Craig Anderson x Up Presents Samudra Spirit Glitters.
images by dave fox.
Some dreams stick around long enough to demand attention.
For Craig Anderson, one such dream was a wave he spotted in a magazine nearly fifteen years ago: a mysto reef somewhere deep in Indo.
This year, Craig spotted gold on the charts and reached out to Up to help make it happen. Knowing Up’s all about backing Aussies to explore the globe - and sharing Craig’s belief in quality over quantity - they were in. With their backing, Craig and filmmaker Dave Fox set off on a pilgrimage to the edge of Indonesia.
Craig’s long-held idea turned into a lived moment—one that would become Sumadra Spirit Glitters, a film capturing the magic (and mishaps) that come with going off-grid. Monster Children caught up with Craig recently to discuss the project.
Hi there, Craig, can you tell me about the idea for Sumatra Spirit Glitters?
It was a surf trip. Go have fun and see what comes of it!
How did you come across this wave and location?
I saw a picture of it in a magazine about fifteen years ago and always wanted to go and eventually got there
Who else was involved in this project?
Myself and filmer trad chart guru Dave Fox.
How did Up help make this idea come to life?
Up footed the bill and I signed up for one of those neon orange cards to melt on eggs and rice and help make it all happen.
What are your two least favourite things about travel?
Nothing really, I love every aspect. Maybe when surfboards don't arrive but that’s only ever happened once to me when I was going to Samoa. I hope I haven’t jinxed it.
What are your two favourite things about travel?
Having expectations or ideas on how a trip is going to look, feel, pan out, and it always being absolutely nowhere near how imagined.
What about the trip surprised you?
On returning home my wife handed me an envelope with a scan of our baby. She found out she was pregnant when I was away, big surprise.
What is something that you’ve learnt about on surf trips and trying to score waves?
It’s never how you imagine it. Roll with the punches, suck it up when it’s not working (get yourself a beer) and enjoy the moments when it does.
What are some things you always wish you could bring on a surf trip, but can’t?
My dog, unless it’s in Australia. A surfboard over eight-foot, nightmare can’t be bothered dealing with it. My wife and best friends are usually working.
[IMAGE 3—CLOSE UP OF LOCAL]
Another location you’d like to try and discover?
I don't know, you tell me? India?
What song always seems made for road trips for you?
Brian Eno - An Ending (Ascent)
Window seat or aisle — which do you pick, and why?
Window for me.
What’s the weirdest or most unexpected thing you’ve ever eaten whilst travelling?
I'm not super adventurous when it comes to food. Probably beef tongue on the last Team Average trip to Japan we did with you guys and Up last year.
If you could travel with any fictional character, who would it be?
Popeye to carry my board bag.
What’s one travel photo (or moment) that didn’t go to plan but now makes you laugh?
Maybe this trip, I got slammed on my back on the reef first wave of the session (broken board too) early on into the trip. Nothing deep or serious but a real nice back piece reef tattoo. Keep surfing day after day, no sunscreen, no shirt and a real stinging back. Funny now, not so much at the time!
Sumadra Spirit Glitters is a reminder of why we travel in the first place: not to control the outcome, but to see what happens when we let go.
For Craig, that meant ticking off a fifteen-year dream. For Up, it meant helping make it happen—and maybe inspiring a few Aussies to chase their own version of it by making money easy overseas.
