 By Philip Friedman
CONTRIBUTOR
Even though the air temperature had soared to more than 112 degrees in Baja`s Guadalupe Valley some 20 miles from Ensenada, the girls from Door of Faith Orphanage kept the windows sealed tight. The 17 girls, crammed into one room, preferred the sweltering, suffocating heat in their upstairs room to the dust that would blow through an open window.
The 976-TUNA Youth Fishing Program is reaching across the border again this year to take kids out for a day of fishing fun and playing on the beach at the Rosarito Beach Hotel. On April 10th, over 100 kids from nearby orphanages will arrive at the hotel and be treated to a day of fishing, building sand castles, a BBQ, and just enjoying the beach. It’s a dream come true for these wonderful children and it is a great opportunity for you to lend a helping hand.
The weekend planned by the 976-TUNA Youth Fishing Program at the Rosarito Beach Hotel starts at 4 PM on Friday, April 9th as a bus will await you on the US side of the border at 4 PM all set to whisk you to the hotel. The weekend has two parties with Corona Girls, lots of extras, surf and pier fishing competition, golf, shopping, the wine country or just relaxing on the beach. You get extra discounts at the hotel Spa and late check out at 4 pm on Sunday with a bus ready to take you back to the United States side of the border so you don’t have to drive or buy Mexican Insurance. You will need a passport however, so make sure you take care of that as it usually takes about a month to issue.
At 1 PM on Saturday, over 100 orphans will arrive to the Rosarito Beach Hotel ready for a fun filled afternoon. The people who have come down with 976-TUNA have the option of participating in this event by being mentors to the kids. “What do you mean option to help,” asked Kim Newton from Laurel Canyon. “It’s the reason I am coming,” she said.
It was Newton who was instrumental in the 976-TUNA 2008 kids trip out of Ensenada.” I can’t remember the first time I held a fishing pole and felt the tug that tugs at you forever. I was maybe three or four, too small to reel in the big fish on the other end of the line. Fishing is something that has been a thread in my family’s fabric since my parents got married back in the 1940s,” said Newton
“When Philip (Friedman) and I took the kids from Corazon De Vida, a group of orphanages in Tijuana, Mexico on a special trip in the summer of 2008, we saw first-hand how some don’t get it, and others are hooked forever. Many of these kids have never seen the water, let alone caught a fish. There was that special handful, I paid close attention, who I saw as “real” fisherman and would be out on the Pacific again someday… come hell or high water. Some of them didn’t get it, of course. It’s not for the delicate impatient sorts. They were more interested in playing checkers down below. But as my father would say, “That’s for the best. More fish for us.” She said.
The kids will not only have the benefit of Newton’s angling expertise but there will be a slew of 976-TUNA Youth Volunteers on hand too. One of those volunteers will be 1972 World Champion Laker Flynn Robinson. “I was in Ensenada in 2008 and I wouldn’t miss this trip either,” said Robinson. On the Ensenada 2008 trip, Robinson taught the kids a card game that Wilt Chamberlain had taught him during their time as teammates and congratulated kids on a big catch. “"I don`t speak their language," Robinson said, "but we connected." Robinson went from child to child, high- fiving and giving hugs.
Thanks to the generosity of the Rosarito Beach Hotel, when the days fishing and playing on the beach ends, mentors and children will gather for a farewell barbeque. “If it’s anything like the last time, it will be a tear jerker,” said Robinson.
The weekend promises to be an annual affair as the combination of golf, fishing, casino tours, shopping, great food, horseback riding, kids activities and more all wrapped around an afternoon helping the kids is unbeatable.
On Saturday morning, the 976-TUNA guests are free to pursue their interest. There is the surf fishing derby, a van that will take you to a gorgeous golf course, the Spa, basketball, ping pong, a giant slide for the kids in the swimming pool and more. On Saturday evening, there will be a casino tour headed for Tijuana for slot machines, cards and betting on dogs and horses at the opulent Caliente Race track. Someone from 976-TUNA will be with you at all times no matter what the tour.
Sunday, 976-TUNA guests are free to fish, golf, tour the wine country, shop, hang out at the pool or beach and enjoy the wonderful ambience and people of Baja California Norte. World Champion Laker Flynn Robinson will also have an hour basketball clinic for you or your kids on Sunday morning at the Hotel courts. How many people can say they have played B-Ball with a World Champion?
At 2 pm, there is a farewell party with the bus departing at 4 pm to take you back to the United States side of the border. “This weekend has it all,” said Newton. “This is a weekend that you will not want to miss; a weekend for the whole family,” she said.
For $249 plus tax per couple, you will get 2 nights at the hotel, 2 breakfast buffets, 2 welcome drinks, 2 no hosts parties and a 15% discount at the luxurious Hotel Spa. You will also have 976-TUNA staff including yours truly, Philip Friedman there with for the entire weekend. The other events have extra affordable fees that you can pick and choose from or simply enjoy the hotel for a glorious weekend. To book this incredible weekend, please call Philip at 310-809-7340 or email him at Philip@976-TUNA.Com.
To see photos from the 2008 976-TUNA Youth Fishing trip to Ensenada, please click or go to http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=139582&id=686634642&l=9b8b929fd5
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