The Job of a Lifetime in the Mentawais

Photographer, Founder of Hungry Walrus

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$This shot was taken directly in front of Kandui Villas, at a wave called NoKandui, or as the island manager Zach Keenan like to call it - YesKandui! The wave is a shallow series of slabs that offers some of the most adrenaline packed rides in the area. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

This shot was taken directly in front of Kandui Villas, at a wave called NoKandui, or as the island manager Zach Keenan like to call it - YesKandui! The wave is a shallow series of slabs that offers some of the most adrenaline packed rides in the area. Photo: John Maher

$I took this shot early in the morning, just after a thick storm passed over us and switched the wind perfectly offshore. Hard to tell in the photo, but you could stand tall in that drainer. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

I took this shot early in the morning, just after a thick storm passed over us and switched the wind perfectly offshore. Hard to tell in the photo, but you could stand tall in that drainer. Photo: John Maher

$Light radiates in the Mentawai\'s, even on the cloudy days. The region is a surfing photo studio. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

Light radiates in the Mentawai's, even on the cloudy days. The region is a surfing photo studio. Photo: John Maher

$Talking story in the lineup.. not a bad place to catch up with old friends. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

Talking story in the lineup.. not a bad place to catch up with old friends. Photo: John Maher

$Here\'s another view of Kandui. The vision that drives surfers\' lives. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

Here's another view of Kandui. The vision that drives surfers' lives. Photo: John Maher

$Pretty incredible that you can still find perfect warm waves in empty lineups these days. Kandui doing its thing. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

Pretty incredible that you can still find perfect warm waves in empty lineups these days. Kandui doing its thing. Photo: John Maher

$This surfer showed up on a boat with his own water photographer, who he was pulling in for. I didn\'t want to get in their way, so I took the underwater approach. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

This surfer showed up on a boat with his own water photographer, who he was pulling in for. I didn't want to get in their way, so I took the underwater approach. Photo: John Maher

$The Kandui region of the Mentawais is one of the most consistent areas I\'ve ever been. There are always fun waves a short boat ride away, but if you feel like just kicking back on the beach, it\'s absolute paradise. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

The Kandui region of the Mentawais is one of the most consistent areas I've ever been. There are always fun waves a short boat ride away, but if you feel like just kicking back on the beach, it's absolute paradise. Photo: John Maher

$The paddle back out to the takeoff spot can be just as exciting as riding the waves. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

The paddle back out to the takeoff spot can be just as exciting as riding the waves. Photo: John Maher

$I took this shot of one of the guests as he was getting barreled. Quad-fins work great in the fast, hollow waves in the area. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

I took this shot of one of the guests as he was getting barreled. Quad-fins work great in the fast, hollow waves in the area. Photo: John Maher

$Here is another shot that Bruno Smith took of me at a friendly wave called Hideaways. Everyone seems to love this forgiving left-hander. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

Here is another shot that Bruno Smith took of me at a friendly wave called Hideaways. Everyone seems to love this forgiving left-hander. Photo: John Maher

$If you\'d rather chill by the pool rather than in the sand, that is an option too. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

If you'd rather chill by the pool rather than in the sand, that is an option too. Photo: John Maher

$If you feel like packing some bigger waves of consequence, a short motor over to Bank Vaults is always a good option. Bruno Smith took this photo of me surfing with just one other guy out - Jordan, the owner of the Villas. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

If you feel like packing some bigger waves of consequence, a short motor over to Bank Vaults is always a good option. Bruno Smith took this photo of me surfing with just one other guy out - Jordan, the owner of the Villas. Photo: John Maher

$As you can see, I prefer shooting unridden waves. I try to take shots that people would like to display in their homes. This image could easily be taken from a boat, but it was actually taken with a wide angle lens in the water. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

As you can see, I prefer shooting unridden waves. I try to take shots that people would like to display in their homes. This image could easily be taken from a boat, but it was actually taken with a wide angle lens in the water. Photo: John Maher

$This is actually a shot of me taken by Bruno Smith, Kandui Villas professional photographer. It\'s pretty cool that the Kandui guests have the opportunity to take home such high-quality photos of their trip. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

This is actually a shot of me taken by Bruno Smith, Kandui Villas professional photographer. It's pretty cool that the Kandui guests have the opportunity to take home such high-quality photos of their trip. Photo: John Maher

$A couple of Rainbow Runners followed me around for hours. This species can grow to become some of the toughest fish in the sea. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

A couple of Rainbow Runners followed me around for hours. This species can grow to become some of the toughest fish in the sea. Photo: John Maher

$If you\'re interested in a great surf trip with or without the family, I highly recommend checking out Kandui Villas. Place is mental. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

If you're interested in a great surf trip with or without the family, I highly recommend checking out Kandui Villas. Place is mental. Photo: John Maher

$I took this photo in front of my room at Kandui Villas. The island is great for surfers and non-surfers alike. Photo: <a href=\"http://www.hungrywalrus.com/\" target=_blank>John Maher</a>$

I took this photo in front of my room at Kandui Villas. The island is great for surfers and non-surfers alike. Photo: John Maher

I recently had the opportunity to work as a medic and surf guide at Kandui Villas in the Mentawai islands, Indonesia. My primary responsibility was to ensure resort guests receive professional medical care for any illness or injury that may occur in or out of the water. Along with working as an EMT, I had the pleasure of guiding guests to the premier surf in the area and calling them into the best waves of their lives.

It was great to have enough time in between sessions to take out my camera and capture the beauty that is the Mentawai Islands. The following photos illustrate the perks and payment I received in exchange for my medic and guide service.

For more photos and surf entertainment, feel free to visit my website at www.HungryWalrus.com or on Instagram: @HungryWalrus_

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