Surfing in Cuba?

Some unusual cargo being checked.

After lunch on the first day we pile into the bus and head toward the beach! All of us are excited to get our first glimpse and when we finally get there we are amazed by the brilliant blue green water and white sand. It reminds of the Gulf of Mexico because the water is sparkling clear and the sand is very fine like powder. The beach town here is called Veraderes and is popular with foreign tourists.

Thanks to the efforts of our youth director James Kendrick, we were able to bring a couple of old surfboards with us. Surfing is a novelty in this country and most people know nothing of the sport. The first time we unpack the boards and carry them down to the beach, we get lots of curious looks and stares. Even the kids are a little wary. James and I quickly get to work and demonstrate how it's done. The kids are hesitant at first, but once we get the first one up and riding the sheer joy they are experiencing is evident on their faces. James and I spend hours pushing the kids into tiny waves as more and more people come up asking to try it. We have brought surfing to this little corner of Cuba!

Don't worry, it's easy.

Nice style!

Hopefully Fidel never saw this!