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Fodors Review of Zicazteca!!!

So thrilled about this!  We got reviewed on Fodors.com, just one of two surf schools in our area listed!  I haven’t been posting a lot here recently as I have been busy with other projects, but this was begging for a post.  Thank you for including us 🙂

“Zicazteca Surf School. There’s lots of talent packed into this small shop off a lane in the heart of Zicatela. Co-owner Julio Soto is an accomplished graffiti artist, custom surfboard painter, and surf instructor, while his partner Ariel has a keen eye for the hippest indie beachwear, much of it fair trade, that stocks their Zicazteca shop. Private surfing lessons cost MX$400 an hour. Hotel Rockaway Plaza, Calle del Morro s/n, at laneway, Zicatela, Puerto Escondido,Oaxaca, 71980. 954/110–5853. zicazteca.com.”

Check it out HERE

Sneak Preview

We’ve been working on a new project we think you sea sirens out there will appreciate.  I can’t tell you exactly what it is yet, but come late June we will have some new inventory that we are pretty stoked about.

This project has been in the works for a while now…I hope you all love it as much as I do.

Here is a little sneak peak, but there is SO much more to come, keep an eye out.

xx

Ariel

Curator – Besos de Sal project featuring some of my favorite, hand-picked creations.

Coming soon as part of a special project entitled Besos de Sal

Coming soon as part of a special project entitled Besos de Sal

Julio Soto’s artwork on the cover of Viva Puerto magazine

I can’t believe I haven’t posted these images yet.  Julio was asked to do these covers for Viva Puerto magazine over the last couple of months.  The magazine has traditionally used only photographs for the cover.  Barbara, the magazine’s creator / editor, felt she was taking a big risk with the first cover Julio made.  However, it was so well received she asked him to draw the very next issue. Take a look!

Image shows psychedelic drawing of La Punta de Zicaztela

Viva Puerto Magazine cover art by Julio Soto, Spring 2014

 

Cover art for Viva Puerto by Julio Soto, image dispalys whimsical drawing of pink sheep eating lobster claw flowers which grow out of psychedelic clouds, floating over the rio barra, and campesinos in front of their cabaña.

Viva Puerto Magazine cover art by Julio Soto, Feb 2014

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Five Star Review on TripAdvisor

From Dale on TripAdvisor recently:

“Surfing Paradise”
I don’t write many reviews, but when something is so outstanding, I can’t resist. I was in Huatulco, Mexico with my family for a week in March 2014. We drove the hour and a half up to Puerto Escondido for a surf lesson for my wife and three kids. I have surfed in California and in Hawaii several times and taken surfing lessons on a few occasions. But our experience with Julio and Hector “Motor” at the Zicazteca Surf School blew away anything we have done in the past. We went to Carrizalillo Beach and started with some instruction on the sand then off into the waves. The waves at Carrizalillo beach were perfect for learning giving a long straight ride without the wave fully breaking so you didn’t have to surf the white wash, just a long smooth ride. Julio and “Motor” were extremely helpful and always giving great feedback. The two first timers, our 13 year old twins, took to the waves easily and were up surfing wave after wave from the very start. There was no clock on the session either. Julio and Motor just kept going as long as the waves were good. Finally the tide started coming in and the waves died out so everyone came in. These were better waves for learning than anything I have experienced in California or Hawaii, the beach was gorgeous and the Surf instruction from Julio and Hector was superior to any other surf instructors I have ever had. If you want the best surfing experience EVER, I highly recommend the guys at Zicazteca Surf School. They are the BEST!!! 

But wait, there’s more. We were not familiar with Puerto Escondido and Julio was not busy that day so he went to lunch with us and showed us his favorite authentic Mexican food (ordered stuff not even on the menu). We also were looking for some specific Mexican tapestries and he asked a few people then went by the two shops with us to help us find what we were looking for. Julio and Hector were two of the nicest and funnest guys to hang out with. We truly had a fantastic day in Puerto Escondido with the help of our new amigos Julio and Hector.

Thanks Dale and family!  We had a great time helping you plan your trip to Puerto Escondido with your family and showing you around a bit.  Hope you come back in the future 🙂

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Happy Valentines Day – Reviews!!

What better way to show our LOVE than to post a couple touching reviews from recent alumni 🙂

Our family spent five days in Puerto Escondido over winter break 2013. Our two boys, ages 11 and 13, both wanted to surf so we asked our hotel for a recommendation. They pointed us to Zicazteca Surf School, run by Julio Soto, and the experience exceeded our expectations.

What originally began as a one day, two hour activity turned into three days of solid beach fun. The boys just couldn’t get enough of Julio and Hector – they are just great guys who clearly love what they do. Both kids improved tremendously as a result of the lessons and consistent practice. Now they are both hooked on surfing and look forward to doing more on future family vacations and over the summer.

I had an amazing time surfing in Puerto Escondido.. I did 4 classes with Julio and Hector and really improved my surfing! They give very personal instructions and individual feedback – the best surf classes I’ve had so far. They are great guys and great teachers.

Thanks for the great reviews!  We hope to see each of you back again soon.  And to all who follow this little blog, COME SURF WITH US!!!!!!

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MORE reviews!

I have already posted these to our facebook page, but thought I should share them here too.  We have been getting some really special reviews lately from happy surf students and we want to celebrate that.

Tiene toda la paciencia, y no se rinde hasta que te levantas en la ola. Muy buena onda, respetuoso, amable, paciente… aparte de ser todo un artista!

I had Julio Soto and Hector as our instructors for surfing, Julio and Hector gave my daughter and me lots of patience and confidence taking the waves. Watching my kid standing up on the board taking the waves was priceless. Great instructors, time when flying hanging out with them.

My wife and I were in Puerto in November and had Julio and his friend Hector give us a surf lesson. I had been on boards a lot but my wife hadn’t ever. Julio went over everything on dry land first and I was impressed with the way he explained everything and had us feeling confident before we ever paddled out. I’ve had surf lessons before from various people and I have to say that Julio gave the best explanation ever, in a step by step way, about how to paddle out, how to catch a wave, and how to get from prone to standing up I ever heard. Out in the water, what he said on land still made sense and he gave feedback on how to improve after every wave. Moreover I found him honest in his love for the ocean and his dealings with people, both his students, his friends and all others on the beach and in the water. I’m still no surf god, but his lesson helped a lot. He also has a great shop in town with some really cool artwork. Kudos, Julio!

 

We love the reviews!  There are a few more that I haven’t published yet and will post them soon.