G-land | BangkoBangko.com

G-land, Gradjagan, Plengkung, call it what you will, this was/is probably the most consistently epic and fabled surf spot in Indo, if not the world. The amount of swell that pours into that reef, with those perfect wind conditions, during the six month dry season is just uncanny. The early pioneers there had the most rudimentary accommodations – literally living in bamboo tree houses – but had the waves of a lifetime before the camp became a real commercial venture, the first of its kind. The short list of this exclusive club would include Bill and Mike Boyum, Bob Lafferty, Rick Rasmussen, Tim Watts, Steve Spalding, Ray Miller, Tony “Blinky” Brinkworth, Jerry Lopez, Peter McCabe and crew, Bones, Jim Ingham, Mike Miller and Co, and a host of others. By the time we arrived in the early eighties the G-land Surf Camp was fully operational. Owned and operated by Bobby Radiasa, it could house and feed a large number of surfers and was the prototype that made Bobby a very wealthy man by Indonesian standards. It’s still running to this day in a highly upgraded and more populated rendition. We were so lucky to have Ketut get us what was basically a carte blanche permit to come and go from G-land as we pleased when most other boats were banned or severely extorted. We would usually time our three to four trips a season with premium swell and tide windows. Imagine living on a boat, inside Gradjagen Bay, and looking out at endless roping barrels. Reality check – yeah, we were lucky.

G-land: Money trees 1982 — Money trees 1982

G-land: Launching pad 1982 — Launching pad 1982

G-land: Mike Flemming 1983 — Mike Flemming 1983

G-land: Jack Hanson 1983 — Jack Hanson 1983

G-land: JM, Speedies 1984 — JM, Speedies 1984

G-land: JM, Moneys 1984 — JM, Moneys 1984

G-land: Nelson, Moneys 1984 — Nelson, Moneys 1984

G-land: Brian MacDougal 1984 — Brian MacDougal 1984

G-land: Bobby MacDougal 1984 — Bobby MacDougal 1984

G-land: Duck dive, Speedies — Duck dive, Speedies

G-land: Reef and camp 1986 — Reef and camp 1986

G-land: Merapi Volcano 1986 — Merapi Volcano 1986

G-land: Brad Stubbs, Speedies 1986 — Brad Stubbs, Speedies 1986

G-land: JM and Jim I, 1986 — JM and Jim I, 1986

G-land: Jim I setup, 1985 — Jim I setup, 1985

G-land: Jim I bottom turn, 1985 — Jim I bottom turn, 1985

G-land: Jim I drop, 1985 — Jim I drop, 1985

G-land: Jim I pristine, 1985 — Jim I pristine, 1985

G-land: Jim I pull in, 1985 — Jim I pull in, 1985

G-land: Distant lines 1986 — Distant lines 1986

G-land: Jim I, standing — Jim I, standing

G-land: Aussie on acid 1983 — Aussie on acid 1983

G-land: White light 1986 — White light 1986