showed early and we loaded the boys and went for a surf. The left was not showing so we went up to the beachbreak. It just so happened that the boat run by a local kid named Ariel and a boat named Big Blue Safari was already there. I’d never seen them at the beachbreak before. Ariel was still figuring out where the spots were. Anyway we dropped the pick just off the river and went in for a surf. We had Jimmy Rotherham along with Tony Roberts , the first mate Zac, Mark and I. Mellow session with lots of waves and there were two peaks working. Somehow the two groups converged and I guess one of the guys from the other boat (a bodyboarder) dropped in on Mark. No big deal but jeez buy a clue guys.

So we have a surf and return to the boat and eat a wonderful lunch prepared by Ben Haigh. Ben is a great chief and I was to spend hours watching him prepare meals.

That afternoon we went for another surf at the same place. The sun had come out and Tony went right to work shooting from the beach. Jimmy and Ben were getting some really good barrels and the lighting was really good.

So my first two days aboard the Indies Trader were drawing to a close and we were headed back to San Juan del Sur and a night on the town.

I had clients and went right back to work. I saw the Trader everyday and some time dropped by for a gam.

They spent over two weeks in harbor waiting for Cooperate Quiksilver America to send down some talent and get the boat back working. Mark spends the time painting the ship and she starts to really look good. He and I are becoming pretty good friends and the crew aboard is taking a shine to San Juan del Sur.

Finally the news arrives that Magnum Martinez a Venezuelan stare and Han Hagen for Laguna are arriving and the boat is going to work. Mark invites me to go up North with the boat for five days. I have a day to prepare.

Here is the much-talked about and promised update on the trip North in the Indies Trader.

As you’ve probably heard the Indies Trader is a famous surf exploration vessel on charter by Quiksilver from Martin Daly. Martin Daly is said to be the founding farther of Indonesian surf charters.

The captain of the Trader during part of her stay in Nicaragua was Mark Coleman. Mark started a small surf camp on an island just off Bali 25 years ago and has been a part of the Indonesian surf scene since.

His favorite comment on the younger upstarts in the surf tour business is:

I was in Baghdad when you were still in Dad’s bag.

On my knees

Well it came to pass that being in Nicaragua and looking for surf, they heard of me and invited me aboard for a two-day trip around San Juan del Sur. I accepted and invited Mike form the Hotel Villa Isabella along with Patricia and her two sisters Katy and Jessica. We sailed North and hung out in Bahia Gigante. Mark had the brilliant idea of letting the girls pick through a bag full of Roxy Girl Bikinis. Tony Roberts the pro photographer onboard shot some life style stuff with the girls in Roxy Girl bikinis while Mark and I talked story. He let me drive the boat and I showed him my lineups for the anchorage in Gigante.

I brought my Ponga, Michele, and captain Juan along so we had mobility and freedom. We swam ashore and the girls ate seafood and the boys drank a few more beers. Let is be noted that when Mark invited me aboard the Indies Trader for the first time I had not drunk a beer in almost six months. I was battling the bulge and trying to keep the energy levels up. Anyway that first day I drank a Sprite. I quickly fell into the Australian style of drinking and immensely enjoyed myself.

The girls and Mike went home at sunset with Captain Juan on the Michel and I stayed behind on the Trader. Slept on deck under the stars that night and awoke to a clear lovely day. Juan