Baja 3000

This was ten years ago... The first website that we built/published around TGT (by Danny Miller). You can see some the original site here.

Some highlights included:
- STP dance (Olson)
- Neumann/Olson Rosarito fight
- Bob's black jacket nightclub throw down
- Fair surf
- Thanks Gibby for the pics

Hangin out. A ~32 year old Nuby, Brough and Miller... Note the classic Wyatt slaps.

Calafia

At the Las Gaviotas pad (note the rarely seen Gibson and Miller)

We totally scored in the Galapagos. The trip was March 2-12, 2007. With 2+ days of travel, we were left with 8 solid days to surf, explore, learn, eat and drink. We had a fabulous boat at our disposal for 4 of the 8 days. We used it to go out of the tight knit community of San Cristobal and strike out to multiple breaks, like Tonga and Manglicito. When the surf was down, or we were surfed out, we would head to other locations, like kicker rock and a small inlet that had seals, iguana, blue-footed boobies and red-throated friggets.

Here are some surf shots... (Thanks to Joe Zuccolotto for the shots!)
for more photos and movies, check here.

Loboria Left
Neumann

Brough

Wyatt

Tonga
Jof

Brough

Wyatt

Manglicito
Brough

Wyatt

Jof

Joe

Nuby

In 2004, we did Ixtapa/Zihuatenajo/Troncones.... Troncones is about one hour north of Ixtapa. Familiar surf spots are Manzanillo Bay, Boca, Burros and the elusive "The Ranch". We had an increadible pad to base out of, with bats and wicked surf right out the back door. Horse shoe and massages were plentyfull and be carefull not to let the burro in to the gate. The trip was during July...HOT, HOT, HOT!!! but the pool right on the beach was the cure.

Surf.... well it was good. One day at Manzanillo Bay was a solid 8' and another day at The Ranch was about the same. Solid surf.... The other days were b/n 3-6, GREAT trip, good fun.

Here are some surf shots... (No full time photogs on this one)
for more photos and movies, check here.

Saliditas
Crew (Olson is takin the pic)

Brozda (who else could pull off a board like that!!!)

Joe Sloppy

Bob

Manzanillo
Olson (sorry Jeff, had to do it)

Boca
Wyatt

Nuby

Brozda

Brough

An incredible trip.... Neumann was the FIRST Honored Mate, the ceremony was established and the rest is history. Great waves, great pad, incredible adventure. We had funky bugs, bats, great chow, bald parrots, the Chevy Autos and Glen the host. Goooood times.

Stuff

Banana bat by the pool

The Hairport

Flat tire (Olson was driving)

The original Honored Mate: Neumann

Should we cross the river? The Jeep should make it, but dunno about the Autos! Brozda was game.

The pad

We had fair surf this trip... I can't even remember the spots. We CHECKED monuments, but it wasn't workin. I don't think we did Zippers, Presidente's, Boy Scouts' or 90 Palms either... But we did this one spot up on the Pacific side, it's called El Pescadero (I believe). It was fun and reminded me VERY much of the Big Sur Rivermouth at Plaskett Creek. It's absolutely the exact same setup.

We had a good time, but I need more pics. Boys, I know we have more and better pics, send 'em to me and I'll post them. Olson, expecially you! You blew that one up for your wall from this session!

El Pescadero
Nuby

We had a great trip. In fact, this trip sparked the journey that put Brozda into his very own Todos Santos pad. Fair surf, great food like the fish we caught that was prepared by the cook at the condo (Whiting's pad), mussels on the side of the road and all the usual goodies.

We did a panga fishing adventure. It was also fair, just like the surf. I don't know the classe de pescado, but I'd guess it's Skip Jack and snapper.... Wyatt of course was in heaven just dropping a line in, and Olson, well he just caught whatever was in sight.

Some pics...

The crew

Fishing
Wyatt does his thing

Olson does his thing (he caught a bird and a local this day)

These are some shots from our trip to Kicker Rock which is about 45 minutes off of San Cristobal. Our guide tricked us into snorkeling with sharks, seals, rays, turtles, etc.... The trick of course, was the shark portion... On the first dive, there were a handful of sharks. They would swim around 20' below us as we passed through a 100-yard crack in the stone island, this was a HUGE adrenaline rush. On the second dive (ya, we went back in, Wyatt and Jof went in three times), there were dozens of primarily Galapagos sharks, but some white tip reef sharks as well... At one point, as many as 10 sharks slowly circled our human bait ball, looking for the weakest morsel. I would have bet against it at that moment, but we all wound up living.

Download shark video

Needless to say, this was not a big surf trip in terms of wave size or quality. Now I know that the east coast can get pretty hairy, but we had no such luck. As far as surfing goes, we messed around with beach break off of Camp Legune in South Carolina for a few days, then headed up to Cape Hatteras in North Carolina via the Ferry system. This took some time, something like 6 hours just to get up there between the driving and boating. In fact, for the entire trip, we logged in ~1,450 miles on the rented truck in 6 days.

Here are the pics. They are ALL at Hatteras along the beach just north of the point.
For more pics, click here.

Cape Hatteras
Bobbie

Nuby

Olson

Wyatt

Doing what he's best known for doing...

Brough

What an awesome trip, the surf sucked, but was of course a blast. But the cool thing about South/North Carolina was the culture. Fried chicken, sweetea, grits, Mr. Bojangles, Waffle House and the southern buffets. The people were different in many ways, not better or worse, just different.

We started in Atlanta to see family, then off to Orangeburg to meet Danny. We soon struck off to the coast. Thanks to Eric Neumann, we were able to actually stay on base at Camp Legune. We saw and heard the huge Howitzers, the new Osprey planes running drills at night as well as tanks and soldiers all around. The actual lodging was..... a trailer. I can still hear Joe say, "A TRAILER! I FLEW OUT HERE TO STAY IN A *&^%^*$* TRAILER!" It wasn't that bad, but what was equally funny was Neumann trying to make it sound so much better than it was.

There was extreme heat and humidity, poker, beer, and an awesome road trip to the outer banks. We took a ferry to Ocracoke, NC where Black Bear the pirate met his ultimate fate. We were introduced to the east coast lighthouses and the hurricane torn banks. Cool stuff.

Here are the pics.....
For more pics, click here.

Bob doing his thing during evening poker.

Ferry trip arriving in Ocracoke.

Joe gettin' ready to rip on the Freaky Teaky.

Camp Legune Howizers.

Joe cooling off.

The crew in Ocracoke at the Jolly Roger (minus Randy who is takin' the pic).

Olson waking up at Neumann's house after a night of fun.

Randy approving the stock.

The infamous trailer.

A great trip... In fact, we came two years in a row breaking unspoken rules against repetition. The first year was filled with solid surf and good times. We stayed at the same place both years, but the second year, we added a few days, 4 I believe, on a "yacht". Both times we arrived in Puerto Vallarta (PV) but quickly headed to Punta Mita, once by rented car, and in 2000 by yacht. Punta Mita is on the south side of the big bay. I've heard many stories of some big golf resort going in up there since, so it's likely that our trip was one that can't be repeated in terms of the culture and surroundings.

Captain Richard was a trip. An older guy, very nice and quite capable, but he had some infirmities that rendered him.... well, creepy. On more than one occasion, we worried for our meager fortunes and even our health, but all was well and he proved to be a trustworthy, albeit trembling compatriot.

The highlights were many. From hitting an AWESOME secret spot north of Punta Mita by ~1 hour, near Santa Cruz, called Chacalla (the video has been lost Brozda and Wyatt) to Olson doing a back flip from the boat on the first day and turning his hand into a cloven flesh hoof. Brozda rushed him all around PV to find a doctor, who subsequently stitched him up for $30 while the rest of us surfed and sucked beers. Another day on Captain Richards ship took us to the Islas Marietas where we snorkeled and jumped from a ~30-40 cliff into the water while taking care not to crush rare bird eggs on our way to the peak.

These were two fabulous trips and many details have faded with time, but boys, pitch in to fill in the blanks.

The Yacht Sylvester and the dreaded pirate Captain Richard

Cruising around Punta Mita

A local beach front restaurant

Jof & Brozda relaxing at Ann's place overlooking La Lancha and Wyatt napping.... because if you aren't surfing or eating, you're sleeping.

Fishing from the Yacht Sylvester

Jumping from a ridge on the Islas Marietas

As I said, the surf was good... Usually 3'-4' and good fun. One particular day at Chacalla was outstanding, but I don't have any pics (help me out boys). Here is the only surf shot I have from La Lancha, it's Nuby from the water, behind the wave... Cool shot.

Cowabunga, this just in, I scrounged some more photos. Check it...

La Lancha
Wyatt

Brozda

Brough

Bill Holt

Nuby

I was a monumental undertaking... Mr. Scott Gibson, who had been to Namotu and Tavarua previously, assembled a group of friends and family that nearly monopolized the island for a week. Namotu allows a maximum of 20 surfers/guests at a time in order to control crowds. Out of the usual TGT crew, only 3 were in attendance, Wyatt, Nuby and Brough, but a solid group of old friends were there, including 3 Gibsons, 2 Skakels, Hoyle, and Bradford.

We left from LAX, arrived in Fiji and boated over to the island. The festivities began. It's clearly a surf destination with nothing to do beyond surf, which is fine, as the surf is outstanding. We had great waves by our standards, but fair to theirs. The first days yielded 4-5' surf while the following days ranged from 3-4'. We surfed Wilkes the first few days, then spent most of our time at Swimming Pools and Namotu Lefts. The left had a strong current and being in shape would have helped.

Some highlights outside of surfing included a fabulous snorkel session with crystal clear water and incredible coral. A trip to Tavarua to hang out and have some beers and check out the spread and ping-pong. The food was fabulous and the service was outstanding. Watch out for the beer tab... EVERYTHING is included, but the bar tab is extra and you settle up at the end of your trip. Nuby was somehow put down for a $200 tab for the Tavarua afternoon alone.

On one special evening in the week, the crew puts on a semi-traditional kava ceremony where all visitors are treated to the opportunity to drink kava, commune and cut loose. Wonga is the island chief and master of ceremonies...

Some pics.
The island

Wyatt, Nuby & Brough (Notice how tall Brough is compared to the other little fellas)

Left to right: Nuby, Gibby, Batty, Wyatt, Beave, Bradford, Harold, Greeny, Brough, can't remember, the doc, Jimmy, Jackie.

Bula dance at kava night

Wonga and kava

Brough wipe out

Swimming Pools

Gibson

Wilkes
Brough

Skakel burnin' Nuby

Nuby

The surf was fair, but the trip... fantabulous. But, this entry is about the surf. These were taken just south of Calafia, on the north side of El Morro. Gibson took pics and Miller hung out on the shore. There was a rocky left hander in pretty shallow water, nearly head high. Fairly fun...

El Morro
Wyatt

Brough

Olson

Ellenwood

Nuby

This trip was my pick. I tried to balance price, lack of crowded surf, wave quality and adventure. Sean at Waterways said to check out Ecuador.... It turned out to be solid on adventure, good on price, poor on waves (while we were there) and pretty low on crowds, except for Montanita. Montanita happened to have a south american surf contentest while we were there... Uggh.

Regardless of surf, we have a ball. This trip was complete with a day in Guayaquil, a happening little town, Montanita, with tons of night life. Very bohemian with folks from around the globe congregating to sell their goods and enjoy life. But as usual, the best times came in the nooks and crannies of hanging with the boys. Like when the "A/C sprung a leak" and drenched Sloppy.... or when Wyatt and Jof wound up at a cheesy discoteca around 3:00 in the morning that looked about as safe as licking an oozing sore on one of the local dogs.

Then there was the discovery of Redbull and Vodka. That was a first for most of us, but not for Nuby. We tend to have more beers when the surf is down, so this trip had plenty of suds.

We stayed at Randy's place, Casa Del Sol at Montanita. They picked us up at and dropped us off at the airport, fed us and drove us all around. It's always nice to not waste time figuring out where the spots are (unless you have plenty of time to kill). We learned a lot about the culture and history from Randy as well.

You can check here for more pics. Also, check out the Casa Del Sol Montanita site for a great base camp, food, and guiding. Randy Hood is the man to see.

I thought I was a little fella! Eric is literally half the size of Wyatt.

Not sure what they are so happy about!?

Casa Del Sol's Cantina.

Joe and the mosquitos...

Montanita nightlife. Oh ya... Scorpions in Ecuador along with the accordion.

One day we went to a big bay to go on a trip to view the Blue Footed Boobies... We also did a little fishing. However, before we could go, we had to push the boat into the water!

Bob caught this bad boy, which we had prepared for us in a local restaurant. Wyatt almost killed the little kid/deck hand as he hogged the pole with the bass hit.

On one day trip, we came across a funky little "dig" with some baby bones... Kind of creepy.

When we arrived we were taken straight to the beaches west of Guayaquil. We were there for a couple of days with modest surf that was in the ~2-3' range. Great points however... showed tons of promise. Getting the modest surf leveled the playing field for the boys as well with everyone getting some mellow surfing in.

Setup at Playas

The view from Casa del Sol's beach bar. This is Montanita. It's the premier spot. It reminded me of Steamer's Lane in Santa Cruz complete with middles lumping in the, well the middle. The outside right breaks along a rock reef that jets out a ways, that reminded me of four mile just north of Santa Cruz. We didn't get this too hot at all, but you could tell that it can get good.

We spent most of our time up the road a bit on a beach strip called "???"

Some other highlights were all of us longboarding on some locally shaped balsa boards. They were pretty cool to look at, but that is where it stopped. They surfed terribly. Way too much rocker. You were lucky to catch a wave let alone ride one with any style.

Here is a long point that they say GRINDS left for hundreds of yards. When it works. We missed this by a day. This is the same place as that has the baby bones on display.

On one trip up the coast Jof and Wyatt hit a spot called El Faro. It had a handful of pumped up locals that took off too deep, only making the wave half the time and messing it up for everyone.

Some shots from various places, but uncertain of the actual dates. Most likely late 80's or early 90's

BTW, I know that it's mostly shots of me, but that's just what I have... Send me your stuff and I'll put it up!

The boys on the coast West of San Thomas...

Brough at Popotla, Northern Baja, MX

Brough at El Morro. Northern Baja, MX

Brough at Nias, Indo ~1987

Gibson in Namotu, ~2000

El Morro, MX. View of the cliffs ~1986

Dahill ripping Lane (Santa Claus Lane that is) ~ 1998

Stylemaster ~2000

This year was a low-budget fun-fest. We flew to Cabo, rented two jeeps and headed east around the peninsula. We stopped at a great right-hander which I believe was called 9 Palms or Boyscouts. We setup camp on the beach and the fun began.... This was the year that Wyatt stomped on an urchin and pee'd on his foot. Brozda, whose father is a doctor, swore that urin would neutralize any poisons. Wyatt bought it until Neumann bellied up and tried to participate!

We went late in the summer, August I believe and the heat was off the chart. Someone fortunately brought a tarp which we strung between the jeeps for shade. It was a lifesaver.

Fun waves, about 3'-4', good conditions and a blast with nobody out.

Upon arriving and finding our spot, we drove onto the beach and promptly got stuck. Fortunately a local happened by and yanked out the gringos.

The Neumann brothers Danny and Mark

Neumann drops in to a nameless right-hander

Brough at the same right-hand reef break

Brough at a spot in town between San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas

Wyatt stoked to be out

I've been to Quatro three or four times. Each time it's the same.... 3-4' and a little mushy. Kind of a Steamer's Lane setup. Good fun, but frankly, not worth the painful 4+ hour drive, especially when there are so many great waves north of Ensenada! For some reason, Quatro is legendary. EVERYONE seems to go, so it must be good. Maybe when it gets heavy.

We did drive up the coast from San Thomas. We passed ship wrecks, which was teeny, but a cool spot. back then, the ship was huge and right in the line up. All in all, a modest trip for surf size and quality. But you know what they say. The worst day surfing......

Good fun.

This is back in the day where if Jagger had a wave, you gave it to him, no questions. Jagger is cutting back into Gibson just to emphasize his authority.

Gibson speed pose with spray to spare.

Wyatt charging on Bob's Goin mini-log right out front.

Wyatt doing his thing.

Stacked.

This is Olson back when he refused to board up. You can see he's pushing some water under his 6'2".

This was an all-hands trip. I think we did Quatro a couple years in a row at this point. The Gibson BMW cactus planer, driving THROUGH a cow carcass was one year before or after this.

This group included the rarely seen Dahill, Jagger and Gibson, along with the usual suspects. Another treat we all enjoyed back in the day was Bob's long hair. It was one of those things that was supposed to be cool, but deep inside, we all knew something was wrong. BUT, he had an awesome truck, paid for gas and wore a black jacket, so we let it slide.

This was the year of the Yucca song, kicking prickly bushes, ditching Gibson in the dark and hangin' in Lance Carson's boat on the bluff.

The bluff at Quatro.

Bob's macho truck. Only Wyatt even came close to the coolness of Bob back in the day.

Bob offered to pay Rob $20 if he'd chug this bottle of cooking oil. Rob didn't finish, but came close and was rewarded with a crisp $20 anyway.

For some reason, every time I made it down to Quatro I expected to find a door on the outhouse.