Surfing Life — Issue 337 2017

Super fun waves, options in
all swell directions, gin-clear
water, low crowds and ‘in
season’ all year-round. So why
the hell are people bypassing a
trip to the Telos?
“Telos has a bit of a reputation
for cashed-up kooks,” says Surfing
Life senior photographer Andrew
Shield.
“It’s a lot of money. Even the
cheaper budget camps are pretty
expensive.”
Shieldsy’s not wrong; a week-
long stay at some of the more
popular surf camps on the islands
can fetch upwards of $8000, and
that can be a hard sell when you

can get yourself the same amount

of time on a boat in the Ments for

less than half the price. But hey, this

is Indo we’re talking about. Surely

there is a cheaper option?

“You definitely can do it on

the other end of the spectrum,”

Shieldsy said.

“There are homestays you can

stay at for backpacker prices. But

you will be getting around to the

breaks on a wooden canoe with a

whipper-snipper on the back, and

your food will mostly consist of

just rice.

“Also, the cost of the charter

flight can put people off. But going

the other option can be a little

difficult. You’ll have to fly to Nias,

drive for two-and-a-half hours,

then get on a ferry for six hours to

reach Telo.”

But if you do have the coin to

splash, or are willing to endure the

travel mission, you will be rewarded

for your efforts, with some of the

best small- to medium-sized wave

setups in Indonesia.

“That’s definitely the attraction.

It doesn’t get as much swell as

somewhere like the Ments, it’s

normally a foot or two smaller,”

adds Shieldsy.

“But it is a lot less crowded,

and when it’s small you have got

at least four or five good spots to

go to. In the Ments, all you have is

Burgerworld.”

Another bonus is you don’t have

to rely on seasons like other areas

in Indonesia, with spots that work

well with the west swells during

monsoon season. This means that

you can book your trip during the

Christmas break, and not feel like

you’re getting skunked.

“If you are a big-wave charger

then you’d be better looking

somewhere else,” says Shieldsy.

“But if you know your

limitations, you’re going to have a

lot more fun than overextending

yourself at somewhere that gets

bigger swells.”

The Telo Islands

Indonesia

It’s not Greenbush life and death lefts.

But shit a brick, it looks like fun.

PHOTO: SHIELD

Top to bottom and grinding. While it’s not a big

wave destination, the old girl still has her days.

PHOTO: SHIELD