How will the recent hurricane damage in Puerto Rico affect the winter surf season?

I'm thinking about a December trip. I know that at least one surf resort in Rincon is back open on generator power, but what have you heard about the speed of the rebuilding process in PR?

I would guess that there are also some worthwhile volunteer opportunities once you get down there.

So, in summary, how does the surfing infrastructure look for this upcoming season in PR? 

Edited: 11/02/2017 at 06:15 PM by NorwayNorty

Have you ever been there??

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Tubes, Boobs, & Doobs!!!

Yes. 

Edited: 11/02/2017 at 06:16 PM by NorwayNorty

If you're going to Rincon, Isabella, and/or Aguadilla, you better be ready to see a true "War Zone". And if you th ink you're going down there for a vacation/surf trip without bringing a bunch of relief stuff, an ass load of. $$ to give, and/or an 8 hour day of bust ass, blue collar work the entire time your there, and maybe a dawn or eve sesh if you're lucky, then you're just pouring salt on the wound and part of the problem, not the solution!! Go to Costa, Nica, or Bados ifvyou wanna go on a surf trip!! I doubt you could handle PR right now!!!

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Tubes, Boobs, & Doobs!!!

Try Bocas Del Toros instead. Better to not go to a distaster area for a vaca... but i bet they do need helping hands in PR tho, so maybe surf/volunteer trip.

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The Dude Abides.

http://www.rollerphotography.com/

Marriott Courtyard at Ramey is offering rooms starting January.  I suspect they might be optimistic.  The electricity situation looks bad, but it seems there's patches of electric in Isabela, Aguadilla, Aguada, and Rincón, including the occasional drug store and supermarket.

Now, and for more than a few months to come, PR is Feral. People down the street are still waiting for the rest of their family to get to Florida. They say that what you and I see on the "news" is just the tip of the iceberg. Most places really are FUBAR.

Right now, "vacation" + PR = What The Fuck Are You Thinking!!??

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Dora Hates You

^ 

 

 

Edited: 11/03/2017 at 04:37 PM by StirfryMcflurry

You're an idiot, this is the problem with people being anonymous online.

Here are my thoughts about this:

People were living on Puerto Rico for at least 6,900 years before electricity, according to archaeologists, not to mention the accounts of Columbus and his crew, who found people very well established there. During that time they've had thousands of hurricanes. Each time it happens, the show must go on.

The show must go on, bro. These people want your business, sooner rather than later. An island's economy can't survive on FEMA dollars forever. They're a U.S. territory so don't hold back. Don't trust the Red Cross to spend your donations wisely, they'll just hire more staff and give their CEO a bonus. Dont' listen to DickCough, go spend your money and support local businesses in PR as soon as you'd like.

Edited: 11/03/2017 at 06:41 PM by NorwayNorty

+1

Tourism is the major part of the Economy. PR has all ways been a good deal. Cheap and close. Perhaps the crowds have thinned.

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So if you are a surfer I wish you the prosperity that allows you more time to pursue the salt water dream, and the true happiness that comes from warm water, clean waves and the companionship of your fellow surfers. If you are an internet troll just spewing bs then f off.

Taino Mini Golf in Aguadilla has water & power. Taino Mini Golf

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The Wavecaster

Yeah, the Legends contest is coming up in Jan, and there are going to be a lot of "vacationers" on "surf trips" who might not have time to volunteer. I'm betting these people would rather you come and spend your money than avoid the island altogether. 

I'll be off to aguadilla tomorrow. 

Sounds like you know it all already Norty, why bother asking? let us folks know how your trip goes haha.

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Do you know what Wubba-LubbA-Dub-Dub means in BirdPerson language?

Hahaaaa

My original question was "what's the situation on the ground?" Thanks to those people who answered the question. 

I stand by my opinion. If you want to dismiss me, join the herd. Say "moo" and write another negative post when I'm actually trying to say something in support of Puerto Ricans. 

Edited: 11/03/2017 at 08:05 PM by NorwayNorty

I was in San Juan last week and the airport looked fine.  Electric up. Credit cards worked. Plenty of food. 

As for NW Pr I have no idea. Why not go help and surf a little?

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Trading Surfboards for Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Send me Bitcoin 1Dk8oJnprZfvXGDfZpxkuoko8SSVf5Tpp2

Boards For Sale: SUPs 11 foot and 12 foot BRAND NEW. Fair prices.

Oh how I love the 0-60 hostility when it comes to differences of opinion. You'd think surfers would be decent to one another. Sounds like a bunch of hateful liberals trying to squash others points of views while demanding theirs be seen as correct. Next we will be told it's church or brimstone!! Well peeps, after 20 plus million galllons of RAW DUECE was frapped into the river which comes out the inlet where I like to surf with all you ''rippers'', the brimstone is already here so don't be a dickhole.......

Well, OK, sure, let's go to PR! But, , , , let me ask, , , , do you have a skilled trade, or certificate/license, that might be helpful to PR's rebuild?

Really.

San Jaun might be starting to be "OK", but if you get even a short distance "out of town", you are going to be in some pretty tall weeds.

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Dora Hates You

Onegoodturn, I see a little guy frapping and smoking cigs in the dunes at OK’s all the time before he paddles out, so gross...but the little guy rips!!

Edited: 11/04/2017 at 09:13 AM by TangArang

I hope that is directed at "Norty" for getting all bent out of shape when people expressed their negative opinions. 

I always say don't ask if you don't want to hear all possible answers; especially in a public forum.

That sounds a lot more like Fish Killer and obx from NSR. 

With all the rain we got, 20 million gallons was diluted to almost homeopathic levels by the time it got to the inlet. Not good but a small part of a much bigger picture.

The non-stop spill from septic tanks and run-off from lawns during the wet season is a bigger problem. 

Sewage infrastructure needs fixed for sure but there are bigger fish to fry.

You might have noticed the multiple day 6000cfs discharge from C-54. Then there's the unrestricted ag runoff from the ditch that runs parallel to the grade.

where I like to surf with all you ''rippers'', the brimstone is already here so don't be a dickhole.......

 

LMAO

''salvation lies within''    warden norton

here f'ing here.  Dont forget all the while they continue to steal our money in their half cent tax the sheeple voted on themselves.  Hell, maybe the county can fund another study to see whats wrong with the river.  And I love all the people that start talking about how its no big deal because compared to other contributors its negligible.  First off, its egregious.  Period.  Whether or not there's worse contributors is beside the point.  This is 2017 not 1950.  Its embarrassing.  Secondly, there's alot of people spouting off buzz words about the septic tanks and muck and runoff and and and.  It all sucks.  But lets not pretend like this is some exact science that can be studied and you can just arrive at 10.2% is from this, 33.6% is from this...with the size of the county and river, growth, all the dynamics/variables and all the contributing factors, its a SWAG at best.  Prioritizing the river not being the county's turd overflow contingency plan seems like a reasonable place to start.

 

UPS has resumed service to all of Puerto Rico.  

sfds- thanks, you are far from the only angry one. got my property tax; doubled from last year. wth? enjoyed a high tide session yesterday now my throat hurts like I surfed in jersey. the ones making bank say "that's not the reality". they obviously don't work and play locally. way to exploit a once diverse fishery. a study on the dolphins in the river a few years back was far from positive. sad, they have to live in it 24/7.

"The greatness of a nation and it's moral progress can be judged by the way it's animals are treated" - Mahatma Ghandi.

sorry. this is about PR. Hoping things get better. Heck, I'd go there and camp if I could.

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Peace, Love and SOUL!

Edited: 11/07/2017 at 08:48 AM by CrazyTom

To contribute somehting toward the thread topic - a friend of mine lives in San Juan.  He is a professional, so he isnt living in the hood.  His power return projection is January.  "The new norm is not good" was his phrase - 4 hours for gas, 2 hours for food/meds, banks were out of cash (this was a while back - this may have improved).  Desperation was setting in and crime was increasing.  Misquotos the size of dragonflies.  I asked what I could send him and he asked for sparkplugs for his generator.

 

Just liberals?  Tsk.

From a Monday (11/6) thread on Jamboards:

"Talked to a friend who lives in Rincon. Not so good in there. He says no water/ electricity till Jan/Feb. Season is a goner. Himself and others will not even try to open their hotels/ B&B for a long time. Sad."

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Dora Hates You

This is not what I heard from Luker or Graves bros. they want folks to come down...Luker has power and water 100%...econo and selectos in Aguadilla are almost fully stocked. easy to go, more difficult to leave still...

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Do you know what Wubba-LubbA-Dub-Dub means in BirdPerson language?

The Corps of Engineers has doubled its contract with PowerSecure, a Raleigh-area North Carolina company, to connect transmission lines to power plants.  They have been working on the west side of the island.  El Nuevo Día

An economist's brief column suggests that lack of electricity and telecoms is likely to permanently damage the Puerto Rican economy, which was already suffering seriously from ridiculously expensive, unreliable electricity.  

So basically there are no crowds thru february? Im in!

Go to PR Norty. The people spouting off on this site are the same people that either do not have the time or money to go, or would not want to spend their surf trip helping others. I think it would be a great experience helping out those that need it. The people renting places to stay still need income, not very many willing to endure those conditions.

What kinda supplies would be helpful? Josie Graves still wants people coming for the winter season, and I'm sure most others feel the same.  

Edit: I've been going every winter for years and I'd feel bad if I didn't try to help out in person this winter

I can't speak for other people, but I know when we lost the roof of our property and didn't have electric for a few weeks, I was more than happy to have a tourist or two to spend money in our town and hopefully stay at our place. Of course we weren't really roughing it in comparison to PR. (To be honest, I was more annoyed about people acting as if FL had fallen into the ocean.)

Not everyones going to see it the same way, but I guess if you're staying with a local, helping out a bit, and spending money while enjoying a few surf sessions with your local Puerto Rican friend;

What's the worst that will happen?

Good supplies to bring to help out? The most basic stuff. Underwear. Those little wall lights you just stick on your wall push it and it turns on. Soaps. Tampons and other feminine hiegiene stuff. Lighters. Candles. Deodorant. Old clothes. Insect repellant, especially for you. It's hard to find water, let alone clean water. It's pitch black at night so stay safe. locals need BATTERIES. I came to Central FLorida when I was 4, but I know my family's situation, even my affluent lawyer cousins in San Juan are having trouble. My cousin just came into the Tampa Area the other day for a Nursing job interview, that should give you an idea. I really wouldn't recomend the trip. Hardly any street signs, if any at all, even without storms, so, paper maps wil be very difficult to use let alone the absence of cell signals for google maps. Many roads are counter intuitive and winding. Generators are cool except for the loud sound they make all night. Take ear plugs for you and the locals, they are having trouble sleeping because of the noise from generators. Hours in line for gas that might run out once you get there. Had a whole bunch of relatives come and tell me much more. Leptospirosis. etc... Ad Nauseum. 

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"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."-"Now relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. It becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times." St. Thomas Aquinas ("The Angelic Doctor")

Loser. Troll.

rinconsurfreport.com

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Brevard Surf Report

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.vox.com/platform/amp/science-and-health/2017/9/26/16365994/hurricane-maria-2017-puerto-rico-san-juan-humanitarian-disaster-electricty-fuel-flights-facts

Interesting article...

Rinconsurfreport.com had an understandable lag in reports a month after Maria; may want to touch base with him to see what is needed down there....



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Brevard Surf Report

I just talked to Tom Luker, literally minutes ago, he says come on down, waves are clean, beautiful, and empty...

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Do you know what Wubba-LubbA-Dub-Dub means in BirdPerson language?

60 minutes did a piece last night on PR. Looks like a long road ahead

Something YOU can DO NOW!

How many of you donated to Project Agua Limpia for Puerto Rico- Aguadilla? ( See their page on Facebook )

Project Agua Limpia For Puerto Rico- Aguadillahttps://www.facebook.com/groups/362675767504874/

A fundraiser was held in Melbourne Beach recently- they raised 5000K to purchase water filters and related apparatus to distribute to friends and family in the Isabela/ Aguadilla area. The Wise's are down there right now making a difference!

Enough jaw flapping. Do something or donate kids!

Indialantic Ace Hardware donated buckets and a huge box of vegetable seeds to the project - all is being shared on the island this week..............

I just got back from PR. I went to pick up the pieces of my farm and help my friends. I brought relief supplies and money and I worked my ass off in tropical difficult conditions, but did squeeze in a surf session and had a great time.

There are places to stay and surf. The coastlines took some big hits. Aguadilla and Isabella are still pretty roughed up. Many gas stations and businesses on the whole are still running on generators, but seem fully stocked with minimal lines. Water is hit or miss outside of the primary municipalities around the coast. The "off the beaten path" roads are dangerous if you are not on your toes. There are many wires laying across the streets, landslides are still occurring, and there damage everywhere. Many homes without roofs, collapsed structures, etc but a lot of progress has been made and is continuing to be made in order to address the hazards. Aside from a flat tire in the middle of the Guajataca Forest in the middle of the night, I had no accidents. But I am used to driving there and kind of enjoy the wild west, communication based approach to traffic.

I spent most of my trip in Mayaguez, close to my farm. Mayaguez is in really good shape and I had a couple good nights hanging out with the college kids in town.

I drove to San Juan through the south and through the north for an airport run. Had no problems.

I never felt any threat or danger from anyone, but I walk with humility and meet people with a smile. I also speak Spanish. The local economy will appreciate tourism, and I would guess that the breaks will be significantly lower numbers than typical seasons. Your dollars will help bring normalcy and much needed income to the island. Aguadilla airport was fully functional and I actually had my flights changed to daytime arrivals and departures instead of the usual red eye flights. Cash will likely be your best means of purchases, but some places are beginning to get their credit card machines operating.

The people of PR are incredibly resilient and it was extremely inspirational and uplifting to see everyone taking this tragedy in stride, keeping their heads up, finding light and joy in the simple things, and working steadily with the Tropical Caribbean rhythm that mother nature mandates. As usual, I met many strangers who were giving, loving, and welcoming. With the right perspective and attitude, it could be one of the more memorable trips of your life because it will be about more than surfing and partying.

I would say Go, but be sensitive to what they have just experienced, stay humble and on your toes, and help out any way you can.

I'm going with my family for New Years and Tres Reyes...lady and 5 year old boy.

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Edited: 11/14/2017 at 11:02 AM by Karma

Thanks for reporting.

Spirit Airlines reports:  "So far, we have operated 252 other regularly scheduled flights to San Juan and Aguadilla that have ferried emergency personnel and over 300,000 lbs. of relief supplies to the area since the storm." 

Andres Oppenheimer, columnist at the Miami Herald:  "More than 156,000 Puerto Ricans have moved to Florida . . . since the storm hit the island in September." 

Edited: 11/16/2017 at 08:18 PM by ww

Got a trip planned early January. No trip insurance and everything's paid for so there's no turning back.

I say go for it man. See ya down there!

Edited: 12/19/2017 at 08:23 PM by EverySurfer

EB, let me know if the accommodations fall through. I may be able to help if you don't have other options.

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

No disrespect, E, the island still has so far to go, but surfers should not avoid a trip as much progress has been made and the dollars will help the people so much right now.

I heard the same stories as Elltabrotsen describes before I went on my trip. Many areas are worse than others. I'm not saying those stories are inaccurate, but I was relieved to find that this information was more reflective of the immediate 4 to 6 weeks of aftermath rather than the current situation...especially the water. I was there two weeks ago, as related in my previous account. Bottled water on the west and northwest was easy to find and I didn't have to wait in gas lines. I also drove over to SJ twice and had no problems with gas, water, or food. The roads in the tourist and municipal areas (even the guajataca forest, for God's sake) had been cleared, though you are still driving over powerlines, there are still landslides occurring with all the rain of late, and there are hazards to be wary of... If you are familiar with PR and are well traveled in Latin America / Caribbean, you should have no problem assuming you have a decent place to stay and stick to the beaten path. If you needed anything you could not find in Rincon/Aguadilla, you could make a relatively short drive to Mayaguez and find anything you need. Cheers.

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Not enough electric poles available in the US for the need in PR.  El Nuevo Día.

For those still interested in making a trip to PR this year, there is a Facebook group called Friends of Rincon which has a lot of useful information from locals, including places to stay with details on the amenities (i.e. water, power, wifi, etc.).

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Good luck Jetty, report back. Enjoy!

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

I forgot I'm dealing with some of the hartiest, most resilient, and toughest survivalist people on earth, surfers. Go rip em y'all! Adventure and great empty surf awaits. Only a surfer knows the feeling. Sounds corny, but it's true.

Neighbor just got back from surfing 8 days of perfect waves down there. On a side note, yesterday someone told me that the vast majority do not pay taxes in PR. If this is true, it's no wonder their economy is like the Indian river after they drop 20 mil gallons of raw duece in it....

Just got back yesterday. There's still lots of damage in the aguadilla and isabella area. Most of the traffic lights are out.  The power is on and off and cell service is weak. Half the businesses are taking cash only.  Most people had only got power back a week ago and are slowly getting back to normal life.  I saw very few gringos around. Part of 4466 is washed out from a mudslide and there are lots of new pot holes. Otherwise they are still getting swell. I'll be back there soon.

So how was the road to wildeness, presure point and el mix?  

 

This time last year it was flooded. Now its not bad.

This time last year it was flooded. Now its not bad.

thanks,  I will take that as it in the same condition as the last 12 years except 2010 when Slater was there and they graded it for him.  

This below was posted by Kathy Hall on Dec 9th
(Look like plenty of cars made it to Wilderness.)
....nice tree, but check our the wave in the background.



"Check out the beautiful ceiba tree Willy Julia from Real Palms and Dave Ferraro planted in
Rescate Playas Borinquen's garden at the Wilderness parking lot. Please bring extra water
to the beach to give it a drink!"










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Puerto Rico 11 - 24 - 2013

Hey! I don't see cars or trees in that pic!

The ONLY thing I see is that empty left (sizeable).
I'll be on that soon.
woot woot!

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... positioning and selection

That's a really nice young tree.

Flight costs to Aguadilla and San Juan are returning to normal (or below normal for winter season) in January.  Spirit's offering $75-95 one way to Aguadilla.  Southwest as low as $99 one way to San Juan.  

 

 

God Bless. Thank you. Gracias. 

 

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"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."-"Now relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. It becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times." St. Thomas Aquinas ("The Angelic Doctor")

Edited: 12/18/2017 at 08:50 PM by elltabrotsen

I just got back from PR again and the crowds have definitely returned. It was amazing experiencing that place quite empty for december and most of january. It had an entirely different feel. I will probably never see it like that again.

God Bless you. Thank you,

Gracias

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"If the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever."-"Now relaxation of the mind from work consists on playful words or deeds. It becomes a wise and virtuous man to have recourse to such things at times." St. Thomas Aquinas ("The Angelic Doctor")

Edited: 12/18/2017 at 08:49 PM by elltabrotsen

Thanks for reporting back!


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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

Wilderness is a darling!

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Do you know what Wubba-LubbA-Dub-Dub means in BirdPerson language?

Freesurfs, when ya gonna be there? I'm 28th - 7th

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If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the precipitate.

n

Edited: 12/17/2017 at 10:17 PM by larenyon

Ive got lots of pictures from the area I want to post from google drive but don't know how. Posting the picture link doesnt work. 

Edited: 12/15/2017 at 10:50 PM by jettyparksurfer

Stoked, Im headed there on the 17th

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If it’s legal will do it, if it’s not legal, we’ll figure out how to change the law-Joe Biden

 

don't forget to stop by the dive shop, & tell em Lunchmeat sent ya!!

Unfortunately the surf looks like crap next week there
So I'm sure I'll be spending a lot of time at the shop and on the dive boat!
Another buddy has a boat down in Cabo Rojo and has been crushing the
Wahoo and mahi so adventure awaits regardless of the surf. If I do
get skunked it'll be the first time in 11 trips so I can't get too upset about it.

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If it’s legal will do it, if it’s not legal, we’ll figure out how to change the law-Joe Biden

Just got back from PR (Aguadilla area) not the best surf i've every seen but sure was fun, 6 days for solid fun size surf--waist to overhead sets, Rincon was flat the whole time, so everything was from Middles to Wishing Well. PR is up and running, the only problems is saw was no traffic lights anywhere--drive with caution!!! Crowds really weren't an issue either.

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The Wavecaster

Edited: 02/14/2018 at 08:02 PM by Tiptime

I got back the 26th of Jan, was great, no crowds.

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Do you know what Wubba-LubbA-Dub-Dub means in BirdPerson language?

Nice. I see the trades were kicking but at least you had some swell to work with.

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If it’s legal will do it, if it’s not legal, we’ll figure out how to change the law-Joe Biden