Baja Rosarito Surf Club

Growing up in Southern California we are lucky to be just a stones throw from the boarder to Mexico. Even though Baja is a short drive and super accessible, to me, it always felt like you were dipping into a secret treat. Baja is basically the same natural environment as Southern California but with out the strip malls, stucco houses and planned living everywhere. You realize you are in a totally different space and think that this must be what SD to LA looked like way back. I was never what you would call a major frequenter of Baja but I definitely have my fair share of trips. The crisp memories of some amazing surfs and the foggy memories of some nights made going to Baja really special.

Part of the appeal of Baja was knowing that something crazy could happen at any time. But back then, crazy meant having to pay off a cop with $20, meeting someone you would never see again or worst case stay a night in a Baja drunk tank. Now-a-days the scene is much different. There are killings on the regular, people getting kidnapped for ransom and assaults of all kinds. Baja went from being a secret gem to a place you really think twice or even three times about going to.

The current state of Baja is really too bad too because the people are some of the nicest you will meet. Unfortunately any time you mix desperation with drugs and money you create an ugly and volatile situation. This really does not effect Southern California too much as a lot of people just choose not to go to Baja anymore. The people that suffer are the good people that depended on the tourism from the US. The hotel workers, shop owners and restaurants are all indirect victims of this complete lack of regard for decency or even human life. Now the youth have an even harder time getting ahead as a major component of their economy is disappearing.

The social environment has changed but the surf is still there and the water is still cold. So when I had collected enough wetsuits Baja was the first choice in where to send them.

I was lucky enough to meet Pete, from Ensenada, about 16 years ago and did a road trip surfing our way to Cabo and back with a few friends. When I decided to see what SLVDR could do in Baja he was he person I contacted. He was stoked on the Common Thread Project idea. So though Pete, SLVDR was able to get wetsuits to the Baja Rosarito Surf Club to pass out to deserving kids. I know they are only wetsuits but now some kids have an opportunity to surf when the water is cold rather than getting caught up in some other activity that might not be so positive. What these kids can learn from surfing; perseverance, individuality and self confidence will help them succeed in other aspects of their life.

We hope that some day soon Baja can work out the issues that are plaguing the area. Until then we will remember how good it was and invest in its future.