Hola! I am a volunteer at WildMex Surf & Adventure from Florida. This is an awesome surf & bike adventure company based out of La Lancha, Nayarit, Mexico. We have the opportunity to join surf and bike excursions with the rest of the team and customers after our work.
On Saturday October 3rd, another volunteer and I joined company owner, Javier, in the car to ride to the La Lancha shop from Sayulita shop after working some hours there. We joined the surf lesson group riding out to Punta Burros, Punta De Mita. We were assigned to clean the beach of trash there, and then our plan was to surf with the rest of the group after the beach cleanup was finished!
The 7 of us (2 instructors, 3 customers, the other volunteer and I) parked and walked the road down to the break at Burros. We spent about one hour cleaning washed up plastic and left behind rubbish off the beach; and the last hour surfing fun clean waves, about 3-4 feet in size.
Overall it was a very inviting and exciting experience. I am so happy that the company offers these opportunities during our off time to explore and adventure more places here in Nayarit, Mexico.
Surfing is a sport that isn’t defined by genders; so it would be a very big mistake to divide it as female or male.
Over time, women have acquired more participation in this sport, when historically, this activity had been exclusively directed at the male gender, and that hasn’t been unseen socially.
Surfing has many general benefits, but the great impact it has had physically and emotionally on women makes this sport a favourite among them. We invite you to be part of this practice creating a safe, respectful and pleasant social environment for everyone. Now, we’ll present 5 benefits that surfing has to offer you as a woman:
Physique
Being in shape is a wonderful benefit of surfing that can be visually perceived. While surfing, your muscles contract constantly while paddling out or to catch a wave working the strenght of your upper body and while riding the waves to hold your balance on the board you will be toning your legs, tighs, and buttocks ! It is a super wholesome sport!
Coordination
Being on top of the board is not easy, so while you do this activity you will acquire these skills that will keep you in balance and help you ride the waves. Inspect the sets of the waves by coordinating the timing, type, & force of the waves to increase your chances of riding a wave out.
Nature Nature is part of the experience when you practice this sport, because apart from being in direct contact with the ocean, sometimes the beaches offer you beautiful
landscapes that captivate your eyes, especially on virgin beaches. Also, a connection with the environment is generated, that allows you to create awareness
of natural resources, and learn to protect and the place you’ve just visited by leaving it clean.
Anti-stress
Surfing is considered the best option you can take to get away from a bad day because the experience starts from the moment you have contact with the air, sand, and water. The satisfaction of taking a wave helps your brain by feeling rewarded, having a balanced body and mind. Exercise teaches your body to cope with higher levels of cortisol, which helps reduce anxiety and stress.
Socializing
This sport is characterized as being an activity that’s carried out in a group. It doesn’tmatter if they know each other or not, you can get to know the people who are
surfing in the same place, and as a result, you’ll end up making more friends than you imagined, connecting with like minded individuals and creating long lasting friendships.
The American writer, Jon Kabat-zinn, once mentioned that: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf” a sentence that has had an impact on many people like Dayana. She confirms that it is a phrase that has been tattooed as a philosophy of life.
Dayana Venegas, 22 years old Mexican surfer, Puerto Vallarta’s resident, comes to tell us about her experience in the world of surfing.
No doubt, she has confirmed the aforementioned benefits to us, for her, surfing means living in the present and enjoying every second of life, it tells us that there’s no way to think about anything else when you are in the sea:
“Since I’ve come to the world of surfing, I’ve had great physical and mental change, increasing my balance and strength, providing feelings of peace and freedom”
Dayana, like every woman in the sport’s world, has run into the barriers of social stigma and even so, she continues to do what she is most passionate about:
“I’ve come across some people who say that surfing is only for men and when I tell them that I surf, they are shocked; but the truth is that I have surfed with my friends (men) and I have been lucky that we treat each other in the same way, without gender privileges. Besides, they tend to motivate me to continue practising this sport that I really like one”.
Dayana is the living example of many women who have had the experience of the whole context that revolves around the board. You, like her, can explore this sport and get all the benefits that surfing has to offer.
After an extended period of closed public spaces and stay-at-home orders, things are gradually coming back to life here in Puerto Vallarta and the beaches are officially reopened and slowly repopulating – more pristine than before. In the streets of Sayulita, you can feel vibrant energy returning as visitors and residents are out and about, enjoying live music and local restaurants. Some of us may feel we are emerging from a hibernation of sorts. There is a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the jungle and beaches, and the buzzing of street life in the town.
On warm days in June and July, it has hard to find a better place to spend an afternoon than out on the water surfing or paddleboarding. The colors from this vantage point at La Lancha beach in Punta Mita are especially beautiful this time of year. From your board, you see vast blue up to the horizon as you scan for incoming waves. Turning your head, a bright green jungle spreads across rolling hills. These hills are becoming greener and greener each day because during the summer months, the rains begin and new life cycles start. The jungle is teeming with lush new growth. In the evening, clouds speckle what is often a completely clear sky in other seasons, making for incredible multicolored sunsets with deep oranges, light pinks and purples.
Nayarit boasts a mild tropical climate, similar to that of the islands of Hawaii, which is located on the same latitude as this area. While the summer months in Nayarit are the warmest (with average highs in the high 80s Fahrenheit) and most humid of the year, the rains cool down the air. The heaviest rains begin in mid-July, and in June there are occasional evening showers.
The rainy season is a very important period for all of Bahia de Banderas. Surrounding mountain ranges and local agriculture are hugely benefitted by the rainfall. With the first few rains of the year, an immediate change is visible – the Sierra Madre mountain range goes from a light brown color to a vivid green in a matter of days. The rivers in the area also come to life, carrying with them vital nutrients from the mountains that empty into the ocean and nourish life there.
For those of us here, the rainy season can be an opportunity for cleansing and revitalization. After several months of quarantine and with all the changes caused by the pandemic, it is important to pause and reset, doing what is healthy for our bodies and minds. Surrounded by the ocean and lush green vegetation here in Bahia de Banderas, this reset comes naturally.
Como nuevo surfista, o incluso experimentado, existe la posibilidad de que esté haciendo algunos de los errores más comunes en el surf. Sin embargo, no hay necesidad de preocuparse; Los errores son naturales y una gran parte del proceso de aprendizaje. A continuación, encontrará los 5 errores en el Surfing más comunes.
USO DE LA TABLA INCORRECTA
Quizás el error más común entre los nuevos surfistas es elegir una tabla que no sea del tamaño adecuado para ellos. Debes asegurarte de seleccionar una tabla que sea apropiado para tu nivel de habilidad. Si bien las tablas cortas pueden verse más frescas, las más largas son mucho más fáciles y seguras para los principiantes. También desea utilizar una tabla que “no solo sea la adecuada para su peso, tamaño y capacidad, sino que también sea adecuada para el tipo de olas que va a atrapar”.
NO VER A DONDE VAS
Puede ser tentador mantener los ojos entrenados en su tabla para asegurarse de que está parado correctamente, pero esto solo aumentará las posibilidades de golpearse. Debes asegurarte de mirar frente a ti y mantener tus ojos enfocados en tu camino.
NO ENTRENAR EN TIERRA SECA
La Inercia menciona la importancia de la capacitación en tierra firme. Practicar pop-ups antes de salir al agua puede ser muy útil porque comienza a construir memoria muscular y te facilitará poder hacerlo en una tabla. También practicar la postura y el equilibrio en tierra te ayudará a llevar eso al agua.
NO TENER UNA POSICIÓN CORRECTA
La postura adecuada es muy importante mientras se practica surf. Siempre debe mantener un centro de gravedad bajo para mantener el equilibrio. Para hacer esto, debes doblar las rodillas y mantener una postura baja. Asegúrese de no doblar los hombros o agitar los brazos; Esto hará perder el equilibrio.
PARARSE EN EL PUNTO EQUIVOCADO
Es posible que tenga su postura baja, pero si coloca los pies en el lugar equivocado, todavía hay una buena posibilidad de caer de la tabla. Cuando se pare, coloque los pies en el centro de la tabla y asegurarse de mantenerlos paralelos entre sí.
As a new surfer, or even an experienced one, there is a chance that you may be doing some things incorrectly. There is no need to worry, though; surfing mistakes are natural and a big part of the learning process. Below, you will find the 5 most common surfing mistakes and how to correct them.
1. USING THE WRONG BOARD Perhaps the most common mistake among new surfers is choosing a board that is not the right size for them. You want to make sure that you are selecting a board that is appropriate for your skill level. While shortboards may look cooler, longer ones are much easier and safer for beginners. You also want to use a board that is “not only the right one for your weight, size, and capability but also that [is] right for the type of waves you’re going to be catching”.
2. NOT WATCHING WHERE YOU’RE GOING
It may be tempting to keep your eyes trained on your board to make sure you are standing correctly, but this will only increase the chances of you wiping out. You want to make sure to look out in front of you and keep your eyes focused on your path.
3. NOT TRAINING ON DRY LAND The Inertia mentions the importance of training on dry land. Practicing pop-ups before you go out on the water can be very helpful because it begins to build muscle memory and will make it easier for you to be able to do this on aboard. Also practicing stance and balance on land will help you carry that over to the water.
4. NOT HAVING A PROPER STANCE
A proper stance is very important while surfing. You must always keep a low center of gravity to keep your balance. To do this, you must bend your knees and keep a low stance. Make sure not to bend your shoulders or flail your arms; this will throw off your balance.
5. STANDING IN THE WRONG SPOT
You may have your stance down, but if you put your feet in the wrong spot, there is still a good chance of wiping out. When you pop up, you want to put your feet in the center of the board and make sure to keep them parallel to each other.
La Lancha 's white sand beach, turquoise water and secluded location make it the area's most unique surf break destination. The waves are mellow, the water is warm, and the scenery is beautiful. So come and join the fun!
Has it happened to you that you close your eyes and can feel the warmth of the sun hugging you, the aroma of coconut dancing around you and the liberating sensation of sinking your feet in the sand? These are some of the benefits of surfing!
The Beaches of Bahía de Banderas, Mexico, such as La Lancha, Punta Burros, Veneros, Litibu, Anclote are ideal spots to learn to surf or to offer you more challenging waves, in case you already have previous experience in surfing; and all in one area!
If this idea had already crossed your mind but you still had not decided, let us tell you about some benefits that surfing provides, in addition to the fun:
Mental health:
Surfing has been shown to positively influence the minds of those who practice it, as it is a good way to release stress, create autonomy and confidence in people.
Cardiovascular system:
For all that I know about Surfing it is one of the most favorable exercises for the heart since it improves cardiac function. Also, it is a practice that collaborates with resistance and oxygen consumption. It is recommended for cases of high blood pressure, regulate cholesterol levels and lower the risk of diabetes.
Balance:
Its practice favors the body balance of people since it is a precision, speed and strength sport, for which balance is key.
Strengthens muscles:
The leg muscles, from the feet to the thighs, are mainly strengthened by this sport, which is also good for the muscles of the abdomen and chest.
Support in the elimination of saturated fats:
Surfing is a good sport to burn fat and avoid its accumulation, due to its intensity and time.
Brain therapy:
Research into therapeutic surfing is recent, but it marks precedence. According to research that has been carried out on surfing with a therapeutic approach, they have shown that this activity can work as a highly effective therapy, it has even been shown to be highly beneficial as an alternative therapy in treatments for people with ASD.
¿Te ha pasado que cierras los ojos y puedes sentir el calor del sol abrazándote, el aroma a coco danzar a tu alrededor y la sensación liberadora de hundir los pies en la arena? Estas son algunos de los beneficios del surf
Las Playas de Bahía de Banderas, México, tales como La Lancha, Punta Burros, Veneros, Litibu, Anclote son puntos son ideales para aprender a surfear o de ofrecerte olas más desafiantes, en caso que ya tengas experiencia previa en el surf; y todo en una misma zona!
Si esta idea ya había cruzado por tu mente pero aún no te habías decidido, déjanos contarte de algunos beneficios que provee el surf, adicionales a la diversión:
Salud mental:
Está demostrado que el Surf influye positivamente en la mente de quienes lo practican, ya que es una buena forma de liberar el estrés, crear autonomía y confianza en las personas.
Sistema cardiovascular:
Por todo lo que se nada en el Surf es uno de los ejercicios más favorables para el corazón, ya que mejora la función cardíaca. Además, es una práctica que colabora con la resistencia y el consumo de oxígeno. Es recomendado para casos de presión arterial alta, regular los niveles de colesterol y bajar el riesgo a padecer diabetes.
Equilibrio:
Su práctica favorece el equilibrio corporal de las personas, ya que es un deporte de precisión, velocidad y fuerza, para lo que el equilibrio es clave.
Fortalece los músculos:
Los músculos de las piernas, desde los pies hasta los muslos se ven principalmente fortalecidos por este deporte, que también es bueno para los músculos del abdomen y el pecho.
Apoyo en eliminación de grasas saturadas:
El Surf es un buen deporte para quemar grasas y evitar su acumulación, debido a su intensidad y tiempo.
Terapia cerebral:
Las investigaciones del surf con empleo terapéutico son recientes, pero marcan precedencia. Según las investigaciones que se han realizado sobre el surf con un enfoque terapéutico, han demostrado que esta actividad puede funcionar como una terapia altamente efectiva, incluso ha demostrado ser altamente benéfico como terapia alternativa en tratamientos a personas que padecen TEA.
I arrived in Sayulita a small surfer town on the Pacific coast of Mexico two month ago .
As it was my first stay here in Mexico I have to admit that i was a little bit worried before. Since there are many prejudices about the safety in Mexico, I was not sure if it is a good idea to travel through this country alone as a woman.
However, from the first day Sayulita and its inhabitants showed me that my concerns were unfounded. All people here are really friendly, open minded and helpful. It is super easy to get in contact with people. If I just walk through the streets I often get involved in a conversation.
A really good example for the people’s mentality is my first hitchhike experience. As I wanted to surf on a different Spot I decided to try hitchhiking. I have to say that I was a little bit worried before but everyone told me that it’s really easy and save so I wanted to give it a try. After a few minutes of waiting next to the road a very nice mexican guy stopped and asked for my destination. So I told him the name of the beach. But as he did not know where it was, he switched to the passenger seat and let me take the wheel. So he let me drive all the way to the beach, even though he didn’t even have to go that direction.
But not only during the day but also at night this city is a safe place. A typical evening in Sayulita starts with meeting at the main square, what is a wonderful place to hang out with your friends and watch other people. Later we go for a drink or to dance in one of the bars, where also live music is often played. In Sayulita is almost every day like weekend so there are always a lot of people outside. For that reason it is not scary to walk home alone. I have to admit that I feel here more safe walking in the night than sometimes in my home Germany.
Based on this experiences I made here so far I only can say that Sayulita is an amazing place to visit. During my stay I never had a bad or unsafe feeling at all. I am glad I got the opportunity to come here and be a part of Sayulita’s life for a few months.
On Saturday October 3rd, another volunteer and I joined company owner, Javier, in the car to ride to the La Lancha shop from Sayulita shop after working some hours there. We joined the surf lesson group riding out to Punta Burros, Punta De Mita. We were assigned to clean the beach of trash there, and then our plan was to surf with the rest of the group after the beach cleanup was finished!
