Northern Sumatra is responsible for this moment. Photo: Chris Immler
Going on a surf trip isn’t always what you expect. After planning a trip for months, spending all that time obsessing over which waves you’re going to surf, finding photos of them on days when everything lines up just right, and generally frothing as hard as you possibly can, the let down can be crippling when a few certain things just don’t pan out: The ocean goes flat: crippling. The crowds are immense: crippling. Or, worst of all, the waves are pumping… but not where you are, and you have no way of getting to them. But there is one place, at least, where none of these things apply.
The Aura Surf Resort in Northern Sumatra has all the bases covered. If you know surfing, you know that Sumatra has way more than a handful of world-class waves. And the greatest thing? Waves. All. Year. Around.
Because of a deep-water trench just off the coast, and numerous hidden coves that suck up nearly every direction of swell, the slightest bump on the horizon jacks up what would be small sized swell events into an astounding array of what can only be described as perfection. Add the longest fetch in the entire Sumatran archipelago, and you’ve got the recipe for a surf trip that will define every other surf trip you’ll ever take. Here are five reasons why Aura Surf Resort should be the destination for you next surf trip.
Being alone doesn’t always mean you’re lonely. Photo: Chris Immler
1. It’s remote.
Let’s face it: surfing’s popularity has exploded. Anywhere with amazing waves and easy access is going to be jam-packed. And while a few extra faces in the lineup never hurt anyone, 100 extra faces sure can be ugly to look at. But crowds are the only reason why remoteness is something you should make a priority on a surf trip. The simple act of getting away from it all can only really be done in a place that’s, well… away from it all.
This is not a seasonal thing. Photo: Chris Immler
2. Consistent surf, all year long.
Getting skunked on a trip you’ve been looking forward to can be devastating. Instead of spending your days staring out of a barrel, you spend them staring wistfully out to sea, willing whatever surf god you pray to please, please deliver. Because of that deep-water trench that stands in the way of nearly sixty miles of pristine coastline, swells get funneled in, packing all that power that would normally be spread out into a much smaller area. And with a coastline that wraps in and out, points and reefs strewn haphazardly in all directions, swell direction won’t concern you much. Chances are, there is a wave close by.
Don’t feel like making a trek? Yeah, that won’t be much of a problem. Photo: Chris Immler
3. There’s a world class A-Frame right on your doorstep.
The Peak, as it’s known, is literally steps away from Aura Surf Resort’s doorsteps. From bed to board in just a few short minutes, so you can wake up, have a look, and be out there. After all, you’re on a surf trip. You should spend as much time surfing as you possibly can. The Peak is also one of the most consistent waves in all of Sumatra, so even if the waves are pumping somewhere else, if you’re just feeling like being a homebody, you can still find yourself on one of the best waves you’ve ever ridden.
There are worse places to have a beer break. Photo: Chris Immler
4. The Bungalows.
Even if the waves are perfect, sleeping in the dirt and fighting off monkeys all night long can ruin a surf trip. Dengue fever and permanently soggy, horribly infected reef rash isn’t the best motivation to paddle out. But sitting right at the edge of 15,000 square miles, the Aura Surf Resort consists of three main bungalows, each made from local materials. Clean, comfortable, basic rooms that keep the rain off your head and give you comfortable place to rest your surf-weary head, without all the unnecessary glitz and glamour.
If you (somehow) find yourself to surf-weary to paddle out, the resort is fully equipped with modern luxuries including bar, dining areas, cable TV, games room including pool table, table tennis, mini golf, tree house looking onto the Peak. There’s also a main building, which is a kitchen and a dining area. And of course, the food is incredible: a buffet style mix of western and local dishes, meat, seafood, and fresh juices.
See that tube? You need a boat to get inside it. Photo: Chris Immler
5. They’ll get you where you need to be.
Remember that time you heard that a certain wave was putting on a show that you desperately needed to see, but you couldn’t get there? The thing about surfing is that a lot of the time, you need a boat to get ridiculously shacked. Aura Surf Resort has a the boats you need to get you to where the best waves are at any given moment.
There are three surf boats, the Ombak Bagus (Good Waves), the Ombak Besar (Large Waves), and the Ombak Cepat (Fast Waves). The Bagus is a 27-foot speed boat that carries up to 10 surfers, and of course, it comes equipped with fishing rod holders when your shoulders need a rest. The Besar is a 27-foot traditional wooden outrigger, ramped up with a 25 horsepower motor. If you’re feeling like finding waves in an old-school fashion, the Besar is perfect. The Cepat is a smaller rigid hull zodiac, which can be launched and landed off and on the beach. Since it’s basically flat-bottomed, the Cepat is perfect for getting in close to the impact zone–and catching you on camera catching the best wave of your life.
