We are all about stepping AWAY from the computer and getting out there. But sometimes social media brings people together in an awesome way. Case and point, our ambassador, Caitlin Lawson from Sunburnt and Salty. We first became a fan of Caitlin via her blog, Sunburnt and Salty. A couple months later, Caitlin became a brand ambassador for MI OLA. As part of our surf guide series, we’ve asked Caitlin to give us the inside scoop on her home break, Rincon, Puerto Rico.
First, a little about Caitlin…
Caitlin grew up in the small beach town of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Her first love was the ocean and she started surfing at the age of eight, when her dad would push her into waves. Caitlin surfed competitively in the ESA (Eastern Surfing Assocation), NSSA (National Scholastic Surfing Association), and select Junior Pro & Pro surfing events. In college, Caitlin discovered yoga after suffering a knee injury. She trained to be a yoga instructor and shortly after, relocated to Rincon, Puerto Rico where she lives, teaches, and surfs. Caitlin teaches at Rincon’s Wellness Center, Centro La Paz, and offers a Weekly Community Yoga Class. She also teaches private yoga, SUP yoga and surfing/paddleboarding.
Background: Puerto Rico has been a US Territory since the Spanish-American War of 1898. In 1917, the United States granted citizenship to all Puerto Ricans and since 1948 the territory has been able to elect their own Governor. In the late 1960s Puerto Rico became a part of the global surf scene when the World Surfing Championships were brought to Rincόn. Spanish (Caribbean Spanish) is the primary language spoken here, with English in a very close second. Puerto Rico has the most consistent surf in the Caribbean, due to its position between two deep areas of water – the Puerto Rican Trench off to the north and the Mona Passage off to the southwest – which funnel large north, northwest and northeast groundswells towards the islands’ shallow reefs.
Location: Rincόn, Puerto Rico.
Rincόn is located on the northwest corner of the island, just southwest of the town Aguadilla and just north of the college city of Mayaguez. There are tons of of surf spots here. Every nook and curve of the coast creates a different wave. Most of the breaks around Rincόn are reef breaks with a few sand/rock mixed spots. If you are new to the area I can’t stress enough to sit and watch before you paddle out: notice where people are getting in and out of the water (the keyholes in the reef), notice where people are sitting in the lineup, notice what kind of hazards there are out there (rocks, reef, crowd), and make sure that you are comfortable with the conditions. Rincόn is also home to some world-class diving and snorkeling spots, like Steps Beach at Tres Palmas or Desecheo Island, as well Humpback Whale sightings during their migration between the months of January and March. For the most part, the vibe in Rincόn is super friendly and laidback, but, as always, when you are traveling be respectful of the locals both in and out of the water.
Where to Surf:
Maria’s Beach: Probably the most popular surf spot and sunset spot in Rincόn, Maria’s is a right-hand, reef break with a main peak that breaks off some underwater rocks and a couple of other fun peaks off to the south. Maria’s is best on NW groundswells but will pick up groundswells out of the north and bigger swells out of the northeast. The waves usually stay clean here all day long, thanks to the prevailing E/NE trade winds. During a proper swell you can surf Maria’s during both tides, but like most spots around here it’s best at low tide, when there’s less water on the reef. Maria’s can get very crowded, especially on the main peak. If you are new to the area or a less experienced surfer, stay off the peak and surf a little further to the south. You’ll catch more waves, have more fun, and avoid collisions and confrontations.
Domes Beach: Located north of Maria’s, Domes Beach was the sight of the 1968 World Surfing Championships that put Rincόn on the map. Domes Beach got its name from the giant dome, a retired nuclear power plant, that overlooks the lineup. Domes picks up a little bit more swell out of the north and northeast compared to Maria’s, so it’s usually a little bigger than the beaches further south. It’s also a little more exposed to the trade winds. Surf here on a smaller N/NW ground swell or, if Maria’s is shoulder-to-shoulder, head to Domes to catch yourself some bigger, chunkier rights and a few fast, short lefts with fewer people out.
Pools Beach: Pools Beach is located on the north-facing side of Rincόn. Pools is a shallow, right-hand, reef break that offers up a couple of different take off spots. Pools picks up more N/NE groundswells than the west-facing beaches. It is prime when the wind is blowing out of the south. This beach is usually best in the mornings before the typical E/NE trade winds pick up.
Sandy Beach/Parking Lots: Another little group of peaks located on the north shore of Rincόn is Sandy Beach and Parking Lots. Sandy Beach, a mix of rock and sand, can turn into a fast, fun, left “beach break” during the right conditions, but when it’s flat it is like a giant swimming pool! Sandys is definitely the most popular sun-bathing and swimming beach in Rincόn. A little further east of Sandys is Parking Lots. Parking Lots is a much flatter reef than Domes and Maria’s and picks up any swell with a north direction. Parking Lots offers up a variety of take-off spots and is a great spot for beginners (on smaller swells, of course). Sandy Beach and Parking Lots are usually best in the mornings before the wind picks up.
Surfer’s Beach, Aguadilla: Surfer’s Beach is located in Aguadilla near the Ramey Air Force Base. It’s the closest spot to the Aguadilla Airport. Although it’s not in Rincόn, is’t a great consistent wave suited for surfers of all levels. The break at Surfer’s Beach is a spread-out, flat-reef break that offers up long rights and fast lefts. Surfer’s is more exposed to N/NE ground swells and NE wind swells so it is often bigger than the spots in Rincόn. There’s more wind here, but it tends to stay side-shore most of the day keeping the faces of the waves clean.
Best Time of Year to Surf: Rincon tends to see the biggest and the most consistent waves during the colder months when cold fronts move across the Eastern United States and off into the ocean. The typical “surf season” here in Rincόn is November through March, but you can definitely score some clean, less-crowded waves in the Early (Hurricanes!) and Late Season.
Water Temp: MI OLA Bikinis and Rashies all day long! But if you are coming here to surf, I do suggest bringing a 1mm top or vest, if you get cold easily. The swells travel a long distance to get to the island, so there can be, at times, a 20-30 minute wait between sets. Sitting on your board wet with strong wind can get a little chilly, especially during those dawn patrol/sunset sessions!
Crowd Factor: Expect longboards, shortboards, spongers and everything in between! Rincόn is becoming a popular surf destination, because it’s so close to the East Coast. January through March you will see the biggest crowds. There will most likely be a crowd anywhere you are going to surf. I can’t stress it enough: Be respectful of the locals. Don’t paddle straight out to the peak. Don’t paddle for every single wave that comes your way. Learn the etiquette before you paddle out and ALWAYS know your limits. And a friendly smile and hello doesn’t hurt either J.
Apres Surf (¡Buen Provecho!):
Eating local is the tastiest and cheapest way to enjoy the diverse food in Rincon. Local bakeries and food trucks will blow your mind. We also have a Farmers’ Market every Sunday en la Plaza (“downtown” Rincόn) with amazing local, fresh food.
For breakfast check out Happy Bowls at the Puntas Bakery for awesome acai and pitaya bowls, fruit, granola, coffee, and other delicious breakfast and lunch treats.
For lunch, stick to local food trucks like Jack’s Shack Food Truck, overlooking Maria’s Point, for fresh, local, organic meals, or try Kabanas Food Truck (across from Sandy Beach) that serves a variety of food from burgers to falafel to fish tacos.
The locals’ spot for after-surf Happy Hour is El Bohio – a cute little bar located near Maria’s Beach. El Bohio has the best Happy Hour in town offering $1 Medallitas and $2 Rum Punches. Grab a drink and watch the sunset.
If you want some delicious home-cookin’ for dinner, head to 413 Surfer Spot at Brisas Bar and order the Coconut Fish Nuggets or the Big Surfer Burger. If you go to 413 Surfer Spot you MUST to get dessert – homemade Mango Cheesecake and Key Lime Pie!!! If you’re craving fresh fish check out La Cambija, located a little closer towards town, and order the Wahoo fish tacos or a couple of different fish “pinchos” (skewers), and wash it all down with a delicious Watermelon Mojito! If raw fish is more your style, visit Pools Bar Sushi, near Pools Beach. It has a great atmosphere with fresh, unique sushi rolls, cold drinks and surf movies constantly playing on the big screen.
How to Get There: The easiest way to get to Rincόn is to fly into the Aguadilla airport (a 20 minute drive to Rincόn). Aguadilla is a small airport that currently only flies three airlines and usually only offers red-eye flights (yay for no security lines!). If Aguadilla doesn’t work out, fly into San Juan and enjoy the 2 ½ hour, scenic drive to Rincόn. There’s a lot to see on the way! Another option is to fly into San Juan and catch an $80 jumper plane to Mayaguez (a 10-15 minute drive to Rincόn). Renting a car is highly recommended. There is a lot to do and to see around Rincόn (surfing, diving, caves & waterfalls) but there is a lack in public transportation. The island is also pretty small so having a car allows you to explore many different areas. If you are just staying in Rincόn, you can get by without a car; just be prepared to do some hiking!