The following report is by Richard Kotch / World Surfaris.

Many years ago I spent far too much time pondering the meaning of life and subsequently became quite interested in Buddhism. My meditation teacher at the time placed a great deal of emphasis on finding the middle path and eliminating the highs and lows from life. Mr. Lama would have been most unimpressed with July in the Maldives!

Yep, July was a roller-coaster ride of emotions! One of the best, most mind blowing, amazing weeks of absolute perfection that I have ever seen, was followed by the worst week of junky swell and onshores that had guests forgetting that they were even on a surf trip. Then, just when the island counseling services were at breaking point, and we were all looking at tickets to Indo, the wind switched, the swell pulsed, the sun came out and we were all on our knees praising the wonder of July in the Maldives!

The first week of July delivered light winds, mid-sized waves, and manageable crowds. We enjoyed uncrowded sessions at Cokes and Chickens as the swell stayed in the 2-4 foot range from the S/SE. The second week was even better as a strong pulse of S/SE swell combined with favorable W/NW winds to light up every wave in the area. On the first couple days of the swell our World Surfaris guests enjoyed stand out sessions at Cokes with just a handful of other guys in the water. While Jails and Sultans were quite busy there was just one other boat at Cokes so our guests could really get to know the wave and spend some quality time in the tube!

In my mind Cokes really is the premier wave in the region. Some of the tube rides going down were comparable to mellow HTs in Indo but without the surgeons table to worry about! After two days of six second barrels with hardly anyone in the water word got out and it did get a bit busy. Christo Hall, Ben Short, Banno and friends from North Narrabeen turned up and for the next few days put on a quality display of world-class surfing. For good surfers from one of the more competitive waves in Australia their behavior in the line up was a lesson for all. They played by the rules fair and square, so it was good to have them setting an example. I wish more people would take notice. 

It pumped for a week. Everywhere was going off. Jails was long and perfect, Honkies had epic moments and Sultans was doing what Sultans does - surprising guests with barrels on the inside bowl - while Cokes and Chickens continued to deliver truly world-class perfection.... But then, after over a week of non-stop barrels, the swell dropped and the wind turned strong onshore and stayed that way for a while.

Initially the guests seemed almost relieved to have a day off the boat. Guys were getting massages, drinking cocktails in the pool, and just relaxing doing all the things that non surfers do on tropical islands. The vibe was chilled, the nightly volleyball with the Russian hostesses somewhat raucous, and wives and girlfriends enjoyed romantic evenings with their man...until about day five. There's something about five days of onshores that sends even the most patient of surf travelers to the edge, and as the guides we took the brunt of it!

On the 28th a new swell hit. It wasn't big, big, but it was a good one for the Maldives. Cokes had some double-overhead sets and the inside section at Sultans was throwing out some heaving barrels if anyone cared to pull in. Amy enjoyed a barrel fest at virtually empty Lohis, while most guests headed to the long perfect walls at Jails. But again, in my book, Cokes was the place to be. For four days Nate Banks and some of our Lohis regulars joined Cokes standout Jeremy Wilmotte for a feast of barrels that left everyone stoked, satisfied and surfed out.

Today is the 31st and it's still good. Sultans was 4-5 foot all day. What flat spell?!?

Cheers, Rich.