NICARAGUA SURF RETREAT
Nicaragua! Famous for its barreling beach breaks, warm water and steady offshore winds 24/7. Nicaragua enjoys most of its tourist dollars from surf related tourism. With over 300 surfable days per year and still affordable accommodations, it’s become a popular surf destination for the surf travel adventurer.
This was my 6th travel experience with Fulcrum Travel and it did not disappoint. With two top tier coaches, including Sean Santiago, our small group of eight guests were well prepared for a ripping good time in Nic. Our surf destination, Playa Colorado is a well known and popular beach break in Southern Nicaragua, where Lake Nicaragua creates a steady delivery of offshore winds. Most known for consistent barreling waves, it’s a magnet for the barrel hunting aficionado.
Fulcrum had us covered from start to finish, including a travel van to L.A. for surfers and boards, flights, transfers, accommodations and meals. It’s a longish trip to the Colorados break in Nic, so we were happy to arrive at our comfortable and secure villa in the Nicaragua Surfing Association managed compound two and a half hours outside of Managua airport. For the third world leery, safety was never a concern.
The Pacific side of Nicaragua is ‘dry’ forest, but certainly feels plenty tropical, boasting its share of insect life (bug spray required) and abundant foliage. At dawn and dusk the eerie calls of Howler monkeys reverberate through the tree tops. Land wandering crabs and a snake were also spotted (outside of our house) and rumor had it there was a salty’ croc seen on the main peak. Though I have to wonder if that was a break clearing tactic to thin out said peak!
Though road weary from a red eye flight, it was everybody in the surf shortly upon arrival. Clear 80 degree surf greeted us a short walk from our villa with plenty of waves on tap. The remainder of the most recent swell offered barrels and fun rights and lefts. The occasional and harmless bat ray catapulting itself into the sunlight and flapping it’s wings before plunging back into the water.
Our group consisted of a wide range of surf talent and experience, from novice to expert. Fulcrum trips are designed to accommodate every level of surfer and one thing to be sure of; there is plenty of fun and challenge for all. Surfing spouses or significant others can enjoy a variety of alternative options or lay out poolside to their heart’s content.
We proceeded to enjoy a relaxing, yet invigorating week with two to three sessions of surf a day – dawn till dusk – with additional options for in-house massage, motor bike rentals and a gallop down the beach on horseback. Duck diving sessions were held for those who needed practice in the pool. And everyone got a shot at being barreled, most captured by Dan or Sean on their Go-Pros. We had a pro photo session one afternoon and everyone came home with outstanding action shots on one of the most fun surf days of the trip!
A local cook prepared our three meals a day with a variety of local fare. There was plenty of time for naps, games, techy surf talk and walks on the beach.
Though the major swell never quite materialized, there were plenty of chests to head high plus sessions and our most experienced members charged some magnificent waves, got spit out of some gnarly barrels and dominated the peak. They are a surfing force to be reckoned with, playful yet powerful and a joy to watch and learn from.
We all came home sun soaked and tired, but wearing big grins and bearing many wonderful memories.
Can’t wait for my next adventure with Fulcrum Travel this fall in El Salvador, so stay tuned. Fulcrum Travel has an amazing line up of surf adventures planned over the next couple of years and I plan to vacate reality and join in on as many as possible. If you’re looking for a new surf experience, to up your game and have fun with like minded surfaholics, this is the way to go!
Hoping to see you in the water!
Cindy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jbkqTZkHmlU