BajaNomad - There goes the neighborhood....

There goes the neighborhood....

Taco de Baja - 3-21-2007 at 10:06 AM

A surfer's guide to Baja

The Surfer's Guide to Baja (Paperback)
by Mike Parise (Author), Bob Towner; Cricket (Illustrator)

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pargo - 3-21-2007 at 11:40 AM

Porque?...am i missing the point? :?:

Taco de Baja - 3-21-2007 at 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
Porque?...am i missing the point? :?:

Everybody will now know about OUR "secret" beaches.

bajajudy - 3-21-2007 at 12:16 PM

Taco
That book has been out for years...note it is the 3rd edition.
You are safe.

David K - 3-21-2007 at 04:35 PM

Thanks Judy, I was biting my tongue...

However, Taco de Baja will be proud of me in that I never bought that book to add to my library! I figure the sacred sisters will be kind to me when I travel past them this summer!

Mexitron - 3-21-2007 at 05:09 PM

That's kind of you DK!

I've had it for a few years, bought it mostly to make sure they were just covering only the more popular spots... :yawn:

The Surfer's Guide To Baja

Cameron - 3-22-2007 at 12:44 PM

The Surfer's Guide To Baja has been around since the first edition was published in 1999! I'm not sure which one Amazon is selling now, but I think it's #5.
The Guides cover much more than just the surf-related info, and offer plenty of good advice for anybody heading south to do a little exploring. I've got #2 and #3, and it's interesting to see the changes in Baja described from the writer's perspective. This year you can pick up the Guide packaged with a set of Baja maps. I haven't seen it in my local surf shop yet, but as soon as it shows up, I'll be picking up the newest edition.
For the non-surfing Nomads, it bears mentioning that many surfers don't want to see huge crowds showing up at their favorite spots. Guidebooks or websites offering detailed directions to, and descriptions of "secret" spots are thought by some to be responsible for the ever-increasing crowds.
The most popular and well-known surf spots described in the "Surfer's Guide" books have pretty detailed locations/directions, but as far as "secret" spots go, they give just enough info to send you in the right direction, without providing turn-by-turn directions for the masses to follow. Seems like a good balance to me.

The Surfer's Guide To Baja? :spingrin:

Barry A. - 3-22-2007 at 12:50 PM

Cameron--------It's about that avatar?????????? What's with that????? :lol:

The Sculpin - 3-22-2007 at 01:21 PM

Hey Barry, about Cameron's avatar.....don't know how he got it - he must be well connected...but that's just Keith Richards MRI after he fell from the coconut tree! That white thing in the middle ofd the skull is just a little cocaine buildup from snorting too hard...
:bounce:

Avatar...

Cameron - 3-22-2007 at 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Barry A.
Cameron--------It's about that avatar?????????? What's with that????? :lol:

Argggh! It's all about the pirates, matey!
Seriously though... I downloaded an image of my own to one of the "free avatar" sites to use, but it never made it onto their list of available images. Maybe a copyright thing, I don't know. Anyway, I was looking for the one I posted, and came across the skull & crossbones. Kind of likd it, so I linked it to the Nomads site as my online avatar.
If it's giving you the willies, I'll try a different one, OK? I'll try again w/the one I originally intended:

swordsman2.jpg - 6kB

Oh my Gaud!!!!!

Barry A. - 3-22-2007 at 02:33 PM

Cameron-------Maybe you should stick with the green skull and corss bones :lol:

Gadget - 3-27-2007 at 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
Porque?...am i missing the point? :?:

More importantly, what taco is missing is Gods beautiful creations that taco seems to think should be secret.
I would like to spend some time on at one of those spots telling taco about His love, even for him. :saint:

[Edited on 3-28-2007 by Gadget]

woody with a view - 3-28-2007 at 06:03 AM

i looked at a friends book and it seemed to be a rip-off of the original "surf report" by surfer mag.

Tomas Tierra - 3-28-2007 at 07:34 AM

That was one heck of an edit there Gadget!!last night I tuned in and you were blasting about where people grew up and thier "localism" attitude..and today its halo's and angels?

Bad tequila maybe??

bajaandy - 3-28-2007 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
Bad tequila maybe??

Gadget - 3-28-2007 at 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Tomas Tierra
That was one heck of an edit there Gadget!!last night I tuned in and you were blasting about where people grew up and thier "localism" attitude..and today its halo's and angels?

Bad tequila maybe??

You got me there TT. Actually it was about 30 minutes later when I was convicted thouroughly by my conscience. I got sucked into that localism thing which is how " I " used to be. That post was completely hypcritical because I used to be the biggest jerk out in the lineup. Thankfully the Lord has changed some of the worst garbage in me, but not all of it. I also don't know anything about Taco except that post, so I was being judgemental of him. Sorry for that Taco and to any of you who read the first post. The second post was to show the way I am called to live my life now. It's not that easy walking in life to a higher calling when you're set in your ways, but I'm trying with HIS help.

PS no bad tequila anymore either thankfully

ie edit, I'm new not sure I could use the word d__k on the site. Sorry, I should definitely stay off this thread.

[Edited on 3-29-2007 by Gadget]

David K - 3-28-2007 at 05:40 PM

Good on you Gadget... Viva the edit feature on Nomad!

gadget

woody with a view - 3-28-2007 at 05:59 PM

it's funny how growing older makes you mellow. i too was a punk in the water when i was a kid. now i really hate surfing at home because of the growth in the water. "fun time is over" was my motto when i'd paddle out in high school. 25 years at the same beach and now the little surf rats give me their bull crap on ocassion. i used to be them. it makes me laugh now....

the remedy? i aim straight for their soft little heads on the next wave while laughing hysterically. then paddle back out and inform, "sorry i missed, punk. i'll get you next time!" that usually makes for a little more space at the peak. :lol:

Gadget - 3-28-2007 at 07:55 PM

Thanks guys for your comments. I will make no further apologies or excuses. It aint all that easy for me.
But I guess my position and point would be the following:
I don't understand the "lets keep it a secret" on a "lets talk about it site".
All of us Baja lovers were turned onto Baja by someone.
I remember an older surfer telling me about Cuatros Casas and my first venture there at 15 yrs old. That was deep Baja to me then. We were heros when we returned and told about our trip to school mates.
We didn't single handedly cause Cuatros to get crowded. Heck, a decade later, I surfed it with a friend for 5 days on a New Zealand south swell, with all the conditions connecting, all alone and it remains some of the best surf in our memory.
The travel bug bit, and a few years later I was bouncing around Central America chasing the sun and surf.
No trip has replaced the Baja yearning though.
We all got started by someone or something.
So what if it was a person or a book.
If some newby manages to find one of our favorite spots by luck or chance what are we going to do, try and drive them off???:moon:
I personally like to show them my stoke for the place and share with them how it is risky and an effort to travel in Baja.
That risk and effort will keep most of the casual travelers at the easy access spots.
I know you all have people say to you often, "why do you got to Baja, it's just dirt and desert?"
They don't know and never will, which is fine by me. I certainly don't try and sell them on going. They may just find trouble and issues.
So you see, it just hurts me to see posts like Tacos on this site. I joined it to find people like David K, Shari, Ken C, Bruce and many others. :tumble:

I don't see the "I visited this place and now claim some ownership to it" concept anywhere else other than with surfers.
Because we ride the surf, does that make us more special and entitled than say some one who hikes a trail, rides a mule, drives off road?
Its like, Oh I stopped by your house for a visit, hand over the title.
It's not our country for Gods sake, were just visitors!
Like Woody, I have my local home break with all the crap that goes on, my wave, my beach, go home!
I go to Baja to get away from that mentality, to enjoy where I am 50 or 500 miles from home, with anyone who comes bouncing along, newby or 50 year veteran.
:?:

[Edited on 3-29-2007 by Gadget]

amen, amigo!

woody with a view - 3-28-2007 at 08:31 PM

glad to let you know that there is a ton of stoke still out there.

3/4 of the fun is in the finding it.

Taco de Baja - 3-29-2007 at 07:50 AM

I should probably clarify, the main reason for my post was because I was (and am) concerned that a book like this can (and will) introduce the "young-bratty-little-surf-rat-punks" to surfing in Baja. They will come down in their daddy's giant SUV, and trash the places we love. They will not have the same respect we have for Baja that we got from the individual(s) who personally introduced us to the magic that Baja is.

And yes, I was also somewhat concerned about more and more people going to Baja. We all know of the tremendous development pressures in Baja (heck, even Southern California, for that matter) and have seen once beautiful places paved over for housing, hotels and the like. That is always hard to take, no matter where it is. I personally have not been back to La Bufadora since they started building around it. I'll keep the undeveloped memories, thanks.

P.S. I am not a surfer myself; I like going to Baja beaches for fishing, kayaking and relaxing.

David K - 3-29-2007 at 07:58 AM

Brooks, remember... like sh*t... "progress happens"!

Paving and grading roads makes getting there faster and easier, but takes away the charm of the trip itself...

Rent 'Cars', a great movie that addresses what the Interstate did to Route 66 in the 60's and 70's... The artist behind the charaters in 'Cars' is Dave Deal... a former Baja 1000 racer and off road/ Baja cartoonist.

The Baja Highway took away the charm of traveling from ranch to ranch and pulling over when a rare vehicle approached for the other direction (because the main Baja road was a single track Jeep road between El Rosario and San Ignacio before 1973!

Its still there!

Tomas Tierra - 3-29-2007 at 08:14 AM

I believe in our lifetimes, we will always be able to find uncrowded surf in Baja.

It's just a matter of how much offroad you will have to enjoy while getting to it..

Buen dicho Gadget!

DSCN1205.JPG - 36kB

A-OK - 4-11-2007 at 03:13 AM

I'll drink to that......

Great picture there Tomas

805gregg - 5-16-2007 at 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja

Quote:

Originally posted by pargo
Porque?...am i missing the point? :?:

Everybody will now know about OUR "secret" beaches.

I've been going to your? secret beaches since the mid 60's.

The Sculpin - 5-16-2007 at 02:41 PM

Oh yea?!?!?!
I'VE been going to YOUR? secret beaches since the mid 50's!!!
So there!
:tumble:

Lee - 5-16-2007 at 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Taco de Baja
I should probably clarify, the main reason for my post was because I was (and am) concerned that a book like this can (and will) introduce the "young-bratty-little-surf-rat-punks" to surfing in Baja. They will come down in their daddy's giant SUV, and trash the places we love. They will not have the same respect we have for Baja that we got from the individual(s) who personally introduced us to the magic that Baja is.

P.S. I am not a surfer myself; I like going to Baja beaches for fishing, kayaking and relaxing.

The above comes across as territorial but intent doesn't.

As far as rat-punks polluting the lineup, I think the lineup has a way of sorting itself out. I don't see punks or crowds ever screwing up Las Pastora. Or San Pedrito.

If you live near these places, even Zippers and Old Man's (Aquapulquito), there are always be plenty of waves -- and the vacationer's will eventually leave. And when there seems to be more people out, it'll seem like I always get the waves I paddle for, anyway. Give a wave, get a wave?

Even with good Baja waves, Baja isn't for everyone. Live aloha, surf aloha.

:cool:

Lee - 5-16-2007 at 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
As a sidenote, I respect locals but when the local "intimidation" 'tude kicks in, well, I have nothing but disdain for that chiite and don't really deal well w/it.

This must apply to CA/HI. I'd be surprised to read Baja local's have 'tude.

:cool:

Mexitron - 5-16-2007 at 06:53 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Lee

Quote:

Originally posted by soulpatch
As a sidenote, I respect locals but when the local "intimidation" 'tude kicks in, well, I have nothing but disdain for that chiite and don't really deal well w/it.

This must apply to CA/HI. I'd be surprised to read Baja local's have 'tude.

:cool:

I went on a research trip to Isla Natividad in the 80's, brought my board along, and the goofs from the surfcamp there were trying to snake waves from me...only 6 guys out and surf all over the place! Of course, none of these guys were Baja locals, but when places become popular... ...that's the kind of thing Taco DB was writing about.

woody with a view - 5-16-2007 at 07:03 PM

Quote:

I'd be surprised to read Baja local's have 'tude.

ever paddle out at zippers or shipwrecks? the littlest rat has the biggest mouth, only to be backed up by the rest of the "burrito :light:

". just like it is in the U.S.

if you can't surf, don't start!!!! :?:

now if you're talking EVERYWHERE ELSE? the only locals are the guys who are there when you show up...deal with it or don't show up!

Lee - 5-16-2007 at 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by woody in ob

Quote:

I'd be surprised to read Baja local's have 'tude.

ever paddle out at zippers or shipwrecks? the littlest rat has the biggest mouth, only to be backed up by the rest of the "burrito :light:

". just like it is in the U.S.

Are you writing about Mex/Gringo ''locals'' at these places -- or gringo rats from San Diego and L.A.? The big mouths from El Norte just need to be spanked. Yes I've been to these places and have had no problems. Never experienced localism anywhere but don't paddle out other than San 'O or BCS -- got stink-eye from a haole at Honolua Bay once, and thought, gee, stink-eye from a freaking haole.

I'm amazed at the aggression in the water -- esp. in SoCal. Mostly young rats.

:cool:

Gadget - 5-17-2007 at 05:23 PM

I have a Son, He's now 25 years old and a member of the CDF Helitack wildland firefighters crew stationed out of Gelispe Field in El Cajon. He grew up surfing Baja with me and OB / Sunset Cliffs where we live. He is one of the best surfers in these parts, as I am continually told. He's a big lanky guy with arms like an Albatros and paddles a potato chip thick surfboard like he has a darn outboard behind it. I taught him one thing about the line up, which I always demanded but didn't always practice myself. Respect for your elders, no matter what their ability. I have folks come up to me regularly to tell me what fun they had in the water the other day watching my kid rip and what a contagiously positive attitude he has in the water. Some kids learn to be jerks cause their dads are, some cause they are, and some learn to be respectful in spite of everything. :bounce: