The San Diego Hoʻolauleʻa & Keiki Hehei Waʻa is growing!

Aloha kākou,

The San Diego Hoʻolauleʻa & Keiki Hehei Waʻa is growing. This year we once again have our youth only Hawaiian outrigger canoe regatta on Saturday May 4th. However, on Sunday May 5th, we have our 1st annual "Stand Up For The Kids" Stand up paddle race fundraiser.  this race is open to youth & adult racers. Enter our opportunity drawing to win a Creed SUP Board. Visit our website for details at: www.nakoakai.com

 At this point we have several teams from the State of Hawaiʻi representing over 70 youths committed to attending and supporting our regatta.  Of course all the teams from the U.S. Mainland are invited and encouraged to attend. On Friday evening May 3rd, there will be an imu (underground oven) workshop for all youth paddlers so please plan accordingly.  See the race packet for details. 

Special shout out to Creed SUP™

On behalf of Nā Koa Kai Canoe Club I would like to give a heart-felt mahalo nui loa to Creed Stand Up Paddle Boards for being our SUP board sponsor and for being there to "Stand Up For The Kids"™.  I would also like to say Mahalo nui loa to our other sponsors which IncludeTeradata Corporation, Mays Meats Hawaii, and of course Alaska Airlines. 

The OTHER Side

The last few posts have been about what Baja's west coast is capable of delivering. Obviously, perfection. I know there are a few of you that love to get on the race board or on the 11 footer and scope out the scenic side of things. Well, Baja could very well be SUP heaven and cover all your urges to paddle.

On the east side of the Baja peninsula, you've got miles and miles of some amazing coast line. During the winter months the winds tend to stick around more often than not. If you're on the east side when it's calm be ready to be amazed. My favorite spots would have to be between Mulege and El Juncalito to the south. It's about an hour drive from end to end. You'll get epic bays that have warm crystal clear waters and islands that you can paddle to. La Ventana, south of La Paz, has some epic SUPing from what I hear. I have yet to hit up that location. Soon.

Baja California, Mexico SUP heaven? It is in my book. Manny V out.

My wife, Mailei, loves this place.

Sunrise.

Then we surfed this Left...

A left pointbreak... three of us out. Up at dawn tomorrow going to get it one last time before the weather changes.

Magic Day: Southern Baja comes together... we score.

Got a lot to say and tales to tell- but I'm fried, burnt, cooked and surfed out. Baja magic still exists...

Offshore all day... drove away from perfect, empty, a-frames... didn't matter, couldn't move anymore.

Same wave, same crowd... going right.

Insane.

I call this one, "The Dirty South". These guys had this wave all to themselves and we left them to it... why ruin their dream session when there were good waves popping all over the place? This one particular spot was kinda, all-time though... and probably too fast for this goofy foot.

Greetings From Baja

Good January 2nd morning my friends. Manny V here. As John mentioned, I'm going to be popping in twice a month and give you the perspective from someone that is just starting the process of spending more time, money and research on stand up paddle surfing.

I've been at it for over a year and a half now and I have to admit... just like you, I'm hooked. I'm a bodyboarder and photographer by trade but once I'm in the surf on a SUP board, it's like I've discovered the ultimate cheating machine. I can now catch waves further out than your average longboarder. What?! I play by the rules, of course. Etiquette and board/paddle control are crucial when in the surf with other peeps.

Enough about me, let's talk Baja! This place is the best. If you truly want to find your own perfect peak or point break, it's here. You'll have to make the effort to find it but it is here. Again, keeping respect and etiquette at the top of the list, you'll have the best time of your life. But like any wave rider that makes their way down Baja, we'll keep the surf break names out of the blog posts.

Each session must begin with a quick whip of your gear (wetsuit top, trunks or shirt) to evacuate the possible scorpions or spiders that may have taken refuge overnight. Then you're off. As usual, the best time of your surf is going to be at first light. Sleep in and you're going to have deal with the possible crowds at the more popular spots. I'm done talking for now. I'll let the photos and captions tell the rest of this post. Next stop... the east side of the peninsula.

Once the light hits the water, it's already too late. Get there early for some waves to yourself.

Kiwi making his way into the warm waters of Baja.

Believe it or not, we didn't ride this peak. It was by it's lonesome for about three hours.

This is what we were after. Shallow cobble stone bottom made for perfect shapes.

It's about two and a half feet deep here. Luckily, no dings this day for me.

I waited for months to ride this wave. I was happy.

Kiwi on a sickie. Pre-crowd.

My goal is to never wear a full suit while SUPing. Suit-less in Baja.