Nic von Rupp shows off his latest injury at the hands of Indonesian wildlife. Photo: Nic von Rupp//YouTube
Nic von Rupp charges some of the biggest waves in the world, why should he be scared of a bug bite? That seemed to be the YouTuber’s ethos on a recent trip to Desert Point, where he didn’t let a run-in with local wildlife get in the way of a jaw-dropping session at the Indonesian break.
The bite in question was most likely from a tomcat, according to von Rupp. Despite its cute name, the small Indonesian insect, also known as a rove beetle, is no joke. The critter produces a toxin more potent than a cobra’s venom, that can cause a blistering rash just by touching you. It can also leave some gnarly-looking scars if you’re unlucky.
None of this seemed to perturb von Rupp, though. As his eye slowly closed up from the insect toxin coursing through his veins, Nic jokingly showed off his “luxurious” accommodations in Lombok. This included a “hydro massage shower” (a piece of PVC Pipe), toilet with the “latest flushing system” (a bucket of water and ladle) and “vintage” air conditioner (a floor fan). “But everything is worth it,” he explained. “Check out this view.”
It was, in fact, beautiful. More importantly, the waves were also firing. In the face of all that natural beauty and aquatic perfection, von Rupp put off a hospital visit for just long enough to get out in the water and do what he does best.
Now that he’s back, though, he should probably get that eye checked out.
