Thursday, June 7, 2012

June in Punta Mita Happenings

National SUP Championship in Punta Mita Sayulita Mexico on June 7 - 10. The event will be open to Mexican competitors in several categories, hoping to attract the finest athletes in this increasingly popular sport. Organizers are anticipating an attendance of over 60 participants, currently members of the Mexican Surfing Federation. A series of additional events, such as a beachwear fashion show and a live music concert, are also in the works and will be announced in the near future. More information about the tournament can be obtained by visiting the Sayulita Surf Club Facebook page.
UrbanSurf4Kids hosted their first surf camp in Punta de Mita... for an orphanage in Puerto Vallarta (Refugio Infantil)  The kids where thrilled to spend an afternoon enjoying surf lessons, lunch, and a great day on the beach!  “This is how you get barrelled!” says Ben Cowley and Cindy Parker from San Diego. Thanks to all who helped! An amazing experience for all!

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Punta Sayulita Longboard & SUP Classic

      The 3rd Annual will be held on March 9 – 11, 2012 in the Sayulita area of Punta Mita, Mexico, 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.
    Over the past two years, the Punta Sayulita Classic has developed into one of the premier surfing and stand-up paddle events in North America attracting thousands of spectators and one of the deepest international fields of professional athletes as well as talented amateurs competing head-to-head in longboard and stand-up paddle (“SUP”) surfing contests as well as in an array of exciting offshore SUP distance races. With the generous support of the event’s sponsors, the invitee ambassadors and professional athletes, the event has successfully raised awareness for environmental protection and respect for the world’s oceans and wildlife as well as financially supported the local chapter of The Reef Check Eco-Diver Program and the Punta Sayulita Foundation’s educational and youth development programs.


     In a fantastic effort to spread the ‘aloha spirit’ of the Punta Sayulita Classic, event sponsor Maui Jim Sunglasses will be well represented again with their team ambassadors lead by surfing legend Gerry Lopez, SUP stars Zane Schweitzer and Matt Becker along with the talented and renown Hawaiian waterman father and son combination of Aaron and Riggs Napoleon.

     The Classic will again feature on the event schedule a surfing clinic for special needs and underprivileged children under the supervision of renowned Malibu, CA longboard surfer, Jimmy Gamboa, and members of his THERAsurf organization along with other participating Punta Sayulita Classic professionals and instructors from local Sayulita surf schools.

     Media and sponsorship inquiries as well as general event information can be obtained by visiting http://www.puntasayulitasurfclassic.com or by contacting Jose Luis Caselin at U.S. Toll Free (866) 947-6017 or +52 (329) 291-3957 . For more information about the Punta Sayulita resort community visit http://www.puntasayulita.com.

Sunday, January 1, 2012

“Punta de Mita is Mexico’s Malibu” – Orange County Register

It would be my last wave during a magical surf trip to Mexico that introduced me to an upscale and unexpected side of our neighboring country – a coastal haven that gave me a newfound perspective on a region that has suffered blows to tourism and its image over the past few years.

Surf legend Gerry Lopez I first heard of everybody uses the term “SUP,” so I will too from now on) trip a few months ago. The stories of a mellow, right-hand longboard wave comparable to Malibu’s that went on for what seems like forever, told by the trip organizer Cass Husted, had me searching for more about this secluded spot about 40 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta.

Needing a break from reality, and a relief from the chilly waters in Orange County that were causing near-hypothermia if you didn’t put on a full wetsuit, I wanted somewhere warm with a flight close enough to take just a few days away from work. I talked my travel partner Jen into joining the adventure, and we booked our trip to Punta de Mita.

Jen and I rented a two-bedroom condo we booked online (puntamitasurf.com) for $150 a night. When we entered our new digs our jaws dropped. The two-bedroom condo was beautiful and spacious, with spotless tile floors. The main bedroom had glass doors overlooking a huge patio, grassy area and the ocean. It was the kind of place that would run $400 a night at surf spots in California and Hawaii.

SUP’er Greg McCombs of Ventura, CA said he was trying not to act like a starstruck fan when he met Lopez. Lopez helped create the Gerry Lopez Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle, one of the largest SUP races in the world, held at Orange County’s Doheny State Beach each fall. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the world,” said McCombs, joined by his two brothers on the clinic. This has become a new hot spot for stand-up paddling, which has exploded in the past few years. In Orange County, surfers and SUP’ers are irked at each other’s existence on crowded breaks. In Punta Mita, they are family, sharing waves.

http://www.ocregister.com/travel/mexico-305959-lopez-surf.html

Punta Mita surfing and SUP

Punta Mita Surf Mexico surfing and SUP

Punta de Mita is a resort area on the Pacific Coast of Mexico near Puerto Vallarta that’s also home to great surf spots. Visitors can get instruction from famed “Pipeline Master” Gerry Lopez.
Surf legend Gerry Lopez stood next to me on stand-up paddleboard, watching a bump in the ocean grow as it inched toward us. “Paddle, paddle, you got it,” the “Pipeline master” said in a gentle, encouraging tone. I dug my paddle deep into the ocean’s clear blue surface, trying to maintain my balance, and the wave picked the board up under my feet. Soon I was gliding down the line clutching my paddle with Lopez, one of the best tube riders and most respected surfers in the world, behind me. A party wave. Until I nearly nailed the guy sitting on the inside, and I bailed out of the wave to avoid a massive collision.

New easier & safer road to Punta Mita started

Punta de Mita road form La Cruz

6 miles of new road to Punta de Mita

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Representing an investment of $250 million pesos (approximately $20 million USD) construction is beginning on the long-promised four-lane highway that will run between La Cruz de Huanacaxtle and Punta de Mita.

This important infrastructure project will benefit the entire North Shore of Banderas Bay, creating a faster, safer access to these north shore communities. The road will be constructed of hydrolic cement, replacing the existing 2-lane asphalt road that currently exists.

The new highway project has been planned and promised for more than eight years, but due to regulatory delays and an impressive anthology of excuses, has never seen the starting gate. However, as one of the final acts of the administration of Nayarit Governor Ney Gonzalez, funding was at last released, and the project will officially be underway effective Monday, August 22nd.

Through public bidding the contract was awarded to C & C Ingeniería y Proyectos S.A. de C.V., a Guadalajara-based private company, under the direction of Héctor Cárdenas. C & C is also the developer of the Nahui and Punta Raza resort communities located in Riviera Nayarit.

Construction is estimated to take just over 8 months, placing its estimated completion date at late April 2012. The investment of $250 million pesos has been provided entirely by the state government of Nayarit. The new 4-lane road will extend 7.4 kilometers.

Punta de Mita is Gaga

Lady gaga surfing in punta e mita.Punta de Mita went Gaga over the pics of mega-superstar Lady Gaga ­surf­ing our very favorite break, La Lan­cha, just off­shore of Ran­chos. Fol­low­ing the release byTMZ.com of the shots of Lady G’s surf les­son, Riv­iera Nayarit posted them on their Face­book page and viral they went, inspir­ing more fans to be Starstruck. Punta de Mita Mexico is sure to be the new “must-visit” surf spot on savvy traveler’s agen­das — we are fully expect­ing The Fame to fol­low in Gaga’s surf­ing footsteps.

Josue & Lady Gaga

Josue and Stefanie

Who taught Lady G to catch a wave? It was our little monster Josue‘El Bota’ Vil­le­gas of Tran­quilo Surf Adven­tures & Surf School, gave her lthe lessions. Although Josue said he pre­ferred to keep his con­ver­sa­tion with her con­fi­den­tial, respect­ing her pri­vacy — he said she was really nice, that they talked a lot, and that she told him to call her Stefani.

A Taste of La Cruz

La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Mexico – Amigos de La Cruz and the Marina Riviera Nayarit are pleased to announce A Taste of La Cruz, a FREE to the public event on Saturday January 14th 2012 at the Marina Malecon & Amphitheater from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

Enjoy a day of fun, food and music in one of the Bahia’s most picturesque settings. Meet the people, merchants, restaurants and musicians of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle at this exciting expo / fair. Find out what makes La Cruz the crown jewel of the Riviera Nayarit.

This La Cruz showcase will feature all of the premiere enterprises in La Cruz eager to meet you and show you more about their businesses and services. Some of the restaurants that will be sampling their menus include; Black Forest, El Coleguita, Ensamble Wine Bar & Tapas, Eva’s Brickhouse, Falconi Pizzas, Frascati Restaurant, Galvez Restaurante, Oso’s Oyster Bar and Seafood Market Restaurant, Pacifica, Philo’s, La Placita, Trio Restaurant Chef Bernard Güth’s newest La Cruz gourmet eatery, Sandzibar, Tortuga Beach, El Violli and Vista Hermosa.

Stroll the Marina Malecón and groove to the tunes of La Cruz’s famous musicians. The Marina Riviera Nayarit will be holding an open house to showcase their VIP Lounge, Ikuai Palapa Restaurant, Sailor Pub and the Taikai Skybar.

This promises to be a day to remember and a great way to start off the New Year, please plan to come and be a part of this exciting premiere event.

Directions to the Marina in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle: From Highway 200 (Tepic/Puerto Vallarta) take the La Cruz/Punta de Mita exit and proceed into town. Get onto the lateral after the 2nd topes (speed bumps) and turn left at the only stoplight (Langosta) and continue downhill past the main plaza and into the Marina entrance. There will be ample parking available.