A Life of Surfing, Art and Community
By Christie Seeley published in Vallarta Tribune
vallartasounds.com
In the small town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca in 1984, the first son of a handsome fisherman from Acapulco and his beautiful Afro Mexican wife came into the world. Times were tough in those days and though his father worked hard at his trade and his mother did what she could to keep the family going they were quite poor. Julio had little formal education as the family grew rapidly and he had to abandon his studies to help his mother at an early age. He once told me that his day began early in the morning with some fishing line tied to a stick as he tried to catch a fish to feed his brothers and sisters.
Puerto Escondido itself was a poor town. It’s major industry outside of fishing was a tremendous wave at Zicatela Beach that was a challenge to the world’s competitive surfing community. The local boys could not afford a board so they had to do without learning to surf and participation in the international competitions for prize money. An older resident befriended Julio and helped him get his own board. He excelled over the years becoming one of the outstanding surfers of his generation in the area. Working as a surf instructor and repairing boards he paid the community back by helping other young locals realize their potential on the waves.
Julio began expressing his artistic talent on the surf boards he repaired or took in from fellow surfers who wanted his creative artwork to decorate their boards. Eventually he began creating unique canvases and other items which he sold in his surf shop, home to his surf school Zicazteca. The local magazine Viva Puerto began asking him to create their cover page for them. When people came through the community from other parts of Mexico and from Europe or the US and Canada, they were amazed by the fruits of his imagination which express his Mexicanism as well as his Afro Mexican background. In his work there is always the theme of water, waves, surfing, his love for animals and his marvelous sense of humor.
You can see some of Julio’s work on his website www.zicazteca.com.
There, you can also book surf lessons with Julio who is known for his patience with children and beginners as well as his skills helping more advanced surfers wishing to perfect their surfing abilities. Those who have studied with him rave about his upbeat attitude and ability to connect with them and impart his knowledge and skills to their advantage. If you ask around you will find it difficult to encounter anyone from Puerto Escondido who does not know and speak highly of this responsible and talented young man.
You can get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca from Puerto Vallarta and other origins by air through Mexico City connecting onto flights to Puerto Escondido airport or to nearby Huatulco. If you are visiting Oaxaca City you will find the highway to the coast is being improved providing better auto transportation and service by bus. Go to Youtube to see more about Julio and the creation of Zicazteca Surf School, his art and his community! https://youtu.be/zdqL1TG82sQ
Don’t miss Pulgas Surfs! https://youtu.be/CnOEwzl9m5Q
Make your plans now for Christmas and winter breaks!
Christie Seeley
vallartasounds.com
By Christie Seeley published in Vallarta Tribune
vallartasounds.com
In the small town of Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca in 1984, the first son of a handsome fisherman from Acapulco and his beautiful Afro Mexican wife came into the world. Times were tough in those days and though his father worked hard at his trade and his mother did what she could to keep the family going they were quite poor. Julio had little formal education as the family grew rapidly and he had to abandon his studies to help his mother at an early age. He once told me that his day began early in the morning with some fishing line tied to a stick as he tried to catch a fish to feed his brothers and sisters.
Puerto Escondido itself was a poor town. It’s major industry outside of fishing was a tremendous wave at Zicatela Beach that was a challenge to the world’s competitive surfing community. The local boys could not afford a board so they had to do without learning to surf and participation in the international competitions for prize money. An older resident befriended Julio and helped him get his own board. He excelled over the years becoming one of the outstanding surfers of his generation in the area. Working as a surf instructor and repairing boards he paid the community back by helping other young locals realize their potential on the waves.
Julio began expressing his artistic talent on the surf boards he repaired or took in from fellow surfers who wanted his creative artwork to decorate their boards. Eventually he began creating unique canvases and other items which he sold in his surf shop, home to his surf school Zicazteca. The local magazine Viva Puerto began asking him to create their cover page for them. When people came through the community from other parts of Mexico and from Europe or the US and Canada, they were amazed by the fruits of his imagination which express his Mexicanism as well as his Afro Mexican background. In his work there is always the theme of water, waves, surfing, his love for animals and his marvelous sense of humor.
You can see some of Julio’s work on his website www.zicazteca.com.
There, you can also book surf lessons with Julio who is known for his patience with children and beginners as well as his skills helping more advanced surfers wishing to perfect their surfing abilities. Those who have studied with him rave about his upbeat attitude and ability to connect with them and impart his knowledge and skills to their advantage. If you ask around you will find it difficult to encounter anyone from Puerto Escondido who does not know and speak highly of this responsible and talented young man.
You can get to Puerto Escondido, Oaxaca from Puerto Vallarta and other origins by air through Mexico City connecting onto flights to Puerto Escondido airport or to nearby Huatulco. If you are visiting Oaxaca City you will find the highway to the coast is being improved providing better auto transportation and service by bus. Go to Youtube to see more about Julio and the creation of Zicazteca Surf School, his art and his community! https://youtu.be/zdqL1TG82sQ
Don’t miss Pulgas Surfs! https://youtu.be/CnOEwzl9m5Q
Make your plans now for Christmas and winter breaks!
Christie Seeley
vallartasounds.com