Surf Camp

6 Days
Advanced
$3799

The sea is the truest coach.

This remote and soulful Pacific coast location is where coach and SKBM founder Ginni Callahan learned to paddle on the sea. Sharing this special place is the dream that started Sea Kayak Baja Mexico in the first place. Come see why!

Camp is a collection of rustic palapas (3-sided buildings) on a remote Pacific beach in front of a point break. Wake up beside the beach. The bay actually faces south but is protected by the distant Vizcaino Peninsula, so only NW swell can make it into the bay. Swells are well groomed by the shape of the land and form peeling usually gentle waves. It’s popular with longboard surfers during the winter season.

We’re shooting for the small gap between the surfers and the spring wind. We’ll base camp here and choose the adventure of the day based on the weather and on how we feel.

Surf safety and protocol is always good to review. Use the dynamic water to build confidence and defense skills. Refine your reading of waves. Practice using their energy to play. Most evenings we’ll view the day’s video highlights and learn from seeing ourselves in action.

There are also hiking opportunities: to petroglyphs, to caves with shell middens, and along the wild shoreline. Dinners are catered in camp by a local family.

Skill Level

Because the surf is somewhat gentled by having to wrap almost 180 degrees to get into this bay, and the landing is mostly sandy, and because we’re base-camping, Surf Camp can handle a variety of skill levels. You don’t need a roll, though it will be helpful. If you know what a brace is, can paddle in 15 knot wind with waves of 2-3′, and are interested in pushing your learning curve, you’re welcome to join us. In the British Canoeing framework, if you’re working on your Sea Kayak Award (3-star) and like to be challenged, that’s fine. If you’ve got your Coastal Sea Kayak Award or 4-star or more, and want to play on an amazing coastline, you will be inspired.

Travel to Mexico

You need a valid passport for international travel.

You do not need to obtain a travel visa in advance of your vacation in Mexico. At the border you will fill out an immigration form and a customs form which you will present to the immigration and customs authorities, respectively. Your The cost of your tourist visa is included in your flight. If you are driving into Mexico, stop at the border to purchase a tourist visa for approx. $25USD. This is required for driving into the southern state of Baja, where Loreto is located.

Pre-Trip Meeting

The evening before your trip is a pre-trip meeting at the San Diego airport Ramada. Exact time will be included in your registration follow-up emails, but it’s typically around 7pm, which gives time for you to get in and settled after your flight.

Launch Day Logistics

You’ll load the van and start driving south with Bonnie.

Luggage

All your luggage will come with you to Surf Camp. Separate out into a smaller bag the items you’d like to have handy during the 10-12 hour drive as the suitcases will be tightly packed in the back of the van until you arrive.

Weather & swell

Surf Camp is on the Pacific Ocean. It’s located at a point break well loved by surfers. We’re choosing the time of year after the surfers usually leave but before the wind becomes the predominant feature. This time typically offers good waves for learning and practicing (1-4′) with options of paddling to nearby beaches that are more exposed for more challenge.

The water is in the 60s. Air temps in April average between the high 50s and the 80s. Afternoon wind is typical, so bring layers to keep warm after your time on the water. Early mornings are sometimes foggy.

What’s camp like?

A collection of eight rustic 3-sided huts called palapas sits behind a sandy bay overlooking the surf break. It is remote. There is no electricity. Water for bathing is trucked in. We bring our water for drinking. There is a small taco-shack for our group meals, enclosed for comfort in the wind. Here we also gather after dinner to debrief the day and watch videos of ourselves from the day.

The landscape is expansive and unique, with a small mountain range running north along the coast. Hiking trails follow the coastline and go up a nearby arroyo to petroglyph art carved into a rock.

Meet in the Ramada in San Diego the evening before Surf Camp with coach Bonnie Perry who will be driving the van to camp.

Mentally prepare yourself the rough 10-hour ride over semi-paved roads. It’s Baja! You’re transitioning into a different time and space dimension. The scenery is like none you’ll see anywhere else. The Catavina boulder fields. The Valle de los Cirios National Protected Area with its unique, endemic plants which look like a Dr Seuss sketch. Tall cardon cacti petitioning the blue sky.

Arrive to camp in time for a wholesome, locally catered dinner and a fine welcome!

  • Single sea kayaks
  • PFD (life jacket)
  • Paddle
  • Spray skirt
  • Healthy camping meals
  • Locally catered dinners
  • All kitchenware
  • Purified drinking water
  • Camp chair
  • Transfer to beach from San Diego and back
  • Expert coaching
    What’s Available for Rent
  • Tent
  • Camping mattress
  • Sleeping bag
  • Kokatat PFD-mounted hydration system
  • Paddle jacket
  • 2mm Shorty wetsuit and neoprene jacket
What’s Not Included
  • Lodging in San Diego
  • Airport transportation
  • Meals other than in camp
  • Tips for guides
For paddling
  • 1 liter of water in bottle(s) and/or hydration system
  • Sunscreen and lip protection
  • Sunglasses with strap
  • Strap for regular glasses
  • Hat for sun
  • 2-3mil wetsuit or drysuit for paddling, or similar
  • Water shoes or booties
For Camping
  • Camping gear: tent, mattress, sleeping bag (available for rent)
  • Towel
  • Bathing suit if you’d like to swim in the ocean
  • Camp shirt (s)
  • Warm camp shirt
  • Windbreaker jacket
  • Long warm pants
  • Socks
  • Underwear
  • Warm hat for evening
  • Beach / light hiking shoes
  • PJs
  • Head lamp
  • Bug repellent (rarely mosquitos, but there are flies)
Personal
  • Passport
  • Toothpaste & tooth brush
  • Sunscreen, Reef-safe please!
  • Camera
  • Spare batteries for everything
  • Any clothes you’d like in town
  • A few Ziplock bags of various sizes
  • Medications (2 sets; leave one in hotel luggage)
  • Personal first aid, OTC meds you might want
    * Print-out of medical history and list of medications
    * Copy of health insurance card, travel insurance contacts, passport, emergency contacts
  • Ziplock the above * items and keep them with you
  • Sense of adventure!
Optional
  • Comb or brush
  • Binoculars
  • Solar lantern
  • Sarong or wrap
  • Journal, book
  • Shampoo, soap
  • Handi-wipes
  • Paddling gloves
  • Tow belt
  • Helmet
  • Lifejacket-mounted hydration system (available for rent)
  • Paddle jacket (available for rent)
  • Wetsuit (2mm shorty & neoprene top (available for rent)
  • Your own paddling gear if preferred: Life jacket, paddle, spray skirt

Tips for your guides/coaches/captains are always appreciated! Fifteen percent is typical, but completely at your discretion. Tips may be added to your credit card bill if you’d like (5% fee), or handed in cash to your lead guide at the end of the trip, to divide among the guide and captain team. Mexican pesos are ideal, but unmarked US dollars with no rips or physical damage are also good in any denomination.

Tips for taxis are included in the trip price.

Thank you!

Payment
  • Deposit: half of the trip price will hold your spot
  • Balance: due in full 30 days prior to trip
Cancellation
Before 30 days advance of trip:
  • Full refund minus $250
  • Full credit for other trip within 12 months.
Within 30 days of trip:
  • Full credit for other trip within 12months
  • No refund for any reason
Within 7 days of trip:
  • Half credit for other trip within 12 months
  • No refund for any reason

If we cancel a trip, we will refund the full trip amount.

Low enrollment
  • We will not cancel a trip that has 5 or more people on it.
  • We will guarantee your trip to run with 4 people for a 5% surcharge.
  • We will guarantee your trip to run with 3 people for a 10% surcharge.
  • We will guarantee your trip to run with 2 people for a 25% surcharge.
  • The surcharge will be included with the payment of your balance one month before trip if nobody else has signed up by then.
  • If more people join trip within that month, we’ll refund the surcharge or portion of it that pertains to the final number of paying participants.
  • If feasible, you may switch to a comparable trip.

Please INSURE your trip with Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance.

Ready to book your adventure?

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