Summer is fast approaching and I am excited. Every summer the waves in Hawaii go flat and so I, like most of my surfing brethren, migrate somewhere not affected by the summer slump. This year, I plan on going to the Mentawai Islands. They are a group of mostly uninhabited islands in North Sumatra in Indonesia. They are only accessible by boats and are home to some of the best waves in the world. My friends and I will be staying at one of the few land camps in front of one of the best waves in the Mentawai; Lances Right. I can’t wait.

Last summer we went on the same trip and stayed at the same camp and it was a blast. For three weeks we surfed and fished everyday nonstop. The food was great, the people friendly and it was a dream trip. This time is more of a business trip. I am involved in a surf movie platform called Innersections where surfers make their own short surf movies and submit them to Taylor Steele, an award-winning director. The public votes on the surf parts and the top 25 get to appear in Taylor’s next surf movie. The very best section of the whole movie will be awarded a hundred thousand dollars. This is a huge deal for any surfer and especially for me since even appearing in the movie will boost my career ten fold. I will use the time in the Mentawai to film for my part in the amazing waves it has to offer.

The worst part about the Mentawai Islands is how hard it is to get there. First, you have to take an 11 hour flight to Korea, then an 8 hour flight to Taiwan, then a 6 hour flight to Jakarta, and then a 2 hour flight to Padang. Once you get there you jump on a ferry for 12 hours till you get to the main port in the Mentawai. You’re not done yet as you still have to board a small, smelly dingy which you ride for 3 hours till you get to the camp. To get home you have to do all this in reverse. The worst part? It cost a little over 2 grand just for the flight. However, it’s all worth it.

I will be traveling there with my good friend and professional surfer, Jamie O’Brien. Jamie is one of the most well-known surfers in the world and finished second place last year in the Innersection contest. He has taken me under his wing for years now and is a huge reason I am where I am. We will also be accompanied by my other good friend and Jamie’s videographer, Damien. He also kind of doubles as my filmer and will be in charge of putting together my Innersection as well as providing the cinematography. I have a lot of good footage already, but he and Jamie think I need more high performance maneuvers. Who am I to argue with professionals? So of course ,I came along; anything to get me out of America.

The wave we will be surfing every day is called Lances Right, also known as Hollow Trees, is also every surfer’s dream. It has perfect tubes as well as great sections for airs, turns, and anything else you can imagine. It is forgiving and dangerous, easy and intimidating, depending on what part of it your surf. This wave was the basis of Jamie’s Innersection last year and is part of my winning formula (hopefully). We are going during the month of May/June which is the best month for it, so it’s almost a guaranty we will score. I am very much looking forward to this trip, and I hope this proves to be the trip of a lifetime. Wish me luck.

Sorry guys no post for a while. Not sure if anyone is really reading this site but just in case, here’s the sitch: Just setting up base on the North Shore of Oahu for this winter season. Posted up at my good friend Jamie O Brien’s house for as long as he will have me. I got some great boards, courtesy of Rickland Surfboards (http://www.ricklandsurfboards.com/) Good swell tomorrow coming, hopefully we will score some waves and shots. Aloha and stay tuned

Well things have been hectic lately so i haven’t really been keeping up on my blog like I’m supposed to. SO here’s the recap: rushed off to Bali for a swell that never came, but still got some good waves. Came back and then immediately launched into a Tahiti trip. I scored the best waves of my life with great friends and amazing barrels. BTW this is all possible thanks to Ocean Current for sending me to all of the exotic locations. After getting positively shacked for 2 weeks, I came home looking forward to a rest. Of course, just as I’m settling down, I get the devastating news that my Grandpa in Nebraska is sick so I take off that day with my dad to the Midwest just to learn he passed away while I was in the air. It was a tough time for me but it was great to get out to see my family and shoot guns and do all sorts of other redneck activities. Now I’m home cruising breaking in some new boards courtesy of Rickland Surfboards, and just waiting for a new swell to pop up, anywhere in the world, I don’t care, I’m there. Aloha

AFter chilling on Kauai for a couple weeks its time to hit the road again, this time to Peru. My surfboard shaper Rickland is taking me and its gonna be a great trip. More reports fresh from SOuth America to some. Just want to give a shout out to Ocean Current Clothing for all the support on the trip, Rich for organizing it, and Electric Visual for all the gear. Adios!