Wannasurfers

Trip: Palau

Written by waterman_75

Saturday January 5 2008 05:17:36 PM

Date: from Jan 15, 2008 to Mar 3, 2008

Surf trip description:

Heading out to Koror Palau and hitting up Bill Ridpath for a couple of boat trips to Palaus western reefs. It is bigger in the fall on the east shore, but the west is ok this time of year. I will post pictures if I can get a photographer friend to join me.

So there I was surfing some of the fastest cleanest outer reef breaks that I have ever seen. For a place that is not on any surf map or guide book the surf in Palau is the best kept secret in the Pacific. There are outer reefs that take the power of the Philipean Sea or the Pacific Ocean from 100m walls to 2-3m deep on the reef resulting in solid lines and great barrels. I made three pilgrimages to the outer reefs during my working visit to Palau and was never disapointed by the shoulder high to double overhead waves. My only regret is that I only took my 9' 0" and not anything for biger surf. The local surf population consist of less than a dozen great people who are very willing to share there breaks with anyone who can share the respects, cold beer, and fresh shashimi.

Modified: Friday March 21 2008 05:39:55 AM
Hits: 3953

Session: Last Sat in Palau

Written by waterman_75

Saturday March 1 2008 05:19:50 AM

Surf spot: West Passage, Republic of Palau

Surf Trip: Palau ( 15 January 2008 - 03 March 2008)

Session's Rate:

Wind direction: No wind

Wind Strength: Glassy

Nb waves ridden: Too Many

Length of the surf session: 7 hours

Surfboard ridden: 9' 0"

Fins: Single

Weather and water temp: Very Warm

Waves height: 2m-2.5m / 6ft-8ft

Waves Quality:
- Powerful
- Fast

Waves Shape:
- Walls
- Multipeaks

Description:

This was my third and last session in Palau. The surf gods definitely saved the best conditions for last! Ben picked me up at my hotel around 930 and we were on the boat and at the break by 1030. The waves were shoulder high to overhead and winds were just enough to make it a little choppy. A small rain squall gave us the perfect chance to have some lunch before the winds died and we had a perfect glassy afternoon. Six of us went out with Bill that day, and there were so many waves to go around that you never had to fight for that perfect break. K.B. and Tino broke off about an hour before the rest of us and went spear fishing. After seven solid hours of Primo surf we all paddled back to the boat for fresh Sashimi and ice cold Asahi. If I ever have another day like this one I will consider myself twice blessed by the surf gods. There truly is nothing like clean head to overhead waves, good friends, fresh fish and cold beer to make a lifelong memory.

Buddies:

Created: Friday March 21 2008 05:39:55 AM

Modified: Friday March 21 2008 05:39:55 AM

Comments (4) >>

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March 05, 2008, waterman_75 said:

So I spent an extra three days in Palau and picked up a third session! I traveled to Palau for work and only had one day a week off. The surf there required a good storm in Japan to truly go off. My first weekend there I caught a mushy waist high day that was actually the rare occurance. Once you get away from shore and hit the outer reef with the help of a boat you get a solid fast and heavy head high plus right. When the winds die down this wave cleans up so good that I wil say that it is hands down the best wave that I have ever riddin to date! I can not wait to get back to this break that has been the best kept secret of the Pacific.

June 08, 2008, great! Mike here! said:

i'll be moving to palau ... what was your work there? i'm from l.a. county redondo beach ... grew up surfin' and think this move to palau from outta' asia will be an ideal location to reacquaint myself with a longboard. cheers to you and for any tips ya' could hand out about getin' by in palau ... thnx a million
- Mike

June 17, 2008, aroanna said:

hi there! i'll be going to palau this july and i'll stay there for a month. what is the best surfing site that u can recommend for beginner in palau? hope to see you at the there.