Rafael Wille Scores His Biggest Day at HTs Alone
Peruvian surfer Rafael Wille experienced what many surfers dream of—a once-in-a-lifetime solo session at one of the world’s best waves, HTs (Hollow Trees) in the Mentawai Islands. Known as a quiet charger, Wille found himself in the right place at the right time, turning a disappointing morning into an unforgettable afternoon.
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After several years of visiting Indonesia, Wille eventually made the Mentawai Islands his permanent home, captivated by the variety and power of HTs. He now lives in a small house right next to the break, staying close to the wave he holds dear.
Reflecting on what would become the biggest swell of the year—back in June—Wille recalled how the day initially seemed like a missed opportunity. He was meant to join a group trip to Greenbush, including a strong crew of Hawaiian surfers like Nathan Florence. However, due to unexpected work obligations, he had to forfeit his spot on the boat. To make things worse, conditions at HTs in the morning were poor, with strong onshore winds.
But in a twist of fate, everything changed that afternoon. As the Greenbush crew returned, the winds shifted, and the ocean turned glassy. The others were exhausted from their earlier session, so Wille paddled out alone into double overhead perfection. For 30 golden minutes, he had HTs completely to himself.
Eventually, Nathan Florence, recovering from the morning’s effort, paddled out to join Wille, and the two surfers began trading flawless waves. Not long after, Peruvian surfer Gabriel Villarán entered the lineup, making it a trio. For about an hour, the three enjoyed ideal, glassy waves in near solitude. A few more surfers joined later as the day wound down, but Wille and his friends had already enjoyed the magic window—epic conditions shared by just a handful of riders.
During the session, Wille rode boards shaped by fellow underground talent Josh Peterson, who has been crafting boards on Oahu’s North Shore for years. Wille especially praised two of Peterson’s quads: a 5’8” red board that he uses regularly at HTs and a 6’1” step-up board for bigger days. He credited the 6’1” quad for handling the power and size of the swell perfectly that day. Though Peterson could better explain the technical aspects of the boards, Wille simply called them “magic,” fully trusting them when the waves turn on.
What started as a letdown became a dream session—proof that sometimes, the best moments in surfing happen when plans change, winds shift, and you’re ready to seize the opportunity.