Surf Trips: Bodysurfing Tavarau Fiji

Slyde's Team Rider Sunny Chamblee Rickard, just took the surf trip of a lifetime to Fiji & she couldn't wait to share her experience with YOU!

WHAT'S THE SURF SCENE/COMMUNITY LIKE IN TAVARAU FIJI?

Amazing ! The resort is YES only. Anything you want they will do for you or take you to.   The Fijian ran UBER Vessel system is amazing takes you anywhere you want to go, fishing, another island, surf breaks. The island has 3 Surf guides ready to take you to any nearby surfbreak. The guides are amazing surfers themselves. I found myself just watching them rip’it. The only ones that get barreled time and time again are the Surf Guides. 

Fijians are amazing you feel like you’ve joined their family as soon as you arrive. It’s so hard to leave, I contemplated hiding in the bushes and missing the boat off the island. I know I’m not the only one.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT 2 OF YOUR FAVORITE BREAKS THERE?

Cloudbreak and Cloudbreak. Perfect left that goes on forever, feels like it never ends. Until it eventually does at Shishkabobs on the inside in two inches of water with razor sharp reef.

TELL US ABOUT 3 FAVORITE MOMENTS/MEMORIES FROM THE TRIP?

1. I was always on the first boat out every morning, and first one off the boat and in the water.  Sprints to the jacuzzi post afternoon surf, where amazing fresh fish appetizers and happy hour beers are delivered poolside.
2. Hermit crab racing that I never got a chance to host.  I just wanna go back for Hermit Crab racing.  I found a good sprinter and I’m recruiting others. We’re building a good team for next year.
3. Food was amazing. Endless amazing buffets. So amazing that I forgot how to eat when I returned home. I was so bummed there wasn’t an amazing buffet just waiting for me, and I had actually had to find my own food.

WHAT TIPS WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE TRAVELING TO FIJI FOR THE FIRST TIME TO BODYSURFING/HANDBOARD?

Swim swim and swim some more, lots of swim training if you’re going to bodysurf. These rouge sets wrap around from the right, you do not want to be stuck inside when that happens. Master the starfish, make sure to keep your body as high as possible in the closeout zone. Keep your eyes open at all times. Dive and hold on to the reef. Also bring the fin sock booties to protect your feet. I had a lot of fin chafing from my fins, or the lube, don’t forget the lube.

Photos by Nick Liotta 

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