June 23-26, 2005
    The Wicked Wahines held their 3rd event at the Cuatro Casas Int.'L Surf Hostel in Punta San Telmo, Mexico (2 hours south of Ensenada) and very kindly welcomed me, the visiting East Coaster, to join in on all their West Coast fun.
             
 
The Cuatro Casas Surf Hostel is home of the ShowBowl, a unique left hand kidney with tight pockets and a curvy shallow end.  Vert all the way around.  And this baby is smooth as a baby can get. 

The Hostel sits on the edge of Mexico's coastal cliffs overlooking the ocean, providing an ideal surf and skate location.   

    

The Wicked Wahines for this particular event, brought together surfing and skateboarding creating for the first time an all female Pro/Am multi-talent, jam-style contest at a "fantasy weekend get-away resort".  

    
    
    
               
  		 The Wicked Wahines hooked me up with a ride leaving 3 days before the contest.... and off I went down the yellow brick road... to see the wizard.... or as they call him down in Mexico... Richard.
  
    

Little did I know that Brandon, the driver who thoughtfully hitched me a ride to Mexico with his trusty copilot Pamela, was a neighbor of this wizard Richard.
                                                                          
                                                                                                  Meet
   
                          Brandon		         
                                Zac		             
                                  John
The proprietors and long term dwellers of.....


A trailer (and not just any trailer) parked 50 yards downstream from the Cuatro Casas Hostel which is owned and operated by Richard 
 
This unique and eccentric shelter is a fine piece of art handcrafted by surfers for only the young at heart. 

                  

Fully equip with drum set, electric and acoustic guitars, amp, and surfboard bar... what more could a skater/surfer/rocker ask for

  

Pamela and I were granted the choice to stay at either the Hostel or the trailer with Brandon, Zac, and John.  We chose the latter which for the two of us turned out to be a wonderful decision.
          Not many had arrived two days in advance of the contest.  Other than the Hostel and a couple surrounding homes the area is not populated at all.  The first warm up sessions in the ShowBowl we had the place to ourselves.
 
Then the Etnies van entered the scene followed by many other campers and contest participants.  The sessions began to grow and grow.  The ShowBowl slowly started to come to life preparing itself for it's big day in the spotlight with some of the hottest female skaters today.  
 
     
     
               		  

Even the local kids had a chance to hop in the bowl for a few runs.  These kids displayed great interest and support for the on going sessions, never leaving the sidelines and always cheering the skaters on when they reached a high.  For not being very experienced in skating they sure did have a good eye for it.  I must say I greatly enjoyed their company and will miss their giggles and cheers.




 
                                                Saturday June 25, 2005 - Wicked Wahine Contest Day 1:
                                                        21 girls, 3 jam sessions, and one wicked bowl
                                      
                     

 
   
           Complimentary horseback rides were offered to all visitors and participants of the skateboarding event.  Lexi and I had a most amazing time with the horses after skating the first heat together.  Many thanks go out to the locals for sharing their horses with us and the horses for their company and galloping rides.
            
Cuatro Casas is known for its long, rock bottom rights.  The off shore winds never cease producing waves that hold amazingly well.  Best surfed at high tide and with a wet suit.  This water is cold (low 50s) and very refreshing all at the same time in the beautiful Baja sun.  Remember to bring a pair of booties for the sea urchins hiding in the rocks.

          

Sunday morning June 25, 2005,  the Wicked Wahine surf contest was held with five surfers in a 40 minute heat.  I do not have any pictures of the actual surf contest, only pictures of the sessions held prior to the event.  I will say from the time I arrived in Baja the surf only got better		  

 

 

 
                             
Wicked Wahine Constst Results:

Nicole Zuck -- best skater
Mandy Esche -- best trick, best weekender (combo skate/surf)
Crissy Rice -- Deathbox winner
Heidi Kreiss -- best surfer
A huge thanks goes out to the Wicked Wahine founders Tammy Tangalin (Bam Bam) and Liz Brandenburg.  For the all female Pro/Am surfer/skater, together their efforts turned a contest into a dream vacation of a lifetime!