THE QUIKSILVER CROSSING CHANGES TACK.....see latest Captains Log.





























Lee Bisset


Let me begin this daily journal by saying this is in fact my first trip overseas, and not only am I going to search for new untouched /surfed spots but we're doing it in the best possible way known to any surfer " The Quiksilver Crossing - Indies Trader"
Thankyou : Barry Wollins, Arthur limboris and Ryan Hurter for making my dream a reality.

04/03/01

After flying for approximately 14 hours in total we finally arrived at the port where we were to be collected by the Indies Trader, only to find that the boat had not yet arrived. I think in the back of all our minds after waiting for about an hour or two we thought about where the hell we were going to sleep that night, or what we were going to do with all our luggage. But not a moment too soon whilst most of us were lying down on some stools we heard Jason hooting as the boat stuck it's nose around the front end of the island, this was nothing short of awesome. Our dream had now become a reality. After boarding the boat John had anchored to go sign in with the Harbour Master. We all jumped in for a swim, this is when I actually acknowledged what was happening. It took me about 5 minutes of just sitting on my board staring at the boat to come to terms with it all…insane. We then set off for our first destination - no clue where. Had a few sundowners, Patto got seasick.


05/03/01

After travelling through the night, we awoke to this perfect little right hander, Gigs called it three dead trees. After our surf, Captain took us to another island which turned out to be really good. Long rippable rights (beautiful place). Surfed for about 6 hours. Totally "knackered mate".

06/03/01

Early morning we travelled around the same island to explore some other perfect waves, but we ended up back at the same spot, 4-6ft perfect rights, some awesome rides. Ate sushi for the first time in my life. Before dark we moved back to the same spot where we awoke the first morning. Justin caught a fish then took myself and Doug out on the boat where we both caught a Tuna fish each, within approximately 5 minutes. Pretty stoked out bro.

07/03/01

This location was pretty small, some of the guys jumped in for a surf. Really shallow reef and Jason scrapped the reef while bottom turning and took a chunk out of his board. A few of us decided to check out another spot further down the point, really fun right hander - very rippable. Both spots have an enormous amount of potential. John claimed it to be one of the best line ups he's ever seen. Not enough swell yet, we can only pray!

08/03/01

Woke up to a rainy day and found a left break on another island. We're now heading towards another island. So far we've found about five new surf spots (pretty insane I reckon). It's all good mate, as Jason would say. After a long boat trip we arrived at probably the most beautiful island we've been to so far. John anchored the boat and we all paddled to shore to snorkel and put our feet on some sand. Found another potentially good left 10 minutes away on another island. Travelled overnight to somewhere else.

09/03/01

When we arrived at our destination some of us jumped in for a surf. The waves were about 2-3ft but an absolutely perfect left hander. Justin and myself were truly stoked - a couple of nice little tubes. Jason was sick all day. We then travelled about an hour away. Seems like the only place that gets swell, had one or two waves.

10/03/01

Stayed there all day - small waves, got pretty fun in the evening. Patto did some scuba diving. Very lazy day not much happening.

11/03/01

The swell rose a bit today had some superfun waves 3ft +. Beautiful day, weather was spectacular for shooting. Had a bbq for dinner. Leaving for another place at midnight. One of the locals offered me to come stay there for a month in August for free, if I could teach him how to surf. He'd only been surfing for two months.

12/03/01

We arrived at a spectacular place filled with chains of beautiful islands. Filled up with diesel, took most of the day. Gigs and Jason decided to have a drinking contest, guess who won - Jason. Gigs was a fricken man overboard (he was hurling and crapping overboard), Jason (10) Gigs (8).

13/03/01

Surfed this really perfect left reef, I was stoked cause I got some sets (2ft) An insane lineup came in and was surprised to see Gigs was still alive. Moved onto some other islands - beautiful. Surfed this perfect left 3ft left. Clean conditions. Totally sunburnt. Then we left, not enough swell around here.

14/03/01

Woke up in a new place. All the guys decided to go to the market place (a real old run down place). Some of the little kids were really stoked on surfing (they were also pretty good). Dane and myself decided to go surfing at kids corner. Some of them thought that we were the best surfers in the world. "You're number one in the world" they shouted.

15/03/01

Got in early for a surf - 3ft perfect conditions. Beautiful day. Earned myself a nickname "Smudge" (don't ask!). Myself and Dane hopped on some longboards and I learnt that I am better off doing switch foot on a long board (I got barrelled). We all went fishing together, didn't catch a thing "weird dude". Swell still small.

16/03/01

Things are still looking not so good with the swell. Had some fun waves really brilliant lighting. Gigs stuffed his camera up (water). Still no swell.

17/03/01

Headed towards a couple of other islands that John knew about. Found a little right hander, heaps of potential. We then decided to head back. It took about ten hours overnight.

18/03/01

Woke up to really fun waves. I was feeling unbelievably weak, I seriously thought I had Malaria (the symptoms were all there)? Justin caught some serious fish, I also caught a yellow tail. Patto was doing some really great surfing in the morning. Our trip on the Indies Trader was now coming to an end. I can gladly say that this was nothing short of awesome. Fun waves, good weather, great people, insane food, air-conditioned rooms…..a journey of a lifetime. I think a great time was had by all and I can honestly say from my side that this has been the best experience of my life. "Living the dream of catching perfect waves" Thank you all at Quiksilver.

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