SURF TRAVEL | BAJA WEEKENDER Surf Trip with WSSM

BAJA WEEKENDER

S UR F TR IP

with Manny Vargas & the San Diego Surf Ladies Words By: Sandra Olson | Photos: Damian Davila (facebook.com/damiandavilafoto) Manny Vargas (www.MannyVphoto.com) | More Info: www.MannyVtours.com

Sandra Olson throws a shaka to Damian as she glides by

BAJA WEEKENDER

S U RF T RI P

with Manny Vargas & the San Diego Surf Ladies Words By: Sandra Olson | Photos: Damian Davila (facebook.com/damiandavilafoto) Manny Vargas (www.MannyVphoto.com) | More Info: www.MannyVtours.com

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everal years and mag issues ago, we published our first article from Michelle Winstead. She had been a guest on one of Manny Vargas’ Baja Weekender Surf Trips, and they put together a piece that was absolutely beautiful, and left me wanting to join them on a future adventure. It felt calm in that the waves looked like liquid glass in Northern Baja and easy to surf, but at the same time a little wild and rugged, like something out of an old western movie--a land where time had almost stood still. Surfing women of all ages were smiling, laughing, having fun in the water and seemed to celebrate just being alive. I wanted to be part of that fun group!

Although Manny and I had tossed around the idea of WSSM teaming up with the San Diego Surf Ladies and BWST- and creating a special weekend trip just for the magazine, a couple years passed before the stars aligned, everything fell in place, and we were finally able to join Manny and the girls on their famous Baja Weekender Surf Trips.

Having just come out of Southern Baja (you can read about that on page 206), we had pretty much surfed ourselves out the week before.

So when we learned there was going to be a small, glassy swell and a chillax weekend in store for us, we were stoked to pile into the 15 passenger van before dawn. We loaded up with stoked-out surfer ladies, more surfboards than you can imagine, luggage, munchies, and headed off on our adventure.

210 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm

From start to finish, Manny took care of all our needs. From surfboards for Dan and me, who were traveling without ours at that time, to delicious local food, to snacks and accommodations, even a delicious lobster dinner by the ocean, and safe passage every step of the way- he was on top of his game. It felt good to sit back and let someone else take care of the team and just soak it all in--in leisure! After hours of surfing, hanging out on top of the van cheering each other on, more delicious food, more surf, and a good night’s sleep, before we knew it, the weekend was gone and it was time to head back to the States. But even that, even the drive to San Diego was special because Manny loaded up all the images Damian Divila had shot during the weekend and we got to view them as we crawled our way through Mexican street vendors and bumper-tobumper traffic as we crossed back over the border.

Hearing all the “Oohh’s” and “Aahh’s”, and “Oh, I remember that wave!” moments relived with the girls made me happy to have been able to see this little slice of southern California women’s surf culture in action. Though Baja is only 45 minutes away for most of them, it was amazing what an escape could be found, stoke refueled, and a lifetime of memories created when they just took a chance... and went adventuring together, to a not-so-distant surf destination. Once again, inspired by the stoke and her surroundings, Michelle Winstead was kind enough to chronicle her experience of the trip... So turn the page to keep reading!

Top photo: The group relive and celebrate their session as they chill out under the Baja sun with cold drinks and snacks atop the van Middle left: Dan paddling out for a few quick waves Bottom two photos: The girls head out for some fun, and perfect their high fives while gliding wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 211

BAJA WEEKENDER

SURF TRIP

with Manny Vargas & the San Diego Surf Ladies

Above: Dan & Sandra atop the van- the best seat in the house for photo taking Top left: Laura Wolfgang adding beauty and grace to the lineup | Above: Sandra paddles back out This photo: The group surveys the waves with careful direction from Manny Vargas 212 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm

My Not- S o - D i s tan t Surf Tr i p

by Michelle Winstead When the chance to take a surf trip within 50 miles of my home break arose, I wondered how it would measure up to seemingly more exotic and distant surf destinations. I found my answer (happily!) in an awesome Baja Weekender women’s surf trip. Several facets of the trip made it memorable, and I discovered along the way that there may even be certain advantages of a Not-So-Distant Surf Trip.

Any surf trip requires the right host or guide. Without question, the Baja Weekender delivers exactly that. Manny Vargas, a former California lifeguard turned professional bodyboarder turned commentator, turned photographer, turned Baja Weekender guide (does he ever sleep?), provides the perfect mix of safety, flexibility, cultural immersion, and all around fun. Nobody brings more stoke to the line-up. Manny’s side-kick, Damian Davila, is an ubertalented and equally fun water photographer, who draws everyone toward him and his fish-eye camera lens. Proof of Damian’s talents in photography are evident on Surfline (and also in how he magically made this 45-year-old surfer look a little less kooky while in action).

Puerto Rico. The laughter, the encouragement in the line-up, the party waves, the surfing high-fives, the stories shared, the connections made, the stoke… the trip delivered the kind of moments I will reflect on and daydream about when I’m stuck in Southern California traffic for months to come. (My apologies now if you’re ever stuck in traffic behind me during these moments.)

And the place. Baja- I love it. The coastline is kind of how I imagine California must have been 50 or 75 years ago- rugged and inviting. Empty line-ups beckon and there is a certain untamed wildness to it all that is so appealing. Fifty miles from my home break? It may as well be 500 miles away. Crossing the border into Baja transports you to another land, free from the routine concerns of everyday life.

Far away surf trips still have their appeal, but the Baja Weekender quenched my immediate yearning for a surf trip perfectly. I feel like I have discovered a new paradise, and expanded my local surf region. Baja, you are now within reach for future weekend getaways, and I thank you for the surf memories, and for renewing my belief that my best waves are still forming on the horizon. F

The right crew is also essential, and Manny put together such a fun group of women for our weekend getaway that I’m already dreaming about a reunion trip to Baja, Southern Mexico, or

Michelle Winstead finds her happy place in Baja wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 213

Top left: Lisa Acierno paddles back out for another wave Top right: Good times, laughs and high fives are guaranteed on these trips!

Far right: Cyndie Cunningham flashes a smile for the camera as she exits her wave Bottom right: Damian’s fisheye lens catches Leigh Plesniak as she paddles by This photo: Dan Olson taking a moment to pray before entering the surf 214 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm

BAJA WEEKENDER SURF TRIP

with Manny Vargas & the San Diego Surf Ladies wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 215

Top left: Sarah Belange waxes up, and tip-toes to the nose Above: BAJA Weekenders founder, Manny Vargas, playing in the surf with the ladies This photo: Barb Benner Whatley- loving life in Baja with the ladies Far right: Leigh Plesniak paddling hard to drop into another gem of a wave Bottom right: Dan Olson working on his noseriding 216 | womenssurfstyle.com | wSSm

BAJA WE E KE NDE R

SURF TRIP

with Manny Vargas & the San Diego Surf Ladies

wSSm | womenssurfstyle.com | 217