Hello fellow surfers,
Do you have a place that you can go to get away from the stress and monotony of your daily life? Maybe it is school, work, running errands, or even costant social obligations that take up all your energy. Sometimes it is too much. When I was in Arizona I would hike up in the mountains surrounding Tucson. Even watching the sunrise  on the side of A mountain was enough to get me through the week, but there are places around Mt. Lemmon, the White River, and all over Arizona much more pristine and beautiful than this.
We all have a place we can go to that is both serene and beautiful. Maybe it is in your dreams or in your past. For me these special places are often found on the coast of California. They are special because they bring me peace. I feel most at peace sitting on my surfboard waiting for the crest of the next set wave to peak in front of me. Every surf spot is as different as a snowflake and in costant transformation. Each pounding wave coming from a different place and a different angle, the bottom of the sea is in perpetual motion, while I float weightless and motionless on the surface. Time stands still while you are surfing. If you live in SoCal the grip of daily life, noise, and pollution even force me to surf out of my element. Surfing should never have to be squeezed in between deadlines.
When you are out alone at a remote break, that is when you feel it the most. It is being at peace and excited at the same time. It is beyond words. I felt it strongest in northern Baja surfing with my friends in the club. I can’t say it was better at one spot over another, because they all are unique. A few spots do stand out in my memory. One is called Salsipuedes. The name I guess translates to “never get out”. How John’s volvo made it all the way up that steep windy dirt road after a rainstorm I will never know. I wasn’t eager to leave. I can think of worse places to be held hostage by mother nature. A few days prior we discovered for ourselves what was so special about it.
We found the place on our first trip into the unknown land of Baja. The spirit of exploration and adventure was strong but we had all had our fill for the day. When we rolled down the mountainside to our campsite we were tired. We had just spent the day packing up our gear then chasing an elusive wave that I saw while riding in the car. Some people thought I was halucinating. We found a wave that was surfable, but it was nothing great. By the time we reached Salsi everyone was ready to give up. Could this be the place? There were not waves, just a hut and a campground. Nothing but boulders at the bottom of this steep hillside. No waves. At that moment I stepped in a cactus trying to look down the steep hillside. Â That was just the icing on the cake for me. Â I said, “guys lets go”, but they insisted on trying to speak espanol or spanglish with the camp’s gatekeeper. Someone translated the surf is on the other side of the hill, so we took off. Down we went all trying to see the waves from the car, but the cliffs were to high. Usually my imagination runs wild and the real thing is not nearly up to par.
When I took my first glimpse over the edge I thought I was dreaming. We all couldnt believe how breathtaking this place was. A left point break on one side, an A frame reef break on the other with both ripable lefts and rights. Ever since that moment I have been mesmerized by the place. I prefer the left off the reef break, but would surf the other two in a heartbeat as well. The easiest paddle out I have ever had because there is a deep channel, this way you never get pounded on the way out. You sit at one or two spots of the reef where it mushrooms, and once you find the right spot it is an easy take off. You can sit out there all day and it feels amazing. Watching the sunset reflect off the water and the long point at the end of Ensanada Bay creates a breathtaking view. The only thing snapping me back to reality is the sound of my friend hollering as he paddles into position. I rise up the wall watching as he pushes to his feet. A split second later he is catapulted down the line on a nice right. That moment is frozen in time for me and for every other surfer. A place we are always chasing or dreaming of.
I long to return to this place wherever it may be. After adjusting to life across the border I have learned  surfers can no longer camp there. Salsi is closed while another resort is built so someone can make money on the nature phenomenon that occurs there. It may never be the same, but everything changes. I’m sure there are still great waves there and to me it will always be perfect.
– Jeff
