Did a week in 1999 in July. There was plenty of swell but the wind was bad so we kind of got skunked. Got a few days of OK Restaurants. The wind was bad for Cloud Break and Restaurants but good for a couple of the breaks off of Namotu but we weren't allowed to go over there to surf it! Each week would be reserved by a organized group. Me and a friend filled two slots with a group from California associated with a popular surf company.
Got to surf it 15 odd years ago on a sat morning, we were on a boat trip and our skipper got us in because sat was change over day. Cost us $50us each and they made us go to tavarua and sign a waver. Got 4 hours of pumping 4-6ft with only for of us out. Epic wave
I surfed it in the early 90s, we use to get a boat from Momi village who are the traditional owners of the reef. Never had issues with the tavarua crew.
A few native boys used to surf it in the 90s. Fijian’s worked at the Island, Guests didn’t enforce the Fijian law enforced, The Chief enforced if necessary. Pros and Jim Banks other heavy 😢chargers were always welcome. It is a heavy wave to be respected
Aloha NO Dan Ka MAKOMAKO Here . W(in the early years ) as hearing lots of counting coconut as the surfers enjoyed a beautiful experience . The word that fell frommall who have been there is BEAUTIFUL , the system was a trip you will not forget.. Just don't leave the island, go with your diving fishing surf stuff ..... IF!!!!! IT!!! comes we all know it comes The biggest gems belong to the the hands and feet that dig the deepest and continue the journey the search the quest to say the best wave i ever surfed. Nice Post.
The history of Pavones is also fascinating. Great video brother. By the way, I ve noticed you took down the Mike Boyum video... I really enjoyed that kind of content. Something went wrong? Also, Sea of Darkness and Second Thoughts are up there in the best surf videos ever made
Thanks mate!! Yeah unfortunately I had to take it down for legal reasons. (Some people didn't like it basically). But definitely gonna do more of these history type vids, so stay tuned!!
@@DanHarmon123hey Dan, I’m soo bummed you had to take it down. I saved it to watch having a cold beer and it disappeared!!! Nooo! Sea of darkness is certainly a great one about Mike. Please keep up the good work, great channel. 🤙🏻
1st surfed Tavarua in 1988. My understanding is that it was long-time Fijian law for locals to have exclusive and enforceable access to the reefs in their territories because a local tribe protected and was sustained by the reef's bounty ie. fishing etc. This was before surfing was introduced. Tavarua resort was created with the idea that the reef's benefits included riding the waves that broke on them, so it was in line with Fijian law and at the same time created an exclusive experience. This got changed by government intervention.
Personally I think it should rotate to many different places. I get that a lot of surfers only care about barrels but I don't. Pipe every year would be boring too. I like variety in surfing and the world tour isn't just about "best barrel rider". I like turns and airs too.
@@sabastianjohnson4600 keramas is lit but brazos would complain about too many rights especially with snapper back on. would love g land and jbay back the most
I went around 2003 I think and despite several dickheads in another group I had a great time. I need to give credit where credit is due, the staff then were genuinely and incredibly wonderful. Today I wouldn’t bother with it however.
Fijian here: We tried calling them a few times to surf on Saturday(s) and they always had an excuse. So we had to contend with sharky Sigatoka River mouth ha ha ha. One of the boys had his heel taxed by one of the sharks. Good times. :)
Had an approximately 6' shark jump clean out of the water at Sigatoka about 30' away from where I was sitting. The local guy said "that's George." I went in.
Early 90s we would sneek out early and surf from 5am until 730 and shoot back . We only got caught one morning. Few words but but had some big lads with us.
Not that it really matters but I find it difficult to believe Ritter was the first to surf Cloudbreak. There are plenty of anecdotal reports of yachties chancing upon it mid '70's plus the main flight route into Nadi airport flies right past Tavarua so hard to miss. Fiji has been a tourist destination since the mid to late 60's, a lot of the islands close to Tavarua have since had resorts built on them (Plantation island 1969).... hearsay is that Tavarua was considered but dismissed early on (before surf camp) as there was too much wave action in the lagoon! Considering how many people would have access/witness to Cloudbreak/Tavarua 1978 is very late.
I got my ass handed to me on my second wave my cord snapped and was worked over the shallow inside meat grinder even while wearing a 2mill suit for protection or should I say I thought would be protection needless to say it helped slightly but still kept me from surfing for next three days so we moved to safer and alot less crowded breaks which there are dozens I highly recommend hiring a small boat where you can haggle prices that are tolerable Oh yea it was barely four foot at Cloudbreak Thanks for sharing as always my friend Be well and Safe travels PS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DANS BOOK ABSOLUTELY A MUST READ👍🤘
Let’s face it there are thousands of exclusive surf spots around the world we’re pretty much only the locals can get waves not a great deal of difference
surfed it back in1999- you could only surf cloud break if you stayed at the resort. we did surf wilks passage when cloud break was flat. everything was in U.s dollars. Locals could surf it which is fine. privatization keeps the crowds away.
Barney Barrell , known surfer from drainpipes, hawaii told me that went straight to the chief Mo'omomi village, shared some yangona, made a private deal and boated out to cloudbreak!Tavarua haoles tried to stop him. He was prepared and ready to beef all of them at the same time.Guess he surfed Cloud break that day
Nathen Florence’s wave hear lives rent free in my head. This wave is just mental, I love your history of the waves videos they are very intriguing
Thanks for including Finnegan, camping on Tavarua in the 70's is definitely core feral surf exploraration.
Yeah proper surf travel that stuff!!
Did a week in 1999 in July. There was plenty of swell but the wind was bad so we kind of got skunked. Got a few days of OK Restaurants. The wind was bad for Cloud Break and Restaurants but good for a couple of the breaks off of Namotu but we weren't allowed to go over there to surf it! Each week would be reserved by a organized group. Me and a friend filled two slots with a group from California associated with a popular surf company.
Got to surf it 15 odd years ago on a sat morning, we were on a boat trip and our skipper got us in because sat was change over day. Cost us $50us each and they made us go to tavarua and sign a waver. Got 4 hours of pumping 4-6ft with only for of us out. Epic wave
Sick!! Wicked that you got to surf it!!
I surfed it in the early 90s, we use to get a boat from Momi village who are the traditional owners of the reef. Never had issues with the tavarua crew.
Subscribed Dan...keep doing a great job putting out sick content. Huge respect
Interesting Dan, Cloudbreak is for experts only and amazing how the locals and Pros make it look so easy. I suppose they have paid their dues.
Awesome video as always Dan! Keep it up.
Thank you so much!!
Best part its goofy!Thanks Dan for sharing always a great video!
Thanks Jeff!!
The windsurfing footage at Cloudbreak is absolutely insane.
Yeah I know!! That stuffs insane...
Thanks Dan - another great vid!
Stoked you enjoyed this one!!
A few native boys used to surf it in the 90s. Fijian’s worked at the Island, Guests didn’t enforce the Fijian law enforced, The Chief enforced if necessary. Pros and Jim Banks other heavy 😢chargers were always welcome. It is a heavy wave to be respected
bucket list spot
Aloha NO Dan Ka MAKOMAKO Here . W(in the early years ) as hearing lots of counting coconut as the surfers enjoyed a beautiful experience . The word that fell frommall who have been there is BEAUTIFUL , the system was a trip you will not forget.. Just don't leave the island, go with your diving fishing surf stuff ..... IF!!!!! IT!!! comes we all know it comes The biggest gems belong to the the hands and feet that dig the deepest and continue the journey the search the quest to say the best wave i ever surfed. Nice Post.
These restricted spots are, for obvious reasons, pretty intriguing. Would be cool to see a vid on the hollister/bixby ranch and maybe gods left.😃
As a Hawai’ian, I believe that Nobody should own a wave. Let alone a Beach.
The history of Pavones is also fascinating. Great video brother. By the way, I ve noticed you took down the Mike Boyum video... I really enjoyed that kind of content. Something went wrong? Also, Sea of Darkness and Second Thoughts are up there in the best surf videos ever made
Thanks mate!! Yeah unfortunately I had to take it down for legal reasons. (Some people didn't like it basically). But definitely gonna do more of these history type vids, so stay tuned!!
@@DanHarmon123hey Dan, I’m soo bummed you had to take it down.
I saved it to watch having a cold beer and it disappeared!!! Nooo!
Sea of darkness is certainly a great one about Mike.
Please keep up the good work, great channel.
🤙🏻
1st surfed Tavarua in 1988. My understanding is that it was long-time Fijian law for locals to have exclusive and enforceable access to the reefs in their territories because a local tribe protected and was sustained by the reef's bounty ie. fishing etc. This was before surfing was introduced. Tavarua resort was created with the idea that the reef's benefits included riding the waves that broke on them, so it was in line with Fijian law and at the same time created an exclusive experience. This got changed by government intervention.
Good stuff and video
Thank you!!
first channel ever subscribed. I hope you will be making some money with this youtube game soon :).
Idk why they are allergic to having the finals at pipe but Ill definitely take cloudbreak over Trestles
Personally I think it should rotate to many different places. I get that a lot of surfers only care about barrels but I don't. Pipe every year would be boring too. I like variety in surfing and the world tour isn't just about "best barrel rider". I like turns and airs too.
@@doublestrokeroll It seems like thats the plan from here on out. Really wish Keramas was still on the list
@@sabastianjohnson4600 keramas is lit but brazos would complain about too many rights especially with snapper back on. would love g land and jbay back the most
@@sabastianjohnson4600 Yeah that's a cool wave. Kind of a bit of everything.
Dan what is the name of the song in the beginning @:40? It's so good!
Barbarian Days is an incredible book
Great upload mate 🤙
Shallow reefs : I am not scared of death, but I do not want to be a burden on my family with a disability.
4-6ft beachies ✅
Thanks!! Hahah, love that attitude... 😂
I went around 2003 I think and despite several dickheads in another group I had a great time. I need to give credit where credit is due, the staff then were genuinely and incredibly wonderful. Today I wouldn’t bother with it however.
Hey where did your G-land video go?
Fijian here: We tried calling them a few times to surf on Saturday(s) and they always had an excuse. So we had to contend with sharky Sigatoka River mouth ha ha ha. One of the boys had his heel taxed by one of the sharks. Good times. :)
Had an approximately 6' shark jump clean out of the water at Sigatoka about 30' away from where I was sitting. The local guy said "that's George." I went in.
@@heinzbaron9129 Ha ha ha Good ole George! :D
good info
Thanks mate :))
Early 90s we would sneek out early and surf from 5am until 730 and shoot back . We only got caught one morning. Few words but but had some big lads with us.
Sick mate!! Hahha, yeah that always helps!
Not that it really matters but I find it difficult to believe Ritter was the first to surf Cloudbreak. There are plenty of anecdotal reports of yachties chancing upon it mid '70's plus the main flight route into Nadi airport flies right past Tavarua so hard to miss. Fiji has been a tourist destination since the mid to late 60's, a lot of the islands close to Tavarua have since had resorts built on them (Plantation island 1969).... hearsay is that Tavarua was considered but dismissed early on (before surf camp) as there was too much wave action in the lagoon! Considering how many people would have access/witness to Cloudbreak/Tavarua 1978 is very late.
Not mentioning Roseman is p ridiculous for a tavarua video lol prob just learned about it with the WSL final
I got my ass handed to me on my second wave my cord snapped and was worked over the shallow inside meat grinder even while wearing a 2mill suit for protection or should I say I thought would be protection needless to say it helped slightly but still kept me from surfing for next three days so we moved to safer and alot less crowded breaks which there are dozens I highly recommend hiring a small boat where you can haggle prices that are tolerable Oh yea it was barely four foot at Cloudbreak Thanks for sharing as always my friend Be well and Safe travels PS I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DANS BOOK ABSOLUTELY A MUST READ👍🤘
Yo Michael!! Hahah, at least you had a crack at it (I was too scared haha), thanks for the book love also... Yew!!
Dan, not sure if you are aware that your video of best surf towns appeared in a Spanish sports newspaper - sick
What no way!! That's crazy hahah!!
Let’s face it there are thousands of exclusive surf spots around the world we’re pretty much only the locals can get waves not a great deal of difference
If you’re not a very good surfer don’t go very heavy powerful shallow wave I went there in the early 90s and got the shock of my life
surfed it back in1999- you could only surf cloud break if you stayed at the resort. we did surf wilks passage when cloud break was flat. everything was in U.s dollars. Locals could surf it which is fine. privatization keeps the crowds away.
Yo Luke!! Ahhh ok, so locals could surf it back then?
@@DanHarmon123 yes had a few from the resort surf with us. they were really nice. Had kava with the chief and got pretty wasted...hahaha
Barney Barrell , known surfer from drainpipes, hawaii told me that went straight to the chief Mo'omomi village, shared some yangona, made a private deal and boated out to cloudbreak!Tavarua haoles tried to stop him. He was prepared and ready to beef all of them at the same time.Guess he surfed Cloud break that day
No mention of Keith Martin ? ? ? Yet another pice of surf history distorted by Ritter and the yanks ! ! ! Do your homework please 😎.
If the locals weren't given free rein in the exclusive days, the owners were bitch-made.