Sipora Island, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Lances Right, sometimes called Hollow Trees or HTs, is the picture perfect tropical barrel we all dream of. No seriously, it is ‘The One’. Lance’s Right is probably the most photographed wave in the world and for good reason. It is a perfect, front lit, almond shaped barrel, breaking in aqua coloured, tropical water. Visiting Lance’s is like stepping into a surf magazine.
A mechanically perfect, fast, barrelling wave Lance’s has three sections. The top of the reef is The Office, where Mentawai veterans like to put in 8 hours a day and call it a job. Further down is the Main Peak, which leads into the inside and The Surgeon’s Table. If that name does not inspire a little fear, it should. Wipeouts at Lance’s are onto a shallow, sharp reef.
Big Lance’s is lightning fast, and essentially a three move wave; drop in, tuck and ride the barrel. If it is smaller there are less consequences and room for carves, airs and general wave frolicking in paradise.
Lance’s is inside a protected bay at the south of Sipora Island. Solid south-easterly swells need to wrap 180 degrees around the bay to hit the reef, which it does with surprising consistency. Lance’s perfection is only enhanced by the light offshore breeze that picks up most afternoons.
There is a land based surf camp near Lance’s Right but for many surfers a Mentawai boat trip, including scoring Lances Right, is a dream worth the extra cost.
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