Heading to Kavieng in November for a week, and I have a few questions...

I havent been on a trip for about 8 years, so am a bit rusty...

First up - boards. I am planning to take a 6'4 shortboard (good to one and half times overhead) and a 6'0 pod for the smaller days, but shoud I also take a 6'8 (rounded pin semi-gun) for bigger days or will the 6'4 and 6'0 be enough?

Is there anything worth taking for guides etc? I saw they were after boardies but that was from a post dated ~2007

I have also heard port Moresby is pretty heavy, but am not intending to leave the airport (have 2 hours on the way and 6 hours on the way back) Is the airport safe / comfortable etc?

Finally, malaria - is it enough just to take mozzie repellent or are meds a must?

Thanks in advanced for any input!! Any other info most welcome!

My brother went there last november and I'm going there with him and his mates this December! Can't wait!!

He reckons that the biggest waves they had were 6ft so doubt you'll need a gun. But who knows I guess.. from what I've hears though it doesn't get massive around there (otherwise I'm in big trouble!!)

Apparently lots of fun and can always find breaks to yourself!

Oh he says airport is safe.. Has a decent bar in it to kill time!

Awesome! Thanks for the reply!

No worries. Let me know how you go over there cos it's my first surfing trip an to be honest I'm nervous as hell about it! haha

Airport is ok.

Seen a national get shot outside the check in last year though. They chucked him in the back of a truck and took him off to hospital but he was dead.
Worth stayin in the domestic check in area for a bit of a laugh then go into the departure lounge. See some weird and wonderfull stuff goin on.
Got food etc inside the departure lounge and comfy chairs.
Get yourself a digicel sim card at the airport and top it up. Way cheaper than global roaming with telstra. The auto teller is often out of cash at the airport as well.
Have fun and be polite to the nationals.

W

Hey aak, i was there a few years ago and I strongly suggest you take meds for malaria. Surf wise, same as Sham1984, it maxed out at about double over head. Wax apparently worth its weight in gold over there and the schools were stoked when we gave them a heap of colour pencils.

Have Fun


One of the first signs we noticed at the airport

Hey guys, thanks for the info.

Organising meds for malaria and will take heaps of wax for guides etc.

Will post a write-up when I get back!

8 weeks to go - woot!!!

I was there Janurary this year for 8 days. You will love it, its awesome there and the food and beer is amazing. I recommend the club sandwich and lime fanta.

In the airport this isnt much in the departure lounge, just before you go in there is a bar/cafe where you can get beer. i would recommend to stay in there before you go in because once your in there isnt much in there.

all i took was a 6'4 short and a 6'2 fish and that was perfect.
pikinini's is a really fast barrelling right in about a foot of water, the whole time you will just be trying to milk as much speed as you can do you dont get to many reef tattoos but when you make it there no better feeling.

definitely take reef booties. some guys opted to wear them all the way back to shore because there was stories about a boat hitting the reef and everyone got thrown out and no1 had booties on and cut the **** out of their feet. This is rare though and was only a story.

If you can get the malaria tablets that you only have to take once a week rather then every day. The side effects on the once a day is your skin gets really sunburnt very easily. The once a week has a side effect of nightmares but everyone who had them on my trip didnt have a problem. I had the once a days and i ended up stop taking them because even with layers of sunscreen and sink it was still killing me. I also found that there is not many mosquito's on the island itself.

Take an much wax, fins, boards, leashes, boardshorts that you can fit with your gear to give to the locals, the only way they get gear is from surfers coming in there so they are very grateful.

If you are good or not its doesnt matter at ding repairs take extra, when we were there we repairs about 5-6 boards for the drivers. resin is expensive and hard to come by over there so no-one repairs boards.

have an awesome time

Awesome info! Thanks!

i thought i better link this topic so when people search that is associated.

some good info in here about repairing those reef cut


www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Surfing/Shortboards/Bali-Medical-Kit-Malaria-Shots/

ps. chicks love reef tats