Category Archives: Surfing

Shipwreck’s North

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Shipwrecks or Freighters

Skunked, but stoked to be introduced to a new spot. Drake Harris & Pat Harrington let me tag on their surf journey and showed me a few spots for future trips south in Baja. While we didn’t get waves, I did get some shots. The fact that this aging freighter has never been taken apart is enough of a surprise. When you arrive, you for sure know that you didn’t just wander down a random dirt road. When it breaks, it’s a good right that flies past the remains of the ship.

One Half of the Freighter

In the past, car/tent camping was about the only option at Shipwrecks, but in recent years, Baja Surf Adventures has opened a small camp. Described as a great place for beginners, there are men’s/women’s restrooms, surf lessons are available, and meals are included. For more information, www.bajasurfadventures.com

The Bigger Half of the Freighter

Wide Bay : Long Ride Potential

Pat Humphrey & Drake Harris : Road Trip

Casa Baja Luna for Rent

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Casa Baja Luna

Good friends Cynthia & Cal have reason to be stateside for the summer, and are offering their wonderful San Juanico home for rent.  It’s a fabulous 2 bedroom main house with rooftop view deck and bar – perfect for entertaining.  There is a separate casita with private bath and lovely gardens.  Lucky the person who gets to spend time there.  For more details :  http://www.scorpionbayrentals.com/Site/Rentals/Pages/Casa_Baja_Luna.html#grid

Baja Luna “Closet”
Baja Luna Bedroom
Baja Luna Garden
Baja Luna Casita Bedroom
Baja Luna Dining/Kitchen
Baja Luna Upstairs View Deck
Baja Luna Patio & Garden
Baja Luna Upstairs Bar
Baja Luna Bedroom
Casa Baja Luna

Great Baja Girlfriends!

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Cynthia & Catharine

Figures that I’d meet friends for the ‘rest of my life’ in sleepy towns south of the border. On a surfing safari to San Juanico, a beautiful blonde approached me at pizza dinner, claiming that for sure she knew me.  I was taken aback, but she was so emphatic – almost as sure as I was that I’d never met her before in my life!

After a few go-rounds of questions, we figured out that she had been the neighbor of my sister, Claudia, in Sun Valley, Idaho … and since my sister and I look very much alike, the mystery was solved.

Cynthia Wagstaff, as I’d come to know her, lives for most of the year in San Juanico. She is a talented painter, writer (her blog : baja luna) , gardener, designer and explorer of life.  Which barely touches on the fact that she is an incredible chef!  She has the ability to create a gourmet meal out of whatever happens to be in the icebox or the cupboard – and no matter who drops by, she finds a way to create a feast that leaves everyone raving – and wanting more!

Cynthia’s ‘mom’ to Pancho & Chica – two adorable rescue dogs – who dote on her as she dotes on them.  Ball play and stick chase .. long beach walks and adventures.  While not a surfer, Cynthia’s an avid swimmer, snorkeler, butt boarder and stand-up-paddler.

You can find her easily cruising the cliff tops and beaches in her bright yellow Volkswagen or her streamlined Subaru.  She’s the one with the sparkling eyes and the big broad smile.

james Seixas Surfs San Juanico

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During my ‘second’ surfing session in San Juanico in 2009, I had the pleasure of meeting James Seixas who has another ‘home’ in San Pedro.  He was kind, encouraging .. and a whole lot of fun in the water.  I was able to catch a few stills of him at second point, and have turned them into this short kind of funky video.

Full Moon Rise Over Mesa & Bay

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Full Moon Rise Over Mesa & Bay

The full moon rises slowly above the mesa and grants her colored shine to blue waters of the bay.  Warm offshore breezes hold up the edges of the waves born thousands of miles away.

A few surfers still paddle out to catch what remains of the light.  Later, another group will ride in full moonlit waters.

My arms are spent.  While the swell has not been as large as predicted, I’ve been thrilled to ride overhead waves in warm water and clear skies.  Water temp = 74°.  Air = 88°.  (I’m told back in California the weekend water was a balmy 54°- UGH!)

There’s a lovely reverence at this close of day/start of night.  Several locals, a few surf travelers gather at second point to watch the moon and the last of the surfers.  We chatter about waves, sets .. How many hours we spent in the water .. the diabolical currrent that kept us paddling non-stop simply to stay in position.  How tired we are – while noting when we’ll get back in the water.  There were crowded moments – and then there were moments with only three surfers in the water and more waves than could be ridden.

The waters have been a delightful mix of short and long boarders from San Juanico, Cabo, Canada, Austria, Brazil and the U.S.  Languages blend in the water.  Waves are shared.  Stories of other waves wrap around our amazing glee at finding ourselves in one of the perfect spots at a perfect moment.

I am thrilled that Armando, Manuel, Marta, Jessie & Juan remember me.  “When did you get back?” Armando asks as I wait for the next set.  His bright red board and his broad smile are hard to miss.  He makes me feel apart of the local family, and it’s a feeling that I like.

San Juanico has lodged itself in my heart….. and a sense of its essence and beauty travels with me.