Photo by Lachlan McKinnon
Braving crocodiles, mechanical malfunction and distances from medical help are few -uns sacrifices we made to surf the seven ghosts on a deep river in Sumatra far from the ocean. Appointed in September ghosts during an exploratory mission of revolutionary surf there last year, the wave is an apparition that appears only around extreme surges lunar tides and disappears like a ghost until the moon assignment again . The locals call this wave river Bono and are respectful and careful of his shipwreck and flood intensity village that can travel up to 130 km upstream. Surfers call this wave of amazing river with rides lasting more than 20 minutes each, or until your legs collapse, something that never happens on the waves of the ocean.
Scientifically explained Bono is an Indonesian tidal bore, or wave of extremely fast moving river pushed upstream by the full moon extreme fluctuations tide. Similar bores already surfed on the rivers of the Amazon, China, and England, but the rumors were that deep in Indonesia was a bore named Bono that formed a perfect wave surfing none. September ghosts of travel last year was not the first trip there, but was certainly the most amazingly photographed surfing conditions on a river wave ever.
Harnessing the power of the waves of the river can be done by human strength alone. The incoming tidal encounter down river head flows fast speeds, creating a wave that has difficulties washing and lightning current for fast movement. The speed and the change in shape of the tidal waves are so unique and rapidly changing as the only way to catch a ride on the Bono is being pulled on it at full speed by jet ski or speedboat. If you fall, you may be lost in the jungle, or worse, found by a crocodile, more situations where a jet ski is vital. More importantly, you need speed jet ski to catch up with Bono for another wave after the fall. The presence of these types of boats are not only necessary for surfing the Bono; in the end they are also tools for survival.
The logistics of providing jet skis or speedboats to this kind of surf trip is not easy to cover. The more difficult the plan is that the place is so hidden in the jungles of Sumatra and close to the beaches and lakes where these boats are commonly. With enough planning and expertise if it is possible to do and for those who are quite willing to search and discover this natural phenomenon, surfing the Bono gets the opportunity of a lifetime.
The first actual video of Bono in full bloom last year was seen online at Seven Ghosts on YouTube. At first it looked like a mirage, too bizarre to be true. Helicopter shots showed lines of breaking waves marching their way upstream that would break the reform, break again, then barrel in order and disorder along many parts of an Indonesian bank. Primary forest discovery by Bono the background, with green trees Photoshop quality chocolate dominant on the water as the wave Bono pushed through the river. Parts of Bono looked like uninterrupted peeling waves to nowhere, some parts seemed to roll mini tsunami of white water, while other sections of the river form the most perfect waves than any ocean wave ever seen.
Photo by Carlo Coral
No other surf trip had never encountered such an unusual wave in such an unlikely place before the trip Seven Ghosts. Earlier this year, another exploratory surf trip was complemented by an Indonesian and international team which also found the first surf conditions in Bono. This time around an independent mini-documentary was filmed to be released later this year called "Water of the Moon." This mini-documentary revives the sinking ships, crocodiles, travails and triumphs surf this wave powered by the moon. in the overall picture of Bono is yet another shining example of how Indonesia has the most perfect waves in the world, even on rivers.
We must see to believe.
Search Bono on www.youtube.com and look out for "Water From the Moon" later this year.