SUP in La Tortuga Verde

About the last things that we bought for our trip were two Stand Up Paddle Boards, our goal was to learn to use them on the trip.  We had gone out to a local Harbor and tried exactly two times before making the purchase.  We thought we would use them in Baja, nope to damn cold.  We got them out in Bucerias and that was fun, we thought they would be useful in Oaxaca, the waves were too big and we only used them once.  I even chose Fritz’s language school based on its proximity to a lake, but the lake was too cold so they have sat on the roof of our tuck more than being in the water where they belong.

When we got to the Tortuga Verde we finally had a place to use them again.  Every other time had been in extremely clam water so this was going to be a challenge.  The first day we paddled around in the white wash on our knees just getting the feel of it, every few feet we were thrown off, the boards did a nose dive, or even if we did stay on the waves pushed us back toward shore. 

The second day of playing was basically the same for me (hey I didn’t care it was still great fun), but Fritz finally got outside the waves and was actually using them the way they were supposed to be used!  I ran up the beach, dragging the board behind me to get the camera, and when I finally got it he was walking calmly out of the water! 

On the third day we both had success, we got out beyond the waves and were both able to stand up.  What a great feeling, both going up and over the huge waves (ok the picture shows they are only about 2 feet but to us they felt 20 feet high) and then being outside the waves standing up and paddling. 

It was scary as well, the distance from the shore wasn’t the only thing concerning me, the 7 or so jellyfish were also pretty scary, and great motivation NOT to fall off the board.  That was also the first “wave” I rode in, although on my knees, it didn’t matter, I was hooked!

 

We went out again and Jessica, a woman staying at the Tortuga Verde was nice enough to take these pictures for us.  It is also great motivation to get back out there!