JANUARY 6TH UPDATE

Firstly, a big thanks to everyone, and “everyone” is such a huge number of people now. This relief effort is amazing. All the support, energy, time, donations, phone calls – it’s unreal. We are amazed at all the countless volunteers that keep coming back every day to help, all the local businesses that empty their shelves of supplies, and all those who experience the exhaustion, the setbacks, and the unreal feeling when a boat is full of supplies and ready to leave for the islands. We are no longer speaking in terms of boxes. We are now speaking in “tons”: 100 tons of rice, 60 tons of fuel, 10 tons of clothes, no idea how many tons of tools - the numbers are shocking. It has been a tremendous effort, and we are making a difference.

Here is an update of the boats associated with our relief effort that have left for the field as of Jan 6, 8:00pm (Padang time):

Jan 1, the charter boat Asia left for Nias.
Jan 1, the charter boat Sembilan left for Nias.
Jan 1, the charter boat Electric Lamb left for Nias.
Jan 3, the cargo boat KM Sumbar Rezeki left for Nias.
Jan 4, the charter boat Barrenjoey left for Nias.
Jan 6, the smaller cargo boat Mentawai Indah left for Nias.

The first 3 boats that went out were stocked with instant relief supplies (these supplies have been detailed in previous updates). All three boats are all still out, and all have been completely emptied of supplies. The cargo boat Sumbar Rezeki had more than enough supplies to restock the 3 previous boats so they could continue their relief efforts survey. The Sumbar Rezeki arrived at Sirombu (half way up the west coast of Nias), which is the first part of Nias where Scuzz began seeing real damage. Tomorrow morning (Friday, Jan 7), a fuel tanker loaded with 60 tons of fuel will leave Padang for Nias. This will re-fuel any boats that need it.

Martin Daly's Indies Trader will be going out soon as well. He will be sending outwo boats with supplies, one with staff and one with medical staff on a mobile trauma unit, according to the Cathay Seas Information Service. We would like to thank Cathay Seas Information Service for sending us these maps that give you a better idea of where each island is located, and the total damage assessed so far.

 

 

Scuzz has reported so much in the last two days that it’s hard to keep track of all of it. Since many of Sumatran Surfariis’ friends and family are surfers, I’ll use landmarks so you can get an idea of how significant the tsunami waves were felt on Nias. The most popular area in Nias, and the one you’ll see most often in the surf magazines, is called Lagundri Bay. In fact, when surfers speak of the famous right-hander the top of the bay, they often just call it “Nias”. However, there are actually two major waves in Lagundri: the famous right-hander at the top of the bay, and The Machine, which is a hollow left-hander further down in the deepest part of the bay.

The Machine is close to a road that is used to travel from one end of Nias to the other, and even on the fullest of tides, I’d say it’s at least 10-15 feet above sea level on the fullest of tides, and the water’s edge is probably 50-100 yards from the road at it’s closest. During the tsunami, the wave came OVER this road and into some of the buildings beyond it. A total of 10 houses are gone, some of the home stays are smashed, and it knocked down the old rock wall. Scuzz also reports that Sorake is surprisingly damaged, much more than he though it would be. The worst hit area, however, is right near the judging tower for the surf competitions. This tower was erected so that judges could get a full view of the right-hander that breaks along the top of the bay. Being near the top of the bay, this area is also a lot more exposed to swell. The tsunami broke at the Dolin Restaurant and into many of the houses and bungalows that line the water.

According to Scuzz, the kids were out surfing when the tides started moving up and down oddly. Because they are surfers and basically live in the water, they are quite familiar with what the sea is capable of, and they got the hell out of the water and warned the village. The villagers ran away from the beach. This is why there were not as many deaths as there could have been in a disaster like this. Those local surfers, many of them little kids, undoubtedly saved lives. Without their warning to the village of odd tidal movement, no one would have known, and the wave would have killed so many.

 

Scuzz says villagers reported seeing fish flopping on the beach. The biggest wave hit around 3pm (December 26th). It happened really quickly, and in approximately 20 seconds the wave came charging in. People ran, but they didn’t get far before the water caught up to them. Scuzz reported that 7 people were hugging 1 palm tree, holding on for their lives. All houses around that palm tree are destroyed. All boats anchored there went on their side on the dry reef right before the wave hit. According to stories told to Scuzz, you could see the reef on the outside where we surf on big days. Christina says she is hearing many stories, and she has learned the hard way to only rely on what Scuzz is reporting to her. For anyone who has not met Scuzz, he has an amazing rapport with the locals and is often the only one that any of them trusts.

A bit of sad news from Christina: “A few days ago I said that Sam Green, an Aussie from Adelaide missing since the tsunami, had been located. I was wrong. I said it before I actually knew for a fact that he had been found. I truly apologize to his family and friends for any misinformation I have given. He has not been located as of yet. His brother Ben, and his best friend Matt have been here, and were here when we got the news that he was okay. I think the relief combined with the full on energy of what we were doing at this hotel as far as getting boat supplies together, was why I reported it… I should never have said it without knowing FOR SURE. I have learned this lesson well in the last 7 days. I truly apologize and hope that he is found and is reunited with his family.”

Scuzz finally left Nias today, January 6th, to survey the Banyak Island Chain. His first reports are from a village he visited called Haloban (sp?). He says there are about 700 villages there, and roughly 130 were affected either by flooding, or tidal surges ruining their boats and fishing equipment. This village reported the first wave hit at about 8:30 am the morning of the 26th. The biggest wave hit at 9:00am.

One thing Scuzz says about every village is that they are all living as far away from the beaches as they can. They are scared of another wave. They are all still happy island people, but they just don’t trust the sea. All of these small villages have lost their way of life. Their canoes and small outboard motors are gone, and many of their fishing nets, hooks, and lines were washed away. Because of this fear, they are living off what is coming in as relief aid. They are not doing much fishing, and they are only eating rice and noodles. Any money they have they are keeping for fear of having to start over. They are very malnutritioned and need fresh fruit, veggies, and vitamins. Scuzz fears malaria and diarrhea will cause more damage than the actual tsunami in these areas. People are going to get very sick if they don’t get something else to eat besides rice and noodles.

Scuzz’s sister Alyssa is out with him on this survey. She has been amazing. She is going to have an actual account of everything that they have seen. She has taken tons of photos and has very good notes of what they saw. It should be very interesting reading for everyone when she returns. Her information will easily fill a whole book. She is the one to ask about medical and nutritional needs. She is a medical student at Sydney University and since the start of this journey she has treated several villagers and unquestionably saved lives. Some of the problems she is treating are malaria, Hepatitis A, Dysentery, and kidney infections, amongst others. One person she treated had an enlarged spleen at least 10 times its normal size. She is doing an incredible job. We can’t stress enough how much Scuzz appreciates her being there. What Scuzz and Alyssa are out there doing is amazing. They are seriously heroes.

Tonight members from Surf Aid International, Rip Curl, the IDEP Foundation and Martin Daly met to try and coordinate their efforts and work out a longer-term plan for aid and rebuilding these lives that were shattered. I am sure you can get the details from any of their websites on what was discussed. Scuzz was there as well, via speakerphone, for the whole meeting. Apparently, they all want him to come back to Padang, which elicited big sigh of relief from Christina. ;)

One last update from here in The States: I wanted to report that Sumatran Surfariis' own Adam Kobayashi (AK) and the Malloy Brothers threw a benefit yesterday (January 5th) in Ventura, CA. They all worked tirelessly to make this happen, and it was apparently a tremendous success. AK said they had a full house, but fortunately did not have to turn anyone away. There were videos, slideshows, beer, giveaways – all in the name of bringing aid to this area that is so special to us. When all was said and done, the event raised thousands for relief, and it inspired AK to fly over to Padang personally to see to it that it’s put to good use. Again, I’m so blown away by people’s efforts and generosity.

Christina wanted to also pass along her thanks to Chris, Alyssa, Martin, Bruce, Sam, Samantha, Lee, Oded, Jack, Charlie, Rina, Yossi, Elvis, Yossy, Andy, Wina, Dirk, Ovi, Odeck, Suzi, Petra (amazing), Oliver, the staff at the hotel, the countless volunteers, the amazing crew on ASIA, and all the probably 100 other people that she does’t know. If I added to the list, I would require another full page. ;)

Thank you again to all, and best wishes. We’ll keep you posted.