Once upon a time, every June/July we would set sail on our annual boat trip to the Mentawais Islands – 150 kilometres off the coastline of Sumatra, Indonesia. 

Before the Coronapocalypse I clocked up 15 trips in as many years, surfing the best waves on the planet in some of the remotest, stunning locations imaginable.

Drifting amongst 70 islands, we’d surf 2-3 different breaks per day. Lefts, rights, slabs…it’s all there. It’s a surfers paradise, a surfers Mecca…

Overseas trips may be off the cards, but there’s new light at the end of the tunnel for surf travellers, or should I say at a bend in the river – the Hawkesbury River to be precise. Wiseman’s Ferry, on the Hawkesbury, is the designated site for the world’s most incredible surf park and resort – for people like you and me. Think of it as a boat trip in your backyard – just 60 minutes drive from Sydney’s CBD. 

Set up on a 45 – acre site, the main attraction will be the enormous wave pool using the Surf Loch technology – capable of putting out 2.5 metre A-frame peaks in the largest pool imaginable. 

Fewer surfers, lefts or rights, four-to-five turn rides, a barrel the entire way – whatever you choose, on a powerful, long-period swell every 17-20 seconds. Sit poolside and froth over your mates waves, have a quick hit of golf before your next session, chase the kids around the playground – Wiseman’s Surf Lodge may tick a few of your boxes.

If you like our Bondi Aquabumps Gallery aesthetic, you’ll probably be into Wiseman’s Surf Lodge vibe too as it’s the same team of talented Bondi designers including Kelvin Ho (Akin), Will Dangar (Dangar Barin Smith).

Got your attention? Click here to be one of the first to register your interest in Wiseman’s Surf Lodge now.

Stay safe, test negative, stay at home…
I know it’s all a bit worrying out there at the moment. This storm WILL pass.

:: uge