October 27th, 2017

Somewhere in Nicaragua

GOTCHA!!! Well sort of… But first, the surf. And it wasn’t anything special. Remember, we are still in October.

That means: rain, onshores, empty lineups, and not too many barrels. Maybe that’s why this guy wasn’t very interested.

Two peaks were working: a south and a middle. That meant there were plenty of sections to smash the incoming wave and go out in style.

Exhibit A: middle peak. Which right would you take?

Exhibit B: for the goofy footers. This peak works when there is energy from a south-directioned swell. Mushy, long, runny, but definitely fun.

The locals know best so most of them kept to the northern peak. I woke up not too stoked to surf but after watching a few waves come through, the stoke returned!

Double or nothing for Oscar Espinoza. Check out the back foot- full commitment and style!!

I bet Phil was amped to get out in the water. For the past couple of days, he’s been hosting the Oakley Surf Shop Contest. Now, it’s his turn to take a break, relax, and surf.

The usual local crew as down at the beach scoping it out (L to R: Maycol, Lesther, and Jeison). I bet they’ve been busy working the contest too! Hopefully a little handshaking and networking with all the pros and sponsors too.

As the storm moves away, we expect the surf to clean up. Thankfully, the low has not (and hopefully will not) pan out to be anything bad or dangerous. We will be out of the woods after October ends and we approach the [Nicaraguan] summer season.

Ok, a quick change up. A couple days ago, Katie W (La Flora) and NSR teamed up to help the community Ojochal. We sent a crew out there to assist cleaning up all the trash. Here are a couple shots from their efforts.

Don’t you hate a dirty environment?! Thank you to these individuals for getting their hands dirty, spending their time, and making the country side look spiffy clean!

Like I said earlier, this is my last (but technically not the last last) report I’ll upload. I recently accepted a position in Colorado to I’ll be out there for the winter. Once the season is over, I’m will be back with NSR in April. If you guys are consistent (or even new) followers, thank you for staying tuned to my/our reports! Photography has been quite the new experience to me but been incredibly rewarding. When it’s not pumping out front, like this photo, it’s been a helluva good time!!! I hope you’ve enjoyed the reports I/we have showed you in the past couple of years.

But my biggest thanks goes to the NSR owners. It’s tough to even start where… Pancho: thank you for always pushing me to bring out the best. I really appreciate your high standards and lack of nonsense (ironically in this- or every- photo). Hace Queso: you’ve been my Mom away from home. I’m grateful for all the kindness, love, sunset sessions at the left, and broken bodega keys. Hot Carl: Should I break out the long list? The wisdom, the encouragement, the patience, the role model, and the stoke! Y’all have been incredibly good to me and thank you for running a solid operation. I’m excited to experience a new opportunity but I will miss y’all and look forward to April! Thanks for everything guys. Hotsticks Hannahs is out!