International Body Surfing

The small town of Ixtapa on the West coast of Mexico is known for its remote fishing, warm water, and beautiful shores. However late in April the serenity of this slow moving town is interrupted by the annual Torneo Internacional de Body Surf (International Body Surfing Tournament). Hosted by the Manta Body Surfing Club of Zihuantenejo and sponsored locally by the Mexican state of Guerrero, the competition is two days full of surfing, body boarding, and body surfing.

There aren’t many things to do in Ixtapa aside from riding the surf, and the locals spend their fair share of time doing it at Los Escolleres beach where the competition is held. Most of the competitors are locals in the Zihuantenejo/Ixtapa area. However there are a handful of the faithful who will take the yearly journey south from the states to partake of the cheap food, beautiful scenery, and clean five to seven foot point break.

Lifeguard Richard Caldwell is one of these faithful few. Richard enjoys competing in bodysurfing circuit here in the states but he says he feels a certain connection to the Ixtapa competition. “It’s a great opportunity to connect with people on a common level no matter what the language. Many of the competitors down there are lifeguards too. I’ve made great friends.”

Every year in which Richard has attended the competition, more and more competitors take the trip south. This past year three more members of the Chubascos Body Surfing Club, which Richard is a member, attended the competition. Richard placed 4th in finals this year in the body surfing portion of the tournament. Richard reflected, “I’ve gotten to do some pretty great things and I feel like lifeguarding has been a big part of that. Other lifeguards have donated fins for me to bring with me to the competition next year since some of the local guys don’t have any that fit, or even none at all. It’s lifeguards helping lifeguards, and having a great time in the process.”

- Danielle Casillan