Baja 2012

The hurricane crew was running on one vehicle "play it safe" skeleton crew mode down in Baja Sur, and for the first time in many years in Mexico I avoided personal bodily harm. I did not fall off of a cliff, get stung by a stingray, get stuck upside down on a 100 foot waterfall, fall down a flight of stairs, get robbed at gunpoint, roll a truck, get attacked by bees, or any of the other semi-disastrous occurrences that plagued me South of the border. Instead, great surf, great times with great buddies, and made some great friends. I even avoided the multiple scorpion attempts to sting me on the final day of the trip which has been known to be the most deadly (i.e. only pinch me vs. getting the stinger around to my hand), and decided against the last day of the trip "token shower" and managed to avoid the huge snake in the cantina bathroom. What more could guy ask for? How about a video inspired by the OG Magnus Frennmark? Soundtrack includes The Dirty Heads, Mason Jennings, Miike Snow (remix), and Foster the People (remix). Live Happily Ever Now!

Trip Report: Sayulita Surf

Room with a view - break your back beach

It has been a blistering summer in Austin thus far (not much surf either), and I couldn't hardly wait to escape the Texas heat and head South to Nuevo Vallarta and Sayulita, Mexico.

Given my past experiences in Mexico (sting ray attack, falling off a cliff, Montezuma's revenge, rolled vehicles, etc.) I was expecting something to go wrong----- And it did. The first night we were in town, Hurricane Dora ripped through town bringing thunder (shattered windows), lightning, and a torrential downpour. This rain managed to make large puddles on the (steep and dark) steps throughout our resort. I can't be sure if it was the water on the steps, or the Don Julio shots, or my curse in Mexico (think the episode of The Brady Bunch in Hawaii when they get cursed), but I managed to slip and fall down the stairs on my back.

Luckily for me when I fell, a local Mexican man rushed to my aid, cradled me in his arms, held me tight, and was yelling to the locals to get help. I ended up not getting help, but he held me close, and after that disappeared, never to be seen again. I never got his name, and we continued on, drinking more Don Julio as the ravenous night pressed on.The next morning I could barely sit up or move or think for that matter due to the pain in my back. After the Hurricane (remnants) passed through town, I knew that with me barely being able to breath without extreme pain, that this was going to be a long trip with not much surfing.

Two of my favorite things: Pacifico and Surfing - Sayulita

To make a very long story short (ask Leyla about the full version), I was only able to surf the last day of the trip due to my injury on the first night. On the last day we were in Sayulita, and I was bummed that it was too small for the left to be breaking (I'm a goofy footer).

I surfed the right (with about 50 of my closest friends), and it was fun waist high surf. The water was a perfect temperature, and there was  a friendly and fun vibe (reminded me of Cowells) out in the water. I rented a board from WildMex (one of the owners was from Chicago), and was super stoked to meet some local surfers! We spent the day in the water surfing, and drinking Pacificos. It was a great way to spend our last full day in Mexico.

Numbs the pain!

I was super stoked to be in Mexico despite my accidente keeping me from surfing most of the trip. It was great swimming in the pacific ocean every day, eating amazing food, being with great friends and the wifey, drinking Don Julio and my favorite all time favorite cerveza Pacifico (see pictures below), and enjoying the sounds of crashing waves outside my window.

It looks like I will have to take another trip this year to fulfill my surfing needs (there should be several), and if I have time I may write another post about me getting stuck upside down repelling down a 100 foot waterfall where they filmed Predator on the second day of this trip. The Mexico curse continues! Here are a couple of pictures of Las Olas and some Pacifico's too!

Hurricane Dora on her way to town

Beach groomer ahead of Dora

Our backyard - Nuevo Vallarta

Best beer ever! Pacifico in the jungle!

Baja flashbacks

Beautiful Sayulita

Represent

WildMex hooked it up

Another trip, another survivor's tale!

 Live Happily Ever Now! Ahora viven felices para siempre!

Austin - How Far Is It From The Beach?

Here are my new old guy boardshorts!

After 3 years in Austin of asking myself how far is Austin from the beach? -- I finally received the definitive answer, well maybe. The answer for those of you wondering how long it takes to get from Austin to a Texas beach; it's a mission, but well worth it!

For my turning old birthday weekend, Leyla and I headed down to Port A. We took the scenic route (183 through a bunch of rural towns) that took us through the BBQ capital of the world, small towns where there are more Church's than bars (way more), then finally coming to a series of bays and lakes. As the farmland turns to water, the cowboys turned into fisherman, and worship time turns into island time.

Waiting for the Ferry

On a Friday afternoon, the ferry (a series of small tugboats that hold 20 some cars) was backed up about 45 minutes, so the birthday boy started drinking some Tecates on the other side at Aransas pass. When all was said and done, we finally got our first glimpse of the beach about 4.5 hours later (stopped multiple times en route), and upon our arrival and during the ENTIRE trip, the wind was blowing like Baja Sur at its finest (35 MPH).



Here are a couple of highlights of the trip:

Birthday Boy Trash Balloon

• I turned 30 years old with my love Leyla
• I forgot to bring any boardshorts to the beach... Had to buy some!
• Got sand in my toes and the car.
• We hung out with fellow surfrider Bill Morris
• Had some delicious margaritas (cash only)
• Picked up around 400 pounds of trash (3 of us total - two of us were really hungover - M&L)
• The GLO Cleanup was also on my actual birthday on Saturday, and buried in the sand I found a deflated "happy birthday" balloon, I think it was a sign!

Getting Ready to Paddle Out

Our Private World

• Went surfing a couple of times (I need more practice for Baja)
• Drove on the beach all weekend
• Leyla got sea lice in some bad places
• Leyla and I had a private beach and community all to ourselves
• Were able to adventure up and down Mustang Island, including exiting through Corpus Christi, where I surfed Bob Hall Pier,  saw the Texas Surf Museum (Steve Thomas sighting), and had a burger at the Executive Surf Club with refried beans, Fritos, onions, cheese and salsa.

Birthday Bread Pudding

Wifey!

•  Had bread pudding with real candles at a restaurant (they didn't sing), turns out I hate bread pudding.
• Went to the equivalent of the Jersey Shore T-Shirt store (there are several in Port A), with a live monkey and huge shark out front.
• Came home in one piece, sunburned, and stoked!

Bill and I Before We Hit The Trash

Central Texas Surfrider Ding Repair

Drive home from the beach to Austin was under four hours, taking the route on I-35 around San Antonio. Not sure which way I would take when driving from Austin to the beach, I guess the distance and time wasn't really a factor on this trip. Cheers to getting older, cleaning the beach, making new friends, getting surf (even if it is windy), and Living Happily Ever Now! If you want to see all the pics, you can view my wife's blog (we are a blogging couple now people) and all of her Port A pics here, or the cleanup here.

Steve Thomas and Noll Surfboards

For a California surfer turned Texan for the last 3 years (this April), I was so stoked to receive a package from one of my friends Steve Thomas at Noll Surfboards and Gallery several weeks ago. Steve was my next door neighbor growing up, and he was someone that I looked up to in all aspects of my life. 

Steve on the cover of Longboard Magazine

His dad Chris (I love him like an uncle) taught me how to surf, and I remember when we would all go surf how hard Steve would charge (Chris was pretty good too for an old timer... JK).

Me and Chris Thomas aka My Uncle

I wanted to surf like Steve so bad, and still remember vividly how stoked I was when we were surfing at Capitola one day when Steve told me that I ripped (keep in mind it took me six months to learn how to stand up). Steve currently manages Noll Surfboards and Gallery in San Clemente, and has a blog Nride that you should read here.

One of my favorite boards Shaped by Jed Noll that is fun on all sized waves

Back to the package, when it is cold and dark in Texas, I now Steve to thank for my new favorite hoodie to keep me warm; some awesome dvds to remind me of why I surf, and a couple of notarized mags and stickers. Cheers brother!

Authentic Hoodie now in Austin, TX

Baja 2008 Revisited - Baja 2011 Through 2015 Up Next!

With the annual Baja trip taking a temporary hiatus during 2009 and 2010, the core Baja Crew is ready to embark on another mission! Instead of the annual trip, it will be biennial to accommodate our old age and growing families.

The core as we know it (been present for 80% or more of annual Baja trips) is Kenneth aka "Krazy Kenny", Magnus aka "Mankiepost, Swing, Swingnutz", Scott aka "Coffee and Numbers guy", Brendan aka "Knows a bunch of top secret shit guy", and myself aka "Mr. Matthew, Matty, Big Guy".

Kenny, Brendan, Me, Magnus, and Scott at my Wedding.

The mission will be Baja Sur, the time frame September, the emphasis on my all time favorite wave (thus far) Scorpion bay.

In 2011 we have talks of bringing boats, motorcycles, elaborate fishing gear, and of course lots of playboy magazines for the Federales.

Whether it's driving all night, getting stuck in hurricanes, rolling a vehicle, playing lose it, getting stung by a sting ray, dodging banditos, or getting crazy surf; one thing is for sure, we will most definitely have a good time. Here is 2008's video below, I say that we step up our game in 2011 with GoPro® HD Camerasfor the ultimate video.

Cheers to Baja!

Dreaming of Surf

Only bad thing about living in Austin TX? No surf. Have had several dreams about surfing and Baja lately, and here is a cool pic courtesy of Matt Clark via Surfline:

Texas, Please deliver me surf (Scorpion Bay Preferred)

Dear Austin TX,

I love you very much, but lets face it, there isn't much surf nearby.... I check here everyday, but there is little to be happy for in the surf department. Side note, Sunday was ISD, and I did my part:

Dear Matthew Kuhn,

Thank you for joining the Surfrider Foundation and the movement of care for our coasts. Here is a special welcome message from Surfrider Foundation’s CEO, Jim Moriarty to you:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH_aBFo8tfU

Your Surfrider Membership packet will arrive in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

On a side note, this is how I spent my Sunday with my wonderful Poppa and family pretending that his pool could deliver me some swell.

Cheers! Europe in 8 days!