Surf Tourism over the past 10-15 years
Since the early-mid 1990s the Mentawais has been discovered as a
surfers paradise by the western world.
The absolutely flawless surf, the natural beauty, remoteness and
the essentially Christian religious beliefs of the indigenous
people have all helped to secure the Mentawais as one of the worlds
most popular surfing destinations.
Up until now, these amazing experiences have only been available
via passage on (essentially western) surf charter boats.
But, from a Mentawaians perspective, they have seen little or no
economic benefit filtering back to them in exchange for the natural
wonderland represented by their majestic surfing paradise. Instead
they are faced with the following from the surf charter boat
operators;
1. The majority of commercial trading (supplies & fuel etc)
is done in Padang which is not part of the Mentawais, with only the
potential for part-refuelling and minimal supplies being
provisioned in a few local Mentawaian ports. Consequently the
majority of the commercial trade stays in Padang with no economic
benefit to the Mentawaian people.
2. Garbage & sewerage are often dumped into the sea,
generally in the recognised night-time anchorage locations which
lie in naturally beautiful protected bays. Also many boats dump
diesel petrol into these beautiful waters due to their inadequate
engineering.
3. Over-crowding caused by the more than 50-60 charter boats
that trade within the Mentawai Islands during the surf season.
In essence, the Mentawaians have had enough and feel that the
Surf Charter Boat Operators have had ample time & opportunity
to involve them in their prosperity over the past 10-15 years. So
they are now changing the rules to protect their future.
They are developing new guidelines to address these issues
togetrher with reducing the over-crowding of waves that can
sometimes occur in the peak season.
  
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