It began with an invitation to surf the world’s best waves in Indonesia’s Mentawai Islands, an archipelago separated from Sumatra’s west coast by the 150-kilometre-wide Mentawai Strait. The nine South Africans, all in their early 50s, mates since school, jumped at the chance.
By coincidence, a similar trip was organised for nine Western Australian friends, also in their 50s. Their journeys – the South Africans on the Naga Laut and the Australians on the Barrenjoey – would cross and the destinies of two men would intersect over two unforgettable days.
“I’M GOING TO DIE OUT HERE”
BRETT, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 17, 2.30AM, MENTAWAI STRAIT. From the shelter of the upper deck, I stumble out to the port railing of the Naga Laut, a 20-metre surf charter boat, and into the full…