Legendary surf photographer Simon “Swilly” Williams gets the band together for an all Aussie assault hit out through Mentawai onboard The Mighty Mango.

A thick bond of brotherhood was strong on The Mighty Mango this trip as the childhood mates from Byron Bay N.S.W brought nothing but laughs, good all round surfing and ever present battle between goofys and regulars.

The Sudana brothers and friends from Boomerang Beach jump on last minute to score Mentawai gold.

Johnny and the boys request to go south and discover some new territories while scoring some solo perfection and banking some large fish.

It is always worth going the extra mile to score perfect solo sessions!

Like minded lads that enjoy solo perfection, a few beers at night, plenty of banter, plenty of sleep and a good old time.

A tricky forecast was the card we drew this trip. Plenty of wind and a mixed up ocean.

With some smart manoeuvring we managed to do just fine… fine alright cause it was pumping everywhere we went, and best of it all, no one was around.

It was a thirsty meet and greet before departure at the famous Bat’n’Arrow bar in Padang for these first-time voyagers from Central Coast NSW and the old time school buddies where frothing to get out there.

Before we kicked off the 2023 season proper we headed up to Sibolga for annual dry docking. We have been keeping The Mighty Mango in tip-top shape even during the tough years of the pandemic, so only a quick scrub and a few extra layers of anti-foul paint were all that was required this year, as with most.

It’s that time of year again when Gordy and the boys fire up their annual summer season trip on the mighty Mango. After a few years since the last trip due to the pandemic the froth level was high and we were ready to set sail and enjoy everything the West Sumatra archipelago has to offer…..until……

Freddo and the Byron boys have made it back after Covid to step onboard the Mighty Mango, for well let’s face it we have all lost count of what trip this is for them.

With the guest request to get up north we turned on the donkeys of the Mighty Mango and set sail around the Mentawai Islands in to Stella weather and a loaded surf forecast.

As the lads from Coffs returned for their second trip of the year they requested to head north as earlier in May they had covered most of the Mentawai’s and all of the Telo’s and this was a great opportunity to cover all of what West Sumatra has on offer.

After two years of not being able to travel the Newcastle and Sawtell boys froth was real! With a fully loaded Mighty Mango heading straight to the Mentawai’s we were bound to have fun.