02 Sep Paddle Surfing The Infamous Mexican Pipeline
Loving my Puerto Tube! Photo (c) MoonWalkerPhotos.com
SUP allowed us to take off deeper and be at the bottom, waiting for the tube to throw over. From there, it’s just trying to stuff a 10’ surfboard inside a big tube and hold on!
I’m really excited that I’m invited to compete in the Puerto Escondido Stand Up Paddle Surf contest in Puerto Escondido, Mexico. Sponsors Hinano Tahiti and MegaFood are making the trip possible.
It’s often called “The Mexican Pipeline” because Puerto Escondido has some of the heaviest tubes in the world!
In 2008 I surfed in this event with waterman Chuck Patterson, Duane DeSoto and other great athletes. At that time, none of us were even sure that you could stand up surf the waves at Puerto.
But on the height of the swell, just before the contest, all of the athletes pushed SUP to its limits and got giant barrels!
What’s great about SUP at a place like Puerto is that it allows you to sit really far out the back, and you can see the waves coming from a greater distance, allowing you to get in a better position earlier, hunting the waves from behind.
SUP allowed us to take off deeper and be at the bottom, waiting for the tube to throw over. From there, it’s just trying to stuff a 10’ surfboard inside a big tube and hold on!
One of the crazy things about Puerto is that the waves are so big, just the paddle out takes a lot of strength and endurance. Some don’t even make it out and end up on the beach, defeated.
I have to be in the best condition possible, so I’ve been preparing by paddling every day and getting my body in tip top shape.
Just like I did before SUPPING the challenging rapids of the Colorado River, I’m staying in shape on the inside, too. Maria makes healthy salads for me every night and we juice in the morning. I take100% whole food vitamins by MegaFood and eat as much organic food as possible.
I feel privileged to be invited to compete again this year. Riding big tubes is one of my specialties and I’m up to the challenge.
I hope the waves are huge this year!
Life is Good – Drew