Lance's Right.
Lance's Right, also known as HTs, is a reef break off Sipora Island in the Mentawai chain, west of Sumatra. Wikipedia says it is named after Lance Knight, the first person to surf it and its neighbouring left, and that HTs stands for Hollow Trees, after a tree that has since washed away. The wave is a hollow right that ends in a shallow section known as the Surgeon's Table, and it is among the most photographed barrels in Indonesia.
Photo: Naila Fathinah · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons- Level
- Expert
- Direction and bottom
- Right · Reef
- Best swell
- SW groundswell
- Best wind
- NW offshore
- Best tide
- Works at all stages; shallow on the low
- Best months
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct
- Size
- Chest-high to double overhead; hollow and fast
- Hazards
- Shallow flat reef on the inside, Remote location, Coral cuts, Boat traffic, Crowds on charters
Anatomy of the wave
The takeoff is on a deceptively shallow reef, and the wave runs along it in a thick, fast barrel. The inside section is a flat reef that gave rise to the Surgeon's Table nickname, because surfers who get stuck on it are often cut. The end section is known as The Cage, where many photographers sit in boats and take photographs, according to Wikipedia.
Surf-Forecast describes the break as a right-hand reef break that is fairly exposed and very consistent, and it rates it four out of ten. The best swell direction is south-west, and the best wind is north-west offshore. The wave works at all tide stages, but the shallow inside section is more hazardous at low tide.
Season and conditions
The dry season, May to October, is the main window. June is the peak, with clean surf about 34 percent of the time, blown out 15 percent and too small 51 percent. That last number is a reminder that even in season the wave can be small, and that the best days are the product of a good swell. The sea temperature is about 29 degrees Celsius, so a rash vest is typical.
The Mentawai Islands catch swells from the Indian Ocean, and the waves tend to be more consistent than elsewhere in Indonesia, according to Wikipedia. That does not make the surfing easy. A barrel over a shallow reef requires good timing and the courage to commit, and a mistake can lead to cuts and bruises that become infected in tropical water.
Who should not surf Lance's Right
Lance's Right is not suitable for beginners or intermediate surfers who have not tried shallow reef barrels. The reef is sharp, the wave breaks quickly and medical help is far away. Surf-Forecast warns about rocks in the lineup, and the Wikipedia description of the Surgeon's Table makes the risk clear. Surfers should carry a first-aid kit, wear a rash vest and, if possible, reef boots or booties.
People who are uncomfortable on boats, or who are not strong swimmers, should also stay away. The remote location means that evacuation can take hours. Because the break is regularly surfed from charter boats, the lineup can be busy at times, and a loose board can be dangerous. Surf-Forecast describes the crowd as sometimes crowded.
Access by boat or from land
The Mentawai Islands are reached from Padang on the Sumatran mainland, by ferry or boat. Wikipedia says weekly ASDP ferries and fast ferries to Siberut run on certain days, and that Rokot Airport on Sipora provides air services to West Sumatra. Surf-Forecast lists Padang's Tabing airport at about 178 kilometres in a direct line. Wikipedia also says over 40 boats offer surf charters to international guests.
Access to individual breaks is usually organised through a charter boat or a camp, and rules about permits and access fees may apply. Confirm current requirements with your operator before travelling. Photographers watch from boats near The Cage, but from land there is little to see. If you are not surfing, a boat trip can be a way to experience it, subject to local rules.
History and neighbouring waves
Wikipedia says Macaronis was discovered in 1980, and Lance's Right about ten years later, with the discoverers keeping it quiet until photographs from a 1992 charter trip leaked. In April 2016 the Rip Curl Mentawai Pro was held there as a World Surf League and Asian Surfing Championship event. Surf-Forecast lists Lance's Left two kilometres away, and Bommie Peak, Macaronis and Scarecrows further along. The Mentawai guide covers the islands in detail.
What to carry on a charter
Surfers visiting by boat should pack more than a board. A well-stocked first-aid kit with antiseptic, waterproof dressings and tape is essential for reef cuts, and a spare leash and fins are useful because replacements are not easy to find. Bring a rash vest and high-factor sunscreen, and consider reef boots for walking on exposed coral. Check that your insurance covers evacuation by boat and air, and ask your operator about communication equipment on board. Keep your expectations realistic: even in the main season there are small days, and the wave may be crowded when conditions are good. Patience and good manners go a long way.
The ocean off Mentawai Islands, by month
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swell, m | 1.5 | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 1.9 | 1.7 | 1.6 | 1.5 |
| Period, s | 13 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 13 |
| Water, °C | 29 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 | 29 |
Open-ocean ERA5 medians, not wave size at the break. Sources.
Questions about Lance's Right
Why is it called HTs?
Wikipedia says HTs stands for Hollow Trees, after a hollow tree that was once on the point but has washed away.
What is the Surgeon's Table?
It is the shallow inside section of the reef, named for injuries suffered by surfers who get stuck there.
When is the best season?
May to October, with June the peak on Surf-Forecast's figures.
How do I get there?
Usually by boat from Padang or via a charter or camp. Confirm permits and access rules with your operator.
Check a live forecast and local advice before paddling out. Heavy waves injure and kill experienced surfers.