Finally Surfing!!!

We have definitely settled into the mainland, and have started to sort things out pretty well. The adjustment in culture and customs from the Baja took a bit of time, but in time, we have become essentially locals . After a few days in Mazatlan with Boogs and Hussion and their chicks, we were off again down the coast. We were hoping for bigger surf the further south we went, and definitely got out with after a bit of time.
Surf in Mazatlan was hovering somewhere around a foot, with giant sets rolling in up to two feet. We knew of a bigger swell coming in toward the end of the week, so we were pretty excited for coming days. We arrived at San Blas with high hopes of getting out first surf in since the Baja, but our hopes were dashed by the wayside when we found that the surf had actually dropped below its former incredible heights. We blew out of San Blas heading for Santa Cruz, hoping that the big wave legend of the north would carry over to its southern sister. Unfortunately, we were far from correct in this case.
On a positive note, I had a blast fishing in Santa Cruz. Apparently when the surf is small, the fish get pretty excited about it. I spent a couple of hours on the point that would have produced surf, catching a pretty good assortment of fish: 5 or 6 barracuda, 2 grouper and a snapper. I ended up keeping and cleaning a barracuda and the snapper, which we enjoyed a few days down the road.
I had received word from Brooke that she and her friend Jessi were to be in Yelapa, a small village only accessible by boat, outside of Puerto Vallarta. With surf in the coming forecast, and a couple of days to burn until its arrival, we decided to spend the time in peaceful tranquility with good friends. For years, Brooke has been telling me about her favorite place in Mexico, and it just so happened that she was finishing up a couple weeks there when we were passing by, so we decided to make the stop.
We found a stellar place to leave the truck, where I was confident it would be safe, and headed off on a ponga for the half hour ride to Yelapa. Luckily enough, we caught the last boat out of Boca bound for Yelapa, and arrived just before dark to smiling faces waiting on the beach. Brooke and Jessi put us up for our time there in a pimpin’ house that they had rented for the remainder of their stay there. Apparently they had grown tired of their former location, which worked out well for us. The house they rented had an incredible view of the bay at Yelapa, was open air, and had all the amenities that we have been lacking along our journey!
Our time in Yelapa was SUPER mellow, and an excellent break from the road. We departed on Saturday, as the swell had picked up significantly over the former couple of days, and we were anxious to get back in the water. To our disappointment, we arrived in the afternoon at what we hoped would be a good surf spot in Tecuan, only to find that the swell had grown HUGE, and was pretty well unsufable. Double overhead barrels breaking right on the beach turned us further south, still yet to have our first session on the mainland.
But alas…we finally found manageable surf in a little village just north of Manzanilla called Barra Navidad. Because it is in a bit of a bay, the swell was perfect in Barra for a sessions, but we had run out of time with during out antics in the north. After a night out on the town, we stayed in an abandoned parking lot outside of town, with beautiful views of trash and highways. It really increased our motivation to get the rock out of there in the morning and get out to the surf spot. And finally, we had our session! The surf was way mushy, but perfect for us to get our feet under us, and practice popping up and making a few turns. Justin was the star of the affair, staying inside for the second break of the way, and actually made some pretty impressive bottom turns for the first time! Yeah, Bra!
After good sessions a Barra, we headed sound again hoping to continue our good surfing luck. The swell that was rumored had definitely arrived, so we were motivated to find a protected spot that would knock the waves down a bit and make them a bit more manageable for us. We DID NOT find that at La Ticla. This point break was incredibly beautiful, but had some HUGE waves that we really had no business attempting to surf, but I didn’t let that stop me from paddling out and taking a beating. After about and hour of having my ass completely kicked by the ocean, we retired with our tails between our legs, headed for Rio Neixpa, where we heard that the point was a bit more manageable. We heard WRONG!
Although Neixpa was WAY too big for us, we stumbled upon a bit of luck when we met a couple that was basically on the same mission as us. Shawn and Erin left Colorado over 10 months ago, and had only made it as far as we have in a month; so needless to say, they had some pretty solid knowledge about the area and surf spots. We hung with them and gleaned knowledge overnight, and then headed off for their HIGHLY recommended surf spot called Saladita. Although this spot was not on our surf map (which it turns out SUCKS BAD) we decided to give it a shot. Shawn and Erin said that we would love it, and how right they were!
We arrived here in Saladita last night, had a session, made some killer hamburgers and called it a night, in anticipation of Dawn Patrol this morning. Unfortunately, Justin took a pounding in Cuyutlan a couple days back, injuring his ribs, so he didn’t have quite the EPIC session that I had here last night. The paddle to where the waves are breaking is grueling here at Saladita, but well worth the effort. I caught three solid waves last night, made a bottom turn, took a pounding, and rode another into the beach. My best session BY FAR! I actually turned down the wave to gain MORE speed, and then back up to the stop after a big looping bottom turn! What a feeling…I actually think that I can call myself a surfer now…not good…but a surfer, nonetheless! I am stoked.
We are going to kick it here for a couple of days and work on our skills, as the wave is pretty forgiving, and a perfect place to develop some skills. We found a sweet spot to camp in the middle of a mango orchard, just back from the beach, so we rolling in style!

Peace! Nick