Chapter 3 Last Training in Karoniki

Mulook Cafe is the name. The building is very simple. The main pillars in some corners are dry coconut trees that are old and large. While the other supporting poles are also made of coconut trees. But a little smaller.

Thatch roof. Arranged neatly huddled together on the roof truss. The installation does not use nails. Instead, it is squeezed with bamboo slats cut long on both sides of the thatched roof sheets.

Even though they are leaves from the midrib of thatch trees, the brown leaf roof is quite resistant. Able to withstand sea breezes and rain. It's been almost a year installed. It's still strong and in good condition. And it still hasn't leaked or needs to be replaced.

The cafe building is open only. The walls are only a third down. That is as high as the seat to the ground. Three sides filled with long benches. Also made from dried coconut trees. There are tables in front of him.

The table material is not coconut tree. Just a wooden plank. In the Mentawai forest there are many types of wood. Just choose what kind of wood you want.

On the right side there is a kind of mini bar. With a high chair. There is a long table on it. Behind the desk after the escape room stood a cupboard divided into boxes without lids. Contains drink bottles.

Beside the mini bar or the back of the cafe building there is a closed room. Divided into four rooms. Barjun's bedroom. Leha's room, the cafe maid. One guest room. And the other is the dining room and kitchen. Bajak Yudeh lives at home with his wife and children. About 3km from this cafe.

The cafe building is located on a high land. About two meters above sea level. Never before has the sea water reached the top. Even at high tide, the water level only reaches half the height of the land.

In front of the café is a stretch of beach. Karoniki beach with white sand. On the beach side is the ocean with big waves. That's where people surf. It was also where Barjun first got to know surfing. And since the past year, it's also where Barjon teaches people to surf.

The cafe was still empty when Barjun left the room. There's only Lena. The skinny girl who was not yet 18 years old seemed to be cleaning the table. Seen he was carrying a bucket with a washcloth on his shoulder.

Barjon sat at the table by the exit. When Lena saw her sitting down, the girl stopped her work. He came closer.

"Want coffee?" he asked.

Barjun nodded.

It's still early. Coconut trees lined up along the shoreline are still sleeping. No wind had awakened him yet. On the beach, the waves are still pounding slowly. One by one broke on the beach.

The lights in front and side of the resort are also still glowing. That means it's still dark. The lights outside are all automatic. The lights will immediately turn off when the sun is out.

Barjun knows that. He worked there for more than two years. While still in high school. Not only about the lights, he also knows how many beds there are, how much a cup of coffee costs or who likes to stay there or how many surfboards the resort has.

Lena placed a cup of coffee in front of her.

It's cool to see two young women walking unsteadily towards the café. Both are wearing hats. Dressed in sleeves. Shorts. Even very short. Looks round thighs and white.

They both waved. "Good morning," they said.

Barjun answered with a wave too. The two of them entered and sat in front of Barjun. They claimed to have had breakfast at the hotel when Barjun offered.

"Thank You. We've had breakfast at the hotel," said a tall woman who then introduced herself as Miyora.

"This is my friend. Her name is Ayana. He can't speak Indonesian yet," said Miyora.

"Watashinonamaeha mizukidesu. How are you?" said the woman called Ayana in Japanese. He lowered his head.

Miyora laughed. "He said: My name is Ayana. How are you?" Miyora said translating Ayana's words.

"I'm well. My name is Barjun," said Barjun, bowing his head back.

"In Japanese: "Rōhōdesu. Watashinonamaeha Kerendesu," said Miyora as well.

Ayana laughed listening to the translation of Barjun's words. Miyora also laughed. Cool just rolled up.

Then Barjun went behind him. And he came back with two surfboards. He took the two Japanese women out of the cafe. Taking his place under a coconut tree, Barjun began training.

First he introduced her to the surfboard. Namely a long board used by surfers to stand in the water and perform maneuvers when dealing with waves.

"This surfboard was first invented by the ancient Hawaiians. At that time surfboards were made from the koa tree, a plant endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The length of the board is up to 5 meters or 15 feet," explained Barjun. Because they are made of wood, even ancient surfboards are very heavy.

Along with the development of technology, the shape and materials for making surfboards are also growing rapidly from wood to fiberglass or epoxy so that they become lighter but still strong to hit the waves.

Ayana and Miyora looked seriously concerned. They sat on the rattan mats that Lena had prepared.

In order to be used optimally when surfing, a surfboard must have several parts. Barjun explained one by one. "This front end of the surfboard is called the nose. The top side where the surfer stands or deck. The bottom side is in contact with water. And this is the back end of the board or tail, the left and right sides of the board or rail," he explained.

And these are the fins that are at the bottom back of the board called the fins. Wood segments as the center bone of a surfboard or stringer. The hole in the back of the top of the surfboard for tying the rope is called a leash cup. And a surfer's leg rope.

"For new surfers like you, the surfboard used should be a long one. This board is also known as a longboard. That is the oldest type of surfboard and also the longest with a length of 8-12 feet," said Barjun again.

This type of board is actually more recommended for beginners because its use is simpler and easier. With this board, it is easier for beginner surfers to balance on the waves.

Bajun was reminded, just like when starting any other sport, surfing also requires warming up. Warming up can be done by jogging and walking on the beach. Can by doing standard movements. Like twirling hands, jogging in place, jumping up and down. Or gymnastics.

"Don't be in a hurry to jump into the sea. It's important to spend a little time doing exercises on the sand," he said.

First practice getting up or standing. With the prone position on the board and the rowing movement has been successfully carried out. Another equally important exercise is to practice getting up from the surfboard.

When he later remembered that Ayana did not understand Indonesian, Barjun then explained that he would immediately put it into practice. More with movement. Thus, not understanding speech can still be overcome by the practice of direct movements.

"When lying down, you can take your hands from rowing and then position them right under your chest. Make sure your palms are flat on the board when your fingers are curled up against the sides of the surfboard. The movement of pushing the body up using the arms while moving the legs down the body must be fast," said Barjun by immediately making the movement.

It is important for beginners, must really understand how to stand on the surfboard properly and balanced. When taking off, the knees should be kept bent while the arms are relaxed. Also make sure your upper body is leaning slightly forward in order to lower the center of gravity.

Take the board into the water and start rowing. Once in the water, make sure to keep the board floating across the water. Rowing or paddling by hand needs to be done long and deep strokes.

Barjun also demonstrated a circular motion of the board and waited for the right wave. Once you're seated on the plank, rotate the board with your feet kicking and get ready for a long, deep, smooth stroke.

"When the waves are seen approaching or coming, make sure your body is in a position to catch the waves. Bending," he said.

When the sun was getting high, Barjun finished his first day's introduction practice. "Sorry. Tomorrow I can't continue training," said Barjun.

Ayana and Miyora confused.