Surfing brought six young men to the heart of the Pacific – Samoa.

Dear Tourist found the men enjoying the sunshine and looking out to sea at the Lalomanu beach fales, probably hoping to catch a good wave.

Keen on speaking on behalf of them, Arto Saari, a Photographer and Filmmaker, says among the group were two professional surfers and photographers. 

“We’re from California in the United States and we came here because of surfing,” Arto said. 

“We heard that the waves are good in Samoa and this is our first time here, except for him, who has been here twice,” he pointed to one of the surfers. 

“We found some good waves on the other side of the island and we just wanted to come and see if it was the same here.”

Apparently, the boys also had an experience of a Tropical Cyclone – Tropical Cyclone Gita – last weekend. 

“During the cyclone we just stayed inside Salani Surf Resort, the rain and wind were really strong. But it was all good,” Arto added. 

The boys will be here for three weeks and just into their second week; Samoa has given them another reason to return. 

“The local Samoan people are just amazing people, they’re really helpful, and there are a lot of trees and it’s just greenery everywhere and just relaxing.”

“We haven’t been to any other Pacific Islands and Samoa’s our first, and it’s just perfect.” 

When asked about having a taste of island food he laughed: “I don’t know if it counts, but we had ava, and it just kind of makes your tongue numb.” 

Arto says developing Samoa to attract more tourists should not be an option. 

“Don’t develop too much, the appeal of it (Samoa’s scenery) is to relax, hang out by the beach and just have a beer, enjoy the beautiful scenery.”