Matt's surf report: January 2006

Mainland Meanderings

Waves waves waves!! Warm water, sunset over the Pacific pretty much every spot we surf.. truly the Mexico mainland has it all.

Consistent swell even at this time of year, even on the South & Southwest facing coastline between Manzanillo and the Guatemala border. It has been easy to find places to simply pull up and park on the beach, whether at the better known spots, such as Puerto Escondido or at unknown rivermouth villages down the coast towards Chiapas.

Coastal Chiapas itself still bears the scars of last autumn{s hurricane. The road bridges at every major river (and there are a number of these) have all been washed away. At the moment the dry season means that construction and repair work can continue apace, but the river crossings still involve driving over temporary rubble causeways or steel barge bridges. The estuaries and coastal valleys are a moonscape of boulders and debris washed down from the mountains.

We have hurried through this stretch knowing that the swell season kicks in with avengeance in March, when we will be on our way back up in a more leisurely manner... right now on our way to Costa Rica.

Good spots along the way however.. surfed on days off from driving or early mornings and evenings:

Barra de Navidad: excellent longboard wave in the harbour entrance- rights and better lefts over a sand bottom, friendly locals.

Troncones Playa: Long series of excellent beach & reef breaks, free camping, good Palapa restaurants great waves for everyone.

Punta La Manzanilla (just north of Troncones)

Superb left Point over lava rock, running into a sandy bay with a choice Palapa/Hammock set up on the beach.... choice spot. The next village up, even more remote, similar Left Point, plos good beach breaks up the coast.. more free camping. Great area and no crowds.

Puerto Escondido: Oh legendary One!! Surprisingly low key with free camping on the beach, waves for all (not too much swell) and all in all less of a hassle than we were expecting... we enjoyed it even!!

La Bocana, Bahia Huatalco.

A great, and relatively easy right Point in an area otherwise replete with heavy beach breaks.. little Oasis of pleasure.

Brisas del Mar: Rivermouth rights and lefts right on the Guatemala Border... no Tourists in this area but lovely little village, free camping in the yard of the little shop7restaurant in the village centre.

Monterrico, GUATEMALA.

One long beach break all the way down this stretch, but the odd sandbar gives the wave occazsional cause for shaping up a bit. You end up with a lot of black, volvanic sand in your ears as a result of the heavy, closeout tubes... but ashore... the Palapas overlook the ocean and the people are great. To get here you have to put the bus/car on a steel barge and float for half an hour through the mangrove swamp!!! Good spot!!
for further inspection...