(First off, I'd like to put the word out about Continental Airlines' policies on surfboards as baggage. My family and I recently went on a trip from Honolulu to Bali. I called the night before to make sure I was okay bringing 8 surfboards. Being a family of four paying passengers I was told 2 surfboards per person would be acceptable. So I borrowed two boardbags and packed 4 surfboards in each.

But the next day when we arrived at Honolulu airport the man at the counter said that will be $1200.00 US! Excess board charge!! We were freaked out. 'You must be joking! He said, "No joke. This is standard policy." He said if they were packed in pairs -- two per bag -- that would be okay. My ride had already left, so he said take a taxi and buy two new boardbags from the mall. We were so stressed out. What to do??? It was Memorial Day, so all stores were closed anyways.

My younger son was in tears! My wife was ready to puke she was so upset -- not the way to start a vacation! I wasn't going to leave any boards, as the whole reason to go on this trip was to surf, so I decided to fork out the money and have a great holiday, not letting this ruin it even though we had to put our hotel and G-Land fees on credit card! We would work it out later.

I tried to email Continental and explain my situation. When they finally did answer they said that is policy: 'We can't give you any compensation.' I tried many times to no avail.

So now I would at least like to get the word out: SURFERS BEWARE -- DON'T FLY CONTINENTAL AIRLINES!!!!

Ahem. Thanks. Now, onto the story...

Ever since my son Derek was a baby I had this dream, (being goofyfoot), to take him on a trip to G-Land. As a baby he would stand up on a skateboard as a regularfoot. I'd seen other friends of mine who were goofyfoot have kids that were regularfoot and I was thinking, 'that's just wrong!' The kid is gonna grow up wanting to go to J-Bay, Burleigh Heads, Rincon, etc. Not the end of the world, but how cool would it be for us BOTH to be facing the wave, getting frontside barrels? (Not that I have anything against going backside -- my favorite wave is Sunset Beach).

So I figured he was still just learning to walk, maybe I could keep putting his right foot forward on the skateboard instead of his natural tendency of his left foot forward. Eventually he will be goofyfoot, or better yet ambidextrous! It turned out he was goofyfoot only. (I did the same thing with my other kid Jordan, 4 years later!) Some people I talk to say that what I did was f**ked up, but to each his own.

Going to G-Land in itself is kinda scary. It's "surf combat" I was once told years ago by Nyoman, the camp manager at the time. Be prepared for anything! But taking your 15 year old son is double the worry. (I'm a big worrywart!)

So here we go. The bemo picks us up at the Garden View hotel around 10:00 PM right after dinner. Derek had a couple large Bintangs at dinner, (my bad), then mom gives him a sleeping pill, (her bad) to take for the 6+ hour ride.

Guess what: no shocks on the bemo! Every little bump was torture! I could feel my internal organs bouncing around inside me. Bemo was packed with Aussies and Kiwis, maybe 8 of us total, our friend Mike sitting shotgun. But Derek was in front of me, passed out cold. It even scared me he wasn't moving -- after a while; I had to nudge him to see if he was alive.

All of the sudden a few of the Aussies were against the side of the bemo like Spiderman yelling "Open a window!" Someone did just in time, 'cause Derek was blowing chunks! Poor kid. All the rest of the way.

We get to the ferry and he's dry heaving! I feel so helpless, like what can I do? On the ferry, dry-chucking across the strait, me, holding him so he doesn't fall overboard. Then another couple hours to Grajagan village. Dry hiccups all the way. Big-time dues paying, sure, but he wanted to drink the Bintang. After the 20 minute boat ride across bay I think he was feeling better.

Pulling into the boat channel at G-Land was still magical/mystical even for my fourth time -- words can't describe it. Headed out to Kongs for first session, head-high, fun waves but you could tell swell was picking up. Headed down to Money Trees later, baby bommie sets right before dark Saw Derek get a nice barrel.

Next morning swell bigger. Hardest thing to watch empty waves peeling with nobody out! Waiting for offshore winds and higher tide. Hoping it doesn't get too crowded? Many people going down to 20-20's & Tiger Tracks. After lunch 6'-8' barrels going off! Got crowded though. Derek was turning heads -- launching pads thru Speedies! HEAVY!!
I Took a solid eight-footer on the head at Speedies paddling back out, while Mililani Dentist Larry, (Dr. Ayam), dropping in nearly missing me! Larry, no paddle take off, totally ate shit, I was surprised he was still alive (Wave was closely resembling Pipeline!) He made up for it later though, catching all the best waves of the sets. (And thanks Larry, for all the fresh fish you fed the camp every night!)

Met up with Steve Fairbrother, Kevin Komack, and Cha, guys I'd hadn't seen since Puerto days, 1980 or before (small world!)! Evening was spent with many Bintangs and ping-pong with tall Mike.

The next few days varied from three feet and OK to eight feet and pumping, but eventually, Derek wanted to leave. Same food every day and watching a bunch of grown-ups drink Bintang every night with no kids his age around kinda got boring for him. (Too bad though 'cause after he left around 11:00 AM surfed jumped back up again! plus a couple families came into camp with kids Derek's age.)

Went back to Kuta to join my family for a couple more days then back to reality. I can't wait to go back to Indo. Tidak Apa Apa (No problems) --Cole Doeh

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