Hermosa beach

This day is a tough one to beat.
The past week near San Juan Del Sur the Pitaya Festival was going on.
With this, Quiksilver was holding their 3rd annual surf competition.
I have always wanted to see a surf competition, although in my mind I pictured it taking place on the North Shore in Hawaii where I've always wanted to go, but hey, this was still pretty awesome.

It took place at Hermosa beach which is one of the nicest beaches we've seen here in Nicaragua and stretches about 2km long.
The surfing was pretty awesome. The wave here is not so big but moves quickly.
There were lots of tricks, a few wipe outs and lots of hot dogging.

As if this lovely day at the beach could get any better, they were releasing baby turtles into the ocean just before sunset.
They were keeping the turtles in big coolers and an old freezer until they were ready to make their long journey through the sand to the water.
Again, something I have always wanted to do but never really thought that it would happen.
It was absolutely amazing. What an experience. Brought tears to my eyes.

We followed the 2 turtle guys far down the beach until they found an appropriate to release.
Then whoever wanted to, could take the babies out and place them down on the sand.
Amazing. A big crowd gathered quickly, cameras snapping.

It takes these little guys quite some time to reach the water and even once they get there, the number of them that actually make it to adulthood are very few.

Sadly in Nicaragua and surrounding countries people, mostly men from what I hear, will eat turtle eggs for STAMINA. WTF guys. Really. Eating dogs that you've brutally beaten in Korea, turtle eggs here, all for stamina. Gimme a break.
Anyways, with this, poachers are a problem when the big mamma turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs.
It appears though that there is a lot of awareness here and efforts being made to prevent this poaching so that's refreshing to see.

Aside from that kinda dark note, this day was again, absolutely amazing.