A few words with Mencos
Arip Nurhidayat - aka Mencos, is an incredibly talented surfer well known for his smooth switch-foot style, and has been part of the Ross Concept team for quite some time now. A family man with a heart of gold, Mencos is always smiles and brings nothing but good vibes to the team. We caught up for a few questions with the man himself.
Where are you from?
I am from one of the longboard communities favorite surf spot - Batukaras, Indonesia! Although I have traveled over the years for surfing, Batukaras remains my home and I can't think of anywhere else I would rather live!
When did you start surfing?
When i was 10 years old, so 24 years ago, that feels like a longggggg time ago now!
Favorite surf spot in Indonesia?
You probably guessed it, of course my home break, Batukaras. The waves are really fun for longboarding, with peeling point breaks and a perfect reef. It’s now seen as one of the best longboard spots in the world. I also like to surf shorter boards around here when the swell is good.
Favorite board? Why?
Magic Mix by Ross Concept, it’s so stable & perfect for my nose rides. It feels like a good blend between a stable longboard design and a board that goes well in punchy surf and can perform more radical maneuvers.
Favorite maneuvers on the longboard?
Swicth-foot cut back of course! Yew. Why be Goofy or Regular when you can be both!
Any advice for people looking to improve their longboarding?
Keep practicing and pushing yourself, but remember to not have big expectations on yourself. It is easy to get frustrated if you are putting too much pressure on yourself to get to the nose etc, so slow it down, take the time to learn properly and you will benefit from this.
Any big plans for 2025?
Nothing big really, but always seeking to improve my surfing skills and push my career. Maybe joining the Vans Duct Tape event would be cool.