What is it with surf tour companies? I've been surfing for 50 years, now using a SUP ( Sunova Magic 9'3" and loving it). I'm not a wave hog, not a kook and show respect to all other water users. However, now that I'm at the stage of life where I can afford the time and cost of enjoying some uncrowded waves in an exotic location I find that there is obviously too much business out there for anyone to bother catering for SUPs! I contacted World Surfaris about a place in Java and got an immediate response but when I gave details of my age and the fact I was a SUP rider and could they also give details of Hudhuranfushi in the Maldives, they went cold! not replying in the last fortnight. So I contacted the Surf Travel Company about SUP in Lombok, who asked for details of preferred travel dates, which I gave immediately. I haven't heard back from them for a week.
Yesterday I decided I'd take matters into my own hands and within two hours had booked flights and accommodation for an Indo trip for my wife and I for less than half the cost of the trips organised by the companies.
Now I don't object to paying the prices they ask because often you get a lot of extras and local knowledge that I'll miss out on this trip. I'll probably experience a few hassles and probably go to a few of the wrong places but f#~k me, if businesses are too busy to answer me or have a problem with SUPs then what else can you do?
Few years back, I emailed world safaris, enquiring about the Maldives, told them I wanted to take my SUP as well as my shortboard, got a email back saying they had a 'no SUP policy '. Far as I'm concerned World Safaris will never get my business. Stuff em!!, they'll just get left behind in the growing sport of Sup. Still alot of narrow minded fools out there!!!
We did an awesome surf tour in Taiwan last winter with Terry from Surf Shack Surf tours. Totally cool with the sups. Had a big van that they fitted inside of & he took us to some great places! Booked our own flights but once we were there everything else was taken care of: airport transfers, accom, daily travel to surf spots etc. All organised via email across the globe! www.facebook.com/pages/Surf-Shack-Surf-Tours-Surf-Lessons/324881674345994?fref=ts
Thanks JB Mel. Will definitely consider Taiwan next trip! Just can't believe that I had $7000 earmarked for a surf trip yet no-one seemed interested in taking it from me! Obviously they're making too much money.
Hi Vandals - Im heading to hudhuranfushi in June , Booked with TSTC . I didn't stipulate l was bringing my sup , and probably wont take it , as they wont transport it to the other breaks in the area .I think you can still surf SUP at lohis , haven't seen anything saying you cant . Anyway it will get me prone surfing again which lm looking forward to . Just need a board with some more volume .
I have a trip planned to the Maldives in July with "The perfect wave" and they seem OK with the fact that I will take a SUP. But we have a group of seven chartering a pretty good boat so maybe that was enough to overcome their SUP issues. (Everyone else will be "prone surfing", but two of them may come over to the dark side by then.)
And just in the last week I have been talking to Tropicsurf about Maalifushi (Southern atolls of Maldives) and they don't seem to be fussed about the SUP - except that they have a 20 kg baggage weight limit and an 8' board limit for that location because of the air taxi - my board is 8'8"...
