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Words From Warren
In Mexico every sector of the population, each trade and profession, has a special day on which they celebrate with a lunch or party of esprit de corps and enjoy the recognition of their contribution to society.
There’s Father’s Day and Mother’s Day, of course, but there’s also a Day of the Child. Seniors’ Day, Students’ Day, even a Prisoners’ Day. Lawyers, cowboys, musicians, soldiers and sailors, they all get a turn
This month alone includes the following: Aug. 1, phone operators; Aug. 4 is Day of the Priest; Aug. 5 is Day of the Fisherman; Aug. 8 is Street Sweepers’ Day; Aug. 17 is Veterinarians’; Day Grandparents’ Day is Aug. 29.
On Aug. 12, Taxi Drivers’ Day, when the cab fleet parades through town. And Aug. 22, Day of the Firemen, many families drop off dishes of food and other gifts during the celebration at the Fire Station
This and that: Kids are out of school, so if you’re looking for some time to yourself, Aqua Delfines, the swimming school, is also offering classes in crafts, theater, yoga and capoeira for 3 to 12 year olds, Reach them at 954 123 5494. Spanish classes for kids of all ages at Calli, free enrolment until July 16. They also teach German, French and Italian. 582 0321.
If you are getting a little summer stir crazy yourself, the Punta Chess Club invites you to their 2nd annual Open Tournament,, July 26 July at 6 p.m. at Restaurant Sahori, near the SOS Bar at Héroes Oaxaqueñas and at Zicatela Point. More info at 954 119 9107.
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David Rutherford Wins Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido
Puerto Escondido's local 24 year-old star, David Rutherford , charged to victory at his home break of the Mexican Pipeline Thursday to clinch an emphatic win at the Association of Surfing Professionals (ASP) 4-Star Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido over international standouts Kevin Sullivan (Lahaina, HAW), 23, Casey Brown (Kona, HI), 22, and Ricardo dos Santos (BRA), 20 in excellent four-to-six foot (2-3 metre) high-performance barrels.
The Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido’s unique location of the Mexican Pipeline attracted a big list of up-and-coming competitors, but also included an assemblage of local talent as well as several of the world’s most renowned big-wave surfers.
Rutherford, who was a Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido wildcard, went on an absolute tear on the final day of competition, threading a perfect 10-point ride on an amazing backside barrel in his Semifinal heat before amassing the highest heat total of the entire event in the Final, a near-flawless 18.45 out of 20 to secure the victory.
“I guess I was just trying to get some scores to back me up and they ended up being pretty good scores,” Rutherford said. “I was trying to get one of those big sets, but I never really had the chance to get one of those bombs. I just couldn’t be any happier right now to win.”
The Mexican Pipeline charger was thrilled to clinch the major ASP victory in front of his home crowd to bring this year’s Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido title to Mexico while representing the local surfers.
“I couldn’t be any happier,” Rutherford said. “I’m so happy, I’ve just been having so much fun throughout this event and it feels good to represent for the locals.”
Sullivan raced through incredible barrels on both his forehand and backhand throughout the final day of competition, but was unable to surpass Rutherford’s unstoppable performance for the title but was satisfied with his runner-up result.
“Words can’t even describe how I feel right now,” Sullivan said. “It was hard out there. You pretty much have to just be in the right spot when the waves come because it’s a beachbreak. I got a couple in the Final, but I didn’t really get the sets to get the scores, but David (Rutherford) did. I’m stoked for him. To make the Final and have David win, it’s the best day of my life.”
Sullivan, who is hungry to build a seed on the ASP World Ranking, was relieved to capitalize on the invaluable ratings points earned at the ASP 4-Star event in his first professional Final appearance.
“I’m so stoked on this result,” Sullivan said. “I’ve been grinding away for over three years and to make my first professional final after that time, it’s something I’ve worked for my whole life and to live this moment is something I won’t forget.”
Brown, who finished third overall, locked into an impressive righthand barrel to the tune of 9.60 out of 10 in the Final, but was unable to find a backup score to take the win.
Dos Santos charged through the massive swell that ignited the early days of competition as well and finished in an impressive fourth place overall.
Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido Final:
1 – David Rutherford (MEX) 18.45
2 – Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 14.25
3 – Casey Brown (HAW) 13.35
4 – Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 13.15
Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido Semifinals Results:
Heat 1: Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 15.10, Casey Brown (HAW) 12.00, Peter Mel (USA) 10.65, Angelo Lozano (MEX) 7.35
Heat 2: Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 17.30, David Rutherford (MEX) 11.85, Ricky Whitlock (USA) 10.25, Stephan Figueiredo (BRA) 5.35
Quiksilver Pro Puerto Escondido Quarterfinals Results:
Heat 1: Angelo Lozano (MEX) 16.00, Casey Brown (HAW) 13.90, Nils Schweizer (USA) 9.00, Tyler Newton (HAW) 5.70
Heat 2: Peter Mel (USA) 12.25, Ricardo dos Santos (BRA) 11.00, Gabriel Villaran (BRA) 5.90, Sean Hayes (USA) 5.00
Heat 3: David Rutherford (MEX) 11.85, Ricky Whitlock (USA) 10.25, Nathan Brandi (BRA) 7.05, Carlos “Coco” Nogales (MEX) 3.80
Heat 4: Stephan Figueiredo (BRA) 15.75, Kevin Sullivan (HAW) 8.40, Devon Tresher (USA) 7.80, Jesse Merle-Jones (HAW) 7.45
Upcoming Puerto Events
What's Happening - Ongoing
Every Sunday, Thursday - Fors Project: Sundays @ Split Coconut, Hotel Jardín Real; Thursdays @ Los Tugas, Fridays @ Bar-Restaurant Arcis, in front of Hotel Santa Fe.
Where to watch sports in English: The Split Coconut, Hotel Ben-Zaa and on Zicatela, Dan’s Cafe Deluxe has a new Satellite HDTV system, where he'll be presenting "Hockey Nite in Puerto", Saturday, NASCAR, Formula One or tenni. A special request? These guys will probably accommodate your wishes, as long as you don't ask for the figure skating during a playoff game.
Movies Every Night: Cinemar is a 20 person cinema, air-conditioned and at the center of Zicatela Beach.
Turtle Release: This time of year, the eggs of marine turtles, collected from the baeches by volunteers and conservation groups, arehatching and the newborns are ready to return to the ocean.
IN 1995, MEXICO'S most popular rock and roll band, Maná, released Cuando los Ángeles Lloran (When Angels Cry) the title song for which honors the Brazilian labor organizer, "Chico" Mendes, who struggled to stop the logging of the rain forests and at the age of 43 was assassinated for his efforts.
On the same album is the song Selva Negra (Black Forest) which correspondingly laments the destruction of habitat and ecosystem. Putting words into action, Maná became the driving force behind La Fundación Ecológica Selva Negra, A.C. (The Selva Negra Foundation www.selvanegra.org.mx) which pulls together various government agencies and businesses to help protect the environment.
One of the Selva Negra projects is just outside of Puerto Escondido at Playa del Palmarito where we recently stopped by to watch the hatch and release of 400 some Golfina (aka Olive Ridley) turtles. Along this 22 kilometre stretch of beach, a few paid employees and a lot more volunteers work between October and April, seven days a week, mostly at night, to collect the turtle eggs and rebury them inside a protected fence.
As they collect the turtle eggs they also pick up the trash they find along the way that has washed in from the ocean or been left on the beach by irresponsible beach goers. The day we visited I counted 20 large garbage bags of mostly plastic which they had collected in just two days.
While sea turtles have few ocean predators, large sharks mostly, the major decline of these endangered turtles over the last 20 years has been due to human exploitation of their eggs and meat.
Depending on the species, the eggs hatch within 45 to 60 days and the baby turtles set off at sunset for the short crawl into the Pacific Ocean. Only a small percentage will be lucky enough to become adults and make it back to bury their eggs in an attempt to complete their natural cycle.
You can visit the folks at Playa del Palmarito, a few kilometres out of town headed NW on Highway 200. Turn off at Laguna Chica, there are signs for the Cruz Azul Football School.
Ruperto Ortega Lisama and his son David are happy to accept visitors and donations.
You can also see turtle releases at the El Tomatal and Chila Fiestas. Check "What's Happening" for updates.
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