Five star waves

For a long time the Telo islands have lain in the shadows of its more famous neighbours - the Mentawais to the south and the iconic Nias to the north. Even looking at this cluster of islands on a map, it’s hard to imagine how swell sneaks into this area. But it does, and these islands boast an abundance of waves to rival any of the world’s great surf destinations.

In a way, it’s almost a blessing that the Telo island chain has remained low key for so long. The surf travel mantra is quality waves without the crowds, and in this regard the Telos are the new frontier.

With over 40 years of combined experience in Indonesia, the fact that the Resort Latitude Zero owners chose to settle in the Telos, and on this particular island, speaks volumes about the quality of the waves in the area.

Owners Matt Cruden and Adam ‘Wal’ Roffey were on hand during our stay, along with surf guide Chad Walker. Delivering cracking waves for every day of our trip, we covered an extensive area of the island chain. According to Matt, there’s "about 30" waves that they surf regularly, plus a few more they like to keep under their hat.


The variety of surf and potential up here is staggering. Everything’s on offer - from fun mid-sized waves that keep everyone smiling to long roping barrels and shallower and more intense breaks.

Adding to the experience, during our stay there was pretty much no one else in the water. That’s quite unique and it’s not an exaggeration. Sure, we shared a couple of surfs with some rugged crew off a cruising yacht, and there is also one other resort in the area, but the crowd factor was never an issue.

Boats

The surf experience is enhanced by Resort Latitude Zero’s wave hunting vessels. The extensive marine experience of the owners shines through with their choice of boats.

Zero One is a 7.3m aluminum speedboat, equipped with twin 150hp outboards. It handles brilliantly and is the perfect choice for quick trips to nearby breaks.

At 11m, Zero Two is ideal for trips further afield. Fibreglass hulled with a saloon and twin 250hp outboards, this is surely one of the most comfortable day tripping vessels available anywhere.

Both have full shade and plenty of cushioned seating. And they run like the clappers. Speeding around the islands, chasing surf with the stereo pumping… Life’s pretty damn good.

The range of these vessels is enviable, and even after years in the islands, the RLZ crew are as keen to hunt waves as ever. Their passion really shines though and they’re obviously keen to search out the best possible waves on offer. The surf guiding here is top notch.

Taking the surf resort experience to the next level, the crew even load your boards on and off the boats for you. Leave your boards on the grass outside the board shed while you’re having brekky, then simply stroll onto the boat and off you go.

It’s another example of the attention to detail that the Resort Latitude Zero have covered. Never made it as a pro surfer? You’ll feel like one here with the rock star treatment.

LATITUDE ZERO - The Resort

Looking for somewhere to take you partner and family? We’re pretty sure this is the place.

The facilities at Resort Latitude Zero are simply stunning. After a year of building, the resort has been open since mid-2009.

Two Queenslander style homes house the guest rooms. Each spacious room is equipped with air-conditioning and ceiling fans, and the majority of rooms have well appointed Western standard ensuites. Carpeted floor underfoot makes for a surprisingly welcome change.

Doors can be opened into adjoining rooms, so a variety of living arrangements can be configured for families and groups. The rooms are serviced daily with fresh towels, and there’s even a complimentary laundry service. Just for fun, the Longbreak team chucked our surf shorts into the wash. Hey presto! The next day they sat on the edge of the bed, proudly washed and ironed. Talk about surfing in style.

Each house also has an extremely spacious living space, equipped with state of the art facilities - flat screen TVs, DVD players and surround sound stereo systems. There’s even a Nintendo Wii in each house. The only problem is, you’ll be so buggered from surfing all day that you’ll be lucky to use any of these toys. A library of books and magazines, and fridges stocked with complimentary drinks and snacks round out the living area facilities.

Outside, a 14m pool separates the accommodation buildings and the restaurant. Outdoor showers with huge shower heads provide the ideal post-surf rinse off, before hopping into the pool and cracking a late arvo beer. A gazebo near the beach with a traditional thatched roof is the spot for a lazy afternoon lounging session and evening drinks.

Most impressively, fresh drinking water is available throughout the resort. Rainwater is filtered through a massive reverse osmosis system, and all tap water is drinkable, right down to the showers. On an island with no natural fresh water source, the thought and effort that went into engineering a system like this is staggering.

There’s plenty of other fun stuff on offer too – pool and table tennis, massage services, SUPs, snorkeling and fishing. Plans are afoot to add a tennis court and a day spa in the near future

Food
Pumping waves, luxurious accommodation… it should come as no surprise that the food is top notch too.

Overlooking the pool, the dining area features polished floorboards and exposed hardwood beams overhead. It’s more reminiscent of a restaurant than a surf resort. And the food more than matches the salubrious surroundings.

Breakfast is cooked to order, and cereal, toast and plenty of fruit are also on offer. A full time baker turns out fresh bread and freshly brewed Sumatran coffee gets your buzz on for the day.

The kitchen really comes into it’s own during lunch and dinner with a mix of healthy and filling dishes. The food is a mix of Indonesian specialties and Western favourites. The beef rendang and chicken curries were sublime, as were the lamb roasts, lobster, mud crabs, and fresh BBQ fish.

While kicking back in the pool after another tough day in paradise, the kitchen crew serve up fresh canapés and snacks at cocktail hour. We even snagged a few small tuna while trolling on the way back from an afternoon surf, and these made an appearance as some of the freshest sashimi we’ve had the pleasure of tasting.

Your Host  - The Owners

The Resort Latitude Zero owners have a strong pedigree in Indonesian surf tourism. Having been based in Indonesia since the early 90’s, they created the resort with a unique vision. They specifically chose this island due to it’s promixity to waves, excellent anchorage and the low environmental and cultural impact on the area.

Matt Cruden built the Mangalui Ndulu in 1995 and has captained it through the Mentawai Islands since then. He is one of the most respected skippers in the region, likewise the Mangalui is held is high esteem. Prior to this he skippered the Katika, the Surf Travel Company’s first charter boat in the Mentawais. Together with his lovely wife Jenny, they were the primary designers of the resort.

Adam ‘Wal’ Roffey has been based in Indonesia for over a decade, much of it cheffing on the "Mango". He now manages Resort Latitude Zero. We’ve never seen another human being crack as many jokes and laugh as much as this man.

Together with Todd Roessler, of the highly regarded Nomad charter boat, their wealth of experience in this region combine to deliver the ultimate surf trip.

They all rip in the surf and an evening drink with Matt or Wal will inevitably evolve into a story telling session you couldn’t script. Health warning – you’re in the company of men who’ve spent a lifetime at sea. Be very wary when trying to keep up with them at the bar.

In all regards, the resort is extremely well thought out. In terms of a luxury surf destination, it’s impressive on many levels, but the attention to detail and the guest experience is what makes Resort Latitude Zero a truly outstanding destination.