Longboard Crew, California--The surfing is great in Baja California. When longboarders make their trips to surf the Baja Mexico coast, they get to know some of the families, the kids and the economies south of the California border. After years of visiting and surfing, a tradition developed that has become a hit among the girls and boys who live in San Quintin, 200 miles south of San Diego. Located along Highway 1 (a beautiful drive akin to Big Sur minus the trees,) you'll find San Quintin west of the highway in a valley that still retains an old world charm.

Home to one of the largest bays on the west coast of Baja, San Quintin is located along the highway, just before the highway veers east to the Sea of Cortez. You'll find a modest region with U.S. retirees renting or leasing homes, and you'll discover families with children who live without the excesses seen to the north in California.
 

"The kids' eyes light up when they see us arrive," said Gary Sahagan, the Longboard Crew president, who helps round up the bicycles, fix and deliver them to Baja. "Sometimes the children will trade in last year's bike we brought them for a newer or larger bicycle." Sahagan, an avid surfer, said the volunteers from the U.S. unload the bicycles and let each child pick out one.

The public is invited to donate bikes in good working. Delivered to a home in Huntington Beach, Calif., the bikes are cleaned up, given new tires, chains and any minor fixes as needed. If you would like to donate a bike, you have till December 5, 2007. 

Please call Gary Sahagan to arrange delivery of your bike, or to donate cash to help pay for the gas for the trucks the Longboard Crew round up and drive to Baja.  (714) 369-0825.

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