Tuesday, May 01, 2018

Release Date 4/26/2018

I was kayaking in Baja Mexico around the town of La Bufadora with a trip organized by Pinniped Kayak.

The trip was run/managed by Jen Kleck who runs the Baja Kayak Fest in the same location each year.

We drove down from San Diego and had great Tacos and saw great scenery.












 



We did a lot of rock garden paddling right around the little town, and also an overnight trip to a small lighthouse off the coast.

The rock garden paddling was very unique and we quickly learned the intensity of the Pacific swell was so much bigger and more powerful than what we were used to paddling around Rhode Island and Maine here on the East Coast. All the time we were there things were small to small-medium, but it was more than large enough for me!

 
Fresh Sea Urchin with our lunch.



 

I saw plastic boats get massive dents and holes, paddles break, and at one point an entire 15 foot kayak get pulled underwater VERTICALLY in a hole right next to a big rock that was clearly over 15 foot deep. Really impressive stuff.

These three photos illustrate the difference that timing plays, this is the exact same spot just a few minutes apart, its critical to pick the right time to go through something like this. You want some water, but not too much!














One thing we were quickly taught was NOT to surf through these slots and pour overs. Instead the goal was to pick a small to medium wave that had enough water, and try to stay on the back of it.

Here is a picture of me going through a slot that has a hole on the other end. I made it all the way through, did this cool brace then capsized, and eventually rolled-up with a little help. I capsized a number of times always at end of the feature. I would make it all the way through, be super proud of myself, then fall over!



and a closeup, fortunately you cant see the look of terror on my face:



There is a lot of aquaculture down here. This funny shipname is working on fattening pens for Bluefin Tuna.






This lighthouse is about to be decommissioned, but it was really cool to be able to visit it.









 






Truth: Timing is important.

5/15/2018
Mario who FOUND the bottle sent along the following picture showing the bottle and highlighting the spot on the shore where he found it. Dunno how he got down there in the rocks!