Maunabo to Patillas December 23, 2009

Well, today was a fun, easy ,beautiful and more than anything,an interesting paddle. The characters and situations that exposed themselves and unfolded right in front of me still have me laughing and scratching my head. I love living in Puerto Rico.

I knew right from the start that things could get interesting because I drove 55 miles to Maunabo by myself to do a downwind paddle with no one on the back end to drive me back to my car 10 miles upwind. I figured that I needed to find out first hand, the logistics of what to do once I got to the beach in Patillas. I planned on paddling in to the beach at one of the better surf breaks on the South coast known as Inches. A bit confused of exactly where I was, I saw 3 fisherman and decided to paddle over and ask them how much further to Inches.

They pointed pretty far back upwind and I was already a couple miles past it. In no mood to paddle back upwind I casually inquired about where I was exactly, and if there may be anyone nearby that would be willing to give me a ride back to my car at the lighthouse in Maunabo for a few bucks. Luis, one of the fisherman seemed very willing and able to give me a ride back. I said thanks, and offered to buy him lunch and beers for his generosity. I met him on shore and all of a sudden his story and attitude and car and generosity became a scam to rip me off of probably my board, paddle, camera, money , sunglasses, etc. When he became aware I was onto him, he became very aggressive, and almost threatening. Long story short, he didn't get my stuff and I shook him.

Sketchy dude, Luis, who pulled a 180 on me.

So I flag down a publico full of people and explain my dilema and with a bit of begging and support from everyone in the public taxi cab, 3 locals hop out with the driver and help me strap my board on top for a ride through the countryside and coast back to my car. I think I am probably the first to paddleboard that stretch of coastline but I can almost guarantee I am the first to hop in a public taxi cab shirtless, wet, smiling, laughing out loud about another typical day in the controlled chaos and unpredictable fun of lovely Puerto Rico!

Here I am- first guy ever to hop in a public taxi cab shirtless, wet, smiling.  Loving it!

Thanks amigos!

The paddle today was 9 miles and less than 2 hours and spectacular in it's beauty. Want to thank all my sponsors du jour.

Tanya for mobile phone support and her camera and coming to help me with the blown out tire on the way home. Daniel, thanks for the jack that i forgot and needed in order to change the tire. Lincoln for his webpage savey!  Without him nobody would be reaqding this.  Vicente the publico driver who allowed me to laugh the whole ride back to Maunabo. Carmen the 60 year old grandma who rode copilot and wanted me to take her home with me(super friendly but not my type). And to Luis the fisherman who reconfirmed that it's absolutely fine not to trust everyone you meet.

Rest of the photos from todays Paddleboarding Around Puerto Rico:

Hope everyone enjoyed this.  So much more coming soon!