HIGH VOLTAGE: AGUS FRIMANTO AND THE FUTURE SOUL OF NUSA LEMBONGAN



“To be any kind of good surfer on Nusa Lembongan”, says native son Agus Frimanto, “You must have a very close connection with the moon”. And at 27 years old, he is the man that should know. Surfing on our neighbor island is tidal to the extreme. Constantly swept with deadly currents, Lembongan can look flat at low tide and be ten foot by high. And don’t forget those famous rogue waves that come in, vexing inexperienced visitors who are out on a three foot day when all of the sudden a ten foot set barrels through the line-up. But Agus Frimanto is an experienced breed of Lembongan surfer, never caught by surprise. “You have to pay attention over here.



Sometimes our best sessions are only 40 minutes long. You need to connect to be a part of the peak moments over here”. Still, drawing inspiration from John John Florence’s surfing and possessing a bubbling enthusiasm for Lembongan’s future, Frimanto can see a day when his island will no longer appear as a private surfing reserve and instead become an important stop on the WQS tour. “It’s all about getting the government to help us build towers”, He says, “Like the one at Lakey Peak or the one at Siargao.



The pontoons we have now don’t cut it, even the judges get seasick”. With this new push for meaningful competitions at both Shipwreck and Lacerations, Frimanto envisions a day when Nusa Lembongan will become a regular international stop, inspiring the next generation of their Boardrider club members to go toe to toe in the barrels of both spots. And with great air sections at the end of each, one can imagine it happening. “Right now, we have an open invitation to our government and to all international competitors to help us make our island a competitive hot spot”, Frimanto says, “We have the waves and the talent, and most of all the desire”. And that’s exactly what it takes. After all, as Agus Frimanto now knows, the best way to predict your future is to create it.

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