Adam Valadez Archives - Gulf Coast Mariner Magazine

Gift Guide for Surfers

November 1st, 2017

Rob Sawyer (@singlefinsociety) in Galveston. Photo by Adam Valadez (@adamisraelvaladez)

CAPTAIN FIN Slasher El Bull 6.5 – The Slasher is a must have. This fin works best in 2+1 longboards providing smooth rail-to-rail surfing and tight turns. www.captainfin.com

TRUEAMES Greenough 4-A Volan – Chuck Ames and the crew at TrueAmes make some of the best fins in the world, by hand, in California. The 10” Greenough 4-A Volan is an all around great fin for any singlefin longboard. www.trueames.com

BIRDWELL BEACH BRITCHES 311 Medium Length Boardshorts – Handmade in the USA with a lifetime guarantee. These iconic boardshorts are made with SurfNyl fabric for strength, comfort, and durability. They also feature triple lace closure with nickel plated grommets and the signature Birdwell wax pocket. www.birdwell.com

BEECH BRAND Serape Beach Towel – Beech Brand towels were created and designed for surfers. These towels have a revolutionary antimicrobial technology to help prevent the growth on a wide array of odor and stain causing bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, algae, and is environmentally friendly. www.beechbrand.com

BRIXTON Bells Straw Hat – This wide brimmed straw hat from Brixton is key for long beach days. This hat will provide full coverage protection for the face, neck and ears. It is also lightweight. www.swell.com

PICKLE WAX REMOVER – The Pickle Wax Remover® is a unique tool used to remove the surf wax from any surfboard. It is not only green in color it is “green” for the environment. The Pickle contains 100% recycled ingredients and does not contain or use any harsh chemicals. The Pickle is reusable and can clean board after board after board. www.picklewaxremover.com

SMITH OPTICS Lowdown ChromaPop – Smith Optics’ signature sunglasses with ChromaPop color enhancing technology make beach days easier on the eyes. These lenses are impact-resistant and offer 100% UV protection. www.smithoptics.com

AQUATECH AxisGO iPhone Water Housing – AxisGO™ is the ultimate Smartphone Imaging System. Designed to protect your iPhone from the harshest weather conditions, while offering the freedom to safely capture those special moments underwater. Capture beautiful images and stunning video with ease, then share instantly with full touchscreen sensitivity. www.aquatech.net

CANVAS SURFBOARDS Purchase Longboard – The Purchase is the perfect classic noserider. Its deep dish concave in the upper third portion of the board makes for long nose rides through critical sections. It does it all. www.canvassurfboards.com

Tags: Adam Valadez, Aquatech, Beech Brand, Birdwell Beach Britches, boardshorts, Brixton, Canvas Surfboards, Captain Fin, Christmas shopping, Galveston, Galveston Texas, Gift Guide for Surfers, Gifts for Surfers, longboard surfboards, Pickle Wax Remover, Rob Sawyer, Smith Optics, surfboard fins, Surfers, Surfing, surfing galveston, True Ames
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Surf Trip: K59, El Salvador

January 3rd, 2017

Garrett Blumenshine surfing a nearby spot, Sunzal. Photo Adam Valadez

friday waves Surf Trip: K59, El Salvador

Photo Kelly Groce

By Kelly Groce

The moment you arrive at K59 Surf Resort in El Salvador, you are in paradise. The smiling faces of the staff welcome you to their colorful, lush compound equipped with a pool, a 2-story palapa with hammocks, and a secluded right hand point break just steps away. Need I say more?

K59 is a 3 hour plane ride from Houston and about a 45 minute drive from the capital of El Salvador, which is San Salvador. Once you arrive at K59, you have no reason to leave. You have a perfect right hand point break all to yourself with a minimal crowd. The staff and other surfers from around the world will be the only happy faces you see in the water. El Salvador is situated straight south on the Pacific, which is great for picking up southern swells. The surf season in El Salvador is almost year round and no wetsuit is needed. The best months are from March to October. November through February, the waves are smaller but very clean. If you want to check out other waves nearby there are plenty such as Sunzal, Punta Roca, Mizata, etc.

Photo Adam Valadez @adamisraelvaladez

When you aren’t surfing, there’s plenty of other activities. The area is so beautiful, the best thing to do is to enjoy the views, take a dip in the pool, and enjoy a siesta in one of the hammocks while listening to the sound of the waves. You can also fish or explore the beach on low tide. One of the staff members can take you on a tour of nearby waterfalls, volcanos, or Mayan ruins. There is a masseuse at the resort, that gives a deep massage under a palapa, which is nice after surfing nonstop for days.

When you stay at K59 Surf Resort, 3 meals a day are included in your stay. Their menu offers delicious local cuisine, fresh seafood, fruit, and vegetables. They have ice cold El Salvador cervezas available, Pilsener and Suprema, for $2.00 which they put on your tab that you pay at the end of your stay.

The manager, Geovanny, and his staff go above and beyond to take care of you and make sure you are having nothing less than a great trip. Not only do they become your friends, they are very talented at surfing. It is amazing to watch.
When you stay at K59 Surf Resort, the only thing you have to think about is surfing. With staff that takes care of all your needs, food and drinks on site, comfortable bedrooms with A/C, and perfect waves out front – this place is a surfer’s dream.