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FAQ
What are the conditions like at Punta San Carlos?
Am I good enough to sail there?
What’s the area like?
Is there anything for non windsurfers to do?
Is SoloSports an Oceansource Centre?
What equipment do they have?
How big is the centre?
Do I need a visa?
What are the conditions like in Punta San Carlos?
Pure wavesailing gold. Punta San Carlos is one of the world’s most famous point breaks where swells from the Pacific break on perfectly aligned rock reefs, resulting in ridiculously long, smooth lines that break with near machine-like precision. On a good day you can ride the same wave for over a kilometre and there’s probably nowhere better for learning, improving or just delighting in the pleasure of riding waves.
The wave breaks from around waist high on small swells to over mast high on the biggest days.
Am I good enough to sail there?
If you can waterstart, sail in coastal conditions in the UK or Europe and stay upwind on a sub 90 litre board you’re probably easily good enough to sail at PSC. Photos of the wave are often misleading, it’s easy to assume that everyone sailing there is expert, simply because they all look like experts. The reality is that riding on perfect waves such as PSC is actually very easy. If you can’t ride down the line before you go, you’ll soon learn after a couple of waves!
When big swells hit it does get a bit more serious, but it remains a soft and easy wave by wavesailing standards. You can also sail a little downwind where the waves are smaller.
The launch is from a somewhat rocky beach, with minimal shorebreak. And it’s not an intimidating place to sail.
What’s the area like?
Punta San Carlos is a desert point located 275 miles south of the San Diego/Tijuana border on the Pacific Ocean side of Baja California. It’s almost untouched by modern man and the nearest town is El Rosario, about 50 miles to the North East.
With mountains on one side and the ocean on the other you feel as if in a huge natural amphitheatre. As you get tuned into the place you begin to notice the wildlife, the rock formations and the sheer natural majesty. It’s a natural detox for those who spend too long indoors and in front of a monitor. A wild and natural playground populated by eagles, whales and coyotes and decorated by ancient rock art. It has to be seen to be believed.
Is there anything for non windsurfers to do?
There is plenty to do aside from windsurfing, but this is a holiday for lovers of the great outdoors in one form or another. For sports fans it’s not just about windsurfing. The mountain biking is exceptionally good, with miles of winding singletracks. The surfing is dreamy good, as is the SUPping (stand up paddleboarding). It’s also a good spot for kiting.
Anyone with even a passing interest in wildlife will love it in PSC. As will botanists, geologists, zoologists and anthropologists. Many visitors just enjoy hiking through the desert and beachcombing on the beaches or stargazing at night at a panorama of sky unspoilt by modern light pollution.
Since the SoloSports camp has an open bar for all clients the evenings can get lively at the camp from time to time!
Is SoloSports an Oceansource Centre?
No, the centre is owned and run by SoloSports, a US company that has been running trips down to Punta San Carlos for over twenty years, becoming experts along the way. SoloSports manage the land in PSC and offer visitors two options: "Roughing it" with self sufficient, fee camping (for those that drive down in their own campervan), or the all-inclusive adventure holidays offered here.
The company is owned and run by Kevin Trejo, a super-keen Californian windsurfer with a real sense of respect for the land. It’s a real company run by windsurfers for windsurfers.
What equipment do they have?
SoloSports is largely an RRD centre, with plenty of freestyle waves and wave cults, and supplemented with some Quatro and Goya boards that took their fancy this year! All the sails are Ezzy, rigged on carbon skinnies and provided with very high quality carbon booms. All the equipment is in very good condition and you simply take what you fancy – no need to reserve a board. There are also SUPs and surfboards on hand, plus mountain bikes all racked up in the campo.
How big is the centre?
The centre can take about 20 guests at any one time.
Do I need a visa ?
Visitors to Mexico from the UK do not need a visa but your passport should have at least six months left to run.
Visitors to the United States with a British Passport can enter the United States for up to 90 days.
Holders of other passports should check with their consulates whether visas are needed for both the US and Mexico before booking these trips.
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Testimonials
A few comments from former clients
"What a great week! Excellent surfing and windsurfing. As soon as the family allows I will be back."
"The team in San Carlos was great, super, excellent, and more… Great driving and local food on the way, super food and the wonderful early morning coffee, excellent help, support (i.e. showers, board and rigging consulting/tips), friendship, entertainment, etc. Our sincere thanks and congrats to such a wonderful and skilled team."
"The single track trails you've created through the years have evolved to be some of the most fun riding I've done in years."
"Kevin, you bring a lot of life and entertainment to the place with your energy and sense of humour."
"The best place I've ever seen for learning to wavesail"
-Jem Hall
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