Rincon PR

[SUPsurferFL]

Hi everbody, i've made mention a couple different times about going down to Rincon PR for my honeymoon and have heard some very good things but wanted to gather a bit more information from those who are familiar with the area.

I'm an intermediate level SUP surfer (capable of surfing in chest - head waves) with a 12ft SUPatx board, i'm coming from beach breaks and have never experienced the power of reef waves. I'm also a prone surfer that is use to a 8'1" McTavish HP LB, and i also have a 6'10" WRV Fun Fish, i'm experienced but my skills need some work, as i've been battling shoulder issues for the last 10 years and haven't caught as many waves as i'd like to keep sharp.

Bascially, a forgiving wave / reef would be preferred but at the same time i'm interested in getting experience on world class small - medium size waves. I've recently gotten back into fairly good shape but plan on being in much better shape come October. BTW, I'm 5ft' 9", 170lbs (down from 205), just to help with board size.

What i want to know is, what type of boards should I be looking to ride down there, both SUP / prone? Bobby at Mar Azul will be including the boards with his villa we are renting so i'll probably get my pick of the litter being it's not "peak season".

In addition to boards, what other information can you offer as far as what's the more layed back spots I can enjoy SUP surfing without hassle? This is my honeyoon, so I want to keep things chill and rather tame, and will save the sketchy more dangerous spots for another trip in the near future, but any tips you have are welcome.

[SUPsurferFL]

Any Rincon locals on here? Or maybe frequent visitors?

[SUPsurferFL]

Rincon most be a real secret. Thanks everybody!

[Bklyn2Oahu]

Fun shape surf board should do ok this time of year in Rincon; not much chance for a solid winter swell so I would be looking at a 7-8' fun shape.  Crowds are always around when there's solid swell, but if there's not much surf, you shouldn't get too hassled on your SUP. 

[SUPsurferFL]

Fun shape surf board should do ok this time of year in Rincon; not much chance for a solid winter swell so I would be looking at a 7-8' fun shape.  Crowds are always around when there's solid swell, but if there's not much surf, you shouldn't get too hassled on your SUP. 

Thanks man, i'll be out there toward the end of October, so not sure if that changes anything you said, but i appreciate the feedback. Also my SUP is 12ft and I  haven't had any experience on anything else, If I go down there and try a 10ft or smaller, will that be a huge difference that will set me back skill wise or should i just stick to a 12 footer?

[abmatt]

Waves that time of year could be just what you're looking for. With your experience and weight you should do just fine on a 10 footer or even a 9-6. You'll probably be thrilled at the difference, once you take few minutes to get your feet under you. And congrats on the weight loss. How'd you do it?

[SUPsurferFL]

That's good news, i know waves are never a guaranteed but i like my odds if i'm going to be there for a full week. So a 9'6" - 10ft SUP shouldn't be too much of a drop off? I like that because i'm trying to get more advanced in my manuevers and the 12 footer is making that rather challenging, but i'm still improving on it every time i go out.

As far as the weight loss goes, i basically got serious about my fitness after i got my SUP last year and started paddling every weekend. I SUP surf and prone surf anytime there are waves and will be in the water from sun up to sun down, and any days that I don't surf I go out and flat water paddle for hours. Then during the week, since I live 1-2hrs to any beaches, I jog / run for about 30-45 minutes a few times per week, and i jump in the pool and swim laps several days as well, and the days i don't run, i typically go for a bike ride, when I get back from running or biking I like to do push ups and sit sups, and pull ups, and i throw in some dumbell workouts, all of which i do in my living room. I even have a Playstation Move and use this boxing / fight game to get a good sweat going, some may laugh at that but don't knock it till you try it HAHA

In addition to all the exercise I changed my diet and went back to eating more whole foods, and stopped eating fast / processed foods. I typically will eat a low/non-fat yogurt in the morning, followed by an apple or a banana, for lunch / dinner i usually eat fish / chicken with some salad, and steamed veggies. Between lunch & dinner I typically will eat an orange or one of the other fruits. I don't stay away from carbs, but i keep them to a minimum with portion control, and I make sure to only eat wheat or whole grains, nothing white. For veggies it's the greener the better.

That's about it, nothing real special, just discipline and consistency and making sure to do something physical every day, doesn't have to be really hard work outs every day (just occassionally), just as long as you do something, that's my philosphy at least and it has worked better than imagined.

[abmatt]

Ah! Exercise and watching what you eat. Dang, I was hoping you had a magic bullet! In all seriousness, sounds like you're doing it the right way. Funny what happens when you get a SUP, huh?
Hey if you're ever up in Jax, give us a shout. We've got a good crew here and will be happy to show you around, loan a board, whatever.

[SUPsurferFL]

Thanks abMatt, i appreciate that, i'll definitely keep that in mind if i'm in the area. I typically drive over to Ponce Inlet / New Smyrna, but if I decide to head to Jax i'll look you up for sure. Yeah, no substitute for exercise / watching what you eat. I even give myself a day every week where I let myself have whatever I want and that seems to keep me from feeling deprived.

It's all about balance from what i've found. I just make sure to not drink soda, although occassionally i'll break down and have one, but it's not a habit (anymore). I drink mostly water, decaf coffee, Arizona RX Stress Tea, and I still enjoy having a few beers here and there or a glass or two of wine. I think keeping things from being too "extreme" is the secret to making it a lifestyle. Extreme diets and work out routines burn out eventually, having balance keeps that from happening IMO.

[Bklyn2Oahu]

October does change things a bit compared to May.  October has potential to get hurricane swells as well as solid low pressure swells.  Check the forecast prior to going.  If there's solid surf, crowds will be a heavy.

[LBatBeach]

I dont live in Rincon, but do live on the NW coast of PR.  October can be very good.  Typically not windy.  Most swells at that time of year are more from the NE.  If that is the case, you will be traveling up our way to the many breaks between Ramey and Isabela.  Other than the bay here at Shacks, your best bet for NE swell on your SUP will be Surfers Beach.  Not real reefy so its a good spot.  But if the surf is on, it will be crowded with proners.  If you get some NNW swell, Marias will probably suit you fine in Rincon.  Baby Tres can be fun on SUPs if its big but not big enough for Tres Palmas to really break for prone surfing.  One of the most popular breaks is Wilderness.  It is just east of the airport BQN and works great with some west in it.   There are some really good SUPrs who ride there in all conditions.   Jose at Aquatica being one of them.  He rents gear as well.  There is also a new SUP shop that just opened outside of Ramey on the 110.  Its called Verde Azul.  They rent boards and give sup tours.  I am sure you could hire them to take you to the surf spots.

As for me, I only SUP at Shacks.  9'4 MHL custom if windy.  7'8 Naish Hokua if its clean.  I prone all the other spots.  The bay at Shacks is an ideal SUP wave.  It can have good size but is generally a bit slopey for most proners.   So SUPs dominate there.  the paddle out is no picnic once it gets overhead.  Info on all these breaks is available via surfline and many other www sources.  

Bottom line is that you will have a blast.  Dont expect to be welcomed on your SUP at the regular surf breaks, but stay off the main peaks and be respectful and it will be all good.

[Bklyn2Oahu]

LBatBeach,

I caught Shacks all time with two or three of my friends (only ones out) around 2000/2001.  Ate it bad on one take off, thought I was going to die!!  Good times; we probably know some mutual friends.

[LBatBeach]

Yep, know the feeling.  Shacks is not a user friendly break.  The main peak at the point is one of the shallowest  most reefy breaks in the area.  But on a SUP, if you can make it out, you really get rewarded with super long rides with a nice wall from the peaks in the bay.  It just has to have east in it.   Lots of wind, most of the winter, so kiting is the primary sport here.

BTW, we had a couple of families from the cape rent from us this year.  They loved surfing out front.  Good guys.

[newton333]

bring a good leash!!!  believe me i kno!!!

[SUPsurferFL]

Thanks for the advise, all good info. I'll be staying in Bobby's villa at Mar Azul Surf Shop and he is including all boards and SUP's for free, so i just have to let him know what I need and he will hook it up. I've been doing lots of research on the area and have surfline so i've read up on each of the breaks you mentioned and then some, but nothing better than talking to someone who actually lives there.

Mar Azul is located in Puntas i believe, and is just short drive to Maria's, Domes, Tres Palmas, etc., I'm interested in going wherever is the most layed back but has a decent wave in the waist - head range. Not looking for anything too extreme and a beach that is family friendly would be ideal as my wife will be hanging out on the beach while i surf. I'm sure Bobby will guide me in the right direction as well, but the more I know beforehand the better IMO.