Windsurfing in Los Barriles/ Cabo San Lucas BAJA

[BrettLinde]

It has been too long since I have sailed.. I will be visiting Cabo from the 14-21st and want to sail in Los Barriles. I can see that Vela has rentals there and I am sure some of you have sailed there. I will be staying at a resort on the corridor next to Cabo so about 40 miles from Los Barriles but will have a car. Any advise or tips on how to rent, where to go, things to avoid? I do speaka da spanish and enjoy the less touristy things/places to go so please share any juicy nuggets of info you may have!!!!
Hope all is well for the local Windsurfing Crews!!

Brett

[RickHeninger]

Brett...

It's tttttoucgh to typeee. Youl just have to tak me with. XCan show yuu. Must sttop writin... too tyrrred

Never been there myself... But really want to get there one of these winters... From what I know though, I'd hook up with Vela... Stuff rigged for you on the beach, they know the conditions, etc...

Lucky Dog... Chambon! Tu jueges por el otro equipo por no invitarme! je je! Navigas con los angeles! Que le vaya bien! Con quien vas?

PS Puedo dar te un poquito de aviso, NO toma el agua a menos que sea desenfectado si no quieres correr todo el dia al trono hecho de porcelina!!!

[bajabliss]

Hi Brett,

Vela in Los Barriles has gear to rent but they rent to their full-package guests first, if I recall correctly. If there is gear left over then they'll rent it to walk-ins. So you might not always have your first pick of sail size or board if you're a walk-in.

Why not just blow off Cabo, which is a sh!thole, and stay with Vela for a week (no driving, better atmosphere than Cabo, etc)?

Also, Ian and Megan are renting kiting gear this year at North Beach in Los Barriles. They also teach kiting. I believe they are both still affiliated with Vela, in case you should wish to inquire.

As for things to avoid: Carry a spare $20 to bribe the police (they'll ask for $80 but be polite and smile and talk them down). Go snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo (25 miles south of Los Barriles). Go hiking at Aqua Caliente (up into the canyon in the mountains). Rent a mtn. bike from Vela and check out the singletrack around Los Barriles. Eat at the La Palmas in Los Barriles. Don't drive at night!!!

Have fun and be safe.

-Josh

[John Freed]

Hey Brett...
I was down in Cabo several years ago, and drove up to the Vela resort hoping to sail for the day... for starters the drive took me a lot longer than I expected (I want to say maybe even 1 1/2 hours ??). And as reported, Vela rents to their "in-house" clients first and "maybe" if anything is left they "may" rent it to you. I thought they were very un-accomodating. Ended up, that there was no wind that day, so I just sat around and decided to pass on driving back up there another day for another shot. I don't know if the same people are running the joint... but if I were you, I would try to call/email ahead and get some kind of rental committment.
John

[BrettLinde]

Hi John F..
Had the same experience as you almost. Was a 1.3 hour drive from Cabo to los barriles. The drive reminded me of the stretch of road from Hanksville utah to Bullfrog. Desert with the Black Mountains to the side of you. There was a lot more green though in mexico than in utah on that drive though. The City of los Barriles was very nice, much better than the tourist trap feel in Cabo. The City reminded me of a mexican version of San Clemente, Ca. Much poorer of course but the same laid back feel. I had no idea where the Vela Resort was but I followed the force, the force was strong and it took me right to the resort.. They were very nice, no wind day of course but they offered a cell # for me to call before I made the drive again. Nice setup and fun to see a 100 yards of rigged and ready brand new sails and boards for your parusing. Now that i know the lay of the land, i would love to come back to that place. I actually have sailed in the sea of Cortez twice before, when I lived in Yuma AZ, in high school, we would drive down to San Felipe and camp on the beach. Of course i was just getting started and wasnt able to do much except uphaul and putz around..
I did come back with a January Tan. See you in the spring!!
Brett