Baja, Mexico

Punta San Carlos is located 275 miles south of the San Diego-Tijuana border on the Pacific Ocean of Baja California Norte. The nearest town is El Rosario about 50 miles to the northeast. Punta San Carlos has been a world class wave sailing Mecca since the first pioneer sailors discovered it in the early eighties. The unique side-off wind conditions make San Carlos ideal for classic down the line surf sailing. World class pro sailors Matt & Kevin Pritchard, Keith Taboul, Ritchie Myers, young gun Graham Ezzy and many others refined their skills here while climbing the ladder to world status. But San Carlos is also the perfect playground for serious amateurs and weekend warriors alike. Because of the myriad of wave conditions in close proximity, it is perfect for all styles and ability levels. There are 4 main wave sailing arenas to choose from - The Point, The Chili Bowl, The Beachbreak, and The Bombora. Depending on the direction of the swell will dictate which of these spots will be working. Novice wavesailors will find the Beachbreak very good for developing skills and style. The gentle rolling waves protected by the island are forgiving but don't let these conditions fool you. Pro's frequent this area to tune-up, practice and enjoy classic wavesailing as well. The Bombora is an outer reef off the east end of the island. The wave comes from open water and hits the shallow reef creating a powerful pitching wave, great for jumping. and quick wave riding end & outs. The Point offers wave riders a steep peak that can break far from shore. As it approaches the beach it will decrease in size as it lines up ideally connecting to the Chili Bowl in the bay. This spot is for advanced wave riders that wish an extended ride into the Chili Bowl. The Chili Bowl is the flagship wave spot seen so frequently in the windsurfing media. The reef is in the middle of the bay and breaks left and right. The perfect ride starts on a point wave and lines up connecting to the left created by the reef. Wave riders will smack the lip of the left coming at them. Every great photo of the Chili Bowl captures this thrilling maneuver.

Baja feature in Boards Mag

Submitted by gary on Sat, 12/12/2009 - 16:16

Following on from my Reflections on learning to wave sail and Baja Gallery, I'm pleased to say both have featured in Boards mag this week thanks to Jem Hall's article. Check it out - the action starts on page 90.

gary in baja

Submitted by gary on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 21:16

Images courtesy of Clark Merritt. Unfortunately only from the smaller days...

baja gallery

Submitted by gary on Thu, 03/09/2009 - 20:53

Gallery of photos from Baja. Seven days of wind and swell, perfect down the line conditions.

Saturday
5.8m / 110FSW - first on the water, first two waves awesome - on the beach break towards the point and then straight into the chilli bowl. what a way to start the trip! Beautiful session through to sunset ;-)

Sunday
5.2m / 95fsw - rubbish first session, couldn't get it going, but awesome second session on the main beach break

Monday
5.2m / 95fsw - 5.2 seems to be the order of the week! four sessions so far.... two fantastic sessions today. First around high tide then again mid tide - one massive jump, the ramp just got bigger and bigger as I approached and I kept going at it. Later on, took a major wipe out from the lip but all's good.

Tuesday
5.5m / 95fsw – lighter wind day and working on the bottom turn, really trying to drive the power to set up for the top turn

Wednesday
5.2m / 95 hardcore wave – liking the looser tail but spent too much time in the shore break trying to get out at the bottom of the wave beach. Note to self it's easiest closer to the camp!

Thursday
5.8 / 95fsw – started on a smaller 85 hardcore wave and 5.2 but the conditions were too light. Had a great sail and Jem even managed to get me on the training video this time

Friday
5.2/5.8m / 85 wave cult – best day by far. Loving the board and the conditions. Started on the 5.2 which was perfect but then the wind dropped a little and the bigger sail was spot on. Maybe even some pix of me today

beautiful baja

Submitted by gary on Fri, 28/08/2009 - 02:33

epic hurricane swell today, a few more pix the rest will follow when i get back...

Baja firing

Submitted by gary on Sun, 23/08/2009 - 03:41

Just the one pic for now to wet the appetite

Forecast looking good

Submitted by gary on Mon, 17/08/2009 - 21:16

As my Baja trip draws close, I've started have a quick look at the forecast and it's good news... Swell arrives a the weekend alongside the regular force 4/5 winds
source: magicseaweed.com

Swine flu: FCO changes travel advice to Mexico

Submitted by gary on Sun, 24/05/2009 - 11:17

British travellers should feel free to go to Mexico after a fall in the number of new swine flu cases, the Foreign Office has said. Holiday makers and business travellers had been advised against all non-essential travel to the country.
But the FCO changed its advice, with a spokesman saying: "This change follows a decline in new cases of swine flu reported in Mexico since a peak on April 26 and takes into account information and advice from a variety of sources, including the UK Health Protection Agency." source:telgraph.co.uk.
Good news for my trip to Baja!

  • Share/Save

Baja, Mexico

Submitted by gary on Sat, 14/03/2009 - 10:21

I've booked Baja for the Summer with Jem. Baja's a world class wavesailing mecca that's hopefully as yet unspoilt by tourism unlike Cape Verde. We're staying in a tent on the beach and all food / water / beer has to be driven in. But the center is full of RRD / Ezzy kit and there's a selection of four wave sailing arenas. Bring it on...

  • Share/Save
Syndicate content