Popoyo Surf Camp May 5, 2012

Back in Nicaragua with smiles.  We were met at Popoyo Lodge, by JJ, the owner who immediately stated, “the surf is firing!”  Their motto is to surf them hard surf them fast and surf them often.  Surf til you drop.

But, our morning started quite early on Yawl Drive in Cocoa Beach, since 4 of this years’ travelers are Yawlies, the informal name for the residents of our fine street.  Mike, Dave C. Eddie, and myself launched out in the mini van at 5 am.  When I went out to load the Odyssey, I found my other surf companions ambling down Yawl.

Last evening we had a “board” meeting on the front yard to ensure we had all our boards packed up, paired up and ready for the American Airlines punitive charges for surfboard bags.  It was a fun, bonding event with laughs, beers, and boards.

Enroute to MCO airport, the Beachline was illuminated brightly by the amazing full moon we are having.   It was like daylight illumination, with a spooky, Halloween hue as the full luna was at it’s perigee.  The haunting sky is quite appropriate since my musical morning is highlighted by Dr. John’s new album titled, Lockdown which features the Dr’s rasp penetrating voice highlighting  his voodoo flavored and haunting New Orleans blues.   

With the board fee penalty fares paid, we board AA flight 1483 for a short hop to Miami, to then board flight 969 to Managua.  Not even thinking about if the boards were going to make it, we made our way over the Caribbean, to the Nica shoreline.

Just prior to landing, a quick view of the aerodrome reveals some Soviet era helicopters and dome roofed pillbox bunkers, which must be remnants from the Revolution.

In the jetway, we are hit with the searing heat and humidity, and effortlessy and surprisingly make it through Customs and Immigrations without event.

Did all the boards and gear make it.  It appears yes, but no.  Dave R’s roller bag did not make it out the carousel, but he was politely assisted by an AA baggage rep, who assured him his bag would be delivered later this afternoon, and amazingly, it was!!

Our 2.5 hour drive was immediately started by being pulled over by the Polizia before getting a mile from the aeropuerto.  Our crime, was flying the gringo flags of dinero possession, since the multiple surfboards were easily observed in the back of our pick up truck.  Our driver, Will deftly maneuvered out of receiving any fine!!

The next leg of the journey had us passing through the barrio section of Managua before finally making it out onto the (loosely defined) highway, where we noticed how dry this verano season is, having not received rain for 6 months.  The trees, ground, and all vegetation has taken on many shades of brown.

Off the highway, we hit the dirt road for about another hour where, the poverty of Nicaragua is sadly, and most easily observed.  Many of the small abodes are literally stable like, housing the livestock and the people.  In Ryan’s Exhibition last night, I was reminded that 2 million people in this country live in poverty, and 22% of the nation lives in “extreme poverty”

When we finally arrive at JJ’s Popoyo lodge, we are greeted by JJ, and Chris, who is to be our surf guide, as he was last year.  His ever present smile assures us that we will be having a great week with him as our guide.

So, as per JJ’s surf philosophy, we are quickly ushered to our cabinas, change, outfit our surfboards with wax, fins, and leashes, and pile back into our Landcruiser transportation to Popoyo surf break.  Last year the surf was never described to us as “firing”, like it was this year, so we bounced along the pocked road anticipating the first sight of the Pacific.  Wow, the Outer Reef is truly firing. 

Lots of overhead waves with offshore winds, even though I am pacing myself, in the hopes that my 49 year old body will last a week at what can certainly be likened to a surf boot camp.

After surfing, we retire to the community dining area for some wonderful garlic marinated snapper which was freshly caught from a free dive, spearfishing outing.

To bed early this night, as 5 am is our wakeup for a pre sunrise breakfast, and a full day on the panga boat to hit the local breaks accessible by water.  Good night.