Monday, April 23, 2012
Gretchen Wegrich, Stoked and Broke: Savannah Shaughnessy a finalist for Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award - Posted: 04/22/2012 01:30:47 AM PDT
Gretchen Wegrich, Stoked and Broke: Savannah Shaughnessy a finalist for ...
Santa Cruz Sentinel
After pushing the limits of paddle-in surfing at Puerto Escondido's Mexican Pipeline last summer, Shaughnessy charged the 2012 winter season at Mavericks with fearless abandon. Her performance at Mavs was recognized at the Mavericks Big Wave ...
See all stories on this topic »
Savannah Shaughnessy charges harder than you do.
The 23-year-old Santa Cruz surfer recently received recognition for her hell-woman status as a 2012 nominee of the Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award.
The journey has brought her into close contact with her heroes and pushed her from one life-threatening situation to the next. But more than the glory, Shaughnessy is chasing the sweet reward of reaching her full potential.
After pushing the limits of paddle-in surfing at Puerto Escondido's Mexican Pipeline last summer, Shaughnessy charged the 2012 winter season at Mavericks with fearless abandon. Her performance at Mavs was recognized at the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational's closing ceremonies when Shaughnessy was presented with the Top Female Performance of the Year Award. In August of last year, Shaughnessy was the only female competitor at the Mexican Pipeline Tube Ride Invitational.
"It has been exciting to watch the progression of Savannah in big surf. So many people show up to surf Mavericks with so much excitement but don't last more than a few sessions or a season. Savannah has kept coming back and proved her competency, enthusiasm and deservingness of being a XXL finalist," said Santa Cruz surfer Zach Wormhoudt, the 2004 Billabong XXL Monster Paddle In Award winner, in a statement.
In order to win the Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award, Shaughnessy will need to best four of her peers -- Hawaiians Keala Kennelly and Paige
Alms, and Brazilians Maya Gabeira and Silvia Nabuco.
The Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award criteria are for the greatest number of outstanding performances at the most diverse number of venues over the course of the entire year. Excellence in the water and leadership in safety at both paddle-in and tow-in surfing is considered.
"I am stoked to see a woman like Savannah dedicated to charging big surf, and it shows when she's out surfing at Maverick's," said Maverick's pioneer Jeff Clark in a statement.
Shaughnessy's submission to the XXL contest includes six waves on video and four waves captured on a still camera. This is the second year Shaughnessy has been nominated for an award in the Billabong XXL Girls Performance category.
"I'm really happy to see Savannah nominated as one of the finalists for the XXL women's performance award," said Derek Dunfee, the 2009 Billabong XXL Monster Paddle In Award, in a statement. "Over the past few years, Savannah's been pushing the limits of big wave paddle-in surfing for women. She's done this by paddling on all the biggest and heaviest days in Puerto Escondido and Maverick's. Plus, she's not just sitting out there; Savannah's catching bombs, taking wipeouts and coming back out with a smile. Savannah's on her way to becoming the best women's big wave paddle-in surfer ever."
Mention her name to anyone familiar with Santa Cruz big wave surfers, and it's immediately obvious that Shaughnessy has a reputation for fearlessness.
During bad wipeouts, "I just try to relax and distract myself by thinking about other things," she said.
Still, getting mowed down by a 30-foot wall of whitewater isn't exactly a trip to the dentist.
"Training is really important," Shaughnessy admitted. "If I'm planning on going to Puerto or getting ready for the winter, I try to run and surf as much as I can. ... Right now, I'm trying to get back into Bikram [yoga] and to start swimming more."
Shaughnessy is also focused on success outside of surfing. Not only did she graduate a year early from high school, she also graduated with a B.S. in biology from UC Santa Cruz. She plans to continue her education in the future and eventually pursue a career in nursing.
Step by step
Like many local surfers, Shaughnessy caught her first waves at Cowell's and 38th Avenue when she was a 13-year-old grom with sun-bleached blond hair. It wasn't long before she distinguished herself from her peers, showing a natural athletic ability under the guidance of Scotts Valley High surf coach Duke Brouwer.
Shaughnessy felt the pull of Maverick's early on, from the first moment she heard about the famed big wave break and saw footage of the behemoth waves breaking far out to sea.
"The first time I paddled out to Maverick's, Sarah Gerhardt took me up there," Shaughnessy remembered. "I've always looked up to her, I still do. But at that time she was like my idol. She pointed out things that I needed to know in the lineup and gave me some tips. Then I watched her catch a couple of waves and we headed home."
Gerhardt, a chemistry professor, was pursuing a doctorate at UCSC when she became the first woman to surf Maverick's .
The world of big wave surfing has always been wide open to young surfers from Santa Cruz with the skill and commitment to go big when the ocean gifts them with opportunity. Shaughnessy followed in the footsteps of other surfers before her -- Jay Moriarity, Anthony Tashnick and Nic Lamb, all of whom entered the lineup at Mavs before their 18th birthdays.
This first tantalizing taste of the world of big wave surfing was all it took to hook the 16-year-old Shaughnessy.
"What stood out to me," Shaughnessy remembered of her first day in the infamous Mavericks lineup, "was the power of the waves. They barrel so much harder and are moving so much more quickly than you gather just by seeing a photo or watching video. I decided that I needed more experience before I could surf there."
That summer, Shaughnessy made the first of many pilgrimages south to Puerto Escondido, a warm-water big wave break located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, almost at the Southern border in the state of Oaxaca.
With added big wave experience to draw on, Shaughnessy returned to Maverick's to ride her first waves when she was 18.
Gender barriers
While most surfer girls have experienced the machismo culture of surfing at one time or another, big wave surfing is on a whole other level.
"The future of women's big wave surfing is definitely in paddling [as opposed to tow-in surfing]," predicted Shaughnessy. "I think that, as a woman, if you're doing it for the right reasons -- train, take your beatings like everyone else, take off deep and keep showing up -- you'll be accepted and people will come to respect what you're doing whether you're a girl or a guy."
While proving herself in the lineup is a challenge Shaughnessy thrives on, the surf industry is slow to reward the accomplishments of female surfers in the big wave arena.
Shaughnessy believes that female big wave surfers will continue to have untapped potential until the industry fully supports these committed athletes.
"It is hard to know how far women could push the limits when they do not have the opportunities to travel or chase swells," Shaughnessy said.
She added, "While the industry doesn't really support women's big wave surfing, I have been very fortunate to have found a supportive community here in Santa Cruz. I've had my brother, friends and family encourage and help me along the way. Also, local shaper Jon Henderson with Strive Surfboards, Buell with wetsuits, Village Yoga and photographer and friend Nikki Brooks, to name a few. I am very appreciative of them all."
Learn more about Savannah Shaughnessy at www.savannahshaughnessy.com. The Billabong XXL Award winners will be announced on May 4 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim. The awards will be broadcast live at the Billabong XXL website at www.billabongxxl.com.
Santa Cruz surfer Ken "Skindog" Collins is also up for a Billabong XXL Monster Energy Paddle In Award this year. Stay tuned for further coverage of the awards.
Gretchen Wegrich's Stoked and Broke appears every other Sunday. Contact her with feedback and story suggestions at sports@santacruzsentinel.com.
Santa Cruz Sentinel
After pushing the limits of paddle-in surfing at Puerto Escondido's Mexican Pipeline last summer, Shaughnessy charged the 2012 winter season at Mavericks with fearless abandon. Her performance at Mavs was recognized at the Mavericks Big Wave ...
See all stories on this topic »
Gretchen Wegrich, Stoked and Broke: Savannah Shaughnessy a finalist for Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award
Posted: 04/22/2012 01:30:47 AM PDT
Click photo to enlarge
Santa Cruz's Savannah Shaughnessy is a rising star in big wave surfing.
The 23-year-old Santa Cruz surfer recently received recognition for her hell-woman status as a 2012 nominee of the Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award.
The journey has brought her into close contact with her heroes and pushed her from one life-threatening situation to the next. But more than the glory, Shaughnessy is chasing the sweet reward of reaching her full potential.
After pushing the limits of paddle-in surfing at Puerto Escondido's Mexican Pipeline last summer, Shaughnessy charged the 2012 winter season at Mavericks with fearless abandon. Her performance at Mavs was recognized at the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational's closing ceremonies when Shaughnessy was presented with the Top Female Performance of the Year Award. In August of last year, Shaughnessy was the only female competitor at the Mexican Pipeline Tube Ride Invitational.
"It has been exciting to watch the progression of Savannah in big surf. So many people show up to surf Mavericks with so much excitement but don't last more than a few sessions or a season. Savannah has kept coming back and proved her competency, enthusiasm and deservingness of being a XXL finalist," said Santa Cruz surfer Zach Wormhoudt, the 2004 Billabong XXL Monster Paddle In Award winner, in a statement.
In order to win the Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award, Shaughnessy will need to best four of her peers -- Hawaiians Keala Kennelly and Paige
Advertisement
The Billabong XXL Girls Performance Award criteria are for the greatest number of outstanding performances at the most diverse number of venues over the course of the entire year. Excellence in the water and leadership in safety at both paddle-in and tow-in surfing is considered.
"I am stoked to see a woman like Savannah dedicated to charging big surf, and it shows when she's out surfing at Maverick's," said Maverick's pioneer Jeff Clark in a statement.
Shaughnessy's submission to the XXL contest includes six waves on video and four waves captured on a still camera. This is the second year Shaughnessy has been nominated for an award in the Billabong XXL Girls Performance category.
"I'm really happy to see Savannah nominated as one of the finalists for the XXL women's performance award," said Derek Dunfee, the 2009 Billabong XXL Monster Paddle In Award, in a statement. "Over the past few years, Savannah's been pushing the limits of big wave paddle-in surfing for women. She's done this by paddling on all the biggest and heaviest days in Puerto Escondido and Maverick's. Plus, she's not just sitting out there; Savannah's catching bombs, taking wipeouts and coming back out with a smile. Savannah's on her way to becoming the best women's big wave paddle-in surfer ever."
Mention her name to anyone familiar with Santa Cruz big wave surfers, and it's immediately obvious that Shaughnessy has a reputation for fearlessness.
During bad wipeouts, "I just try to relax and distract myself by thinking about other things," she said.
Still, getting mowed down by a 30-foot wall of whitewater isn't exactly a trip to the dentist.
"Training is really important," Shaughnessy admitted. "If I'm planning on going to Puerto or getting ready for the winter, I try to run and surf as much as I can. ... Right now, I'm trying to get back into Bikram [yoga] and to start swimming more."
Shaughnessy is also focused on success outside of surfing. Not only did she graduate a year early from high school, she also graduated with a B.S. in biology from UC Santa Cruz. She plans to continue her education in the future and eventually pursue a career in nursing.
Step by step
Like many local surfers, Shaughnessy caught her first waves at Cowell's and 38th Avenue when she was a 13-year-old grom with sun-bleached blond hair. It wasn't long before she distinguished herself from her peers, showing a natural athletic ability under the guidance of Scotts Valley High surf coach Duke Brouwer.
Shaughnessy felt the pull of Maverick's early on, from the first moment she heard about the famed big wave break and saw footage of the behemoth waves breaking far out to sea.
"The first time I paddled out to Maverick's, Sarah Gerhardt took me up there," Shaughnessy remembered. "I've always looked up to her, I still do. But at that time she was like my idol. She pointed out things that I needed to know in the lineup and gave me some tips. Then I watched her catch a couple of waves and we headed home."
Gerhardt, a chemistry professor, was pursuing a doctorate at UCSC when she became the first woman to surf Maverick's .
The world of big wave surfing has always been wide open to young surfers from Santa Cruz with the skill and commitment to go big when the ocean gifts them with opportunity. Shaughnessy followed in the footsteps of other surfers before her -- Jay Moriarity, Anthony Tashnick and Nic Lamb, all of whom entered the lineup at Mavs before their 18th birthdays.
This first tantalizing taste of the world of big wave surfing was all it took to hook the 16-year-old Shaughnessy.
"What stood out to me," Shaughnessy remembered of her first day in the infamous Mavericks lineup, "was the power of the waves. They barrel so much harder and are moving so much more quickly than you gather just by seeing a photo or watching video. I decided that I needed more experience before I could surf there."
That summer, Shaughnessy made the first of many pilgrimages south to Puerto Escondido, a warm-water big wave break located on the Pacific coast of Mexico, almost at the Southern border in the state of Oaxaca.
With added big wave experience to draw on, Shaughnessy returned to Maverick's to ride her first waves when she was 18.
Gender barriers
While most surfer girls have experienced the machismo culture of surfing at one time or another, big wave surfing is on a whole other level.
"The future of women's big wave surfing is definitely in paddling [as opposed to tow-in surfing]," predicted Shaughnessy. "I think that, as a woman, if you're doing it for the right reasons -- train, take your beatings like everyone else, take off deep and keep showing up -- you'll be accepted and people will come to respect what you're doing whether you're a girl or a guy."
While proving herself in the lineup is a challenge Shaughnessy thrives on, the surf industry is slow to reward the accomplishments of female surfers in the big wave arena.
Shaughnessy believes that female big wave surfers will continue to have untapped potential until the industry fully supports these committed athletes.
"It is hard to know how far women could push the limits when they do not have the opportunities to travel or chase swells," Shaughnessy said.
She added, "While the industry doesn't really support women's big wave surfing, I have been very fortunate to have found a supportive community here in Santa Cruz. I've had my brother, friends and family encourage and help me along the way. Also, local shaper Jon Henderson with Strive Surfboards, Buell with wetsuits, Village Yoga and photographer and friend Nikki Brooks, to name a few. I am very appreciative of them all."
Learn more about Savannah Shaughnessy at www.savannahshaughnessy.com. The Billabong XXL Award winners will be announced on May 4 at the Grove Theater in Anaheim. The awards will be broadcast live at the Billabong XXL website at www.billabongxxl.com.
Santa Cruz surfer Ken "Skindog" Collins is also up for a Billabong XXL Monster Energy Paddle In Award this year. Stay tuned for further coverage of the awards.Gretchen Wegrich's Stoked and Broke appears every other Sunday. Contact her with feedback and story suggestions at sports@santacruzsentinel.com.
IN THE HOT SEAT
Savannah Shaughnessy
Q: What big wave surfers do you look up to and why?
A: I really look up to the Gerhardts, Frosty, Derek Dunfee, the Longs, Peter Mel and Zach Wormhoudt. They all charge, there's so much to learn from them and they really love surfing big waves.
Q: What's the scariest moment you've ever had while surfing?
A: During my worst wipeout at Mavericks, I didn't make it past the second section and went through the rocks. I've had some really difficult swims while surfing Puerto, and those were scarier.
Q: What is something about you that is surprising or that most people don't know?
A: I have three jobs and volunteer for Hospice of Santa Cruz, which is an amazing organization.
Q: What advice or words of inspiration do you have for other young girls interested in big wave surfing?
A: To take your time and to take baby steps, which is actually pretty difficult when you're excited about something. I would tell them to learn as much as they can from others and to stick with it.
-- Gretchen Wegrich
Q: What big wave surfers do you look up to and why?
A: I really look up to the Gerhardts, Frosty, Derek Dunfee, the Longs, Peter Mel and Zach Wormhoudt. They all charge, there's so much to learn from them and they really love surfing big waves.
Q: What's the scariest moment you've ever had while surfing?
A: During my worst wipeout at Mavericks, I didn't make it past the second section and went through the rocks. I've had some really difficult swims while surfing Puerto, and those were scarier.
Q: What is something about you that is surprising or that most people don't know?
A: I have three jobs and volunteer for Hospice of Santa Cruz, which is an amazing organization.
Q: What advice or words of inspiration do you have for other young girls interested in big wave surfing?
A: To take your time and to take baby steps, which is actually pretty difficult when you're excited about something. I would tell them to learn as much as they can from others and to stick with it.
-- Gretchen Wegrich
Magnitude 4.6 - OAXACA, MEXICO 2012 April 23 01:13:25 UTC
Magnitude 4.6 - OAXACA, MEXICO
By U.S. Geological Survey
Distances, 161 km (100 miles) WSW of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico 169 km (105 miles) S of Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca, Mexico 175 km (108 miles) WNW of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico 363 km (225 miles) SSE of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico ...
USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes
By U.S. Geological Survey
Distances, 161 km (100 miles) WSW of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico 169 km (105 miles) S of Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca, Mexico 175 km (108 miles) WNW of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico 363 km (225 miles) SSE of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico ...
USGS M 2.5+ Earthquakes
Earthquake Details
- This event has been reviewed by a seismologist.
| Magnitude | 4.6 |
|---|---|
| Date-Time |
|
| Location | 16.317°N, 98.031°W |
| Depth | 10 km (6.2 miles) |
| Region | OAXACA, MEXICO |
| Distances | 161 km (100 miles) WSW of Oaxaca, Oaxaca, Mexico 169 km (105 miles) S of Huajuapan de Leon, Oaxaca, Mexico 175 km (108 miles) WNW of Puerto Angel, Oaxaca, Mexico 363 km (225 miles) SSE of MEXICO CITY, D.F., Mexico |
| Location Uncertainty | horizontal +/- 25.3 km (15.7 miles); depth +/- 3 km (1.9 miles) |
| Parameters | NST=177, Nph=177, Dmin=149.2 km, Rmss=0.76 sec, Gp=191°, M-type=body wave magnitude (Mb), Version=5 |
| Source |
|
| Event ID | usc00099nr |
- Did you feel it? Report shaking and damage at your location. You can also view a map displaying accumulated data from your report and others.
Smoke rises from the Popocatepetl volcano in Puebla
PicturesSmoke rises from the Popocatepetl volcano in Puebla
Smoke rises from the Popocatepetl volcano, as a forest fire burns, unrelated to the recent activities of the volcano, in Puebla April 23, 2012. Authorities have confirmed that the 5,450-m (17,900-ft) Popocatepetl volcano is relatively calm, but will maintain the yellow alert level. Experts have noted increased activity in Popocateptl in 2012. It has spewed smoke and ash sporadically over the last few years and a major eruption in 2000 forced the evacuation of nearly 50,000 residents in three states surrounding the peak. REUTERS/Imelda Medina (MEXICO - Tags: ENVIRONMENT)
CREDIT: REUTERS
PUBLISHED DATE: 04/24/2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Atardecer en Zipolite, Oaxaca, México. - YouTube
Atardecer en Zipolite, Oaxaca, México. - YouTube
Rumbo a Zipolite - Oaxacaby vrujjjo1047 views · Atardecer en Zipolite 1:07. Watch Later Error Atardecer en Zipoliteby kakovideos42 views · acueducto Oaxaca ...
youtube.com
Rumbo a Zipolite - Oaxacaby vrujjjo1047 views · Atardecer en Zipolite 1:07. Watch Later Error Atardecer en Zipoliteby kakovideos42 views · acueducto Oaxaca ...
youtube.com
Puerto Escondido History | SURFLINE.COM
Puerto Escondido History | SURFLINE.COM
Puerto Escondido. American surfers have known for decades how to get the most bang for their buck. When it comes to maximum returns for minimum output, ...
surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/
American surfers have known for decades how to get the most bang for their buck. When it comes to maximum returns for minimum output, nothing compares to the Mexican Pipeline. What was once a hard-core descent into danger has become a relatively easy surf trip as many of the old inconveniences have been alleviated by modernization. On the other hand, the progress on land has drawn crowds and threatened the surf. Despite the changes, the star attraction remains: big, mean sand-bottom tubes.
In the Mexican state of Oaxaca, a 200-yard long stretch of beach receives the brunt of any swell activity from the south. Thanks to an underwater canyon formed by the convergence of tectonic plates, everything is funneled and magnified to massive proportions as it rumbles toward Puerto Escondido. The shifting sandbars along Playa Zicatela, named for the zicatela bushes that once held the sand dunes in place, organize the pulses into enormous A-framed peaks, the likes of which are rarely seen outside Hawaii. What was at one time a rather sleepy farming and fishing community was destined to become a surfing mecca.
Around 1959, a couple of surfers from Texas wandered into town and became the first to sample Puerto's power. Unequipped to handle the area's heavy, shallow, sensitive conditions on 10-foot logs, they continued in search of a more user-friendly destination. By the early '70s, random packs of Texans, Floridians and Californians were starting to find out what the area had to offer. The Gerry Lopez/Pipeline ideal hadn't yet caught on, and most travelers of the day were more interested in discovering the next Rincon, a wave you could play with rather than one that could kill you. Soon, however, the area became camp for groups of draft dodgers, drug dealers and other societal misfits who were tuned into the surf. Magazines quickly caught on and were exposing the new Pipeline by 1974, luring more travelers south of the border. Despite the influx, the many shortcomings -- from poor roads to shoddy accommodations to banditos to corrupt cops to drug traffic to mosquitoes, snakes, scorpions and stifling heat -- were more than enough to keep things unspoiled.
What visitors found, aside from the obvious faults, was the heaviest sand-bottom barrel in the world, one that could wreck bodies and boards with equal assurance. Prime surf season coincided with the rainy season -- May through October. During that time, the Tropics often deliver hurricanes and other southerly swells and the surf rarely drops below head high. In winter, west swells produce some of the best surf of the year, but in between there is nothing. The lineup, while continuously shifting and variable when it's small, turns into two distinct waves when a real swell hits. The right -- once called Carmelita's -- is a highly sensitive sandbar that breaks on a west or southwest swell and often closes out. Far Bar, to the south, is a demanding left that works best on a straight south. A pointbreak to the north is not world-class, but it offers fun, protected lefts to break the monotony of pounding barrels.
Early standouts at Puerto were inevitably Americans, as it wasn't until the '80s that locals got in on the act. Californians Casey Higdon and Tim Hinkle began trekking south of the border in the '70s, and both remain prominent fixtures in the lineup today. Many a traveling pro has made the journey, but for most, it was just another stop on their endless trip. Florida's Todd Morcom found what was considered the best Puerto tuberide ever caught on film in 1995, an impossibly deep right-hander that earned him "Barrel of the Year" honors at the Surfer Video Awards. Following the examples set by the pros, a band of locals has established themselves as world-class surfers, including Celestino Diaz, Omar Diaz, Carlos Nogales Escalante, Roberto Salinas, Rogelio Ramirez and David Rutherford.
Designated a tourist zone by the Mexican government, Puerto has endured unchecked development as its popularity with surfers and non-surfers alike flourished. The airport has received international status, the accommodations now comfortable and the food reliable. As a result of such unbridled growth, crowds have turned an already dangerous wave into a deadly one while the absence of local dunes has been detrimental to the sandbars. Coupled with a recent rash of earthquakes and floods, the Mexican Pipeline seemed to be losing its appeal.
But as the 2000s kicked in, PE's spitting tubes started looking tasty again. The X-Games moved it's surfing team event from Huntington to Mex in search of more drama, while a successful ASP-rated event sprang up to offer points for local and foreign thrillseekers. Meanwhile, a collection of fear-junky photo sluts used to racking up shots during the winter season, recognized a summer playground to push their limits and earn a paycheck. Loosely called the Tube Tour - an allusion to their willingness to chase waves instead of contests -- it included everyone from Brian Conley to Jamie Sterling to the Long Brothers.
Today, Puerto remains a purple-blog mecca, earning covers and accolades and mega respect. In 2007, Ken "Skindog" Collins' green bomb barrel at PE got him XXL Awards for both the Ride Of The Year and the Monster Tube categories. Two personal achievements even the most average surfer can solidify on any given trip - if they've got the cajones.
-- Jason Borte
Puerto Escondido. American surfers have known for decades how to get the most bang for their buck. When it comes to maximum returns for minimum output, ...
surfline.com/surfing-a-to-z/
Puerto Escondido
American surfers have known for decades how to get the most bang for their buck. When it comes to maximum returns for minimum output, nothing compares to the Mexican Pipeline. What was once a hard-core descent into danger has become a relatively easy surf trip as many of the old inconveniences have been alleviated by modernization. On the other hand, the progress on land has drawn crowds and threatened the surf. Despite the changes, the star attraction remains: big, mean sand-bottom tubes.
In the Mexican state of Oaxaca, a 200-yard long stretch of beach receives the brunt of any swell activity from the south. Thanks to an underwater canyon formed by the convergence of tectonic plates, everything is funneled and magnified to massive proportions as it rumbles toward Puerto Escondido. The shifting sandbars along Playa Zicatela, named for the zicatela bushes that once held the sand dunes in place, organize the pulses into enormous A-framed peaks, the likes of which are rarely seen outside Hawaii. What was at one time a rather sleepy farming and fishing community was destined to become a surfing mecca.
Around 1959, a couple of surfers from Texas wandered into town and became the first to sample Puerto's power. Unequipped to handle the area's heavy, shallow, sensitive conditions on 10-foot logs, they continued in search of a more user-friendly destination. By the early '70s, random packs of Texans, Floridians and Californians were starting to find out what the area had to offer. The Gerry Lopez/Pipeline ideal hadn't yet caught on, and most travelers of the day were more interested in discovering the next Rincon, a wave you could play with rather than one that could kill you. Soon, however, the area became camp for groups of draft dodgers, drug dealers and other societal misfits who were tuned into the surf. Magazines quickly caught on and were exposing the new Pipeline by 1974, luring more travelers south of the border. Despite the influx, the many shortcomings -- from poor roads to shoddy accommodations to banditos to corrupt cops to drug traffic to mosquitoes, snakes, scorpions and stifling heat -- were more than enough to keep things unspoiled.
What visitors found, aside from the obvious faults, was the heaviest sand-bottom barrel in the world, one that could wreck bodies and boards with equal assurance. Prime surf season coincided with the rainy season -- May through October. During that time, the Tropics often deliver hurricanes and other southerly swells and the surf rarely drops below head high. In winter, west swells produce some of the best surf of the year, but in between there is nothing. The lineup, while continuously shifting and variable when it's small, turns into two distinct waves when a real swell hits. The right -- once called Carmelita's -- is a highly sensitive sandbar that breaks on a west or southwest swell and often closes out. Far Bar, to the south, is a demanding left that works best on a straight south. A pointbreak to the north is not world-class, but it offers fun, protected lefts to break the monotony of pounding barrels.
Early standouts at Puerto were inevitably Americans, as it wasn't until the '80s that locals got in on the act. Californians Casey Higdon and Tim Hinkle began trekking south of the border in the '70s, and both remain prominent fixtures in the lineup today. Many a traveling pro has made the journey, but for most, it was just another stop on their endless trip. Florida's Todd Morcom found what was considered the best Puerto tuberide ever caught on film in 1995, an impossibly deep right-hander that earned him "Barrel of the Year" honors at the Surfer Video Awards. Following the examples set by the pros, a band of locals has established themselves as world-class surfers, including Celestino Diaz, Omar Diaz, Carlos Nogales Escalante, Roberto Salinas, Rogelio Ramirez and David Rutherford.
Designated a tourist zone by the Mexican government, Puerto has endured unchecked development as its popularity with surfers and non-surfers alike flourished. The airport has received international status, the accommodations now comfortable and the food reliable. As a result of such unbridled growth, crowds have turned an already dangerous wave into a deadly one while the absence of local dunes has been detrimental to the sandbars. Coupled with a recent rash of earthquakes and floods, the Mexican Pipeline seemed to be losing its appeal.
But as the 2000s kicked in, PE's spitting tubes started looking tasty again. The X-Games moved it's surfing team event from Huntington to Mex in search of more drama, while a successful ASP-rated event sprang up to offer points for local and foreign thrillseekers. Meanwhile, a collection of fear-junky photo sluts used to racking up shots during the winter season, recognized a summer playground to push their limits and earn a paycheck. Loosely called the Tube Tour - an allusion to their willingness to chase waves instead of contests -- it included everyone from Brian Conley to Jamie Sterling to the Long Brothers.
Today, Puerto remains a purple-blog mecca, earning covers and accolades and mega respect. In 2007, Ken "Skindog" Collins' green bomb barrel at PE got him XXL Awards for both the Ride Of The Year and the Monster Tube categories. Two personal achievements even the most average surfer can solidify on any given trip - if they've got the cajones.
-- Jason Borte
Promocional Huatulco
 | Huatulco - YouTube CYFOC - Corporativoby ReticularVideosNo views · Bahías de Huatulco.mov 4:27 ... Bahías ... www.youtube.com/watch?v= |
Saturday, April 21, 2012
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