In the latter days of 2007, or in the beginning of 2008, Adam Finer from Pacific Paddle loaned me “Planchis”, a Starboard board at about 10 feet rigged to install a windsurf sail on it; and a Quickblade paddle, which years later became mine and I broke surfing in San Blas. That was the first time I was on a Stand Up Paddle board. We were in Burros, Nayarit. I rode some fun waves but a thought stuck to my mind: “How I would love to cross to the Marieta Islands on one of these”. Today, Sunday May 12, 2013, over 5 years later, I did it.

A finales de 2007, o a principios de 2008, Adam Finer de Pacific Paddle me prestó a “Planchis”, una tabla Starboard como de 10 pies con lo necesario para ponerle una vela de windsurf; y un remo Quickblade, que años después terminó siendo mío y lo rompí surfeando en San Blas. Esa fue la primera vez que hice Stand Up Paddle. Estábamos en Burros, en Nayarit. Corrí unas olas muy divertidas pero me quedé pensando: “Cómo me gustaría cruzar a Las Islas Marietas en una de estas”. Hoy, domingo 12 de Mayo de 2013, más de 5 años después, lo hice.

Salí de El Anclote con dos de mis mejores amigos de siempre: Miguel Fernández y Roberto Conti-Vecchi. Miguel trajo su lancha con su capitán, Beto, quién nos estuvo siguiendo a distancia por si se ofrecía algo.

I left El Anclote with two of my forever-best friends: Miguel Fernández and Roberto Conti-Vecchi. Miguel brought his boat with his captain, Beto, who followed us at a distance in case we needed something.

Los tres tomamos líneas diferentes para cruzar el canal – nadie dijo que teníamos que hacer exactamente lo mismo. Yo me acerqué mucho a Punta Villela y me arrepentí. Al abrirme hacia las islas, la punta estaba más desordenada de lo que yo hubiera querido, gasté mucha energía en salirme de mi línea y meterme en, casi cerca de a la mitad del canal, la de Miguel quien desde El Anclote tomó una línea en agua profunda que yo envidié – yo no me quería caer: estaba rodeado de aguamalas.

The three of us took different lines to cross the channel – nobody said that we had to do exactly the same. I got to closet o Punta Villela and I regretted it. When I opened up to the Islands, the point was more disordered tan I would have liked it to be, I spent too much energy in getting out of my line and getting in, almost halfway in the cannel, in Miguel’s who since El Anclote had taken a line in deep water that I envied – I did not want to fall:  I was surrounded by jellyfish.

Aunque no había viento aún, ni olas, cruzar el canal a las Islas Marietas, igual que cruzar cualquier canal a una isla, tiene sus detalles. Aunque sólo son 6 o 7 kilómetros en sus parte más estrecha, el mar ahí se hace “chico” y arriba de mi tabla podía sentir como desde su profundidad (Bahía de Banderas tiene más de 900 metros de profundidad) se encuentran las aguas del Océano Pacífico con las de la Bahía de Banderas haciendo un cuello de botella de proporciones marítimas.

Even though there was no wind yet, nor waves, crossing the channel to the Marieta Islands, like crossing any channel to an island, has its details. Even though there are only 6 or 7 kilometers at its narrowest part, the sea there becomes “small” and on top of my board I could feel how from its depth (Bahía de Banderas has more than 900 meters in depth) the waters of the Pacific Ocean meet the waters of Bahía de Banderas making a bottle neck of maritime proportions.

Llegué a la isla mas oeste como en una hora y media. Ahí nos encontramos de nuevo Miguel, Roberto y yo y le dimos la vuelta a esa misma isla en el sentido de las manecillas del reloj. Debo confesar que aunque ya conocía en lancha en el lado barlovento de esa isla, en tabla con remo fue algo muy especial remar con mis amigos entre la Isla Marieta y el Océano Pacífico. En verdad se sentía la fuerza del mar azotando la isla y en ningún momento quise parar en ese lado ya que era fuerte la dinámica particular de un límite natural en el mar como ese.

I got to the western most island in about one and a half hours. Miguel, Roberto and I met there again and we went around the island clockwise. I must confess that even though I already knew by boat the windward side of that island, it was something very special to paddle with my friends in a stand up paddleboard between the Marieta Island and the Pacific Ocean. The strength of the sea could be truly felt slamming the island and I never wanted to stop on that side, since the particular dynamic of a natural limit in the sea as such was strong.

Al terminar de rodear la isla nos volvimos a separar, yo me dirigí a la otra isla e hice un recorrido en el sentido opuesto a las manecillas del reloj. Cuando llegué a la Playa del Amor, había toda una flotilla de barcos con turistas y ahí me encontré a dos amigos: Chícharo y Monster, quienes estaban relajados en su lancha esperando a sus clientes y me aventaron una botella con agua bien fría que me cayo como del cielo – aunque yo traía suficiente agua con piquete de electrolitos, la mía ya se había calentado. Les regresé la botella vacía sin tocar su lancha y en eso llegó nuestra lancha escolta y me avisaron que Roberto ya se había arrancado al canal porque se veía que estaba empezando a soplar mas fuerte el viento. Con esas noticias, arranque para tierra firme.

When we finished going around the island we separated again, I aimed for the other island and went around it counter clockwise. When I got to Playa del Amor, there was a flotilla of boats with tourists and there I found two of my friends: Chícharo and Monster, who were relaxing on their boat waiting for their clients and they tossed me a bottle with really cold water that fell from the sky – even though I had plenty of water spiked with electrolytes, mine had warmed up. I gave them back the empty bottle without touching their boat and our escort boat showed up right then, letting me know that Roberto had already taken off to the channel as it could be seen that the wind had started to blow stronger. With this news, I took off to the main land.

Una hora con cuarenta minutos después llegué a El Anclote. Pero no fue así de sencillo. Fueron unos 40 minutos hacia más de la mitad del canal, prácticamente fáciles. Pero a partir de ahí, aunque Neptuno nos había tratado muy bien todo el día, a su primo Azteca Ehécatl no le gustó que anduviéramos por ahí pasándonosla tan bien: nos topamos con un viento de unos 8-9 nudos de Oeste-Nor-Oeste que hizo de los últimos 2 o 3 kilómetros me tomara una hora en recorrerlos, remando de un solo lado. Tal vez 8-9 nudos no parezca mucho, pero en la segunda mitad del canal, cerca de la punta, después de remar por 4 horas, te vuelven el recorrido “interesante”.

One hour and forty minutes later I arrived in El Anclote. But it was not that simple. It was about 40 minutes into the second half of the channel, practically easy. But from then on, even though Neptune had been treating us good all day, his Aztec cousin Ehécatl did not like that we were around having such a good time: we came upon a 8-9 knot West-North-West wind took me one hour travel the last 2 or 3 kilometers, paddling on only one side. Maybe 8-9 knots does not seem like much, but on the second half of the channel, close to the point, after paddling for 4 hours, turn your route “interesting”.

Cinco horas exactas, casi 27 kilómetros, aguamalas, atunes, sardinas, pelícanos, pámpanos, bobos de pata azul, turistas y amigos. Un día increíble que se lo dedico a mi esposa Megan en el Día de las Madres de Estados Unidos.

Exactly five hours, almost 27 kilometers, jelly fish, tunas, sardines, pelicans, pompanos, blue footed boobies, tourists and friends. An incredible day, which I dedicate to my wife Megan on the United States Mother’s Day.

Muchas gracias Roberto, Miguel y Beto por el apoyo: sin ustedes no lo hubiéramos logrado solos ninguno de nosotros. Y muchas gracias a Adam por prestarme a Planchis aquel día hace mas de cinco años en Burros, y por el apoyo desde entonces con tablas y equipo.

Thank you Roberto, Miguel and Beto for the support: without you we would not had made it on our own. And loads of thanks to Adam for lending me Planchis that day over five years ago in Burros, and for the support since then with boards and gear.

Chachin.

Great story Chachin!

Horacio “Chachin” Garcia is a Starboard Mexico Team rider and an ambassador to the sport of SUP in Mexico.

Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico – The date is set – May 4th and 5th 2013 for the Bucerias Classic and round #3 of the Pacific Paddle SUP Race Series. This sure to be full of excitement as three exiting disciplines – Stand Up Paddle, Windsurfing and Kiteboarding go toe to toe in this years Bucerias Classic.

Dubbed the “Battle of Bucerias” this years event will host top athletes from Nayarit and Jalisco as the Bay of Banderas provides once again a spectacular arena  for this monumental water sports extravaganza.

There will be Stand Up Paddle demos, clinics and fun races in the for the whole family. It doesn’t matter what your ability level is, or if you have ever been on a SUP before, Take advantage of this opportunity to try out Stand Up Paddle in Bucerias for the first time.

Racing schedule will be:

Saturday:

9:00 am  Registration opens

10:30 am Stand Up Paddle - Fun Race – for beginners

11:00 am Stand Up Paddle  - Elite race – Run and Paddle

1:30 pm Kite & Windsurf Races - Course racing 4 race starts

3:30 pm Stand Up Paddle – Down-wind Race – La Cruz Marina to Bucerias

Sunday:

10:00 am Stand Up Paddle Distance Race – 10km

11:00 am Stand Up Paddle Relay Race – Teams of four

1:30 pm Kite & Windsurf Races - Course racing 4 races

4:30 pm Awards presentation and Stand Up Paddle GIVE AWAY!

Our host venue Casa Blanca located on Calle Galeana in Bucerias just down from Marks restaurant (2 blocks from Pacific Paddle) will provide spectators with great views of the race action.

Pacific Paddle – your Stand Up Paddle sales and rental leaders in Mexico – will have SUP boards to use for the races, pre register to reserve your board. (send email to afiner@me.com with subject Bucerias Classic)

Stay tuned to all race updates on facebook page Bucerias Classic

Any questions may be directed to the race director Adam Finer afiner@me.com. See you there! bring the whole family!

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico  -   The date is set for January 27th 2013 and Round #2  is sure to be full of excitement as yet another new format will be introduced to the ever evolving Pacific Paddle SUP Series. There will be Stand Up Paddle demos, clinics with the Pro’s and fun races for the whole family. It doesn’t matter what your ability level is, or if you have ever been on a SUP before, a great time will be had by all!!  Take advantage of this free clinic to try out Stand Up Paddle in Puerto Vallarta for the first time, or refine your stroke just before the race!

Pacific Paddle –  your Stand Up Paddle sales and rental leaders in  Mexico – will have SUP boards to use for the clinic, pre register to reserve your board. (send email to afiner@me.com with subject Copa Barracuda) .

Race Director Adam Finer from Pacific Paddle had this to say. “Race number 2 will add some new excitement to the  2013 Pacific Paddle SUP Series with the CASH purse up for grabs in the Watermans Challenge.. which will consist of a swim, paddle and run… 3000 pesos is on the line, so the main event will be stacked with top athletes of many different disciplines!

Our host venue Restaurant El Barracuda (info) located in the heart of Playa Camarones, right beside the Buenaventura Hotel will provide spectators with great views and delicious food  right in front of all the race action. Raffles tickets will be sold with proceeds going to the Mexican National SUP Team in an effort to raise funds to send them to the ISA Games in PERU this coming February. The ISA Games is like the Olympics of Paddle Surfing allowing talented athletes to represent their country as they participate in several disciplines of paddle sports.

The following is a tentative race schedule:

9am – 10:00 am Registration

10.30 am  - 500 Meter Sprints – Heats 1 to 5 , Semi Finals.

11:30 - Clinic with Mexican National SUP Team – Experts, Intermediates, and Beginners

12 pm - The Copa Barracuda  10km distance race - Categories Men  and Women – Junior 17 & under,  17- 30, Masters 31 -50, Kahunas 50 +

12:30 pm - Beginner Race  500m  fun race - Categories Men  and Women – Junior 17 & under,  17- 30, Masters 31 -50, Kahunas 50 +

1:30 pm - Relay race – Teams of 5 people, must have at least one member of opposite sex and one participant over 50. (send email with team members and team Name to afiner@mac.com to pre register..)

2:30 pm - Watermans Challenge OPEN RACE  3000 peso purse.

3 pm - Awards presentation and party at El Barracuda Restaurant…

Pacific Paddle will have limited supply of SUP boards to use for the clinic and race, to reserve board send email to afiner@me.com with subject Copa Barracuda.

Any questions may be directed to the race director Adam Finer afiner@me.com.

See you there! bring the whole family!

Paddle Fit! are you ready for a work out?

The class is similar to a cross training class in a gym but it is
done on the water. It is an all encompassing, full body, functional
workout which involves sequences of paddling from different positions
on the board mixed with various strength and balance exercises.  It is
the most complete overall body workout you can achieve in one hour.
This is a great form of cross-training for all paddle sports.It is
recommended to first rent a paddleboard for at least one hour practice
before attempting the fitness class.

Class times and locations:

Wednesday 930AM at Pacific Paddle Bucerias

Friday 930 AM at Pacific Paddle Bucerias

Lina is visiting from Vancouver Canada, here lets get to know her…

I spend most of my free time exploring the outdoors and take great
pleasure in inspiring and motivating others to enjoy the outdoors. I
do love to race. I believe my competitive nature and desire to race
was first developed way back when I was a 6 year old competitive
gymnast. I have tried to compete in a variety of sports such as
wrestling, rugby, pole vault, power lifting, triathlons, ski
mountaineering, marathons, and waterpolo. Recently, I have competed
internationally as an adventure racer and now as a stand up paddler. I
also enjoy activities and movements that don’t involve a race or
competition like yoga and slacklining. I cherish the feeling of
freedom and reward during and following expeditions and adventurous
endeavours.   Live, love, laugh,..DREAM!  Lina

The season opener is sure to be full of excitement as the Mexican National SUP team will be conducting clinics for beginners and experts, so take advantage of this free clinic to try out Stand Up Paddle for the first time, or refine your race stroke just before the race! Pacific Paddle will have SUP boards to use for the clinic, pre register to reserve your board. (send email to afiner@me.com with subject Crocodile Clinic) . Race Director Adam Finer from Pacific Paddle had this to say. “Race number 1 will get the  2013 Pacific Paddle SUP Series off to a great start with some new surprise formats for the competitors, like the 500 meter sprints, the “Crocodile Classic” and  5km race thru the canals of Nuevo Vallarta. We look forward to unite the growing Stand Up Paddle community in the Bay of Banderas, Nayarit and Jalisco and introduce some new friends to the sport we love!

Our host venue the Vallarta Yacht Club (location map) will provide spectators with a stunning view of the race action looking down onto the start finish line. Food and drinks will be served and raffles tickets will be sold with proceeds going to the Mexican National SUP Team in an effort to raise funds to send them to the ISA Games in PERU this coming February. The ISA Games is like the Olympics of Paddle Surfing allowing talented athletes to represent their country as they participate in several disciplines of paddle sports.

The following is a tentative race schedule:

8am – 9:30 am Registration

10 am  - 500 Meter Sprints – Heats 1 to 5 , Semi Finals.

11:30 - Clinic with Mexican National SUP Team – Experts, Intermediates, and Beginners

12 pm – The Crocodile Classic  1.5km (winner takes all! – Staggered start by categories PROS start last)

1 pm – 5km Canal Race Categories Men  and Women – Junior 17 & under,  17- 30, Masters 31 -50, Kahunas 50 +

2 pm – Relay race – Teams of 5 people, must have at least one member of opposite sex and one participant over 50. (send email with team members and team Name to afiner@mac.com to pre register..)

2:30 pm Sprint Race FINALS

3 pm – Awards presentation and party at the Vallarta Yacht Club…

Pacific Paddle will have limited supply of SUP boards to use for the clinic and race, to reserve board send email to afiner@me.com with subject Crocodile Classic.

Any questions may be directed to the race director Adam Finer afiner@me.com.

Lets get ready to RUMBLE…..!

On the Agenda. the long awaited Astro TOURING board… our first look at this new breed of inflatable SUP from our friends at Starboard…

First impressions… unrolling the fit and finish is impressive, taped seams, plastic nose …. steel “d” rings, heavy duty feel, strong.. and after inflation to the recommended 15psi, which was pretty easy with the supplied pump, the board takes its shape rigid, sleek, race board like! and light weight

On the Squamish spit, a jetty of rocks sticking out into the Howe sound, we quickly realized that the inflatables were in their element. Easy to handle while scampering down the rocks, making a tough launch easy, i was immediately confident with the durability, using the the board to stabilize my movements, could never do that with an epoxy board!

SQUAMISH – “The place were the wind converges…”  – A town that was put on the map as the southern terminal for the Pacific Great Eastern Railway back in 1910, once dependent on a pulp mill and logging industry has now transformed into the “Adventure Capitol of Canada”. Kayaking, windsurfing, kitesurfing, rock climbing, para-gliding, mountain biking, skiing and snowboarding..and the list goes on….and now SUP..

I have been a little skeptical about the inflatable SUP’s up till now, but this session quickly convinced me otherwise… The boards are very light, strong, stable, and hold there shape, and are great looking. .

Is this board for you? A demographic that will truly embrace the Infaltable SUP market will be the Cruisers.. the sailers, who would rather roll up a sup than have to deal with it on the deck or railing of their sailboat. Starboard has focused on this market with its imminent release of a Inflatable SUP named the “Tender” this board all 11ft and 39 inches of width… yes 39 inches wide will pose the question to sailers, do you really need a dingy when you have in of these?? i mean what better way to get the groceries on board than on one of these super stable SUPS that can easily be hauled on deck, deflated and stuffed into a closet!! cool!

bottom line is I’m convinced, i want one in my quiver! its all about having the right tool for the conditions, and there are definitely a lot of conditions be it space, durability, and travel ease. In our case  we were traveling in motorhome, no room for 10ft + boards inside..no roof racks, that was a major bonus that the inflatables fit into a small back pack and take up no space, we also flew into LAX and paid $20 baggage fee instead of $150+ for a standard board under 10ft.

so if you want to try one of the brand new 2013 Starboard Inflatable paddle boards in Mexico, don’ t hesitate, come into Pacific Paddle in Bucerias and take on for a spin!

It was an exiting finish to the Pacific Paddle SUP Series ending the 5 stop tour around the Bay of Banderas with a new race – the “Watermans Challenge” consisting of swimming, prone paddling and SUP,  mixing up the field and giving an edge to the strong swimmers of the bay.

Copa Mexico Windsurf Champion Fede Ortiz came out of the water from the swim leg in 2nd place forcing Ryan Helm to turn on the speed in the prone leg to secure his victory. Felix Garcia came off the swim looking strong but could not hold off the charge from Horacio Garcia and Geovanti Cervantes. It was a great format and challenging for the athletes and we look forward to more challenging races for next seasons race series.

The tour has elevated the SUP presence in the Bay of Banderas by moving the SUP Races from El Baracuda in Puerto Vallarta, to Nuevo Vallarta, Bucerias, Punta Mita, and back to El Baracuda for the final round. With over 50 participants at most of the events the race series has been a great training ground for local paddlers and a fantastic reunion of the SUP Community in Nayarit and Jalisco.

At the end of the 5 stops it was Ryan Helm of Sayulita who won the 2012 Surftech Bark 12’6 Competitor race board for the mens division. Ryan has proved himself to be a solid competitor on the international scene with a top three finish in Punta Sayulita Classic and more recently a top ten finish at the Waikiki Paddle Festival against the fastest paddlers in the world.

In the women’s division it was Veronica Nava standing out with her consistent wins in the long distance races, and her fortitude in the Elite and technical races. Vero is a great athlete and Pacific Paddle is proud of all she has accomplished this season in SUP, Kite, Windsurf, and being a great Mom and role model. Surftech was proud to award her a brand new 12’6″ Bark Competitor race board, and hopes that she continues to draw more women into the sport.

Pacific Paddle has been very pleased with the response of the series and the growth that SUP has seen in our area this season. We look forward to next seasons SUP series that will start in December 2012 and will be even bigger!

If you are looking to get in to Stand up paddle surfing in Mexico, don’t hesitate to call Pacific Paddle, we have the best selection of SUP’s in Mexico for sale, and a huge fleet of paddle boards boards for rent and demo. We also deliver throughout Mexico and have a network of qualified Certified SUP Schools, so if your planning on coming to Mexico on vacation or you live here and are looking to buy a stand up paddle board, be sure to give us a call!

322 123 3034 cell or office 329 298 1057

El Barracuda in Puerto Vallarta will bring race fans an exiting new format for the Pacific Paddle SUP Race Series Final round. The Watermans Challenge will highlight the athletic ability of the participants as they swim, prone paddle, and finish the race stand up paddling.

“This race will be very exiting to the spectators as all three legs will happen right in front of El Barracuda” says Veronica Nava from Pacific Paddle.

“We want to maintain a high standard of competition and provide a good training ground for the local athletes who are beginning to travel and compete on an international level.”  says  Adam Finer from Pacific Paddle.

Schedule of Race for Saturday May 12:

9am – 10 am registration El Barracuda Centro Puerto Vallarta (Calle Nicaragua y Paraguay)

10:30am – Distance Race (8km)

11:30am – beginner and intermediate race

12:30am - Watermans Challenge

1:30pm – kids race

2:30pm – Technical SHORT format race

3:00pm - Team RELAY Race

The Sayulita contingency is in fine form with Ryan Helm leading the points race and looking like a strong contender to take home the Mens Championship and brand new  Surftech PRO ELITE 12’6  Bark Race Board, that will be given away by the series sponsor Surftech Mexico.

Pacific Paddles own Veronica Nava remains on top of the Women’s category with her sights set on the other  Surftech PRO ELITE 12’6  Bark Race Board, and is very exited to have qualified into the SUP Nationals in Sayulita June 8 – 10th. This weekends SUP Series will also be used as a qualifier for the state of Jalisco, to decide who will represent the Tequila State in the SUP Nationals in Sayulita.

Be sure to invite your friends and check out the new format of exiting races that the Pacific Paddle SUP Series Final will offer the spectators and participants alike. Come and join us for at El Barracuda for some great food and drink, and live entertainment and check out the SUP’s that will be available for sale during and after the event, as always Pacific Paddle remains Mexicos #1 dealer of new and used SUP’s! come and check it out!

“Come and race in the last leg of the Pacific Paddle SUP Series 2011/2012 where it all started in Le Barracuda in Puerto Vallarta. The event will include awards for the overall winners of the Series, as well as a party afterwards. Competition will be tough as our local pros come back hot from performances in France and Hawaii to compete in this last local event of the season prior to Mexico’s Stand Up Paddle National Championship to take place in Sayulita in June.” Chachin Garcia, Director of Competition Pacific Paddle.

“The Sayulita Surf Club is proud to host this first SUP National Championship in June, come and participate with the top paddlers in Nayarit this weekend in the Bucerias Classic as they fight for their spot on the Nayarit SUP Race Team.” says Horacio Garcia  -  Director of Competition Mexico SUP Championship 2012.

“The competition will be fierce as several newcomers look to set their place representing the state. There will be ample racing for beginners and experts alike, and we are looking forward to everyones participation in the Relay race on Saturday,  no experience necessary and as usual we will have boards on hand for everyone who wants to enter.” says Adam Finer – Pacific Paddle.

We will also look at using Pacific Paddle SUP Race Series Final – set for May 12th at El Baracuda in Puerto Vallarta to qualify paddlers from the state of Jalisco.

“We are exited to see SUP in Nayarit and Jalisco growing so fast and are very focused on providing the best new SUP inventory available for sale in Mexico, most complete rental fleet, outstanding excursions and and top notch instructors. We look forward to seeing everyone at the Bucerias Classic this weekend, the forecast looks like there will be top notch racing in all categories: Wind Surf racing, Kite Surf Racing, and Paddle Surf Racing.

See you there!!