Beloved Mentawai Resort Owner Eric Foraker Tragically Drowns Surfing Rags Left

Eric Foraker, a seasoned surfer and the owner of the Southern Mentawai Outpost resort located at Thunders in the Mentawai Islands, tragically drowned last night. 

A source told Stab, “the incident occurred while he was surfing at Rags Left. Foraker was swept over the reef by a 10-foot wave and, due to the darkness, could not be located until the following morning.”

Foraker, who was both a husband and a father to a teenage son and young daughter, had been a fixture in the Mentawai surfing community for over 20 years. He was previously the captain of the Addiction, a 24-meter high-speed catamaran that has floated thousands of visiting surfers over the years.

Eric’s website bio reflects his deep passion for surfing: “I have led a total of more than 200 surf charters in the Mentawais and outer islands of Sumatra. I have searched the coasts of Java and Sumatra for surf by boat and even a bit by car (not recommended!). From G-Land to Aceh, I delivered over 1000 people, mostly returning guests, the “Perfect Surf Trip”, but in all those miles, and famous surf spots, my favorite spot was Thunders.”

His bio continues, “It always has a barreling wave and its offshore all day and all night during the Southerlies we’ve experienced for most of the swell seasons since 2006. During charters I would often base myself at Thunders waiting for swells to hit, and then surf the surrounding spots. Chance encounters and seized opportunities led me to acquire some land at Thunders, and for years I have labored to make the perfect surf resort. I’m looking forward to delivering more guests the “Perfect Surf Trip” just like I have done in the past during many years on the boats.”

Though the timing of our story 1000 ways to die in Indonesia, published a little over 24 hours ago, couldn’t be any more peculiar, we want to express our deepest sympathies to those affected.