Rio Nexpa

About two months ago we all started talking about taking a trip to Rio Nexpa, a fast barreling, river mouth wave about two and a half hours drive from Troncones.  We had almost written it off after tropical storm Manuel, but a couple weeks ago we saw a forecasted swell that we felt would be one of our last opportunities to make the journey before departing to Nicaragua.  We talked to our friends Russell, Pedro and Coco to get a plan together to make the journey.  Coco was already heading up with a couple friends a few days early and we decided to pack up the kids early Monday morning in Russell's truck with Pedro following later that afternoon.

This trip was about hanging out with friends, testing our surfing skills and checking out a new place without much of a plan.  Knowing that was the idea, it made the drive up from Troncones very enjoyable.  Once north of La Mira, the road opened up onto the coast for what was probably one of the most beautiful drives that we've ever experienced.  We passed sweeping vistas of the ocean, saw gaping river mouths and arroyos that emptied into the ocean along with an undeveloped coast line that could have easily passed for Malibu back in the early 60's.

We arrived mid-day to find the surf absolutely pumping.  The set waves were going 4 foot over head, producing an almond shaped barrel at the top of the point and then connecting into the bay.  A massive sand bar had built up from the river ejecting tons of sand and rock during the tropical storm in September.  This essentially allowed you to walk right out to the point and paddles 30 yards into the line-up.  The 30 yards that needed to be negotiated was one of the sketchiest that we've encountered.  It is a shallow waist high bar that drops off significantly and composed of rocks and gravel.   The lip of the larger set waves detonate just a couple clicks away from the shallow bar threatening to drill you into the gravel parking lot beneath should you time it wrong.  While it didn't happen on the paddle out for any of us, several beatings on this wave were served up during the few sessions we had.

The paddle out:

Melissa cover shots:

 

Scott looking for a barrel:

 

Coco cover-up and broken board:

 

 

 Pedro looking for a sponsor after a couple months riding a short board:

  Flaco showing how it's done:

Mary Jane's:

 We ate dinner here both nights and had a great time. It's where bad parenting decisions meet limited options in town for dinner. We had a blast with the crew watching the days surf videos here that were taped by the owner and played nightly drawing in most the surfers in the small town. We didn't get to try Mary Jane's "special pancakes", but the food that Martin and his wife cooked while we were there was delicious.

The crew left to right: Nicky, Slater, Coco, Scott, Melissa, Russell, Pedro

 Waterspout over the ocean seen from Mary Janes deck:

 

Helen & Jorge's our home for a couple days:

We're really going to miss this crew when we leave in a week. They've all become good friends and we've had a great time with them in Mexico. The photo credits on this mainly go to Russell on the surfing pictures. He really got some great shots of Nexpa. We'll have to add surf photographer to his resume which also include world's best Mexico guide, Property Manager and great friend. While we have to say adios in a week, you know we'll be back soon!

Russell and Melissa at dinner: