Spanish Classes Now Available at the Surf Shak

Click on the link below for more information about Spanish Classes in Canoa!

spanish-school

Permaculture Internship at the Jama-Coaque Rainforest Reserve

Cute little guy

Permaculture Internship at the Jama-Coaque Rainforest Reserve

An hour and a half north of Canoa, the Jama-Coaque Reserve has been established as a haven of conservation in a countryside subject to rampant deforestation from the logging and cattle trades. The Third Millennium Alliance, an organization dedicated to the principles of conservation and permaculture, purchased the reserve to conserve the existing virgin rainforest, expand degraded lands through reforestation and work with the surrounding communities to develop and incentivize economically viable and ecologically sustainable alternatives to land use in the area. 

3MAlliance’s Jama-Coaque Reserve in western Ecuador is the last line of protection of one of the most biologically valuable and endangered ecosystems in the world. With 275 acres of tropical rainforest and cloud forest, the reserve is part of the last 2% of rainforest in a bio-region that once spanned the length of three countries.

What is Permaculture?

Permaculture is an approach to designing human settlements and perennial agricultural systems that mimic the relationships found in natural ecologies. The name derives from the terms  permanent agriculture, and permanent culture.  Permaculture design principles are based on the concept that the only ethical decision in land use is to take responsibility for our own existence and that of our children. All of the decisions at the Jama-Coaque reserve are made under the umbrella of permaculture principles.

Bamboo House & Permaculture Development

The Bamboo House serves as the reserve headquarters, volunteer accommodation, research center, and living laboratory of permaculture development techniques. Potable water is harvested from nearby natural springs and rainfall, and a long-term goal of 100% food self-sufficiency is underway.

A mix of local community members, university interns, ecology professionals, and traveling volunteers are working together to convert tracts of previously-degraded forest into an edible ecosystem. Wild orchards are already scattered throughout the forest, such as banana, orange, coffee, and cacao groves hidden beneath the canopy.  Much work needs to be done, and we need as much help as we can get.  Those who are interested in or who practice permaculture are welcome to work and study with us.

Scientific and Academic Research

The land in and around the Jama-Coaque Reserve is, from a scientific perspective, virgin and unexplored terrain. The extravagant ecology, its biological “mega-diversity” and endemism is matched by very few other places in the world, and yet very little of this ecosystem has ever been studied. 3MA extends an open invitation to any and all biologists, ecologists, students, and academics to explore, study, and document the life and natural systems that abound in this forest.

Short-Term Volunteer Program

The Jama-Coaque Reserve in cooperation with Canoa Thrills has developed a six day volunteer program for travelers who want to truly experience eco-tourism.  The reserve experience includes five days of project collaboration with other volunteers and locals in and around the reserve, as well as an education in permaculture, rainforest ecology, conservation and reforestation.  Projects will vary depending on need at the reserve as well as the interest and aptitude of the volunteer, but may include construction projects around the Bamboo House, work in the orchard or garden or planting native crops in the surrounding community.  During the six day period, volunteers will choose a free day to relax at the Bamboo House or lounge around in a nearby waterfall.

Massage on the Beach $12.00 per hour

Southern Ecuador Surf Report

With the addition of the new Van, Canoa Thrills has added surf tours to the options of fun on the menu.  We loaded up when the swell was forecasted and headed south.  We stopped in Las Pinas for a great beach break.  That area south of Manta is riddled with beach breaks that are very long and very good.  There is a picture of Spencer surfing right in front of the hostal we stayed at the first night.  

After Las Pinas we headed south to Ayampe, and based out of a great Columbian owned hostal named the Iguana.  They offer cheap camping and a community kitchen.  Ayampe is a much smaller pueblo than Canoa, amenities are hard to come by but if you are cooking for yourself it is a great base.  Ayampe features a beach break that will tube up and is VERY heavy.  There were great rides had by all.  

Exploring the area we came upon a treat.  Just north, we found a left point break that was kept off the map due to the entry fee and access issues.  With a little logistical work, we were in and surfing a perfect left with nobody else in the water, it was magic.  It was so good we came back to this spot three different times and got amazing sessions, sin crowds.  When we were leaving on the third day we passed a group of 17, the University of Colorado surf club coming to get some waves.  I made sure to mention how bad the Buffs are and that Colorado State was by far superior, go Rams!

From Mompiche to Montanita, the Canoa Thrills surf tours are going great.  Stop by the Surf Shak to book your custom surf tour through Ecuador.    

South of Manta there are over 15 breaks on this long stretch of beach. This is Las Pinas

The new Mercedes Benz of Ecuador

Private Left Point Break

Lefty

Good hight.

Ayampe Beach Break

 

Life is good

Dan’s Surf Update: Carnival

The swell is continuing to come in at waist to chest high today, and while we’re not seeing many of the overhead monsters on the outside that we’ve had the last couple days, it’s still a clean and rideable wave. Looks like more of the same to come with waves around 4 ft. forecasted for the next few days.

This week’s tip: during Carnival nobody gets up early so if you want a nice clean break to yourself, have some self-control and take it easy tonight to get ready for a killer morning surf session.  Ha!  Not likely. But we can still let loose and stay up for a drunken first light paddle.

In other Canoa news the Carnival festivities have been ample and well-received.  Suffice it to say that there may or may not have been partial nudity, incarceration due to the unlawful spraying of police officers with water guns, and a generally good-natured, booze-fueled time had by all.  Surf Shak, being a reputable and upstanding establishment with a classy cliental, does not care to comment on such goings on.

Dan’s Surf Update

We’re still seeing the extreme tides from the moon cycle and the powerful surf to match.  With an ultra low this morning and a light off shore breeze, there were clean peaks popping up from The River, south through Gringo Central and beyond.

An onshore breeze at 10mph in the afternoon brought in semi choppy faces, but at five feet plus it’s still very rideable and the shorter wave period means more waves for everyone and less surfing over top of the mini local speed bump troop… as if they wouldn’t surf over you first.

The outlook for tomorrow is even better with bigger surf and a lighter breeze, so we should see slick faces all day.

In other news we’ve seen the triumphant return of Team Surf Shack from nationals where they cleaned up… unconfirmed reports have been made that Leo severed his face and still went on to win the title of  “Surf God of The Universe.”  More to come on that when we separate fact from fiction.

We also saw the triumphant return of Frans from his mission to Quito to spread the good word of the Surf Shak to the city’s wayward beach-bound disciples.  The Dutchman said unto the lost city dwelling souls, “when thou regainith thou’s good sense, come unto Canoa.  Here is a free drink ticket,” and it was good.

Woe to those who don’t come by tonight to celebrate Team Surf Shak’s sheer dominance and the unlikely, yet successful completion of 21 years of life by the resident Norwegian, Christian  (at least it certainly seems like he lives here.)  Rumor has it that there will be free shots floating about and with a little luck and a lot of rum we can probably coax Drew into dancing on the bar.

Canoa Surf Report and Pictures

 Dan’s Surf Update

It’s a happy day in Canoa, the surf has arrived. A super high tide and light winds are doing the trick bringing in an outside break with glassy faces topping off at six feet. The break finally has the punch that the short boarders have been praying for.  

Spencer, Drew and Mauricio, the magnificent surfing bar staff, have been at it all day, reluctantly gracing dry land only for the odd sip of water.  Juan is behind the bar today, and while you wouldn’t know it from looking at him, we all know he’s crying on the inside.  Sorry buddy, there’s always tomorrow.

Even Pete dragged his ass out there this afternoon and he says he caught a clean face.  Of course there were no witnesses, but we’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because he controls the beer flow, and we’d hate to have to go to another bar tonight.

So what could possibly make this good wave day even better?  Well, for Drew it’s a freshly cut Mohawk and bottle of Sambuca with a straw, but it also doesn’t hurt that there’s more goodness to come.  We’ll be seeing more of the same sexy ground swell rolling in at chest to head height.  Get stoked!

A new member to the Surf Shak Family

There has been a new addition to the Surf Shak family.  His name is Westy and he is one mean machine.  He is a 1985 Volkswagen Westfalia, all original with a great engine.  This bad boy comes equipped with 2 beds, a full kitchen, a sink and a refrigerator, to keep my Cuba Libre cold.

Our first adventure in Westy was to a new reserve about 2 hours north of Canoa.  A group of amazing people are building a permaculture retreat, in an effort to conserve the forrest and educate people and the local community on sustainable living.  It is easily one of the coolest places I have ever had the pleasure of visiting.  Howler monkeys and spiders, waterfalls and jungle.  Picture living in a tree house, in the middle of the jungle and growing all of your food in the front yard.  The water comes from the river and you can drink it right out of the stream.  This is just the tip of the iceberg for the amount of incredible  experiences that can happen in this reserve.  I have included a couple of pictures that do not do this place justice but you can sort of get the picture.  

The plan is to eventually have consistent tours to this reserve and to raise some money and awareness though responsible tourism and help save this special place.  Through a volunteer program, a lot of great services and experiences can be accomplished and mutually beneficial.  Needless to say we are very excited. Click on Read More for some Great Pics—>.  Continue Reading…

Kayak Cave Tour, with Private Beach Included

Looking Towards Canoa

Recently Canoa Thrills has added a new tour to the Caves of Canoa.  In the past, to get to the caves took a bit of a miracle to time the tides right to make it through the cliffs and to the caves.  With the Tandem Sea Kayaks we were able to make it there in just over 30 minutes and stay as long as we wanted.  A private beach was found with some great caves, and a tunnel as you will see in the pictures below.  More to come in the near future as the distance traveled with the kayaks grows longer.

Image Gallery Below:

Party Pictures of Canoa

Still Smiling

Calvin and Andrea

Hello Ladies

Greg and Claudia

Been Growing this Mustache for 25 years!

Bin Bag Night

The Girls

Another Day in Paradise Happy Hour Sunset

Turn to the Port Side Captain

Kayak Tour to the Caves, met some new friends!

Looking back at Canoa