In my continuing quest to learn more about Mexican culture, and after seeing all the families at the Mexican Revolution fiesta, I was intrigued to determine what was the favourite pass-time of young boys in Lo de Marcos. It didn’t take long to find out.
As mentioned in previous posts, the beach at Lo de Marcos is situated in a large bay. The Pacific Ocean is relentless in sending wave after wave crashing on the shore. The waves breaking on the shore are audible a good distance from the water. Depending on tidal changes the waves vary in size, ranging anywhere from 2 to 4 feet high.
One afternoon we were sunning on the beach when we noticed a group of Mexican boys, in the 11-14 year old age group, strolling down the beach. Each was carrying what we later learned were referred to as boogie boards, “lisadores cortos“, or “tablas de surf para ninos”. It has been argued that the second Spanish translation is inaccurate, because adults can use them as well.
For those unfamiliar with boogie boards or bodyboards as they are sometimes described, the average board consists of a small, rectangular piece of hydrodynamic foam. The board can be shaped and adapted to different riding styles, and size of rider. The difference between a boogie board and a surf board is that the boogie board is generally ridden in the prone position, is flat bottomed with no external fins with which to turn sharply.
Anyway, enough of the technical jargon. Here is a photo of what boogie boards look like.
![ldms Some of the boys posing with their boogie boards.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4964.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Some of the boys posing with their boogie boards.
As the boys walked passed our location their excited chatter was drowned out by the pounding waves. One pointed to a particularly large incoming wave and with that they all ran to the water’s edge and plunged headlong into the surf. They yelled back and forth, and shouted with glee when they were able to catch a wave and ride up onto the beach.
![ldms Sliding up onto the beach brought the biggest smiles.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4677.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Sliding up onto the beach brought the biggest smiles.
As with any sport some boys were more proficient than others. One boy could actually steer his board and turn sideways in the surf.
![ldms This boy could turn his board sideways.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4689.jpg?w=300&h=225)
This boy could turn his board sideways.
The boys road the waves all afternoon, and became more daring as time went on. One of the boys tried to stand up on his board, but wiped out.
![ldms Wipe out.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4686.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Wipe out.
Regardless of the outcome of each ride these boys were having a ball. No sooner would they be in on the beach, yelling and teasing one another, then they would turn and run back into the foaming water. It became evident that they were not novices, as they patiently waited for the right wave.
![ldms Waiting for the right wave takes patience.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4685.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Waiting for the right wave takes patience.
One of the smaller boys was actually able to stand up on his board for a few seconds.
![ldms Now this what I call fun.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4962.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Now this what I call fun.
I took many photos of the boys, and told them in my broken Spanish that I would give them copies of the best photos, if they came back tomorrow. Luckily, I had brought my printer and was able to print off a number of 8″X10″ copies.
The following day, after school was out, the boys returned, and I gave them 12 copies of the best photos. They excitedly examined each one, and teased the one boy who had wiped out.
Almost every day after that the boys showed up on the beach and exhibited the same enthusiasm they had shown on my first encounter with them. One day, the waves were exceptionally high, causing one youngster to take a bad tumble. He came up gasping for air and yelled to the others, ” Perdí mis cortocircuitos” ( I lost my shorts). They all laughed. The boy casually took off his T-shirt, stepped into it like you would a pair of shorts, tied a knot at waist level, and didn’t miss a turn.
After watching these boys for several day now, it is clear that their favourite leisure activity is boogie boarding.
![ldms Surf's Up](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4688.jpg?w=300&h=225)
Surf's up
![ldms After a hard day of surfing.](https://mexicotrip2008.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/img_4963.jpg?w=300&h=225)
After a hard day of surfing.