Dale Dagger Surf Tours "What to Expect" Nicaragua

Welcome to Nicaragua! You will be experiencing life in a third world country for a week, and staying a fishing village of 200 people. One should hardly expect Five- star accommodations here, but should expect adventure and relaxation. Though we might not have the finest goat cheese or proscuitto or caviar... we've got the nicest place in town. Expect to find a custom built surf lodge right on the beach, abundantly flowing warm water showers, air conditioned private rooms, boats at your disposal, wireless internet, massage therapists, world class surf, fishing gear, surf lessons, home cooked meals, board rentals, cold beer and a smiling staff ready to please.

Don't expect to find pavement, shopping malls, fast food, (fast anything), pay phones, ATM's, parking lots, cruise ship tourists, nightclubs, champagne, veggie burgers, and Wal-marts.

THE FOOD

We serve just about anything you want (that we can get here), and are open to suggestions. Breakfast, on average, consists of homemade granola with raisins and yogurt, fresh local fruit, steel cut oats, golden pancakes, smoothies, cheddar and bacon empanadas, gallo pinto and peppered eggs. Not always all together... depending on your appetite. Lunch is Snapper tacos with homemade corn tortillas, mamas chicken soup, quesadillas with fresh pico de gallo and taco salad, Nicaragua favorite arroz con pollo, fresh local ceviche and hearty chili with a kick. Dinner can be grilled garlic & lime local fish, Home-made vegetable lasagna, zingy caesar salads with fresh homemade croutons, barbeque chicken and dill potato salad, ginger curry chicken and rice, whole fried fish with the eyeball and everything, fried plantains, and sometimes the biggest pile of sashimi you've ever seen (depending on our fisherman/boat captain Walter).
We've also got snacks, cookies, popcorn and soda for you junk food lovers. Beer and Soda are free and stored in our extra cold Beer fridge on the outdoor patio.

FYI - the fruit & veggies that we get here are selective to this area. We always have an abundance of bananas, pineapples, plantains, tomatoes, garlic, cucumbers, carrots, and peppers. In the spring season we have mangos, avocados, cantaloupe, and papaya. You won't find plums, grapes, strawberries, or kiwis unless you want to pay big money to have them shipped over.

THE LODGE

There are four rooms, each with a private bathroom. We have an 8 person capacity, and normally room friends together. The lodge has a large living room complete with satellite TV with surround sound, DVD player, outside stereo system, computer station with wireless internet, an outdoor patio that spills onto the beach, two hammocks hanging from the trees, BBQ grill, a large book selection, purified water, and a fridge filled with cold Toña beer, Fresca, Fanta, Coca cola and Gatorade. Maria and Karla will cook all your meals, and Darlin cleans everyday. Darlin will change your towels and sheets twice a week or more if you desire, and all the girls are extremely helpful.

THE BOATS

We have two boats, The Michelle and The Masayita. The Michelle is your surfing boat rigged with foam to cushion your boards, and the Masayita is our cadillac boat that can surf or fish, Given we didn't lose one at sea, they should all be at your disposal. Our captains know to come in the morning to check on your surf schedule. After meeting the captain, it will be easy to coordinate when you'd like to surf next and two- a- days are popular. You can take the boat to any break within our seven designated spots. Most are only accessible by boat, and some are private beaches. We go further than just about anyone on the boat; as far North as Vera Cruz, and as far South as San Juan del Sur. Because these trips are so long for the boat, captain and yourselves, we only do those twice a week. Anything is possible here, so if you want to go more times to the longer destination, we will absolutely accomodate you for a reasonable surcharge.

There is always something breaking, regardless of the time of year. If there is “no surf” by your standards, we've got plenty of activities in the village and don't kill us... We can't control mother nature. The greatest news is that the best surf in the country is only a 5 minute boat ride into the next bay. You can see how it is breaking from our front yard with binoculars. These boats are exclusive to the guests, and you will see a few select folk making the forty minute walk over the ridge who wish they could be on your boat.

THE TOWN

We are based in a tiny fishing village that rarely sees life from the outside world. People live in shanty's and shacks, and make a living off of fishing. They are kind, wonderful people and extremely friendly. There are two pulperias (little convenience stores) where you can find chips, beer, candy, Gatorade, Flor de Caña Rum, wine, home-made sweet bread, and cookies. There is a surf shop called the Swell where you can get surf wax, leashes,sun block, board shorts and bikinis. Our favorite beach shack sister restaurant "Chele Palmados" serves the best margarita south of Mexico and savory meals looking over the great pacific. There are also two other local restaurants that serve the catch of the day... grilled or fried, with rice and beans, plantains, and vegetables. The nearest city with a grocery store and gas station is 40 minutes away down a dirt country road, so don't forget to bring cash if you want to dabble in any of the vendors outside of the lodge, Most businesses deal with cash, and the last ATM is in Rivas.

GIVING BACK

The crew here at Dale Dagger Surf tours is happy to contribute a percentage of your Nica surf trip to giving back to our community. Not only do we employ all local townspeople, but we also started a non-profit organization of our own to benefit rural Nicaragua and beyond, starting with our humble village (www.sweetwaterworld.org). School supplies and uniforms are supplied for all the families of our Nica employees and this school year we provided uniforms, school supplies and backpacks for thirty-two other Gigante kids! We also create opportunities to financially help the others in need of supplies and transportation to school, as well as supporting the local sports teams including women's softball and the junior surfers. As we support the primary school in Gigante as much as possible, they are always is in need of school supplies. Often times the teachers don't even have notebooks to write in, or the kids don't have tape to display their projects usually done on used paper. We ask our guests to bring any school supplies if they can, and we have a wish list from the teachers if you want to help out... click here: SCHOOL WISH LIST

The Sweet Water Fun is our non profit dedicated to educating the third world and beyond... starting with our little village, Playa Gigante. They are a proud sponsor of the Gigante Women's Softball team who represent some of the brightest, most talented and motivated women in town, and work hard to provide school supplies and uniforms for as many students as possible, and help with existing medical problems. If you would like to contribute, please bring any old clothes you don't want or bring school supplies of any kind. If you would like to donate, or for more information, please visit: http://www.sweetwaterworld.org

TIN (as in: This Is Nicaragua)

Oh, such a beautiful place... filled with not-so-every- day- life kinds of things. Sometimes in this wonderful country, we lose power...as in, there might be no electricity for a few hours. Thankfully, we are also the only place in town with battery backup and a generator, so you won't even notice... (unless of course our backup fails:).

WHAT TO BRING

The necessities are:
- Sun block (at 11 degrees north of the equator, you'll be burnt fast)
- Surf wax (red tropical Sex Wax is best)
- Bug spray (with deet)
- Magazines (ok, the mags are for us too)
- Clothes you don't want any more (everyone in town is in need... including the gringos:)

Sometimes you will paddle out to the boat (it's not very far), so if you need all your surf stuff with you, bring a dry bag. Bring your laptop for internet, a good book, a beach towel, your IPOD and any candy you can't live without.

CASH & EXTRAS

You will want to bring cash for things like massages, booze, tips, souveneirs and surf photos. There is no ATM out here, and most places in town only accept cash.

TIPPING

All the staff works very hard to make your stay pleasurable, and would be thrilled to have a little extra. We recommend taking 10% of your trip cost and dispersing it as you see fit. Don't forget to bring cash as there are no ATM's out here at the beach. as you see fit.

SURF BOARD RENTALS

We have several surf boards for rent.... These boards are not the prettiest, but sufficient and durable. All boards are $20 per day and come with leashes and fins.
- Ding damage fees apply
- All boards are repaired in- house or official board repair shop in town
- If a board is broken, the client will be charged the value of the board. If inexperienced, please be cautious when surfing because of the “break it you buy it” rule. Boards are very hard to find and/or get down here.

Click here for the list of RENTAL BOARDS

SURF PHOTOS

Amarillo .... $100
Next bay over from the Surf Lodge

Colorado .... $100
Two bays over from the Surf Lodge

Santana .... $250
Twenty minute boat ride / 30 minute drive for Photographer

Sessions are two hours and price is split between all surfers.
All paying surfers receive all high res photos.

MASSAGE

Aveda Institute trained massage therapist, Chanelle Kelly, offers massages at the Lodge in the comfort of your own room and is trained in sports therapy & deep tissue massage.

30 minute massage - $30
60 minute massage - $50

Chanelle accepts cash only.

YOGA

Trained Yoga instructor, India Reinartz, offers bi-weekly Yoga classes in town for $5 per class. She is also available for private sessions at the lodge for $20 per session. She has Yoga mats for use also.