The Locals of Playa Colorados

By Chris Dodds

As the winds blow offshore at Playa Colorados, as it does some 330 days a year, the waves march in from the depths and begin to take shape along the sandbars. Their tops feather and spray off as their bodies continue their growth until they reach that spot that makes them start to bend, pitch, and break.

If you watched long enough you would realize that most of the waves that come through Playa Colorados barrel as they break. Not all are big enough to tuck into, let alone make. Some are too fast, others too small. Yet, sure enough, you find yourself mind-surfing your way into them. If you were to watch on a good day, one where waves are overhead the barrels are more than big enough for surfers to try and do the tubular tuck and wiggle, you would notice that a select group of surfers are akin to barrel wizards. Yep, they make magic happen.

They sit out back and wait for the special ones, the unicorns. The ones that just hit different. The ones that everyone looks at…but few seriously consider. These surfers are, of course, the locals. And not the ones who moved here a few months ago…the ones who have been paying their dues for years and years.

Sure, the lineup may paddle and scramble as if they’re putting themselves in position to throw themselves over the ledge. But they’re bluffing, better yet, dreaming if they tell themselves that they can wrangle that wave and thread that barrel from the outer sandbar to the inside channel without getting worked.  They may make the drop and dodge it altogether, or maybe they get slapped by the lip as if it were a guillotine, or pinched by tube, or outright launched from the top of the wave to an inelegant flop into the flats and the ensuing violent spin cycle of whitewater. 

Visiting professional surfers aside, the locals at any break are the ones most likely to catch the best waves and ride them to graceful and stylish completion. This is one of the many reasons they should be respected. If you don’t know who they are, you may make the mistake of thinking they are too deep when, in fact, they are right where they want to be. Intentionally setting up to backdoor the wave–take off from behind the peak and traverse under the lip–and haul ass down the line for glory. The local crew at Colorados is no exception, they run the show. On top of packing crazy barrels and boosting insane airs, they are all good dudes who deserve some respect and attention for their skills. Guys like Jackson Obanda, Kevin Cortez, Oscar and Lesther Espinoza, Jeison Vado, Carlos Perez, and our very own Matteo Blevins. Behind the lens are two local legends, Mikey Hodzon and Jose Garcia.

Don’t just take my word for it, check those links and give them a follow; just be prepared to have your mind blown. Playa Colorados is one of the best beach breaks in Central America and Jackson, Kevin, Oscar, Lesther, Jeison, and Matteo are the boys to know. We took a trip there last summer and are dreaming about getting back for another visit.

Truth be told, we didn't get to meet the whole crew but we spent plenty of time with Matteo, Jackson, and Jeison. Although he is very humble, Matteo was the head coach of the Nicaraguan Surf Team for 9 years and has played a huge role in elevating the local surfers and surf filmmakers.

If you’re craving a trip to warm water tubes with offshore winds all day, look no further than Nicaragua. We can get you set up with Matteo and the boys to ensure your trip is guided by the best local knowledge.

Matteo Blevins’ Colorados

Offshore winds, the typically rare and fleeting phenomena that surfers love, is an all day occurrence here over 330 days a year. You read that right, the surf is groomed to perfection nearly…

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