New Year's Vocab: Your Down South Spanish Lesson

Borracho: drunk. As in: Estoy borracho (I'm drunk).
Crudo: hung over. As in: Estoy crudo (I'm hungover).

Ready for your Spanish quiz? Read the caption below and see how well you've learned your new vocabulary: 

Saw this truck off in the bush this morning after surfing. This is what happens when you're borracho, your brand new F150 ends up all screwed up and your head goes through the windshield... which makes feeling crudo twenty times worse. Rumor has it (my friends pulled the truck free of the desert) there was a quarter full bottle of tequila on the floor of the truck and the old man who was directing the operation just cracked it and started swigging.... think he'll be borracho later on?

 How did you do?

Just a couple snaps from down south...

Check 'em:

El Rey de la playa.

Round tails are my favorite. Yours too- right?

The morning surf check.

Filling in the Blanks: Your Tourist Card and you...

Remember that tourist card that you took the trouble to get stamped at the border in Tijuana? Well, if Emigration is ever going to check it, it will be here in Guerrero Negro:

Guerrero Negro is the town on the border between the states of Baja Norte and Baja Sur. This checkpoint serves two purposes: First the Agricultural Dept. guy will ask you if you have any fruits or veggies- if you do, they'll be confiscated. Second, sometimes there will be an Emigration guy there and he'll ask to see your passport and stamped tourist card. If you've got it he'll swipe your passport and wave you through. If you don't, well then you'll have to deal with the consequences.

There's all kinds of misinformation floating out there about the tourist card. Here's what I know: If you're going to be in Baja longer than 72 hours or if you're crossing over into Baja Sur you'll need to get a stamped tourist card. In all the years I've been coming down here, I've only ever been checked for it three times. So, if you were a gambling man and you decided not to bother with the card- odds are that you'd have no problem.

Once, I didn't have the tourist card stamped (you can pick up the tourist card in the U.S. but you can only get it stamped at the border in TJ or in Ensenada). I was told that I had a week to go to a bank, pay the fee and get my card stamped. That was it. On another occasion a young friend of mine flew into the U.S. without a stamped tourist card. In the airport, at the emigration check, he was pulled out of the line, escorted all the way past everybody to the bank in the airport and required to pay for the fee (I think he had to pay a small penalty as well). I think he may have done okay- he had to pay the tourist card fee but he got to bypass the long line.

Baja Tip: Just take the time, pull over at the border and get the paperwork squared away. If you do that, you'll have no worries. If you don't, in my experience, not much will happen to you... but why risk it?

Filling the blanks: A typical Baja motel room

We stay in motels two nights each way when driving down to Cabo. Typically, you'll spend around 400 pesos (32 dollars) for a room. The quality varies, that's why we have our favorites and we stick to them. Here's what a room in the The Old Mill looks like:

Obviously, it isn't the Four Seasons. What it is, however, is clean and bright and a bargain for a one night stopover- especially since the room fee comes with one free beer for each person staying. Help yourself.

Some motels are now offering free wi-fi which is cool if you're hooked on the net like me. The Old Mill hasn't quite taken that step yet. It does offer views like this:

Steps from your door- San Quintin's back bay. If you get there early enough you could definitely get in a nice flatwater paddle before dinner.

Filling in the blanks: The Old Mill is a cool place...

There are a couple of things that I really like about The Old Mill in addition to the dog friendly policy and the security.

First of all, the place is quirky. Check out this huge piece of wood used to hold up the roof of the outdoor fireplace/gathering area. Just behind that chunk of wood is a killer fireplace with comfy chairs all around it- it's a great spot to mellow out on the first night.

Here's the killer fireplace. Baja Tip: Bring firewood for the first night's fire at The Old Mill. Just chuck a couple of dry 2x4 pieces into the back of your truck or go buy one of those Duraflame logs, you'll be glad you did- fire's go perfect with cold beer or a nice glass of wine.

South

Sometimes the best thing to do, the only thing you can do, is just drive away.

Head south. Stretch out under blue palms and skies.

Take a walk in the evening.

Laugh at the hopelessness of the situation,

paddle out

and let it go.

Interview: Geoff Hill of Baja Bound Insurance

It's the last thing you want to think about when you're packing up your gear for a surgical surf strike across the border- but it's a necessity and blowing it off could put you in a really bad place. If things go sour on the Baja Highway and you're not covered, you're going to the casa de clinky and it definitely ain't a four star stay. We're talking about Mexican Auto Insurance- a necessity when you're driving down south.



Photo: Write a policy, hit the lip. Geoff smacking one. Photo credit: Sean Cullen

We've always used Baja Bound Insurance. Their online service is easy to use, the internet service is fast and their rates have always been super competitive. Plus, we'd heard that these guys were surfers. I trust surfers. I tracked down Geoff Hill at Baja Bound for the story and came back with a few surf shots that were proof positive that these guys can throw both policies and buckets. Here's the scoop:

P.net: Hey Geoff, thanks for taking a couple of minutes to sit down with us and talk about Baja Bound. First of all what's your background?

G.H: I was born in San Diego, and have lived most of my life here. I started surfing (shortboards) when I was 14 and it was totally life changing. To say that I was obsessed with surfing would have been an understatement!

P.net: Did you do contests or were you just surfing for fun?

G.H: I started doing local surf contests here and there, eventually ending up at UCSD where I was on the surf team for my last two years of college. Our team did all of the collegiate NSSA contests, which were a ton of fun. My senior year I was one of four surf team members with access to the key to Blacks - it was really amazing to have that privilege.

My main sponsors in those days were Ezera surfboards and Pacific Drive Surf Shop. Currently I am riding a 6’7” Resin8 epoxy by Sam Egan that I got from Marc Miller at Isle Surfboards. It is probably one of the best boards I have ever had.

P.net: Key to Blacks- are you kidding me? I'd probably never leave. Where else would you surf?



Photo: G.H. floating one. Photo credit: Sean Cullen

G.H: My favorite places to surf in San Diego are probably I.B. and a couple of spots that are boat access only….Blacks is great too…but the crowds are always a factor. Down in Baja…well…take your pick! There are so many classic setups there depending on the swell and how far south you are going. Baja Malibu, La Fonda, San Miguel, Punta San Jose and Scorpion Bay are just a few that come to mind.

P.net: So what's your all time favorite spot down there?

G.H: My favorite spot in Baja is probably Scorpion Bay. It is just so perfect and amazing. I have done a LOT of surfing in Baja: Two long trips to Scorpion Bay; four trips to Punta Cabra; three trips to Punta San Jose; and far too many weekend trips between the border and Ensenada to possibly remember. The Scorpion Bay trips were probably the most memorable because I was young at the time and had never experienced such perfect waves.

P.net: Any mishaps or weirdness in all that Baja traveling?

G.H: The only real mishap I have had on a Baja surf trip was spring break of 1992, which was my senior year in high school. It was the first time our parents let us go unsupervised, and we had an amazing trip. We hit a bunch of different spots near Camalu all week and just got super fun surf the entire time.

The very last night someone came into our camp and stole a bunch of stuff. At first we were really bummed about it, but then we realized that they only things they took were bare necessities - food and clothing. They had not touched our surfboards, wetsuits, video camera, radio or any of our wallets. We headed back to the border that day totally smelly and dirty, still wearing the clothes from the previous day, with big smiles on our faces!



Photo: I'm getting the feeling that Geoff put all that Baja time was put to good use. Photo credit: Moses Slovatski

P.net: How did the whole Baja Bound thing come about?

G.H: This is a fun story….Baja Bound started in 1994 as a drive-through service near the border in San Ysidro by John “Doc” Morton. He actually was a real doctor, and the insurance drive-through window was right next to his office, staffed by the nurses. His son Hank and I were high school buddies and surfed together a lot and eventually Doc got into surfing too….at the age of 50!

Doc started taking us to Baja for surf trips on the weekends, which were really amazing times for us. A few years later Doc was contemplating retirement, and Hank was doing web development. Hank and his dad talked about the idea of transitioning the business to an online service, and BajaBound.com was born. Hank launched the first website in fall of 1999. For the first few years I was always feeding him marketing ideas. He always said that if Baja Bound grew enough he would hire me. I came on board a few years later in January of 2003.

P.net: What's your role at Baja Bound?

G.H: My role at Baja Bound is marketing and business development. This includes handling advertising campaigns, building strategic partnerships, sponsoring events, doing search engine optimization for our website, and networking on both sides of the border. I do handle customer service duties on occasion as well when the phones get busy!

P.net: Mike (my brother) and I always use Baja Bound- I actually heard about it through a bunch of local guys who are hardcore Baja surf travellers and they recommended it to me. It seems like it is the standard for surf travellers who drive into Mexico. What do you think makes it special?

G.H: Baja Bound is special for a number of reasons. We really go out of our way to provide the best customer service for our clients, and it shows with the number of friend referrals we get. We have also worked really hard to create a website that is full of great travel information and by far the easiest way to get Mexican insurance. Everyone in our office has lived in Mexico and traveled quite a bit down there, so this is much more than a job for us. We love Mexico!


Photo: "I was one of four surf team members with access to the key to Blacks." So we'd assume you've been in this position at least a million times before... right? Photo credit: Moses Slovatski

P.net: Mex is rad. Definitely. Which Mexican insurance companies do you guys work with?

G.H: We work with two great underwriters, Genworth Seguros and ACE Seguros, and have a very good rapport with both of them. This allows us to assist any of our clients who might need help in following up on a claim, and we are happy to help them!

P.net: Now that we've got you here, is there anything that traveling surfers need to know about vehicle insurance in Baja that they probably don't know? Any little known facts or common misconceptions that surfers should know about?

G.H: Two main things come to mind: First, personal items carried in your vehicle such as surfboards, wetsuits, cameras, laptops etc. are not covered by any Mexican auto insurance policy. (This is also true with auto insurance policies in the U.S) These items are covered by either a homeowners or renters insurance policy, so make sure you have those items covered before your next trip!

Second, if you have an accident or loss, you MUST report it before leaving Mexico and get an adjuster to the scene and obtain the proper police reports. Often times, people have a loss and wait until they come back to the U.S. to report it. At that point, it is hard to prove that the loss actually happened in Mexico, and the claim may be denied.

P.net: Good to know! What about this, what if a surfer gets in an accident in Mexico and gets put into jail- does having a Baja Bound policy provide him any protection or legal assistance (will it get him out of jail)?

G.H: Yes. All of our insurance policies come with legal aid and bail bond included.

P.net: So what does a surfer absolutely need to know if they get into an accident in Baja?

G.H: I think the same rules apply no matter where you are traveling in the world. Make sure everyone involved is OK and safely out of the way of any other vehicles passing on the road, then call for help (066 is the Mexican equivalent of 911). At that point, do your best to stay calm and be thankful you bought Mexican insurance!

P.net: Okay Geoff, thanks a bunch for all the information. One last question: How do you feel about stand up paddle surfers?

G.H: I feel pretty good about paddle surfers….I am probably going to end up being one in the near future!


Photo: The crew at Baja Bound.

P.net: Right on Geoff we'll see you in the water!

G.H: All right, thanks John.

Contact info:
Baja Bound Insurance Services
www.bajabound.com
1-888-552-2252
service@bajabound.com


Stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego. Give us a call 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net for flatwater stand up paddle lessons.

We've taught more people than anybody in San Diego county. Click here for more information about your lesson and for testimonials from satisfied customers.

Southern Baja Stand Up Paddle Race: '09 La Ventana Classic and Kite Expo

Do this right now, pull out your calender and block out time in January, 2010. Believe me, you will want to be down in La Ventana (30 minutes from La Paz International Airport in Southern Baja California) for next year's La Ventana Classic and Kite Expo. Last week, Kiwi and I had a chance to participate in the Classic's stand up paddle events and I can tell you that there is no event in the stand up paddling world that comes close to this one for pure FUN!



Photo: I didn't get a chance to get these two out paddling- but there's always next year!

The Classic is a four day water sports festival conceived and organized by Tim Hatler, owner and proprietor of Palapas Ventana. The goal of the festival is to raise money for the renovation and development of the small town's elementary school. Last year, Tim was able to raise enough money to paint the school and build the students a new restroom. Before the new bathroom was built every student in the school had to share one toilet!



Photo: Start of the qualifier.

This year's Classic was the biggest in the event's four years of existence. The event drew every major kiteboarding company as well as top ranking kiteboarding pros and more than a hundred amateur kiteboard competitors. The beach was covered with the latest models of kites and boards, all available for demo. There were Pacifico Girls walking the beach and local folk dancers on the main stage. As expected, the beer tent was going off and was almost rivaled by the ice cold margaritas being served off the adjacent table. Mix in a DJ spinning thumping tunes and a professional emcee keeping the whole deal rolling and it was obvious that the Classic had grown up.



Photo: Hard to believe that the small beach in the back ground is almost ten miles away. Leg 1 of the qualifier with Kiwi leading the way.

Although the Big Air and Old School Trick contest were cool (two words to describe who dominated these events: Richman brothers... unreal) the Classic's real draw is the ten mile, Cerralvo Island to La Ventana race called "The Crossing". The ten mile channel crossing is completed by the pro riders in twenty five to thirty minutes of hardcore, pedal-to-the-metal racing. The amateur division can take an hour or more to pull it off. It's a radical event, definitely worth hanging around for, if only to see how exhausted these guys are when they come blowing across the finish line.



Photo: Stickered up.

This year, Tim asked me to organize a SUP race for the event. In addition, Tim needed me to hand out demo SUP boards and to give basic instruction to those looking to try out stand up paddling. Isle Surfboards, the only stand up company to sponsor the Classic, stoked us out by sending down four stand up boards and paddles for people to demo. I'm a stand up paddle freak so when I'm tasked with spreading the stoke, I take it seriously. I wanted to be sure that everyone got a shot at trying out their equipment. If you've paddled the Sea of Cortez than you can understand why stand up paddling has blown up down there. In the small town of La Ventana alone there are over twenty regular paddlers out every morning laying down tracks in the perfectly still water. The Classic brought out many more takers willing to demo Isle's SUP boards- I was happy to oblige them.



Photo: Next year, this photo will be taken from the island offshore, and these guys will be a lot more worn out at the end of it all.

The Classic is one of those events that has a rootsy, down-to-earth feel about it. If you've never raced before and you want to try it out in a low key environment, this is your event. The emphasis this year was on having fun and there were events for all skill levels of paddlers. The day I arrived Tim had just completed the buoy-to-buoy, "Chase Race". In this race competitors started at either end of a two buoy course and raced around the closely set buoys trying to lap each other. The race required skill, stamina- and that you wear a Mexican wrestling mask. Like I said, the emphasis was on fun.



Photo: What do you think, easy to breathe in that thing? Kent, trying to kill it before it kills him.

The big day came on the third morning of the contest. Conditions were perfect for the SUP course race. The morning brought us sunshine and perfectly flat, seventy degree water. The twenty two competitors were sent to race a three mile course with the top five men and women finishers moving on to the final event.



Photo: Women's Division Winners: 1st Cynbad Brown, 2nd Tonia Farman, 3rd Michelle Koff

I chose a sprint distance course because it keeps the racers in sight of the fans the whole distance and because three miles is a friendly enough distance to encourage new paddlers to participate. The final course was a half mile, three buoy course that had to be completed three times before sprinting for the beach finish line. Next year, the major SUP event will be a 10 mile SUP version of the Crossing. Stand up paddlers will race from Isla Cerralvo to La Ventana for a cash prize.



Photo: Men's Winners: 1st Mark "Kiwi" Field, 2nd Ozzie Lenzsch, 3rd Marco Pena

In the end Kiwi dominated the Men's field by winning both the qualifier and the final event, taking first place on a stock Isle Surfboards 12' x 30" stand up paddle board. Michelle Koff, the women's third place finisher also won on a stock Isle 11'6" stand up board, using one of Ernie Johnson's, Johnson Big Stick ply paddles.



Photo: Cranking it home, 3rd place Michelle Koff

With two contestants finishing first and third it seems that Isle's onto something for the stock paddle class. Are they the fastest on the water? The gauntlet has been thrown and it's unknown as to who in the stand up paddle racing word will accept the Paddle Crossing Challenge. The only way to find out is to come on back down next year and try your luck in the water. See you there!



Interested in supporting the 2010 La Ventana Classic? Contact Tim Hatler at www.palapasventana.com or email him: tim@palapasventana.com

Stand Up Paddling Southern Baja Surf: Small but fun!

Every so often somebody would call home and get a surf report. Each time they called, the report would be the same: "It's flat, cold and wet- stay down there and enjoy the sunshine". So we did. It really didn't matter if there was surf or not. In fact, flat water just meant that we'd be able to get in a nice paddle either up or down the point. Fortunately, we did manage to score some small surf- small but shapely and super fun.

Here's a bunch of photos from different days at the point:



Photo: This was from the offshore day. When the tide turned around and started pushing high again- this peak started firing. I'm probably about five beers deep here- it's the only explanation I can give for taking pictures rather than sprinting for the water.



Photo: Sometimes all you can do is sit and watch it all happen around you. And this is easier to do if the water's sapphire blue and holding steady in the mid 70's.



Photo: It's looking like Matt Wilson coming full steam down the point on a nice little lump. It's nothing spectacular but it's still the kind of day that'd draw a mob back at home.



Photo: Another day, farther up the point at the "hidden left". On mixed swells this little peak will start to work- from down on the point, it doesn't look like much. You've either got to walk or paddle up there to see what's really going on- which makes it a perfect spot for the stand up board. I spent the afternoon catching wave after wave all alone while fifty yards away a wave starved pack of prone surfers fought it out for anything even close to rideable. Eventually, a girl surfer named Catherine made the paddle up and kindly asked if it'd be alright to surf the peak with me. Great manners but totally unnecessary with me- I'd been feeding off that thing for an hour and a half and I welcomed her company. She was easy on the eyes.



Photo: Going right- happy and stoked as a grom. Baja rules!

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego: Give us a call! 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net Click here for more lesson information.

And at the end of the road...

The last day of driving is always the toughest one. You are tantalizingly close, but still hundreds of kilometers away. It's got to be just right over the next hill, or around the next bend. You ask yourself again and again, "Are we there yet?"



Photo: Our home for the next ten days. Astroturf under the awning, boards stashed in the shade and our trusty, pink, BBQ pig keeping it all under control. Home sweet home.

But then, suddenly, you've done it. You've arrived. You pull in and pick a spot. And here's the beauty of Mexico. There's no frenzied, year-in-advance, internet reservation system. Down here, you just show up; kind of how it might have been decades ago back home. At some point, Don Pancho wanders over and says hello and you let him know that you're going to be around for a few days. Pay when you leave. Camping's a hundred pesos a night (that's less than ten bucks) and for that you get clean hot water showers, flush toilets, shady, palm fringed campsites and a five minute walk to the point.



Photo: Here's a view from the bath house. Put yourself at that table; it's eighty degrees of dry desert heat, the water's in the mid 70s. What's on the agenda? Here's a better question: Down here, what is an agenda?.

You get yourself good and sweaty setting up camp, all you can think about is jumping in and going for a swim. The draw is too powerful to resist. I end up blowing off the last few camp chores and harass my wife a little too much. But I'm an ocean zombie, entranced by a saline form of voodoo. We hop in the cab and I jam the truck into four high, drop the tires to 20PSI and check the beer and ice status in my shotgun cooler. I love driving up onto the beach. It's the one time a year that I get to actually use my truck's 4x4 gearing. There's always a couple of guys who tell me that the off road option is not worth paying for. "You'll never use it.", they say. Funny way of thinking. To me it's not about using it all the time, it's about using it at the right time. And, at this moment, cruising up the berm just above the surf, loaded for serious lounging- this is definitely the right time.



Photo: Eventually your mind turns to the surf. Truthfully, we really didn't see the point work to it's potential this time. But with a couple of fun, peaky sessions like the one pictured here, it was easy to forgive and forget.

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego: Give us a call! 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net Click here for more lesson information.

Down and Back: Driving and Paddling Cabo San Lucas

The road down is really narrow. And, for the majority of the way, there's no shoulder. Drift too far to the right and you're not easing down a gravel shoulder, you're falling. In some places it's a six inch drop, in others it's the end. There really is no margin for error. Got a flat tire? Forget about pulling off, if you get panicky and jerk the wheel over, you just might roll the thing. It's a sobering realization that in some spots you're trapped. The highway's got you.



Photo: Mid-Peninsula pit stop near the oasis of San Ignacio. We're five hundred miles in, and another couple of hundred miles from our second campsite. What awaits us is a big, flat sandy, open beach with flat, warm water and a restaurant with arguably the best food in Baja (Ana's in Santispac, if you're in an arguing frame of mind).

And then there's the Mexican semi trucks. Talk about white knuckling the steering wheel. These guys come at you at sixty or seventy miles an hour and when they pass it's within a couple of feet of your head. Whooosh- the air pushed in front of the trucks does two things. First, the compressed air blows you across the road. Next, you're sucked back into the rig by its vortex generated vacuum. If it sounds heavy, it is. It's the kind of road that must be respected, it's the type of place that will smack you the second you lower your guard. It might be a cow on the road or a drunk in your lane- either one will do you in. On that road, vigilance is required and your head, as they say in the armed service, better be on a swivel.

We planned our trip so that we'd drive the entire length in three days. That gave us a daily driving assignment of six or seven hours. It could've been done in two days if we pushed it. There was even a time when I'd drive it in one continuous twenty hour stretch but those days are behind me. You get older, you feel less like Superman- you realize you're mortal. Nope, six hours on the road is more than enough for me. Besides six hours puts you into a nice rest/camp spot with enough daylight to pull in, crack a Pacifico and walk around a bit. It was a great plan (thanks, Kiwi) and I'll do it the same way next time too.



Photo: I never knew this place existed. It's the perfect first day camp spot, safe, away from the road, clean and wide open. Perfect for pulling in with the camper and calling it a night- as long as you can handle temperatures in the thirties and don't mind the Mexican fud. Truthfully, it's surrounded by some of the most beautiful desert landscape you can imagine- the land of the blue palms. I'm coming back when I've got a couple of more days to spend walking the hills.

Stand Up Paddle Surf Lessons in San Diego: Give us a call! 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net Click here for more lesson information.

Logistics of Fun

Yesterday it was forty eight degrees on the beach. That's cold. It's not as harsh as the conditions my paddle surfing brothers to the north and (god bless them for their commitment to the sport) the north east are dealing with but for us down here in our nation's most southwesterly corner it's pretty ridiculous. Shoot, my hands even got numb.

I don't know about you, but for me, when winter rolls around the vestigial bear in me starts coming out. I start to move slower, I want to hibernate. Winter is tough for me, even if it is only a San Diego winter.

So, like geese, we're making plans to head south. The truck's been checked out, tires inspected, Mexican insurance policy arranged, tourist cards stamped and travel trailer stocked. I've bagged up four stand up boards and one regular surfboard. I'm packing along five paddles, a 6.5m Hot Sails Maui windsurfing rig, a 12m Globe Kite and a 6' Sling shot directional. We'll throw in the Yamaha 3000 genset, ten extra gallons of gas and a couple of lawn chairs. In a week we'll fire up the Tundra and pull it all across the border and down to Cabo San Lucas.

We'll be driving for about two and half days, covering close to 1200 miles and burning through five audio books and both of the hundred song Ipod playlists (Baja South A and Baja South B) I've spent hours constructing. We'll probably get somewhere close to 12 miles per gallon pulling my twenty-two foot trailer. I'm figuring that we'll eat about a hundred gallons of gas. At a cost of about two bucks a gallon we'll drop around two hundred dollars in fuel each way.



Photo: And let's not forget how killer the sunsets are down south!

Driving both ways that's forty hours behind the wheel. I'll put two thousand four hundred miles of wear and tear on the V8, spend sixty bucks on M-80s, thirty bucks on surfing monkeys, twenty bucks on serapes and drop four c-notes on fuel and who knows how much dinero on margaritas, Pacificos, papas rellenas and tacos.

Is it worth it? For ten days of clean, blue, southern Baja surf? For campfire cocktail hours or afternoon, beach sand siestas comfortably taken in the shade of a dropped tailgate? For a million laughs, a thousand smiles and countless warm water waves shared with just family and friends? Do we even need to answer that question?

Part II: Northern Baja Stand Up Trip to Camalu

P.net: Anything funny or interesting about the places that you stayed or where you surfed? Anything spooky, creepy or weird?



Photo: Some of us where born to lead, some to follow...

E.Hoff: No one at the hotel speaks English, even though they cater to Americans. This year, one of the new guys at the hotel spoke perfect English - he had just moved down there from Sacramento, which we assumed meant that he was in trouble for something back home.




Photo: ...and some to communicate with sign language.

P.net: Was it safe?

E.Hoff: We've never had a problem, but I think that being semi-paranoid is a good idea. I'd much rather pay $5 to camp in a fenced, guarded spot than be one of those stories you read about in the U-T (that's Union Tribune newspaper for those not from San Diego- ed.). I think that most of the driving risk is in the Tijuana to Rosarito stretch, but there was a rumor floating around that the cops aren't allowed to pull anyone over on that little strip of road along the border any more. I flat out refuse to drive at night - it's probably fine, but why risk it?



Photo: A trip to the tire store, Baja-style.

P.net: Was the trip good enough to do it again?

E.Hoff: Yeah, we'll definitely do it again.

P.net: How was driving down there- any auto malfunctions? Any sketchy road stories?

E.Hoff: We never had a problem before when we took my Jeep down there, even on some pretty bad roads. This year we popped a tire on our rental minivan on the dirt road into Camalu, which is a pretty easy track. Llanteras are fast and cheap for fixing flats - they charged us $3 and we were back on the road in 20 minutes. Chris was having a hard time figuring out how to put the spare on, so I think that he knows how lucky he was to have me there to read him the owner's manual! Even though Camalu's a bit further south than some of the more popular spots, most of it's paved, so I don't think it takes much longer to get there.



Photo: And the only question here is... is that a diet Pepsi you're drinking- would you like a slice of quiche with that?

P.net: How was the food? Any recommendations?

E.Hoff: There's a place called Manzanillo in Ensenada that's fantastic. We had some yellowtail sashimi there a couple of trips ago that's still memorable. We had a cab driver this time who pretended not to speak English and he took us to some other place - probably his cousin's or something like that. There are lots of LOUD bars downtown - just watching the locals cruising the strip on a Saturday night is fun. Also, for the pyros in your group, there are tons of fireworks shops - we did an experiment a few years back with a watermelon and an M-1000 that had all of us laughing so hard we could barely see!

P.net: Did you eat the worm?

E.Hoff: Probably, but not intentionally. I hope the alcohol disinfected it!

Thanks a lot to Eric Hoffman for sending in this report- I was stoked to check out the pictures and read all about how it went down. Can't wait for a long weekend and a big north west swell to get down to Camalu, post up at La Cueva del Pirata and bag me a cougar... er, mountain lion.

Stand up paddle surf lessons in San Diego. Why risk your time paddling with some shop rat who just stood on a board a week ago? Come learn from a professional educator with over fourteen years of teaching experience- pedagogy, yup we got that. Give us a call: 619.213.6622 or email john@paddlesurf.net If you'd like more information click here and be sure to read the testimonials from some of our satisfied paddle surfing clients.

Back from Baja: Fun/Wet times

Just got back from a Baja paddle surf mission. I've got a load of camping equipment covered in dust and a bunch of gear to stash. I'm beat. More info later, for now here's something to think about:

All Inclusive Paddle Surf Trip to Southern Baja California

Come paddle with me down in Southern Baja California!


Photo above: The beach at Palapas Ventana, getting ready for our sunrise paddle.

Here's your chance to check out the flat water and surf paddling wonderland of Southern Baja without the hassle and expense of travelling with a bulky stand up board. Why schlep a giant board through LAX when you could be schlurping a margarita instead?


Photo above: Paddle surf day at Isla Cerritos- an hour from Palapas Ventana, fun waves, warm water!

Let us make it easy for you. You bring your paddle and we'll supply the ride. Just tell us what you want to paddle and if it's in our quiver, you're on it! Select from boards by SurfTech and C4 Waterman we will also have demo custom, handshapes by Tim Stamps available on a limited basis. Other boards are available on request- please make a note of the board you'd like to ride when making your deposit and we'll do our best to accommodate you.


Photo above: One of the sites you may come across as you paddle our Southern Baja flat water spots.

I will accompany you on your trip and will act as your guide. If you'd like to take stand up paddle lessons while your are with us these can be arranged for an extra fee (which includes the use of a board and paddle for your entire trip).


Photo above: Sunset paddle at Punta Gorda, three miles from Palapas Ventana.

In addition to equipment we'll provide all transportation within Baja (airfare is not included), including transport to and from La Paz's International Airport as well as transportation to and from the day's surf or flatwater paddling destination and one free day of Panga Fishing or snorkeling at offshore Isla Cerralvo. Lodging as well as all drinks and meals (except beer and wine) will be provided by Palapas Ventana in La Ventana B.C.S., rates are based on triple occupancy.

Check out the week's itinerary:

Day 1: Arrival Day

Arrive: Fly in to La Paz International Airport.
Roberto picks up guests and drives you to Palapas Ventana.
Settle into your room.
Chips and salsa, beer and margaritas at Palapas Ventana Restaurant.
Optional: Pre-dinner paddle at Palapas Ventana
Dinner: Coconut Dorado.
Activity: Slide show of the week's paddle adventures.
Beer Pong on the world famous Palapas Ventana ping pong table with ice cold Modelo on tap.

Day 2: Hot Springs Paddle to Punta Gorda

Optional: Sunrise paddle at Palapas Ventana.
Breakfast: Chilequiles with fresh fruit, coffee and juice.
Activity: 3 mile paddle to Punta Gorda hot springs. Panga support brings shade umbrellas, snorkeling gear, cold drinks and beer.
Lunch: Picnic style, tortas de pollo at Punta Gorda.
Activity: 3 mile return paddle to Palapas Ventana (or ride the panga back if you don't want to paddle).
Dinner: Beef flautas at Palapas Ventana

Day 3: East Cape Surf Excursion

Early Breakfast (it's going to be a long day!): Huevos Rancheros, coffee, fruit and juice
Depart: 6:30 am.
Activity: Surf Paddle at 9 Palms, East Cape, Baja California Sur
Picnic Lunch: Machaca burritos
Dinner: Fish Taco Blowout at Palapas Ventana

Day 4: Todos Santos/Playa Cerritos Surf Excursion

Breakfast: Juevos Mexicanos, sizzling bacon and coffee
Depart: 8am to Playa Cerritos
Activity: SUP your brains out and fall asleep under an umbrella on the beach.
Lunch: Picnic style tortas de carne or lunch on your own at Cerritos Beach Bar.
Dinner: Grilled Margarita chicken at Palapas Ventana

Day 5: Paddle Surf Punta Conejo, Punta Marquez or Playa Cerritos weather and swell dependent.

Early breakfast: Pancakes, coffee, fresh fruit and juice
Depart 6:30am: We're going to wherever the surf is firing!
Activity: Stand up paddle surf all day until you're crispy.
Dinner: Grilled fresh wahoo at Palapas Ventana.
Optional: Evening Paddle out in front of Palapas Ventana.

Day 6: Options Day- sign up for a day of fishing or snorkeling.

Optional: Sunrise paddle at Palapas Ventana
Breakfast: Breakfast burritos, coffee, fruit and juice.
Activity: Here's your chance to get in a day of fishing for dorado (mahi mahi), wahoo, tuna and bill fish in the world famous fishing grounds of Isla Cerralvo. Don't like to fish? No problem. Sign up for a day of snorkeling at Cerralvo Island or Las Arenas. Guests have swam with dolphins, swordfish and even killer whales! Local paddling is also available on Options Day. Final Dinner: at Juaquin's featuring Chile Rellenos and bad Karaoke.

Day 7: Departure Day

Optional Sunrise Paddle.
Breakfast: Huevos Rancheros, coffee, fruit and juice.
Activity: Easy beach morning, buy tee-shirts and souvenirs, snap some last photos- pack for home.
Roberto takes everyone to the airport

Additional services are available at Palapas Ventana and can be scheduled based on the interests of the group:

Massage Service with Theresa
Mexican food cooking lessons with Mari.
Surfer's Spanish Lessons with Jimena

The cost for the seven day trip is is $1780 dollars/person. This includes food and lodging (based on 3 persons per casita) ground transportation in Mexico, stand up paddle board use, one day of fishing or a panga snorkeling trip (add $20 per boat tip to the boat's captain) the price also includes tax and a tip for the Palapas Ventana staff. Airfare, beer and wine are not included.

We have booked two sessions in July of 2009.

Session 1: July 12 - 18th

Session 2: July 19th - 25th

Space is limited to nine paddlers per session.

If you are interested in booking a spot on one of these trips please email john@paddlesurf.net.

Southern Baja Stand Up Paddle Surf Trip- What Are You Waiting For?

Start planning for summer now! Be sure to check out the southern Baja paddle surf trips we've put together for this summer. If you haven't been down to the tip of Baja before, it pays to go with someone who knows their way around. We've taken care of all the details (including having a board of your choice down there waiting for you!) so all you have to do is get fit enough to paddle your ass off! Check out some photos from previous trips down south:



Here's Tim Hatler, owner of Palapas Ventana, the water sports compound that we'll be staying at- yep, we know how to get you out to this left hand point- and if it looks like it's going to fire off, you'll be there!



There's great flat water paddling down south too. If you're just learning how to stand up paddle, we've planned opportunities for you to hone your skills on some of the clearest, bluest flat water runs around. And if you're an early riser, be sure to join in on our sunrise paddle runs.



The view from the restaurant at Palapas Ventana. If you think there's ice cold Pacificos and refreshing margaritas waiting for you at the end of each day, you're right- there are!



Down south desert paddling at its best!



Get lucky and you may surf the waves of your life- uncrowded, empty and warm... yahooo!

Be sure to click our Surf Adventures tile ad to read more about our trip. Space is limited to nine paddlers for each seven day session, book now and save your spot! Email john@paddlesurf.net for dates and details.