UPDATE FROM CHRIS AND CHRISTINA: 12/29/04

ISLANDS INVOLVED

Before we get started with the update, let us just describe some of the islands involved and their locations relative to each other and the epicenter of the quake:

Simeulue Island Chain:
Northern most island chain off the west coast of Aceh. Located 50 – 100 miles south of the earthquake epicenter.

Banyak Island Chain:
99 small islands, southeast of Simeulue Island Chain, in Aceh Province, 100 – 150 miles south/southeast of the epicenter. This Island chain is probably what protected mainland West and South Sumatra including Padang, from disaster.

Nias:
Includes the Island of Nias, and surrounding smaller islands. Locate in the North Sumatran Province, approximately 300 miles southeast of the epicenter. Nias is south of the Banyak Island Chain.

Hinakos:
Group of approximately 10 – 12 Islands, about 10 - 15 miles off the west coast of Nias, in the North Sumatra Province.

Telos:
Island chain 40 – 90 miles southeast of Nias Island, approximately 400 miles southeast of the epicenter, in the North Sumatra Province.

Mentawai Island Chain:
This is the longest Island Chain in Sumatra, located approximately 40 miles from the southern end of the Telos. The Mentawais stretch approximately 200 miles in a southeast direction, parallel to Mainland West Sumatra. The Mentawais lay in the West Sumatran Province, approximately 550 miles southeast of the epicenter.

Padang:
Capital of West Sumatra, located on the west coast of Sumatra approximately 100 miles east of the Mentawais and approximately 650 – 700 miles southeast of the epicenter.

RELIEF UPDATES

Now on to the update: it’s now Dec 29 in Padang. We are trying to organize charter boats to take supplies up to the smaller chains that were damaged by the tsunamis and quakes. It has been quite difficult because many boats are receiving the normal off-season repairs and are not able to depart. Engines, generators, etc. are being overhauled and mechanics are working overtime to put everything back together to get them out to sea.

Surf Aid in Padang has kept in constant contact with updates.

Quiksilver International:
Indies Trader II is working overtime to get itself ready to commit to a journey to the region. Through the efforts of Bruce Raymond, Martin Daly, and Quiksilver International, thousands of dollars have already been donated.

Jan 10th is the first projected date the Trader II can leave Padang. Permits must be issued by the Indonesian Government, and coordination with other Aid Relief organizations must be established before any boats can depart.

Word from them is that they will have their water maker going full time and be giving lots of fresh drinking water to all.

Batang Arau Hotel:
We are one of the many businesses in Padang that is accepting donations for relief efforts. Indonesian radio and Television have broadcast that the surfing community in Padang is trying to get boats and supplies to the more remote areas off the coast of north Sumatra, and any donations can be left at our hotel in Padang. In addition, please read below about how you can donate to our reps in Australia and the U.S. and they will pool the donations to send to us.

We see the same news coverage the rest of the world is viewing – it’s shocking. Indonesian television broadcasts a much more graphic version of the disaster from the major places hit, but the more remote islands and villages that are only accessible by boat have yet to be reported on. Those are the places we are focusing on. The footage of Aceh is incredible.

DAMAGE UPDATES

Here are some of the latest reports for the areas that Sumatran Surfariis visits (if the graphic below is not playing when you view it, please refresh/reload the page):

Padang:
The Padang Harbor Master has announced it is too dangerous for boats to travel out of Padang for the next 2 days.

The Mentawais:
Most reports coming from the Mentawai Islands are positive. The sea is rising and falling as it has been for the last few days, but at a much slower rate. Many coconut trees and logs are drifting around the strait, which makes traveling at night, at sea, dangerous. All land camps on the Mentawais have reported no damage and no loss of life.

Nias:
We are getting mixed reports from Nias Island. The northern and western coasts were severely damaged, heavy flooding, and deaths. These areas are remote, low lying and poor.

Hinakos:
Reports on this island chain are varied, as well. As of 7:30pm tonight, the island of Bawa, a southern more protected island of the Hinako Island Chain, is reported to be ok. News coming from Teluk Dalam, the southernmost village on Nias Island, reports many deaths throughout the Hinako Island Chain. Most recent news is that Asu is also ok. Max and Stu told us that the Hinakos Hideaway land camp was evidently spared the full wrath of the tsunamis but severely flooded. The staff evac'd by boat as the water levels began to rise. No assessment yet on the material damage to the resort.

We’re still learning new info everyday, but in some areas, we just don’t know. We will keep you informed of the latest developments as we get them.

DONATIONS

Sumatran Surfariis is accepting any donations that would like to be made to help in the relief effort. We are trying to organize boats, crew, and supplies, however even for simple aid, the costs can be high. Those of you that have been to these islands know they are remote, fragile, and in desperate need of aid in the best of times. This tragedy has increased the need dramatically.

We ask that any American donations be sent ASAP to:

Danny Siudara
3302 Fulton Street
San Francisco, CA 94118 USA

Any Australian donations sent ASAP to:

Hal Scurrah
77 Koornalla Cres
Mt. Eliza, Victoria 3930 Australia

Adam Kobayashi (AK) will be giving anyone who donates $25 or more a DVD of his newest unreleased movie that includes tons of good footage from recent travels to these beautiful islands, so please include your name and address in the letters to Danny or Hal.

Please make out your checks in the names of Danny or Hal. Danny and Hal will then transfer the donations to us in Padang where we are purchasing the supplies. We are currently buying soap, shampoo, plates, cups, candles, matches, sleeping mats, rope, silverware, flashlights, batteries, sarongs, towels, medicines, water, containers, material, cloths, food, and much more. The amount of villages that have been destroyed are vast, and in remote areas where larger aid organizations have not focused on. Any donation you can make will be greatly appreciated. We will try our best to get to as many as we can.

Thank again for all the concern and calls. All of us here in Padang feel very lucky to have been spared, and are trying our best to get the correct information out to you. Keep checking the website for any updates. www.sumatransurfariis.com

Terima Kasih / Thanks!!!!
Chris & Christina