I'm planning my next surf trip and it looks like we'll be heading to the land of lefts, Nicaragua this summer. I'll be going south for three whole weeks with my wife and two other couples.
Here's the deal: This can't be a feral surf trip with the bros renting boats and living off the land in remote parts of the country. It has to be an accommodating situation for the ladies too. So far, we're pretty sure we'll end up in (or very close to) Playa Maderas. It sounds like a beach with a variety of breaks... albeit a little more crowded than what we'd hoped for. It's also 15 minutes from San Juan Del Sur, where we can have a nice dinner once in a while and give the gals some opportunities to connect back with civilization (boo).
Has anybody who reads this blog been there? Advice would be greatly appreciated before I book it!
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A friend of mine owns a villa over there.
He takes his surfing clients to surfbreaks with a boat: it looks great.
Never visited him unfortunately, but here's his website:http://www.surfcamp-nicaragua.com/
I hope you'll enjoy the trip.
My friend told me it's "like Costa Rica 20 years ago": pura vida and absolutely uncrowded.
I have some advice, quit bragging and find some full time employment to help support Chum part deux. What is this your 4th trip this year? Leave some for the rest of us why don't ya.
Always heard boat access is the best access down there. Send an email to the editor of Wend, Ian. He lived in Nica for six months or so.
Chummy, if that doesn't work out, it would be worth checking Las Flores in El Cuco, El Salvador.
www.wavehunters.com/lasfloressurfclub
Salud!
I did Nica last June and was the last surfable place in CA that I hadn't been to. The country is beautiful and the people warm and friendly, but the surf is average compared to Costa or better yet El Salvador. It's mostly beachbreaks that need sandbars and it lacks a true world class point. Don't get me wrong you can score and with 3 weeks you will, but this time of year those persistent offshores they claim are hit or miss. The rainy season has just begun and storms come in offsetting the normal patters sometimes causing the opposite, onshore winds for days. At least that's what happened to us for 4 days of a 10 day trip.
SJDS is fun to check out, but don't base yourself out of there as it's a party town that gets old and not to mention there's some heavy vibes going on right now with the Eric Voltz thing. Madares is OK, cool local vibe, but if your going to post up somewhere with the ladies, I'd say rent a house with access to Playa Colorado the best and most consistent beach break (the picture you posted), but gated off and only accessed by people staying there or by boat. The NSR house is right in front of Colorado and walking distance to a popular reef, can't remember the name? http://www.nicaraguasurfreport.com/beachrentals.php That's what turned me off was the access thing. Many of the surf breaks are privatized unlike Costa and Oregon where all beaches are publicly owned. We rented 4X4 and tried to access breaks, but became frustrated and hired local fishmen to boat us around. We scoped the entire surf zone that way, surfed some fun waves, but many times ended up at Colorado. The camps are also not a bad way to go because you get boat rides everyday? There is one that has really good food.
So I'd say get into Colorado surf there everyday and hire a boat when it get 8-10 and hope Manzinllo is working. Maybe take a road trip down to SDJS and the beachbreaks south and head up Popyo too. We styed there most of the time and had some really good sessions at the reef, although it was crowded at times. Sorry to blab, but I think this will help. If your gonna style with the laddies you should do it right. I've been planning on posting a little piece on Nica as I get to a year anniversary from my trip. Buenous Suerte.
Dub,
Thanks! That was the best info I've gotten since we started planning the trip. Sounds like the ladies may be keeping us from the best location to post up (unless there're some small towns around Colorado they can explore).
Nash... Having "Chum Pt. Deux" on the way is precisely why we need this trip. I'll keep fishin' and you keep wishin'.
Seriously, thanks for all the great info, guys...
I haven't been to Nicaragua but I have surfed Gas Chambers, which is what I will have to settle for for awhile.
Seems weird to say congrats via blog but congrats! If you want any advice on how to juggle surfing with family life, I'm your man and I'm getting better at it by the month.
Oh yeah, send me some art before you leave and definately before you become a dad...
Idea Chum, make arrangements to split your trip between Maderas and Colorado and maybe Popoyo? That way you'll experience the whole surf zone that way. We buzzed around quite a bit and saw a lot. Yes, there are a few small non touristy towns to check out too. Don't miss Granada the oldest Spanish settlement in Nica with amazing old colonial architecture. It's the jumping point for exploring Lago Nicaragua and the islands too (don't miss). I've done enough surf trips to know it's worth while to leave the beach sometimes and head inland especially when it's onshore for days. Other advice I might offer is get 4x4 for sure, a surfer mag surf report (I have one you can borrow?), and maybe a 6-6 rounded pintail : )
Pete, I'm in the same boat, no travel plans this summer, at least till hurricane season. But settle for GC's? Fun, but there's something nice happening else where under the right conditions especially if you are regular and want to skate in between or after sessions. Unfortunately forecasts are looking pretty crappy for this week as the wind machiene kicks in and the swell drops. Pretty blah spring so far : ( Wish I had plans to head south for some southern hemi luvin. Central America, Mainland Mex, Chile, sigh.......
By the way, Cocorosie's great. ;)
Hey Chum,
we've met a few times--I've got the 6'4" North Pacific speed-dialer. I figured it was you from your "new Mandala" and your friend's "new Art Coyler".
Anyway, if you need to stay in SJDS for the ladies, check in with Don George and Dona Myra--they have rooms at their place right behind the Texaco as you get into town. And their son Gustavo (he likes to go by Sunny--and he's built like Mr. Garcia) surfs and can probably guide you around.
Of course it's been a few years since I've been down there . . .
AND check out the
Dirty South East Surf Club
ride share page for all the valley kooks livin' on the east side (of Portland).
Thanks for the Nica tips! Yeah, we've surf together many times. Cool to have you drop by. I'll definitely check the ride sharing site. East Siiiiiide.
hey, sounds like a good plan, havent been there myself but one day... we got 2 places listed on glissers that look ok - http://www.glissers.com/Search.php?search=nicaragua, but it sounds you guys are heading elsewhere. in any case - it would be awesome if you would add a review of the place you've stayed at when you're back, sharing your wisdom with the people :) we've just launched the directory so need all the help we can get.
thx and take care // Nils
Will do, Nils!
thx Chum :) have fun.
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