Fishing for Waves

When there’s a major flat spell and every spot’s grid-locked by the high season crowds, you got to have a plan – enter SUP.

Yesterday, bathed in the early morning glow, I paddled through that fleet of Technicolor vessels to T-T’s. On arrival the waves were a tidy 1-2 ft, with the curl folding evenly down the reef. With only a friendly Balinese/Japanese couple and their preadolescent protégée, the four of us shared in the common stoke. Hanging respectfully wide, I stroked into almost every discarded set for a straight two hours. Finally as the sun rose up high, a few jugongs stacked with Japanese punters motored in – it was time to discreetly exit this session. As I drifted back through the maze of fishing vessels, I was greeted with enthusiastic waves and cheerful bellows of “halo -halo!” A few wiry gentlemen proudly presented some very handsome looking fish, but with no cash in my pocket the only response was “maaf saya bangrut” (sorry I’m broke). After few polite nods and some smiles, I continued on back to the beach.

Diving home it suddenly dawned on me –  browsing this informal floating fish market might not be a bad idea for the next mission. The thought of returning home with some fresh red-snapper after a long session kind of makes sense to me…that and some butter, garlic and fresh lemon…