La Costa del Golfo Circumnavigation Just as planned, Arthur Hebert and Larry Koenig arrived in South Padre Island Texas, on Sat 22, as last stop in the Western Gulf Coast of the USA. As you may know they are circumnavigating by kayak the Gulf of México starting from Grand Isle in Louisiana, going ccwise, crossing from Isla Mujeres to Florida and ending in Louisiana. You can see all their program, progress, adventures, reports and pictures in www.lacostadelgolfo.com We appointed ourselves to help in the logistics of their entrance to Mexico, paperwork, and support from Matamoros, through the States of Tamaulipas and Veracruz up to Coatzacoalcos, the southernmost place in the Gulf. Our first encounter was In South Padre Island. After driving them to Brownsville and Matamoros and getting their import permit, they put in on Tuesday 25, 10:30 AM at the Isla Blanca Park (N26° 4.393” W97°9.529”). Wind conditions were announced to be South to Southeast at 15-20 mph but in reality predictions were short by far. Juan L. Del Valle our best paddler accompanied them in this trip section, whose objective was Playa Bagdad, just South of the Rio Grande Rivermouth. So they parted in their two Greenlander Pro Nigel Dennis boats and Juan L. in his Performa II. The farewell was very emotional with Magda and Janell saying good bye to the two adventurers for a few weeks of separation, and with people from the press and friends from the area. Breaking through the surf fully equipped, climbing up and disappearing for six or seven times, with hands waving, and each boat carrying a flag, two Americans and one Mexican, made it a very exciting and touching moment. Pictures at address given below. We all said goodbye. Larry’s wife and Arthur´s girlfriend rushed to the Airport back to Louisiana, while I drove to the border crossing in Brownsville into Matamoros and then to Playa Bagdad on the Mexican side. Reaching there, to my surprise, there was a strong welcoming committee. I was introduced to the director of tourism of the County of Matamoros, the Tourism representative for the State of Tamaulipas, the Port Captain and the Marine sector representatives both form the Secretaria de Marina, an impressive escort of few marines in ship uniform and two press men. I thanked them for their enthusiastic response and support and we drove to the rendezvous place and started waiting. Arrival time was expected to be by 1:30 PM. We could see the border patrol on the North side of the river and some fishermen and bathers on our side. 2PM, 2:30 PM and nothing to be seen in the horizon. We were all worried. Suddenly, before 3:00 PM they appeared, and started to move to our side. An unknown car escorted them for some distance and reaching the river blinked his lights and we blinked back. It was a very exciting moment. The Border Patrol parked on their side and stayed there until the end of the welcome. It was only a 9 mile crossing and it took them 4.5 hours. They mentioned that had to climb on 5 to 6 foot very close together waves, without a chance to gain any momentum in between them. Surfing in was very exciting with the flags waving, the boats broaching and the kayakers doing very effective and noticeable braces before reaching the beach. Larry entered first carrying the Mexican flag, then Arthur and Juan Luis made it at about the same time with their American flags waving. They made a good team, congratulated each other and had words of praise for the other members. They were introduced to the Marine officers who told them the Port was closed to small craft and they could continue if they wished at their own risk. Gave them some warnings and offered help all along their route while in Mexico. A cottage and good fish, shrimp and hot soup were waiting for them. The press people were very excited and made long interviews. Finally we left them resting in their cottage. The touching moment was when Arthur suggested that we should exchange flags with our autographs in them. Juan L. and I got an American flag each and we both signed on the Mexican flag to keep a memory of such an emotional day. We knew, by looking at the lacostadelgolfo web page that they were visited again next morning by the TV, newspapers, and marine officials to see them part and wish them good trip. Welcome to Mexico Arthur and Larry. We are all very excited about your trip progress, your warm heart, friendliness, and wish you the best of lucks. Rafael El cayucochief www.mayanseas.com pictures at http://community.webshots.com/user/cayucochief *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Sat Mar 29 2003 - 05:16:11 PST
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