The Job of a Lifetime in the Mentawais

This shot was taken directly in front of Kandui Villas, at a wave called NoKandui, or as the island manager Zach Keenan like to call it - YesKandui! The wave is a shallow series of slabs that offers some of the most adrenaline packed rides in the area. Photo: John Maher

I took this shot early in the morning, just after a thick storm passed over us and switched the wind perfectly offshore. Hard to tell in the photo, but you could stand tall in that drainer. Photo: John Maher

Light radiates in the Mentawai's, even on the cloudy days. The region is a surfing photo studio. Photo: John Maher

Talking story in the lineup.. not a bad place to catch up with old friends. Photo: John Maher

Here's another view of Kandui. The vision that drives surfers' lives. Photo: John Maher

Pretty incredible that you can still find perfect warm waves in empty lineups these days. Kandui doing its thing. Photo: John Maher

This surfer showed up on a boat with his own water photographer, who he was pulling in for. I didn't want to get in their way, so I took the underwater approach. Photo: John Maher

The Kandui region of the Mentawais is one of the most consistent areas I've ever been. There are always fun waves a short boat ride away, but if you feel like just kicking back on the beach, it's absolute paradise. Photo: John Maher

The paddle back out to the takeoff spot can be just as exciting as riding the waves. Photo: John Maher

I took this shot of one of the guests as he was getting barreled. Quad-fins work great in the fast, hollow waves in the area. Photo: John Maher

Here is another shot that Bruno Smith took of me at a friendly wave called Hideaways. Everyone seems to love this forgiving left-hander. Photo: John Maher

If you'd rather chill by the pool rather than in the sand, that is an option too. Photo: John Maher

If you feel like packing some bigger waves of consequence, a short motor over to Bank Vaults is always a good option. Bruno Smith took this photo of me surfing with just one other guy out - Jordan, the owner of the Villas. Photo: John Maher

As you can see, I prefer shooting unridden waves. I try to take shots that people would like to display in their homes. This image could easily be taken from a boat, but it was actually taken with a wide angle lens in the water. Photo: John Maher

This is actually a shot of me taken by Bruno Smith, Kandui Villas professional photographer. It's pretty cool that the Kandui guests have the opportunity to take home such high-quality photos of their trip. Photo: John Maher

A couple of Rainbow Runners followed me around for hours. This species can grow to become some of the toughest fish in the sea. Photo: John Maher

If you're interested in a great surf trip with or without the family, I highly recommend checking out Kandui Villas. Place is mental. Photo: John Maher

I took this photo in front of my room at Kandui Villas. The island is great for surfers and non-surfers alike. Photo: John Maher