Big Weekend

A few weekends back the kids had a "Big Weekend".  Alex was competing in her first Horse Jumping competition.  More on Alex' new activity in a future post by Alex herself.  She has been riding for about six months and absolutely loves it.  Vista Paraiso in Higuera Blanca is where she rides and she is part of the Braunschweig Equestrian Club.  This is no little dusty rural Mexico operation.  The club sits in the foothills of Higuera Blanca and I was amazed just how beautiful the little arena is.  She has been progressing quickly and her coach suggested that she compete in her first 2 day competition.  She did just that and did great jumping for the first time at 50 cm!  She even ribboned on the second day!  I watched her walk around the club and she is totally in her comfort place.  I have asked her to write up a post about her experience so watch for it.  Unfortunately, the horse competition was the same weekend as a SUP race and surfing competition so she was not able to participate in both.  Trace competed on the water and I had to zip back from the jumping competition and back to Sayulita for the first day of the SUP racing and SUP surf competition.

Photo by the Cawrses

While Alex was on horseback, Trace was competing in Sayulita in the state of Nayarit SUP Championships.  His small group of paddlers from the Sayulita JR SUP Team were cleared to compete in the technical, surf and distance races.  Up against some of the best SUP athletes in the state, Mexico and World the Team members went out and competed along side names like Fernando Stalla, Felipe "Pipe" Rodriguez and Felipe "Bodoque" Fernandez.  To be honest the kids were not expected to upset the competition favorites.  They did, however, show their determination, dedication and skills in the water at a much younger age than the other competitors.  The JR Team members quickly became competition favorites and gained tons of respect from the other athletes and spectators.

Photo by Team Cotner

Pre-race hanging out

It has been amazing to watch both kids excel at their chosen activities.  Living in small town Mexico has not limited them in any way in receiving high level coaching and in having quality facilities in which to practice and learn.

Competition season will wrap up pretty soon now that it is spring and summer approaches.  Alex will continue to ride, jump higher and get back to the water on a race board and Trace will continue to grind it out on a race board and develop his skills on his new SUP surfboard.