G-Land june 2009 by: Ricardo Gomes

If you run the tube catches you, if you stay the tube eats you…there is no way, or you get tubed or you will be tubed, cool isn’t it? But the bottom shallow and sharp is there all the time so you don’t forget that this is not a place to make mistakes…determination on your paddling and good positioning will make all the difference for you to surf one of the best waves you have ever surfed.

To get there on G-Land you need buy the package with antecedence. On my time I talked with Digone and we monitored the first big swell of the season and I closed the deal: bingo! Great waves! I arrived 1 day before the swell that made all the difference to enjoy better and adapt to everything….yes because everything is new: going out and coming in from the ocean, reef, tides, waves…

The trip can be fast for those that go on the fast boat or slow for those that go on the bus/ferry/bus/boat…I went on the second option that was nice to get to see the surroundings without worrying about driving…but the old man driving was doing some crazy things…I don’t even like to remember…the Ferry is easy, a little bit more bus ride and we arrive at the little harbor to get the speed boat and arrive in paradise…this part is something because you go watching the whole bay that surround the place...nice breakfast upon arrival, get settled in the room and wait for the wind to pick up, at around 09:00 or 10:00…bigger boards are always welcome and ideal…the first wave is always unforgettable…to say in words is impossible…at each wave and tube surfed, I believe you rejuvenate at least another month there….but be ready, you gonna paddle, paddle, paddle a lot there…all your old pains on your back, shoulders, etc…will come back to remind you, but at each tube surfed the pain is soften…

On the second day the swell had already arrived at night there was a lot of noise from the ocean…you could hear from the room…heavy…early in the morning a little talk with moral, Jerry, whos going, which boards, etc…1 hour later everyone in the water…the situation was a little insane…there was some big sets coming, really big…there was always someone that would be swept but there was also always someone going for it…after 2 big days the waves stayed at the 6 feet range, beautifull…Moneytrees working perfect…almost every wave was a barrel…everyone enjoying the maximum and the vibe in the water was of pure respect, always everyone waiting for their turn (not always…rsrs)…hard to remember every wave but there are some we will never forget…after extending for another 3 days there (and my wife gave a big push for us to stay: I LOVE YOU CAROL) it seemed that those 3 days were even better…my last wave was unforgettable….i caught a great wave but as I finished I thought, just one more and went back to the outside after some 4 hours in the water…and then it came, a beautiful wave with my name on the lip…the drop was good, I did the bottom turn and went high but it didn’t barrel, I dropped again and did another bottom turn a bit late this time and the wave barreled, barreled, barreled and I went dropping and came out with the pip breaking behind my back foot and that threw me over ahead with enough speed to go by the next section on the inside, I did the bottom turn and pumped down the line, barrel, I rode, rode, rode and came out perfect and the wave was opening but I needed to scream and yell…I came back walking on the reef talking to God, yes because there he is present on everything you can imagine…I thanked a lot for having surfed the best waves of my life and came out in one piece, with only small scratches.

It was an intense and magical trip, worth of Gland!

I thank all the support given by Digone and for the swell pick!!!

Life is beautifull and God gave us everything, its all about making the board go and surfing…..

Aloha Ricardera