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The waves on the coral coast are nothing short of world class. They can stand up easily to their more notable northern cousins, like Tavarua. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Life-long travel companions, Bruna and Dane. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Back door views. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Dane flounders around another random atoll in the midst of the 333 island archipelago. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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And most of these islands are equipped with key holes and passes that result in ridiculously fun walls of water. And like dane you too will be unsure if its all really happening. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The view out. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Bruna enjoying the local showers. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The waters in Fiji are exactly what you expect, crystal clear, warm and full of life. whether its massive schools of tang, 30 Lbs Uluas or the lonely reef shark cruising the drop offs, Fiji has got it all. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Man turn. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Bruna was hungry this day. she wanted every set that came in. She charges harder than most guys. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Bruna goes. Exhibit B. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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This wave is called “Pipes.” Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Bruna. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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More and more locals are jumping on boards. Give this kid 5 years and he will be on the radar. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Dane excels in waist high or double overhead. His air game is scary and his rail work is equally fun to watch. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Most everyday in between surf sessions Dane and Bruna got to stretch it out at a world class yoga studio under the instruction of an internationally renounwn teacher. Kristen Wang. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Not only does Bruna rip she has more fun than anyone in the lineup. Every wave she is all smiles, regardless of size. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Snorkel time. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Just another fun pocket ride. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The lagoons surrounding the Matanavusi Resort are things tropical dreams are made of. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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High tide. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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That moment you see THE set start to stack and your blood pressure spikes. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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That moment when you lock into the first solid one on the session of the trip. and everyones sees it. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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That moment after the best session of the trip and you can’t really believe what just happened. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Bruna cruising across yet another spit of sand in the middle of nowhere. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The diving along the coral coast is unbelievable. spot on to any south pacific rumors you may have heard. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Dane on one of a dozen perfect little backdoor benders that rolled through that evening. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Besides the perfect surf, waterfalls, and pina coladas there was more down time that needed to be filled. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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Typical Fijian fun. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The backyard. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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...or front yard. Photo: Ricky Lesser
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The bends and turns, the water the air, the people, the light. The islands of Fiji are incredibly special and should be experienced at least once in a lifetime. Photo: Ricky Lesser
Editor’s Note: The following words were written by Dane Zaun who just enjoyed the trip of a lifetime with his fiancé, Bruna Schmitz, thanks to Waterways Travel, Fiji Airlines and Matanivusi Surf Resort. And like any good trip, having a photographer there to capture it all is a nice cherry on top, with a gallery from photographer Ricky Lesser.
The first thing that I feel when I step off the plane is a wave of fresh air. It’s not just the obvious kind with tropical fragrance and humidity, but the kind when a local Fijian sweeping the floors stops to say hello and welcome you to his beautiful country. He doesn’t know where you are going or how long you are staying but the gentle giant knows that you just arrived in paradise. I do too.
I enjoy the simplicity. The Fijians have a time of their own – Fiji Time – no hurry, no worry. At Matanivusi Surf Resort our days are relaxed yet filled with fun and adventure, good waves or poor. Waking up with the Fijian sunrise never gets old; and having a coffee, fresh fruit and cereal with my beautiful fiancé Bruna while planning our day is the best.
The waves are unbelievable. Unlike the famous breaks to the west; everything down here is a touch more raw. Not raw in a bad way, but in the way that the reefs are a bit further out, the wind a bit stronger, and the swell a notch bigger. The lack of other surfers in the lineup makes it feel primal.
After surfing all day, Bruna and I enjoyed private evenings on our deck, watching the sunset and soaking up that fresh Fiji vibe that made everything so special. If you ever travel here, you’ll not be disappointed and will be planning your trip back before you even leave. Thanks to WaterWays Surf Adventures for making this all possible. But mostly, thank you Bruna for being my life-long travel companion.
