit By : S.A. Martin Thai Translation By : Joob Aiyarak
“Hey, so I enjoy talking a lot with my friends in the water between sets —I can hear the Thais givin’ me sh*t —so I say—hey man—me old man—u know me man—u see me every year surfing, u miss me talking in the water man? —but they are mostly having fun with me.”
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand027 27
thaisurfrider.com
“My buddies told me—Mark, you got to go to Thailand, unbelievable place, lots of really nice girls, great mountains, waterfalls, parks, friendly people, great food, cheap, easy to get around—just go! So they were totally right, I just fell into a great place, great fun, great people, easy life, smiles everywhere.”
A rare quiet moment - Mark charging in Indo
If you’re not deaf and have spent some time on the beaches of Phuket, you have no doubt run across the one they call Mark “Pood Maak” (Big Mouth) Abatangelo - a man first heard, then seen. Our initial impression of Mark when we first met him - or perhaps ‘heard’ him is more appropriate – in the water some 10 years ago was one of apprehension and awe. Paddling towards us from a half kilometer down the beach, Mark’s cantankerous voice far preceded the man himself. Loud, raucous, and incongruous banter (aimed at anyone within earshot) spilled continuously from his mouth during the entire 15 minutes it took him to reach us. When he finally did crash our scene, he skipped any formal introductions and proceeded to cover subjects ranging from world politics to surf equipment, Asian women to Italian cooking, and baseball to badminton all within 5 minutes and without us having gotten a single word in edgewise.
“Who the fu%k is this guy?” we thought, “He’s gotta be nuts!” Over the years, though, we’ve all grown to love and admire Mark. While he can be loud, brash, extremely opinionated, controversial, and sometimes offensive (the term “Ugly American Abroad” comes to mind), he does tend to grow on you. He is unique, intelligent, trustworthy, and certainly more than a little bit interesting. If you give him a chance, his no bullsh!t, straight forward and fun loving approach to life becomes an inspiration rather than an irritation. Not surprisingly, Pood Maak has earned his place as a well known and arguably beloved fixture of the Phuket surf scene amongst both Thais and expats alike. Let’s learn a little about what makes The Speaking One tick ...
A rare quiet moment - Mark charging Indo
California ‘Daze’
As a grommet, I was very shy ( TSM: we don’t believe you Pood Mark), we kept moving around a lot and new places and faces was not a comfortable thing for me. It took time to adjust to the new environment and to the new students. By the time I was around 10 yrs old, I started to be more talkative and adventurous—hangin’ out with the ‘cooler’ students. While in high school I heard about ‘the skate boarding thing’ —using roller skates by taking the wheels off the skates and attaching a piece of wood. Once companies started making these with good wheels we were ‘all into skateboarding’. After high school I still surfed, and while in junior college, but got lazy cause I was into the music, drugs and the girl scene. The late 60s and 70s in ‘Cal’ was the real deal. It was one of the best times to be an 18-23 yr old—living the surfer-life on hardly no money. I had wheels, and so did my friends, so we would do weekend surf trips with lots of weed, acid, etc. We ‘surf-party—go to concerts—sleep on the beach—be beach bums’. I dropped out of school and went into the military for a few years. After that I got totally back into surfing—got into the short board scene and was a full-time college student. I even had an evening job—the rest is history! Later I moved to San Diego’s Ocean Beach and lived, worked and played there for the next 27 yrs—and surfed almost every day! I still have my second surfboard that I used for many years—a 10ft, 3-stringer, green tint, quarter-speed shape Wardy surfboard, made in Laguna Beach, Cal.
028Surfrider 28 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
“Hey all you young surfers out there —Don’t take surfing so serious, most of you are not going to be professionals —Have fun in the lineup, there is always another day of waves, the waves are not going away—Relax and have fun cause one day u going to be my age in the water —Think about that dude!!!”
Angry? Or just passionate about life?
Growing up in ‘Cal’
MEX
I was born in a military family and raised on the East Coast, the Midwest, the desert and California in the good old USA — then went to 12 schools in 3 countries, including England and Germany. In California we lived in ‘Berdoo’ (San Bernardino) about 100 km from Newport and Huntington. My first surf spot growing up was San Onofre.
Back in San Diego, we were only about 60 km from the border of Mexico, which has a lot of good surf sports. You need a wetsuit surfing the Baja side (until you go really far south). My buddies and I would go down there a lot and surf many spots during weekends—just stay on the beach camping or get a cheap hotel room. We surfed Cabo San Lucas, Matzatlan and Puerto Viejata. Then I went to Costa Rica and stayed at my friend’s house in the southern region at a famous surf spot call Pavones. Big days—between 6-12 ft faces—and surfed it many times.
Back in Berdoo, on the next street over from ours, I met Steve Bainee who was making surfboards out of his family’s garage. He also came from a military family and he surfed San Onofre. He told us to get our parents take us surfing there (you needed a military id card or be a member of a surf club). In the summer of 64, he said that his friend had a surfboard for sale for 50 USD and my dad agreed to buy it for me —and that was it!—I was into surfing! That was my first board and it weighed around 19 to 30 kilos! Most of the time we surfed San Onofre. But once we got our licenses to drive we would make the 1-1.5 hour trip on weekends and hit other famous surf spots too. Back then the crowds were not bad and the traffic on the highways was minimal.
A New Beginning On Jan 25 or so, 1999, I left the states for good. Why would I do that people ask? Time for a change—eastern culture, different society, and I don’t have to see all the idiots and jerks in my face. It was just time—time to get away and make an attempt to start a new life in a new part of the world! So I decided to keep a place in Phuket for the surf season and a place in Cambodia during the Thai tourist months, Nov thru April, and travel around to other countries as a tourist.
Bound for Thailand!
How it was—How it is
Around 1991 I decided to make a trip to Asia with a couple of old buddies. They told me “Mark you got to go to Thailand, unbelievable place, lots of really nice girls, great mountains, waterfalls, parks, friendly people, great food, cheap, easy to get around—just go!” So they were totally right, I just fell into a great place, great fun, great people, easy life, smiles everywhere.
Surfing has really come along way and not for the best. I had the best back then—cool surfers in the water, small crowds compared with today’s, respect for the old-timers and basically everyone took surfing as having fun; it was a way of getting into nature. Today, its huge crowds, agro-mentality surfers, idiots, territorial assholes, mean competitive young punks thinking they are the next world champs, every country in the world is trying the sport, doing the sport. It is just getting out of hand. Throw in the wonderful internet and you don’t have surfing like you had in the old days, during my beginning surf years—the 60’s and 70’s era.
So every year I would go to Thailand for a few days, then travel to other countries around Asia, like Viet Nam (‘Charlie country’), Cambodia (a lawless land like going back 50 years ago), Nepal with its mountains, and Indo with its radical surf spots, beauty and culture. Over the past 4-5 years I went to the west coast of the Philippines and found similar waves like here, but better shape.
But we all make the adjustments—so mine was leave Southern Cal—go to Phuket—it works for me!
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand029 29
thaisurfrider.com
SURFER MARK, ‘PUT PUT MAK MAK’ FROM SAN DIEGO CA —Still living in Kata and surfing this wonderful island of Phuket for 12 years—Check it out, dig it man—the old man is still surfing and riding off-road ‘ motos’ throughout Asia!
Holiday in Cambodia
Surfing in Phuket Surfing is getting more popular in Phuket, but that’s okay, it’s not real busy except in Kata Beach due to the many surf shops and surf schools. I live in Kata but do travel around the island to other spots and on a regular basis. There are a few surfers in the water with the attitude, but hey—so be it. Sometimes I will get into somebody’s face if he is constantly showing no surf etiquette, but that is rare. So I enjoy talking a lot with my friends in the water between sets—I can hear the Thais givin’ me sh*t— so I say “hey man—me old man—u know me man?— u see me every year surfing, u miss me talking in the water man?” but they are mostly having fun with me. All the local thai surfers are really cool, they joke around in the water, always looking at the hot Japanese girls or farang chicks. They are okay. There are a lot of hot Thai surfers throughout all the surf spots here. Many work and surf in Patong, Kalim, Kamala, Karon and of course, Kata Beach.
To see a video of mark in action log on to http://www.facebook.com/thaisurfrider
in Cambodia นักเล่นเซิร์ฟ ในภูเก็ตน้อยคนนักที่จะไม่รู้จัก มาร์ค Holiday “พูดมาก” ชายสูงวัยผู้มี เอกลักษณ์เฉพาะตัวคือ “เสียงมาก่อนตัว” ซึ่งเราจะมารู้จักเขาให้มากขึ้นจาก การสัมภาษณ์ ในครั้งนี้ครับ
มาร์คเกิดในครอบครัวทหาร ในรัฐแคลิฟอร์เนีย ประเทศสหรัฐอเมริกา ในวัยเด็ก มาร์คต้องเดินทางบ่อย ตามครอบครัวซึ่งย้ายที่อยู่หลายครั้ง ทำ�ให้มาร์ครู้จักคนและ โลกภายนอกเป็นอย่างดี มาร์คเล่นเซิปร์ครั้งแรกที่ San Onofre แคลิฟอร์เนีย และ เขามาเที่ยวเมืองไทยครั้งแรกในปี ค.ศ.1991 โดยคำ�ชักชวนของเพื่อนที่ บอกว่าที่ ประเทศไทยมีสาวสวย, อาหารอร่อย, มีที่ท่องเที่ยวสวยงามมากมาย และผู้คนเป็น มิตรมาก ตั้งแต่นั้นมาร์คก็หลงเสน่ห์เมืองไทย และกลับมาเที่ยวเป็นประจำ�ทุกๆปี จน ถึงปัจจุบัน มาร์คได้กล่าวถึงการเล่นเซิร์ฟในภูเก็ตไว้ว่า “การเล่นเซิร์ฟ ในภูเก็ตกำ�ลังเป็นที่นิยม แต่ก็ยังมีคนเล่นไม่เยอะมากนัก ยกเว้นที่หาดกะตะซึ่งมีความพลุกพล่านมากหน่อย เพราะมีร้านเซิร์ฟและโรงเรียนสอนเซิร์ฟอยู่มาก ผมเองก็พักอยู่ที่หาดกะตะแต่ก็ไม่ ได้ไปเล่นคลื่นที่อื่นมากนัก เวลาผมเล่นเซิร์ฟ ผมจะสนุกมากที่ได้คุยกับเพื่อนๆ ใน นำ�้ระหว่างที่รอคลื่น บางครั้งนักเซิร์ฟไทยไม่ค่อยชอบผมนัก ผมจะพูดกับเขาว่า “ว่างัยครับเพื่อน ผมแก่แล้ว คุณรู้จักผมไหม คุณเห็นผมเล่นเซิร์ฟที่นี้ทุกปี คิดถึงผม ตอนที่ผมพูดมากๆ ในนำ�้ไหมครับ” แล้วเขาจะรู้สึกสนุก แต่นักเซิร์ฟไทยส่วนใหญ่ แล้วจะสนุกสนานกับผมมากว่าครับ” มาร์คยังกล่าวอีกว่า “นักเซิร์ฟคนไทยนั้นเท่มากๆ พวกเขาสนุกสนานมากเวลาเล่น เซิร์ฟ พวกเขาชอบเหล่สาวๆ ญี่ปุ่นหรือฝรั่งสวยๆ ในนำ�้ มีนักโต้คลื่นท้องถิ่นเก่งๆ มาก มาย อยู่ตามหาดต่างๆ เช่น หาดป่าตอง หาดกะหลิม หาดกมลา และแน่นอนที่หาด กะตะครับ” ขอบคุณมากครับมาร์คที่ให้เรารู้จักคุณดีขึ้น แล้วเจอกันในนำ�้นะครับ (อ่านเรื่องราวของมาร์คแบบเต็มๆ ได้ในคอลัมน์ภาษาอังกฤษของเราครับ)
030 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
e on l b a l i a v A o s t e k u in ph w w w. i
acific ndianp
surf.co
m
Surfrider Thailand 031
thaisurfrider.com
e A v a i l aubk el t s o o n in ph www
pacif .indian
icsurf.
com
032 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
e l b a l i a Av uket soon in ph w w w. i n
d
ificsu ianpac
rf.com
Surfrider Thailand 033
thaisurfrider.com
“Not often you find a hotel with five-star flair and a sense of fun rolled into one.” – Australian Gourmet Traveller
Private Residences, Pool Villa Hotel, Cool Spa & Baba Phuket t: +66 76 371 000 e: chill@sripanwa.com
w: sripanwa.com babaphuket.com coolspaphuket.com
034Surfrider 34 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
06
YOGA FOR SURFING
Surfing and paddling can produce and hold alot of stress in the shoulders, this posture is a great way to reduce the tension in the shoulder, chest and trapezieze area. This posture has the dual advantage of also stretching the hamstrings. 1. Stand with your feet about hip width apart (or for an even better hamstrings stretch, bring the feet completely together) 2. Standing upright, clasp your hands behind your back firmly 3. Take a breath in and drop your head towards your feet, keeping `` your legs straight. 4. Take a breath out and allow the chest o relax as you bring your clasped hands upwards and towards your head . 5. Your arms will rise away from your back in varying degrees, depending on your flexibility. The more you practise the better you will get. 6. Let the head feel very heavy as you hang it towards the floor and let the clasped hands rise upwards naturally with each out breath. 7. Hold this posture for 30 seconds then rest in a standing position and repeat.
Mindbody Yoga by ‘Ajahn Kim White’
Tel. 086-2769174 kim@mindbodyyogasystem.com www.mindbodyyogasystem.com
ในการเล่นเซิร์ฟนั้น กล้ามเนื้อบริเวณไหล่และหน้าอกจะเกร็งมาก ท่าโยคะท่านี้ เป็นการช่วยยืดหน้าอกและไหล่ ทำ�ให้กล้ามเนื้อได้ผ่อนคลาย 1. ยืนตรงแยกขาออกประมาณความกว้างของไหล่ 2. ประสานมือไขว่หลังไว้ให้แน่น 3. หายใจเข้า และโน้มตัวไปด้านหน้า โดยให้ขายังยืดตรงอยู่ 4. หายใจออก และผ่อนคลายหน้าอก พร้อมกันนั้นให้ยืดมือที่ไขว่กันไปทางด้านบน และยืดศีรษะออก 5. ค้างท่าไว้ประมาณ 30 วินาที แล้วเริ่มทำ�ใหม่
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 035
036 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
07
PADDLE PO ER
W
PADDLE
POWER v ic e C p m i r h S Fresh
he
Though surfing is a fun sport, it’s also a tremendous workout. When in the water a surfer is constantly on the move burning energy, sometimes for several hours in one session. A balanced diet and proper nutrition are therefore needed to keep a surfer in the water and surfing to the best of his/her ability.
By : Andrew McLauchlan
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider Thailand 037
038Surfrider 38 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Pronounced (Sea-v-che’), this light and healthy dish can be prepared in advance and stored on ice as long as you add the lime juice 15 minutes before serving. It’s easy to make and a perfect little pick me up after a few hours in the surf.
Ingredients: ½ kg of fresh shrimp 1 sweet mango (in season) 2 small tomatoes 1 shallot 2 springs of fresh coriander 1 spring onion stalk 2 small green chilies (you can substitute 1 teaspoon yellow capsicum) Juice from 10 limes (aproximately 170 ml) Tabasco hot sauce Sea salt Ground black pepper 1 bag of corn tortilla chips
Method: 1. Peel the shrimp and cut in half length wise. We used small shrimp for this recipe. The bigger the shrimp the longer they will take to “cook”. 2. Seed and finely dice the tomatoes. 3. Chop the coriander, spring onion and shallot. 4. Finely dice the green chili (or capsicum). 5. Dice the mango and set aside. 6. Place all ingredients, except the mango, into a mixing bowl. 7. Add lime juice and a shake or two of Tabasco Sauce. The lime juice will “cook” the shrimp in about 10-15 minutes. Add the fresh mango and salt and pepper to taste. 8. Serve with corn tortilla chips. Makes two portions.
This recipe was kindly submitted by The Rusty Pelican. A locals’ favorite, The Rusty Pelican is open seven days a week from noon till midnight for your dining and drinking pleasure. Enjoy the best frozen Margarita in Thailand or an ice cold beer with our tasty Mexican menu. Everything is home made using the finest ingredients available.
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand039 39
040Surfrider 40 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
08
AJAHN SURF
By : S.A. Martin (2010) Prince of Songkla University
In recent years, Phuket has been plagued with tourist drowning—and drowning is a leading cause of death among international travelers to Phuket. Let’s consider that tourists are often unfamiliar with surf beaches along with other factors including poor swimming skills, language barriers, disorientation in a foreign vacation environment, and perhaps the consumption of alcohol. We can take into consideration that Phuket is a prolific tourism destination attracting individuals from around the world who may or may not have experience in the surf.
Ocean Currents in Phuket
From a perspective of ocean safety, weather conditions on the Andaman Coast produce identifiable hazards associated ocean conditions during the monsoon season (May to October) in a number of ways. In overview, there are at least two types of waves relevant to the discussion on Phuket ocean safety: short-period swell and long-period swell.
Interviewing Tourists at Kata Beach in 2007 Short-period swell First, when waves arrive close together (called shortperiod swell or windswell), they can propagate a proportionately strong ocean current, even if the waves may not appear particularly large or dangerous. Secondly, short-period swells allow swimmers and surfers very little time to recover between waves. For example, a swell period of 7 seconds implies that a wave would crash on the shore (or on surfers and swimmers in the surf zone) every 7 seconds. Thirdly, short-period swell is often associated with stormy or ‘choppy’ water surface conditions, which can inhibit visibility and disorientate individuals.
Long-period swell Long-period swells (also called groundswells) travel to Phuket from the Indian Ocean—they are ‘thicker,’ travel through the ocean at a greater depth, and are more powerful than the short-period swell. Although long period swell may account for as much as half of the annual surf in the region, these swells are disturbed or ‘mixed up’ by the local short-period swell during the monsoon. Essentially, these thick and powerful waves are hidden in or ‘masked’ by the wind and the shortperiod waves.
thaisurfrider.com
Tourist Encounters Shore Break in Phuket
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand041 41
Short-Period Swell on the Andaman Coast
Flash rip currents In point of fact, the mixture of short-period swell and long-period swell can be a lethal combination, creating spontaneous and dynamic ocean currents called ‘flash rips’. Flash rip currents or ‘flash rips’ are inshore currents which appear instantaneously and then suddenly vanish. The reason for this phenomenon is because the long -period swells are masked in the windswell and there could be as much as 10 or 15 minutes between waves or ‘sets’ of these capacious waves. When these waves arrive and break near the shore, they are voluminous, have a high ‘run-up’ on the beach, and produce the unanticipated ‘flash rip’. The flash rip is the Phuket cocktail, a deadly mixture of short-period and long-period wave activity unique to the region. This translates to what we see at our Phuket beaches: one minute the swimmer/tourist is standing in waist-deep water, marveling in the moment at the beauty of Phuket; the next minute they are swept off their feet and carried out to sea.
Interviews with Industry Professionals Director of Hawaii County Aquatics, Larry Davis, recently visited Phuket and examined ocean safety conditions: “The water safety aspect needs to be realized in Phuket, it is much more dangerous than it appears, especially for the lay person.” With years of front-line experience, Thai waterman Khun Somkhit Kuernun identified: “Before the tsunami, there were an average of 12-16 surf-related drowning per year, but for the last 5 years, with intermittent
periods of having lifeguards on beaches; the average was 9-12 per year [prior to 2009 surf season]. Most of the drowning during the surf season is surf-related, while drowning in the high season is usually alcohol related.” Thai surfer Satja Chayangkanon said: “The currents are bad in Phuket, and although I lived in Hawaii and have been surfing for 23 years, I almost drowned at Kata Beach... I lost my board and had to swim for a long time. Overall, Phuket has strong currents, even on a calm day at Kata when paddling a ‘stand up paddleboard’ (SUP) around the point to Kata Noi you can feel the pull.”
Interviews with Surfers 167 interviews were conducted from May 2007 to January 2010 with surfers in Phuket. They included 48 Thai and foreign resident surfers who surf regularly during the Andaman surfing season and had at least one personal experience in an ocean rescue situation. Secondly, interviews were carried out with 119 surf tourists from a variety of countries including Australia, America, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, and others. Most of the surf tourists were interviewed randomly and spontaneously while surfing. For example, while waiting for waves, I regularly asked individuals about their experiences and opinions regarding ocean safety in Phuket. Among surfers, several scenarios were identified regarding surf-related rescues. Foremost, Thai and foreign resident surfers rescue tourists and Thai swimmers; and to a lesser extent, surf tourists rescue other tourists and Thai swimmers.
042Surfrider 42 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Steve in Hawaii
The vast majority of surfers who responded to the rescues where already in the water when they saw or heard the person in the surf line and in trouble. Nearly all the surfers were able to describe the chain of events surrounding each rescue in some detail and were therefore included in the study. Of the 48 Thai and foreign resident surfers interviewed (all of whom reside in Phuket or Phang-nga) and surf regularly during the Andaman surfing season, 23 reported that they had each made at least two rescues per year over the previous three year period (2007-2009). This more or less coincides with my personal experience of 8 rescues during the three year study period. Therefore, with 23 surfers having rescued an average of 2 people per year, the study identifies an average of 46 rescues per year. Multiplied by 3 (3years), this amounts to 138 rescues. Additionally, my research recorded 53 rescues of various sorts by Thai and foreign resident surfers in the same period (2007-2009). For example, there was a report of a group of four European tourists swept off the beach near Khao Lak and were rescued by foreign resident surfer Matt Blauer. Totaling the aforementioned 138 rescues and the 53 random rescues for the same period, and including the 8 rescues made by the researcher, this study documented 199 rescues performed from 2007-2009. In a second study group, 119 surf tourists were asked about their experiences in water safety while in Phuket. 22 surf tourists described that they had rescued a tourist swimmer one time during their surfing vacation in Phuket, while 4 surf tourists reported that they rescued at least 2 tourist swimmers during their surfing experience in Phuket and one described assisting a family of 3. This indicates that of the 119 surf tourists interviewed from 2007-2009, 27 (over 20 percent) had made rescues totaling 33 swimmers. This study was unable to identify the place of origin for individuals who were rescued due to the fact that most of the surfers who performed rescues did not think at the time to ask individuals where they were from. However, upon being interviewed, many surfers recalled that their victims were likely to have been European. Regarding the 8 victims I encountered, all were male tourists of the following nationalities: 4 German; 2 Russian; 1 Swiss; and 1 Japanese.
Concluding Thoughts Surfers are inevitably surf lifesavers as they are in the surf line and are among the first to encounter tourists in dire need of assistance. My research documented 232 rescues by surfers over the past 3 years—the actual number is likely to be considerably higher since this statistic only reflects those surfers that I had the opportunity to interview. The question remains: how to turn around this mounting issue and prevent the loss of life—and to reverse the unpleasant image that Phuket is receiving from all this? I would like to put forward several unpretentious insights for further discussion: It takes time and personal experience to recognize ocean safety issues such as flash-rips, and this type of intuitive knowledge requires familiarity with surf-lifesaving and in local waters. It would be fantastic to see Phuket ocean safety courses offered on the island—and perhaps bring in some industry professionals from Hawaii, California or Australia as trainers and mentors for citizens, surfers, and lifeguards alike. Mobilize our Phuket surfers—they are unconsciously and instinctively filling the gap in Phuket ocean safety. Provide videos on arriving flights throughout the monsoon season which discuss the nature of the surf conditions and associated currents. This has been done with marked success for many years in Hawaii. Statistics can be gathered regarding ‘who, how, what, where, when and why’ the drowning and rescues are occurring, alongside related wind, wave, and weather data (this is standard operating procedure in California, Hawaii, and Australia). As the tourism industry pushes to annualize visitation to the island—and draw tourists to our beaches during the monsoon season—the issue of drowning and Phuket ocean safety will indubitably increase. In actuality, we must recognize that the monsoon season is indeed, the “surf season”.
.
. . .
Have you ever assiste d or rescue d someone at a surf beach in Phuket? Please send us your story! Drop us an email with your details of your experience. Include the date/time/tide and wave info when it happene d.
thaisurfrider.com
10
LETTERS
Surfrider Thailand 043
Trashed
I am staying in Phuket right now and am so sad about the garbage that is in the ocean and on the beaches. How can I help? I spend a lot of time in Tamarindo Costa Rica and the local surfrider organization provides funds for daily cleanup and for garbage cans around the areas. Any ideas who I can get in contact with to help with that? I will be living in Thailand for the next two years and am hopeful to visit Phuket often. I understand money is sometimes the answer, however, that isn’t always available.
Toni B., Bangkok
We hear you Toni! Beach cleanups and the like have been organized in Phuket for years with varying results and little consistency, though lately the issue seems to be getting more attention. Check out the beach cleanups scheduled for the Rip Curl Grom Series in the News and Events section of this issue - Ed
The Time is Now
Cross Training
TSM in Bangkok?
Hello, I’m a Thai student living in San Diego. I’ve been surfing here for a year and a half. I’m looking forward to go back to surf in Thailand but I have no idea when swells gonna hit Phuket. I mean when is the best time to go surfing in Thailand? I also wanna join Phuket surf club as well.
Hey guys, I am really enjoying your “Yoga for Surfing” series. Even though I don’t surf (in fact, I can’t even swim) I have been using these techniques for “other” activities with my girlfriends. I especially like the “Downward Dog” posture. Looking forward to the next position!
What about getting copy of the magazine here in Bkk?
Wasu, San Diego, California
Merv P., Patong
Well, Wasu, better get over here as soon as you can. It’ll all be gone again in a few months . . . - Ed
Dave R., Bangkok
You should be able to pick up a copy at any Quiksilver Store in Thailand, including the one at Siam Center in Pathum Wan - Ed
Send your letters, questions, praise, and criticism to letters@thaisurfrider.com or join us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/thaisurfrider Some letters may be edited for length and clarity.
044Surfrider 44 SurfriderThailand Thailand
09
SURF REPORT
thaisurfrider.com
PHANG NGA
Surf Report Words and photos by SiamSurfdogs.
April After four virtually flat months, the first swell of the season arrived at the end of March with glassy waist to chest high waves on the reefs. April saw back to back small groundswells accompanied by light north easterly winds, making for the best run of surf we’ve had thus far with fifteen consecutive days of rideable waves. Wise to the swell, some of the local characters from Nai Harn and Phuket travelled up to catch a few of the good days. The latter half of April through to the first half of May was undoubtedly the best time to see the local reefs working, particularly the long right in front of Pakarang’s tsunami tower which doesn’t mind a bit of north in the wind.
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand045 45
thaisurfrider.com
May Small clean swells with light favourable winds continued through early May. We organised a boat trip out to Khao Na Yak reef and were lucky enough to score good waves with light offshores. It was also good to see a few of the Bangkok crew and our friends from Amara Watersports in Pattaya visiting Khao Lak. Many fun waves were had with one of the better sessions being an outstanding day at Taptuan reef. Most of Khao Lak’s beach tbreaks were still closing out by mid May butwe did enjoy several good morning sessions at Khok Kloy where the piers seem to hold the sandbars.
Ju ne There were noticeable changes in the weather patterns during June with much stronger winds and heavier rain. As the monsoon broke the rains finally blew out all the rivermouths and the beaches started to show better shaped waves. In general the wave and swell quality during June wasn’t so good as the groundswells came from a too southerly direction missing Phang Nga altogether whereas spots further north in Ranong were showing. Nang Thong beach saw a bit of action when the windswell picked up as did other more sheltered spots during attempts to escape the cursed wind.
July The beginning of July was rather disappointing with very mild weather for the season but not much in terms of swell. The big mid month tides definitely helped maximise what little swell there was and small clean surf could be found at Khuek Khak as the tide pushed in over the rivermouths. The best session in July wasn’t because of particularly great waves, rather we were fortunate enough to share the stoke with a pod of dolphins, a first for us in Thailand.
46 046Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand
10
CLASSIFIED ADS
New Ocean and Earth Tailpads
Anthony Walsh Pro Model - 1,400 THB, Mick Campbell Pro Model - 1,400 THB, Flatrock Tailpads - 1,120 THB (black and white color). Call Mr. Joob at 081-956-5854 or Email:
joob@phuketboardriders.com
thaisurfrider.com
Kitesurfing School
Kitethailand is located in beautiful Chumpon province on the east coastof Thailand and offers kitesurfing lessons and kitesurfing equipment for sale. We are the longest running kitesurfing school in Thailand, since 1999. Call us at 081 090 3730 or visit www.kitethailand.com
Surfboard for sale
Shortboard IPS handsaped brand 6’3� squart tail very good condition
price 8,000THB call: 081-9565854 email: cyberjoob@gmail.com
Classified ads in Thailand Surfrider are
Free for the next issue! Submit your ad by email to classifieds@thaisurfrider.com
Note: 200 Characters max, some ads may be edited for clarity, surfing and ocean sports related ads only!
Surfrider Thailand 047
thaisurfrider.com
www.siamsurfdogs.
Surf Learn To
Khao Lak • Phang Nga • Thailand
SURFING LESSONS PADDLESURFING LESSONS SUP LESSONS BOARD RENTAL SURF BIKE RENTAL
Tel. 081 945 7788 •
Surf Thailand
www.siamsurfdogs.com • info@siamsurfdogs.com
048Surfrider 48 SurfriderThailand Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
11
SURF DIRECTORY
Surf Shops Indian Pacific Surfshop Details : Custom hand-shaped surfboards made to order, surf hardware, clothing Address : 371/41 Yaowarat Road, Talad Yai, Meuang, Phuket 83000 M: 081-9565854 Fax: 076-255268 Web : www.indianpacificsurf.com email : info@indianpacificsurf.com
Naulitus Surf Shop Details : Surfboards, surf hardware, clothing Address : Located at the South end of Kata Beach M : 089-8749147 Web : www.phuketsurfing.com
Salt Water Dreaming Surf Shop Details : Surfboards, surf hardware, clothing Address : 108/3 moo 3, Cherngthalay, Phuket 83110 Tel : +66 76 271050 Fax: +66 76 325629 Web : www.saltwater-dreaming.com
Cobra Phuket Details : Surfboards, surf hardware Address : 1/11-12 Chaofa Road, Chalong Bay, Phuket 83130 M : 081-3967531 Tel & Fax : 076-381 065 email : cobrapkt@loxinfo.co.th
Surfboard Rentals / Surfing Lessons Andaman Sea Surf Details : Surfboard rentals, surfing lessons Location : On Patong Beach just North of Phuket Graceland Resort Contact : 089-9732161, 083-5228523, 081-0775003 Web : www.andamanseasurf.com email : daysurfer@gmail.com
Phuket Surf Details : Surfboard rentals, surfing lessons Location : South end of Kata Beach Contact : 087-8897308, 081-6110791 Web : www.phuketsurf.com email : info@phuketsurf.com
Naulitus Surf Shop Details : Surfboard rentals, surfing lessons Location : South end of Kata Beach M : 089-8749147 Web : www.phuketsurfing.com
Tokonatsuya Details : Surfing lessons, Japanese language Location : Kata Beach Address : 40 Patak Rd., Patak Soi 2, Karon, Phuket 83100 Tel / Fax : (66)076-284-176 M : +66 087-282-3724 Web : www.tokonatsuya.com
Mae Ramphung Beach Surf Shop Contact : GREG M : 083-3050107 email : gre_g_2000@yahoo.com
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand049 49
thaisurfrider.com
Kite Surfing / Wind Surfing Kite Thailand Details : Kitesurfing Lessons Location : Huahin, Phuket, Chumphon M : 081-0903730, 089-9701797 Web : www.kitethailand.com
Club Loong Chat Details : Kitesurfing Lessons / Windsurfing Lessons Location : Pattaya M : 081-3402180 Web : www.clubloongchat.com
ONE2KITE Details : Kitesurf School and Shop Location : Hua Hin: Soi 83, Koh Pha Ngan Ban Tai, Phuket M : 085-5559700 Web : www.one2kite.com
Surfing Organizations / Contests Phuket Boardriders Club Address : 371/41 Yaowarat Road, Talad Yai, Meuang, Phuket 83000 Contact : Khun Joob M : 081-9565854 Fax: 076-255268 Web : www.phuketboardriders.com email : joob@phuketboardriders.com
Government Offices Phuket Tourist Police Address : 100/31-32 Bypass Rd., T. Rasada, A. Muang, Phuket 83000 Tel : 1155
Tourism Authority of Thailand Phuket Office Address : 191 Thalang Road, Tambon Thaladyai, Amphoe Mueang, Phuket 83000 Tel : 0 7621 1036, 0 7621 7138, 0 7621 2213 Fax : 0 7621 3582 Web : www.tourismthailand.org/phuket email : tatphket@tat.or.th
050Surfrider 50 SurfriderThailand Thailand
12
SURFING BEACHES OF PHUKET
By : S.A. Martin (2010) Prince of Songkla University
thaisurfrider.com
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand051 51
thaisurfrider.com
13
SURF DOKU
ku o d u S zzles Pu
Surf Jokes
4 guys are discussing how they get their wives to let them surf every Sunday morning. The first says “Every Saturday night I take my wife out to an expensive dinner”. The second says “Every Saturday I clean the house for my wife”. The third says “Every Saturday I let my wife go shopping and she can buy whatever she wants.” The fourth guy looks at the other three and just shakes his head. “You guys got it all wrong.” On Sunday morning I get up at 5:00am, shake my wife and say surfing or sex? A couple of surfers had just finished surfing at their special permit only break. All of a sudden the life guard truck appears. Immediately, one of the boys threw his board down and started running through the beach like a bat out of hell, and hot on his heels came the life guard. After about a half mile the young man stopped and stooped over with his hands on his thighs to catch his breath and the guard finally caught up to him. “Let’s see yer surfing license, Boy!!” the guard gasped. With that, the surfer pulled out his waterproof wallet and gave the life guard a valid surfing license. “Well, son,” said the Game Warden, “you must be about as dumb as a lobster! You don’t have to run from me if you have a valid license!” “Yes, sir,” replied the young surfer, “But my friend back there, well, he doesn’t have one...”
SURF DOKU / SURF JOKEs / SURF PHOTO HUNt sponsored BY
SURF Photo Hunt
Two surfers are at getting ready to paddle out: Surfer one: “Hey, guess what! I got a new longboard for my wife!” Surfer two: “Great trade!!!!”
052Surfrider 52 SurfriderThailanad Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Phuket Tide Tables at Koh Taphao Noi (Phuket)
Predicted heights of water in meters above lowest low water
August
Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy
Surfrider SurfriderThailand Thailand053 53
thaisurfrider.com
September
Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy
October
Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy
054 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com
Pic: Morris
BLAKE WILSON BILLY KEAN SAM LENDRUM MATT POUL oceanearth.com
Pic: Morris
thaisurfrider.com 055 Surfrider Thailanad
thaisurfrider.com Surfrider Thailand 055
Phuket Tide Tables 2010 at Koh Taphao Noi (Phuket)
Predicted heights of water in meters above lowest low water
July 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Pic: Morris
Source: Hydrographic Department, Royal Thai Navy
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
2.7 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 2.0 2.4 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9 3.0 3.0 2.8
2.9 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.2 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.7 2.9 3.0 3.0
2.8 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.7 3.0 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9
2.5 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.2 1.9 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.4 1.7 2.2 2.6 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6
2.1 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.4 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.6 2.0 2.4 2.7 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.2
1.7 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.5 1.9 2.3 2.6 2.7 2.7 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7
1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.5 2.1 1.7 1.3 1.0 0.9 1.1 1.4 1.81 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.3
1.3 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.6 2.2 1.8 1.3 1.1 1.0 1.1 .4 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.6 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.2 1.1 1.2
1.4 1.4 1.5 1.7 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.8 2.9 2.9 2.7 2.4 1.9 1.5 1.2 1.1 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.5 1.4 1.3
9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.8 2.0 2.3 2.6 2.9 3.1 3.1 2.9 2.6 2.1 1.6 1.4 1.3 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.3 2.7 2.9 3.0 2.9 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.0 1.8 1.6
2.2 2.0 1.8 1.7 1.7 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.8 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.3 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.5 1.7 2.1 2.5 2.8 3.0 3.1 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.3 2.1
2.6 3.0 3.1 2.4 2.7 3.0 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.0 2.3 2.5 1.8 2.0 2.2 1.8 1.8 2.0 1.9 1.7 1.7 2.1 1.8 1.6 2.5 2.1 1.7 2.9 2.5 2.0 3.2 2.9 2.4 3.5 3.3 2.8 3.5 3.5 3.2 3.3 3.6 3.5 2.9 3.3 3.5 2.4 2.9 3.3 2.0 2.5 2.9 1.7 2.1 2.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.8 1.7 1.6 2.2 1.9 1.6 2.5 2.2 1.8 2.8 2.5 2.1 3.1 2.8 2.4 3.2 3.0 2.6 3.2 3.2 2.9 3.2 3.3 3.1 3.0 3.2 3.1 2.8 3.1 3.1 2.5 2.9 3.0
3.0 3.0 2.9 2.7 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.4 1.5 1.8 2.2 2.7 3.1 3.3 3.3 3.1 2.7 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.5 1.5 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.6 2.8 2.9 2.9
2.7 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.5 2.3 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.2 1.3 1.6 2.0 2.5 2.9 3.1 3.0 2.8 2.5 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.3 1.4 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6
2.3 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.4 1.1 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.8 2.2 2.6 2.8 2.7 2.6 2.3 1.9 1.6 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.3 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.2
1.8 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.7 1.3 0.9 0.8 0.8 1.1 1.5 2.0 2.3 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.4 1.7
1.4 1.6 1.8 2.1 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.0 1.6 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.4 1.8 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.8 1.5 1.3 1.1 0.9 0.9 0.9 1.1 1.3
1.2 1.3 1.5 1.7 2.0 2.2 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.7 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.7 1.0 1.3 1.7 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.7 1.4 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1
1.2 1.2 1.4 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.5 2.6 2.5 2.2 1.8 1.3 1.0 0.8 0.8 1.1 1.4 1.8 2.1 2.3 2.4 2.4 2.3 2.1 1.9 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.1 1.1
1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.4 2.0 1.5 1.2 1.0 1.0 1.3 1.6 1.9 2.2 2.5 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.4 2.2 1.9 1.7 1.5 1.4
1.8 2.2 1.7 2.0 1.6 1.9 1.5 1.7 1.6 1.6 1.7 1.6 2.0 1.8 2.3 2.0 2.6 2.4 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.9 2.8 3.1 2.6 3.0 2.1 2.7 1.7 2.3 1.4 2.0 1.3 1.7 1.3 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.7 1.6 2.1 1.9 2.4 2.2 2.6 2.4 2.7 2.6 2.8 2.8 2.7 2.9 2.6 2.9 2.4 2.8 2.2 2.7 2.0 2.5 1.8 2.3 Tee: Revolution. Boardshorts: Attack Free-Flex, Check Ya Self.
056 Surfrider Thailand
thaisurfrider.com