BajaNomad

Got Any Good Baja Stories?

bahia0019 - 3-31-2016 at 02:32 PM

I'm compiling a book of short stories about surfing adventures in Baja and looking for contributors.

The stories can be whatever you want, dramatic, funny, scary, whatever. If you have something you think should be told, let me know.
Don't hold back, my story will include everything from ceasing the engine in my Volkswagon outside of San Ignacio, to encounters with transvestite prostitutes in Constitucion, oh yeah and the week of surf at Scorpion Bay.

So far I've got a few people committed to contributing, Glen Horn, Serge Dedina, Manny Vargas, and a few random people I've met on my trips.

If you fancy yourself a writer, that's great. If not, we'll have a ghost writer to take your material and get it into written form.

Shoot me a message if you're interested.

David K - 3-31-2016 at 06:34 PM

GOOD LUCK getting any cooperation for the surfing cartel here! LOL

I suppose if you don't include point names, locations, photos, or how great it is... you may get some input?

Anyway, having just published a new Baja book, I hope you have a good time doing it!

BajaBlanca - 3-31-2016 at 08:06 PM

I have a fun story about the first surf competition in Baja that I sponsored along with tons of friends. I will put something down in print and send it off to see if you like it!

I don't surf and never have, which is the fun part of the story.

It was a huge success, which is the fun part of the story.

MMc - 3-31-2016 at 09:22 PM

DK, I wish you could get it. We all have stories, some of us don't blather them to the world... ie internet. Campfire stories are great just not on bulletin boards.
The guys that are on board with this spend vast amount of time in Baja. It's a who's who's of Baja surf.
This isn't about you or whatever. Have a nice day!!!
I will try to come up with a yarn in the next day or so. My stories will not include the "where" in any of them.
Quote: Originally posted by David K  
GOOD LUCK getting any cooperation for the surfing cartel here! LOL

I suppose if you don't include point names, locations, photos, or how great it is... you may get some input?

Anyway, having just published a new Baja book, I hope you have a good time doing it!

David K - 4-1-2016 at 06:21 AM

MMc, ... that was all I was saying... that you guys are happy to have learned about a spot, but then don't give back (on the Internet) with sharing the spot you were told about. NOTHING is wrong with that, but that is the case. That is why I said "good luck" to Bahia.

It is bad roads, distance, and Mexico that keeps more surfers from going to the Seven Sisters, not maps, books, or Baja Nomad trip reports. The place has been on maps and books since the 1950s.

rts551 - 4-1-2016 at 08:43 AM

MMc...he just needed a place to plug his book...and as usual, make the thread about him. No useful information.

Bahia...I will see what I can drum up from my neighbors.

woody with a view - 4-1-2016 at 09:30 AM

Bahia just go thru the trip reports from years ago. Many stories there.

SFandH - 4-1-2016 at 09:47 AM

About 20 years ago I was camped at a secret surf spot waiting for waves. A guy travelling solo like me, about my age, pulls in driving an old VW van. Turns out he's from Hawaii, had always heard about Baja surf, flew to LA, bought the van and a board and drove down the peninsula.

But, no surf. So the next morning I suggested we drive about 2 hours to another secret spot that was different enough that there might be some surf. Bingo, chest high sets on glass, no wind all day. We were the only guys out, the only people around for that matter. He was ecstatic. After the session we're sitting on the beach drinking beers and estimated the right point break was about 3 football fields long. Then he gets a huge peanut butter jar out of his van and digs out a film canister with a spoon. Pakalolo and cold beer after a great session, da kine.

Glad I had the chance to turn him on to some Baja secret surf. :cool:

[Edited on 4-1-2016 by SFandH]

bahia0019 - 4-1-2016 at 01:06 PM

Thanks DK
Yeah, putting this together has been fun. I hope I get enough contributions to make publishing it worthwhile.

Thanks MMc,
Yeah, no need to mention names. You can always drop hints for those in the know though. It'll be fun that way.

BajaBlanca,
The very first contest ever? That might be interesting. Especially if it was full of crazy events and the winner ended up in a Mexican jail for making out with the Mayor's wife or something. :)

Soulpatch,
Yep. Baja only.

Thanks RTS551

Woody,
Good idea, I'll spend some time reading through it.

SF,
Anything else happen, or did you just score good waves?


Thanks all!

bahia0019 - 4-1-2016 at 06:19 PM

Hey Soulpatch,
Yeah, I want to keep the theme all Baja.

No name or publisher yet.
I think the name will come out of the stories. I don't want to do something like "Baja Bound" or something that's been used or too obvious.

And once I have a good pile of stories, I'll start to approach publishers.

Yeah, if you think you have something compelling, I'd love to read it. A Rufi story is always worth a laugh. :D

Chupacabra - 4-8-2016 at 08:04 AM

I went surfing in Baja once. It was windy, sharky, flat, cold, and full of hostile banditos. Don't go.

Mexitron - 4-8-2016 at 09:05 AM

Surf? Baja? Everyone knows there's no surf in Baja, at least between El Rosario and Guerrero Negro:)

woody with a view - 4-8-2016 at 10:38 AM

Will royalties be split among the authors?

4x4abc - 4-8-2016 at 12:16 PM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Will royalties be split among the authors?


are you proposing socialism?

woody with a view - 4-8-2016 at 04:17 PM

Not at all. But someone asking for stories so he can profit from a book deal seems, well, LAME.

bahia0019 - 4-9-2016 at 11:49 AM

Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Not at all. But someone asking for stories so he can profit from a book deal seems, well, LAME.


Since books typically profit around $5 each if you're lucky, and I plan to have 20-30 authors, it wouldn't amount to a whole lot for each author.
So my initial thought is to just have all profits go to Wildcoast or a similar organization.
But, I'll take suggestions from all that are interested in participating.

bajaguy - 4-9-2016 at 11:51 AM

Income equality.....redistribution of wealth
Quote: Originally posted by 4x4abc  
Quote: Originally posted by woody with a view  
Will royalties be split among the authors?


are you proposing socialism?

BajaBlanca - 4-11-2016 at 03:13 PM

http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=82795#pid1030...


Here is my story and you can use it if you want.

kboy24 - 4-11-2016 at 10:05 PM

I basically grew up surfing in Baja Norte with my surfing Bros from 1965 till now with spots from Baja Malibu to Roberts Left at K-181. Everything has been fenced off for years now. They even closed Salsipuedes (Dangerous Curve) for years in the 90s. Surfers weren't allowed in Baja Malibu community. When they built the jetty at Stacks and ruined that spot but the fish guts smelling the water up wasn't missed too much. When the Kelp beds moved in and San Miguel didn't break for quite a while. When they built the big Hotel at Rauls in the 80s I guess that place was over unless ya stayed there. Many years spent at Salsipuedes with the Federales sneaking down late at night and ripping us off but they did leave us with 20 bucks for gas to get to the border if it hadn't rained and stranded us down there. Salsipuedes means "Leave if you can" and many times we didn't make it. Loved 3ms the best when it was on. One local buttcrack slashed 2 of my truck tires while I surfed and I was being very polite in the lineup. Drove back along the side of the road almost to Ensenada when 2 feds took pity on me and had me towed to a tire place. They replaced my tires with 2 different sizes and my truck drove and looked like a clown car but it was an memorable event and the waves were epic. Some Great Parties at La Fonda and surf too. Had a friend we called Big Al who was 5' and he was getting hot and heavy with a gal one night, kicked the parking brake in the heat of the moment and over they went. Both so drunk survived the fall but the car didn't. After a full day of surfing we'd head to town for our nightly Hussongs visit (Now there's some stories) bur first we'd stop at El Charro in town. Most people remember this place with the Big rotisseries in the front window full of 2LB chickens roasting over an open flame. 2 bucks ya got a half bird huge plate of fries and a cold cerveza, Muy Bueno. After Hussongs we would just devour the tacos next door which is now grown up restaurant with my boys still running the show. The night my brother brought back 3 trannies to our casa....Yikes..Oh yeah and the drunks that would climb the slippery wall at La Bufadora and slip into the rocks and sometimes make it to the abyss then they built fencing to help protect us from ourselves although they were mainly local dudes..There's a few for ya, Good Luck, Kevin

bahia0019 - 4-14-2016 at 03:38 PM

Quote: Originally posted by kboy24  
I basically grew up surfing in Baja Norte with my surfing Bros...


Hey Kboy, There's definitely some ripe stuff in there for sure. We should definitely talk and see if we can flush a story out of that. I like the whirlwind, stream of conscious thing you have going. It'd be cool to capture that in a story.

bahia0019 - 4-14-2016 at 03:41 PM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaBlanca  
http://forums.bajanomad.com/viewthread.php?tid=82795#pid1030...

Here is my story and you can use it if you want.


Blanca, that's really great. And I agree with the other poster, you should do the second annual one now that a few years have gone by.

I think it could work. We need to bring some dramatic elements into it. But I don't see why it couldn't be a great addition to the book.

I'd like to talk some more about it.

BajaBlanca - 4-15-2016 at 10:17 AM

a second one? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I definitely need to rewrite the story if I didn't quite capture the stress element well enough!