Tara Ryan

Tara’s Travel Files

On first impressions Tara Ryan comes across as a slightly shy surfer chick. However, scratch beneath the surface and you will find a woman of many talents. Born in 1988 and surfing since 1993, Tara has become not only an accomplished surfer, but also an accomplished surf traveller, TV presenter, model and coach. Tara is presently sponsored by O’Neill and Line Up Surf Boards and works full time at the Quiksilver NSW office.

Tara learned to surf in Samoa, when she was just five years old and won her first contest at the tender age of seven. She went on to become the youngest surfer in history to win an open surfing series at the age of 8! It was then that she signed on with Quiksilver whom she stayed with for eight years. Tara’s career highlights and achievements read like a novel. She has featured in movies, played live with Jameriquie and won more than her fair share of major surf events. In 2006 Tara took a different approach to competitive surfing and decided to focus only on the Pro Junior Series. This meant Tara spent less time competing giving her more time to focus on surfing and training at home, travelling and taking part in photo shoots to improve her profile.

Tara’s many media and promotional activities include playing a major part in the 2006 surf film, Firestorm and acting as a surf double and actor in the TV series “Blue Water High”. Tara also has a chapter written about her in the book, “The Journey of a Princess” and surfed and acted in an Australian “Blue Crush” style movie called, “Suburban Boys” in 2005. Tara’s latest endeavour is with the new Fox TV show, Surf827, which she hosts. This goes to air early 2008.

Tara comes from a family that loves to travel so she has been fortunate enough to surf in many different countries. Tara has visited Hawaii almost every year since she was ten and has been to California, Indonesia, Singapore, NZ, the Maldives, Mexico and Japan as well as travelling extensively around Australia.

In this issue Tara shares with us her experiences of travelling to the Mentawaii’s where she joined the legendary Young Family. We look forward to bringing you more from Tara’s travel files in future issues.

MENTAWAII’S WITH THE YOUNG ONES

Travel! The word alone conjures up adventure and excitement. Add an exotic overseas destination like the Mentawaii’s, one of your best friends, surfboards and legendary two times world surfing Champion, Nat Young as your host to one the worlds best surfing destinations, and you truly have a dream come true. To be honest, for this travel junky when my dad phoned me to tell me that Bic surfboards asked me to do this all expenses paid trip to shoot there new catalogue I really thought my dad was kidding, he wasn’t! A dream since I was 8 was about to be for filled. If there are any tips I can give you…..Dare to dream.

The trip to the Mentawaii’s wasn’t as simple, as I had expected. An 8-hour flight from Sydney to Singapore, a 7 hour stop, then a small flight to a part of Indonesia where we got off the plane just to pay a tax. Followed by another flight to Sumatra. By this time I had gotten to know Nava, Bryce, Nat Young and Sam Watson very well. Jet lag had hit us hard by this time, although to me all the travelling wasn’t so bad, because I knew that I was going to a destination that was out of reach for the average person.

Later that night we found ourselves boarding a boat in complete darkness. We could feel the warm tropical breeze already and we were so excited for what we had ahead of us. Early that morning we heard the engines start on our boat, and our boat rocking and moving quite fearlessly. The 10-hour open sea crossing was just beginning…

When we reached the Mentawaii Islands, we all raced out of our cabin to have our first view! To our amazement we thought that we were dropped into a post card! Hundreds of little islands scattered over torques tropical water. Each island contains palm trees, coconuts and white sandy beaches. The best thing of all is that we knew that there were hundreds of amazing surfing spots that we can surf, including the all time Macaronies, Lances Rights and Hollow Trees! We spent the first afternoon surfing Burger worlds, a right hand wave with a picturesque backdrop. We surfed this 3-4 foot wave all the way into the early evening. Immersed by the Mentawais heat and warm tropical water, with perfect waves, we didn’t think life could get any better.

Day after day we woke up early and surfed sun up to sun down. We were surfing the array of boards we had packed and found that some days we would grab our fast short board to get barrels and to make the sections, while other breaks we would take out a long board and just flirt and play with the waves. Every surf session we had it was only Nat, Nava, Bryce, Sam and myself out. Not only were we encouraging each other to catch bigger, deep, waves but also the atmosphere in the water was always fun, exhilarating and positive!

One lunchtime we went to a remote tropical island, with sandy beaches, tall green palm trees, coconuts on the beach and a small local village. I had to pinch myself because the island was so surreal and beautiful. We relaxed on the beach and then ventured in to the local village., where we met some amazing people that put a spark into our hearts. It was an eye opener to see how many people suffered from Malaria, and the medication, which they are in need for. It made us realise how lucky we were are! The people were humble and lived a simple life.

Towards the end of the trip the weather was amazing and we started to find our selves hiding from the sun and heat! Everyone was surfing well and challenging each other. It was so amazing to be in paradise, no one around but my friends and perfect waves. Every day was an adventure for all of us, new surf, new locations and new opportunities to get better photos. The evenings were filled with stories of the day we had, amazing food and bintangs while we would sit on our boat and watch the sunset over the pristine water.

On the last afternoon we all enjoyed late afternoon surf at Lances Rights. Every time I paddled back out from catching a wave I would see Nat standing in a tube, with his hands out and the biggest smile on his face! There were so many kids paddling on all types of surf crafts, sitting in the channel watching us and some even challenging us. It was such a highlight to surf with kids that the only communication we could have with them were smiles. We all got back on the plane to travel home, sunburnt, cut, scared, dinged boards, worn out boardshorts, dirty clothes, jet lagged but with the biggest smiles on our face and with memories in our minds that we will last a lifetime!

Tips/ Advice

If you are planning or considering going to the Mentawaii’s remember the distance. Even though there are waves to suit many levels of surfers it is important to remember that is it a fairly core destination. The mentawaii’s is very isolated from the rest of the world, and there is limited medical assistance. Malaria is rampant and despite the friendly culture and people there are still cultural differences that can be challenging. Never the less there is an amazing pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for those who come.

Line Up Surf Travel can assist you if you need any more information.

Tips:

1. Pack a minimum of two surfboards, even a bigger board if possible.
2. Talk to your doctor before you leave regarding Malaria, as it is a big issue.
3. Mentawaii’s is a difficult place to get to, which does involve a 10-hour crossing from Sumatra.
4. Most of the waves are reef that cater for good to elite surfers.
5. Don’t forget to take your booties, rashies, hat, sun block and Bikini’s
6. Be prepared to get some of the best waves you have ever had along with a glowing tan
   

TARA’S MENTAWAII”S HIGHLIGHTS

• Surfing in warm tropical water in a bikini
• Surfing waves that advanced my surfing
• Visiting the local village and experiencing a different culture
• Sitting on the boat in the afternoon watching the amazing sunsets
• Getting tips from all time surfing legend, Nat Young
• Surfing solid Macaronies