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

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

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.

Shop Julio’s Surf Art Online!

Our Online Shop is finally up and running!  Well, it has been up and ready for a while but I was nervous about taking the final step and announcing it.  But nerves be darned!  We are moving forward and are super excited about this new step.  We can now offer Julio Soto’s gorgeous and whimsical prints for sale as impeccable Art Posters printed on-demand, our tanks (we are adding to the selection soon!) printed with fun designs from Puerto Escondido, and even mugs and tote bags of the highest quality.  We hope you enjoy!  Let us know what you think please, we are still learning and growing everyday, and all your opinions will only help us get better.

http://zicazteca.myshopify.com/

Thanks / Gracias!

Ariel and Julio