Desert surfing

The Point. All it needed was swell!

A while back I posted a shot on Facebook of some decent lil waves in Dubai, whilst we were suffering from a 2 week flat spell. An ex-PE local (now based in Muscat, Oman), Quinton Thrussell, commented on the shot saying he was heading to the coast of Oman for a few waves. 

Now for all those that didn't do geography at school, Oman is Dubai's neighbour to the east, and does have a stretch of coast bordering the Arabian Sea. Not exactly surfing nirvana as Quinton points out, but it has an ocean and the sun shines bright daily. 

Here's Quinton's wrap on the trip:

At first glance Oman (if you even know where to look....I didn't before I moved here) may seem like a desolate wasteland but dive beneath the ocean surface and the explosion of marine life is spectacular. 

Oman truly has a beauty all of it's own from mountains, to deserts, to beaches. The people are friendly, helpful and live very simple lives in the fishing villages.  

Surf season runs in conjunction with summer here not the idyllic 25- 30 degrees C which we are accustomed to in PE, but Hades level temps of 35 - 45 degrees and higher which don't exactly drop when night falls. 

Advantage surf-wise, is it's always off shore in the morning; even though it does feel like a giant hair dryer blowing from the moment the sun rises.

It was my birthday weekend (18th April) and I was loath to let another birthday pass without a birthday surf (missed it last year as didn't have my boards). Plan A was to hit the Wild Wadi in Al Ain, UAE (the wave pool made famous by the Globe movie "Electric Blue Heaven") till I laid eyes on Magicseaweed  - which was saying 2-3ft at 15 sec on the east coast. Binned Plan A, lets hit the coast instead. 

Got in touch with the most stoked surf crew in Oman - Oman surfers (https://www.facebook.com/omansurfers?fref=ts ). Most of the guys are starting out but you won't find anyone frothing for a surf more than them regardless of wave size.  

The Arabian Sea Motel

I arrived at the Arabian Sea Motel after 4, going on 5, hours drive from Muscat on the Thursday. Chilled out and had some tasty treats from the hotel (freshest fish and cray dinner).

Friday morning wake to the offshore hair drier winds and 1-2ft. Not ideal, but hey, beggars can't be choosers. Sunblock on and paddle out in to what feels like bath water. Parking at the back line feels surprisingly like you are under a blow torch from the sun and the wind. Suddenly "swoosh"; something pops up next to me like a breaching submarine.  Mind races ....shark?! But no, just your friendly 100- 150 kg turtle popping by to say "Hi!" Highlight of the day for sure. 

After the surf spent rest of the day exploring the surrounds in the car or hiding in the shade or hotel room under the aircon. 

Quinton heading left

Shade's a saviour in the desert

Munchies Arabic-style

Saturday dawns with more hot winds and swell still a little lack lustre. But its my birthday and there is a rideable wave. Thank heavens for Dennis Ellis and his Vetkoek! Certainly made enjoying these tiny swells a lot more fun. Surfed a dumpy shore break just round from the point till the tide rolled in and could move over to the point.  

Surfed the point till my arms were jelly and my mind filled with the endless possibilities of how good this point will be when a decent swell comes marching up the coast. No issue with crowds here, till perhaps the Dubai crew make the great trek. 

Quinton at the right point

Another birthday down and surf in the bag. Trudge back to Muscat dodging the odd camel, goat and donkey. Proceed to calculate when is the next long weekend and stare wantingly at Magic Seaweed awaiting the next swell. 

Story by Quinton Thrussell. Surf pics courtesy of Alejo Bebedor.
Just goes to show - PE peeps have it in-bred in their DNA to make missions to get waves!
That lil point sure looks like it has potential.