The Driftwood Journal

The 2026 season isn't over yet. From surf missions across the Playgrounds to returning crews, fishing trips, beach BBQs and plenty of time in the water, we're looking back at some of Driftwood's best moments so far — and what's still to come.

Every year we hear from photographers, filmmakers, drone pilots, and content creators hoping to spend a season in the Mentawais. We break down the skills, work ethic, and surf knowledge that it actually takes to land surf filmmaker jobs, build a career in surf media, and create content at a world-class surf camp.

Remote work has changed surf travel. Instead of squeezing a Mentawai trip into annual leave, more surfers are building their year around swell seasons, flexible schedules, and destinations that support both work and waves. Here's what digital nomad life at Driftwood actually looks like.