Lord Of The Wind Feature Film

We found this movie on Youtube if you want to see what all the excitement was about.  Note that neither Tom nor I were featured in the film.  If you want to see more photos and our comments go to the "Lord of the Wind" post in the Archives.
Jan

Lord of the Wind

 

     Last week was filled with the Lord of the Wind international Windsurf and Kite board Competition here in Los Barriles.  This was the first in what the organizers hope to be an annual event for Baja wind sailors. They lucked out with the wind, as before and after the 5 day event the wind and the sea were calm.  But the Lord of the Wind came through and they had HUGE wind to play and perform in... 25 to 30 MPH.  

Kites waiting for competition. Event site in background.

 

There were about a 150 surfers/borders  participating and hundreds of spectators on the beach off and on throughout the competition. Parties at night (most of which we missed) and lots of  tequila and cold beer for sale at the booths along the beach at the event site to keep the crowds happy. 

Spectators: notice the jackets

I guess there were some big names in windsurfing and kite boarding at the events... none of whom we were familiar with.  I do know that the Mexican national kite board champion participated.  The events that were fun to watch were the Big Air Kite boarding where the competitors leaped off the waves to some incredible heights and...

Wind Surfing slalom race

They also had slalom races between buoys for the wind surfers and kite boarders, some of which resembled roller derby races, a crowd starting at one time where anything goes.   There were a few freestyle windsurfing events where competitors attempted cartwheels and other tricks on their boards.   I was told by friend who windsurfs that the skill levels were very high for this, but sometimes it was hard for us to tell, as we are inexperienced.  There was a long distance race where  wind surfers and kite borders competed at the same time.  The wind was really big that day, and the surprising part was that a windsurfer won the race over the kite borders to take home a $3500 prize. 

It was fun to watch though the problem with this kind of event is that it is very WINDY!!!  After being out on the beach for hours, watching the competition in wind which is laying the palm fronds sideways and picking the sand up off the beach in a sand blast manor, we were ready to go home to cocktail hour and a hot tub.

Painting around Los Barriles

Beach at Cabo Pulmo. Watercolor

Beach at Cabo Pulmo.  Oil

Hello family and friends.  Life here in Los Barriles is rather slow paced.  We are getting into a routine: Up in the morning and take a walk or bike ride along the beach. Yoga class 3 days a week,  reading and Jan paints in the afternoon; hot tub in the evening.  Not all that many tourists here this year according to the local long time Gringos. I think the news from the states has kept a lot of people home.  All the better for the rest of us as it leaves the beaches and the town not very crowded... except for the great lunch place that we have found for fish tacos.  You have to elbow your way in from 12:00-2:00 to get the wonderful fish or shrimp tacos piled with salsa, guacamole, salad and fresh lime... yum. 

The town of Los Barriles is mostly one main strip, several blocks long with a few side streets thrown in. Lots of little adobe-type houses and palapas (palm roofs) and some very expensive places along the water and through the hills around town.  It is still a rural place with dogs lazing around and every once in a while you see cows or the occasional burro walking down the middle of the Los Barriles main street. On Tuesday the fish guy comes by with fresh fish and shrimp, on Wednesday the strawberry guy shows up with crates of berries, and on Thursday the vegetable vendor arrives with organic veggies and fresh, hot tamales.  There is the “Modelorama” beer store across the street from us. Who needs more?

Cardon Cactus    Oil

The streets roll up here about 9 or 10:00.  They call it Baja Midnight. But sometimes there is stuff to do in the evenings. There is live music once in a while, and open mike night at the Roadrunner Cafe, movie night at the poolside in the RV park.  We spent last evening at the local sports bar watching the Ducks lose their game by a hair.  Sitting on one side of us was a couple from White Salmon.  On the other side, a guy from Underwood.  We are finding that this is a seasonal home to many Gorge wind surfers.  Everyone is surprised when they find out we are from the Gorge but don't surf or kite... We tell them that we were living in the Gorge BEFORE there WAS  any windsurfing.  We understand why this is such a popular surf destination, as the wind blows fairly constantly here.  It blows for 3-5 days (enough for white caps and to lay the palm fronds over) and then it slows down for a day or two before blowing back up again.  This is fun for the wind guys but a little hard on us beach bums and painters. When the wind doesn't blow, the fishing is good and is supposed to be world class. Tom just got his tackle together and will be trying his luck soon.

"Site #39" Our spot at East Cape RV   Oil

We are getting ready for the "Lord of the Wind International Windsurfing and Kiteboard Competition" scheduled to begin tomorrow.  Supposed to be some big name surfers competing and it seems to be a big deal, (yet to be seen). They have lots of tents set up on the beach and markers set out in the ocean and will be having several events over a 5 day period.  I'll write it up on the blog if it seems to be worth telling about afterward.

I’ve been going out plein air painting with my friend Linda Hunter once a week around the area.  The rest of the time I’m finding shelter from the wind (sometimes in the doorway of Tortuga) to paint on my own.  I’m learning to paint with oil this winter, but also intend to keep up with watercolor, as I think it is a skill that needs practice or you lose it.  I’ve included some of the paintings that I’ve finished so far.  It’s been a lot of fun
 and nice to have the time to focus on painting. Till next time, Hasta luego amigos!

Hotel Los Cerritos on the Pacific:  from my sketchbook

Wave and Pelican study  Oil

San Bartolo Aroyo, Palo Blanca Tree   Oil