Locked down in Sri Lanka

Military controlled curfews, empty waves and the same dilemna faced by surfers all over the world right now. To surf or not to surf?

The Wavelength community is a truly global one. Over the last 7 weeks we have been talking to members from all over the world. Listening to how others are approaching lockdown. Getting an insight into the challenges they face.

Tune in to Wavelength Instagram for a LIVE half hour with regular contributor Max Hepworth-Povey. Locked down in Sri Lanka

Sunday 11.00am UK time. 12.00pm European time 16.30pm Sri Lankan time.

Where would you rather be right now?

Back in October 2019, Max Hepworth-Povey, opened the Ticket to Ride Surf House on the south west coast of Sri Lanka. By all accounts season one has been a great success.

The surf house is the result of a combined effort between an international Ticket to Ride team, working in partnership with a team of locals in Sri Lanka. Max has been there since the start. Leading the development and overseeing the running of the house, through every stage. It’s been quite a journey.

Right now, and like everyone else, Max is on a very different kind of adventure. One that requires no physical journeys at all.

As we all know, March saw worldwide travel come to an abrupt stand still. Talking to Max about how he coped with all this, is very inspiring.

Firstly there was the repatriation of over 20 guests. Next looking after the team, both local and international. Fast forward 7 weeks, to Max holding the fort in a brand new surf house, with no guests, perfect surf out front and a couple of members of the team for company. Trouble or happiness in paradise? We find out for ourselves.

Sri Lanka has been tough on lockdown.

Strict military controlled curfews, with only designated times to be allowed out. At one stage, Max himself, fell victim to the dreaded c-word.

After weeks of watching perfect waves out front and having nursed himself back to full health with the help of a local witch doctor. Max admits that he cracked.

With fewer reported deaths in the country. The Sri Lankan government announced a slight ease on lockdown. For Max and his quarantined team, this meant only one thing.

Time to get back in the surf.

Perfect Indian ocean surf, with just you and friends. The absolute dream right? There is another side of the coin here. More of a nightmare scenario. Time in a Sri Lankan jail with the threat of catching all kinds of nasty tropical diseases.

We have come to know that Max likes to roll the dice. We also know that Max looks at the world in an all together different way. Live for the moment. You can read more about Max’s experiences of lock down in Sri Lanka here

Meanwhile, we are going to catch up with Max tomorrow morning using instagram LIVE.

Tune in, over a morning coffee, where Max is sure to give us a pretty honest account of what Sri Lankan life in lockdown is really like.

Wavelength Instagram LIVE. Tomorrow morning 11.00am UK time 12.00pm European 16.30pm Sri Lankan time.